Glass Container Microwave Heating for Precise Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glass container production methods using open flames are environmentally harmful, inefficient, and lack precise temperature control, while methods involving multiple heating sources like microwaves and lasers are complex and costly.
Innovation Solution
A glass container production line utilizing microwave heating sources with adjustable power levels to heat glass containers efficiently and precisely, transitioning from ambient to working temperatures through controlled power adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If open flame heating is used, then heating capability is achieved, but environmental harm increases and energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/chemical combustion system (open flame using methane and oxygen) with an electromagnetic field-based heating system (microwave heating). This substitution eliminates the harmful emissions associated with combustion while providing effective heating capability through dielectric heating of the glass material.
2Temperature
If open flame heating is used, then heating capability is achieved, but energy efficiency worsens due to high heat dispersion
Solution Approach 1:
The microwave heating system provides localized heating to specific zones of the glass container (such as the mouth or shoulder areas) rather than heating the entire container uniformly. This localized approach concentrates energy where needed, reducing heat dispersion and improving energy efficiency compared to open flame heating.
3Temperature
If open flame heating is used, then heating is achieved, but process control precision worsens due to environmental influence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a control system that monitors the heating process and adjusts microwave power delivery accordingly. This feedback mechanism compensates for variations in material properties and environmental conditions, maintaining precise temperature control throughout the heating process, unlike open flame heating which is highly sensitive to environmental factors.
4Productivity
If microwave and laser heating sources are combined, then heating efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a single microwave heating system that can perform multiple heating functions throughout the glass container production process. The microwave source is configured to heat different zones and perform various processing steps (such as softening, forming, and sealing) without requiring separate laser or other heating sources, thereby maintaining simplicity while achieving high heating efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables high-speed, cost-effective, and controlled heating of glass containers, overcoming the limitations of open flames and complex dual-source heating systems.
Implementation Method 1
the M heating devices respectively comprise M microwave sources and M adjustment units operatively associated with the M microwave sources
Data Source
AI summary
A glass container production line and process include a first step of heating a portion of the glass container by delivering microwaves and conveying them to the portion of the glass container. Microwave delivery is carried out at a first power level for a first time interval so as to bring the portion of the glass container from an ambient temperature to an intermediate temperature, and at a further power level, which is lower than the first power level, for a further time interval following the first time interval, so as to bring the portion of the glass container from the intermediate temperature to a first predetermined working temperature.