Granulation Device Insulation Temperature Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing granulating devices face challenges in minimizing heat flow between the casting head and cutting chamber housing, leading to residual heat input and temperature profile disruptions, which can cause granules to stick to the cutting chamber walls and affect the casting head's temperature stability.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a temperature control device, such as a cooling or heating system with channels for a temperature-controlled heat transfer fluid or electrical Peltier elements, between the insulation and the cutting chamber housing to actively manage and absorb excess heat, thereby reducing heat flow and maintaining target temperatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If insulating materials are used at contact points between casting head and cutting chamber housing, then heat flow from casting head to cutting chamber is reduced, but residual heat input remains and cannot be minimized sufficiently

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat flowVSAvoidtemperature stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A temperature control device is introduced as an intermediary element between the insulation and the cutting chamber housing. This device actively manages the thermal interaction by providing controlled cooling or heating, thereby compensating for the residual heat that penetrates through the insulation and maintaining stable temperatures in the cutting chamber housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The temperature control device changes the thermal parameters (temperature) of the cutting chamber housing by introducing a heat transfer fluid with controlled temperature. This active parameter adjustment counteracts the residual heat input and maintains the housing at the desired temperature, preventing granule sticking and ensuring stable operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If insulation material is placed between casting head and cutting chamber housing, then thermal insulation is provided, but mechanical stability and load-bearing capacity at contact points may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal insulationVSAvoidmechanical stability
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The solution employs a composite structure combining insulation material with a temperature control device housing. The insulation layer provides thermal isolation while the outer housing structure maintains mechanical strength and load-bearing capacity. This composite approach allows both thermal insulation and mechanical stability requirements to be satisfied simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If heat flow into cutting chamber housing is minimized, then granules will not stick to walls, but heat withdrawal from casting head at contact points causes local cooling and disrupts temperature profile

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegranule stickingVSAvoidtemperature profile uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature control device applies localized temperature management at the contact point area between casting head and cutting chamber housing. By providing targeted cooling or heating only in this specific region, the device prevents granule sticking at the housing walls while compensating for the local cooling effect on the casting head, thereby maintaining overall temperature profile uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 solution effectively prevents thermal influence on the cutting chamber housing and the casting head, ensuring stable temperature profiles and preventing granules from sticking, while maintaining the desired temperature settings in both components.

Implementation Method 1

at least one temperature control device is also provided, which is between the insulation and the cutting chamber housing element or in the cutting chamber housing element in an area adjacent to the insulation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

channels for a temperature-controlled heat transfer fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

electrical Peltier elements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPeltier effect: Peltier Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2861397B1Granulation device
Publication Date: 2016.10.05 MAAG AUTOMATIK GMBH
  • EP2861397B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP2861397B1 patent drawingFigure 1B~1D
  • EP2861397B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B

AI summary

Disclosed is a granulation device (100) for pelletizing thermoplastic materials, comprising a feeder head, a cutting chamber housing, and at least one insulation (20; 124, 125) that is made of heat-insulating material and is arranged between a feeder head element (10, 110) and an element (30; 134) of the cutting chamber housing. At least one temperature control unit (12, 32; 119; 132, 135) is arranged between the insulation (20; 124, 125) and the element (30; 134) of the cutting chamber housing or in the element (30; 134) of the cutting chamber housing, in a region adjoining the insulation (124).