Heat Radiator Sealing Element for Drying Convection Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Infrared radiators used for drying purposes experience a strong, chimney-like convection flow when vertically arranged, leading to heat energy loss as the air cools both the radiator and the surface being dried, rather than effectively heating the body.
Innovation Solution
A heat radiator with a housing featuring a sealing element that forms a strip-shaped seal with air-impermeable edge zones and openings in the middle zone, preventing direct convection flow from reaching the radiator or the body, while allowing controlled convection for moisture removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a complete seal is used to prevent air flow, then heat loss is reduced, but moisture removal capability is eliminated
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is segmented into distinct functional zones: edge zones that provide airtight sealing to prevent heat loss, and a central zone with openings that permit controlled air flow for moisture removal. This segmentation allows simultaneous achievement of both energy conservation and productivity requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the sealing element have different properties: the edge zones are air-impermeable to conserve heat, while the central zone contains openings that allow air permeability for moisture evacuation. This local differentiation of properties resolves the contradiction between sealing and ventilation.
2Productivity
If convection flow is allowed to remove moisture, then drying efficiency improves, but heat energy is lost through cooling the radiator and surface
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element with its specific geometry acts as an intermediary structure between the radiator and the body to be dried. It mediates the convection flow by channeling it through controlled openings in the central zone, preventing direct contact with the radiator surface while still enabling moisture removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element extends in the vertical dimension with varying heights at different horizontal positions. The edge zones extend higher to block air flow effectively, while the central zone has lower openings that allow controlled air passage, creating a three-dimensional flow management structure.
3Area of stationary object
If the sealing element is positioned close to the body to be dried, then space utilization improves, but convection flow directly cools the body and radiator
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is segmented horizontally into edge zones and a central zone with openings. This segmentation allows the structure to be positioned close to the body while the openings in the central zone enable controlled air flow that does not directly contact the radiator or body surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element uses a brush construction with individual bristles that can be easily replaced if worn. The brush mounts and bristles form an effective seal without requiring complex mechanisms, providing a practical solution for maintaining the sealing function while allowing controlled air passage.
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 configuration maximizes energy input to the body being dried by minimizing heat loss and directing convection flow away from the radiator and surface, ensuring efficient drying without cooling the radiator or surface.
Implementation Method 1
A convective zone is created between the radiant heater and the body to be radiated, which is caused on the one hand by the warm surface of the radiant heater and on the other hand by the heated body.
Implementation Method 2
Infrared radiators used for drying purposes experience a strong, chimney-like convection flow when vertically arranged
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
When a body is irradiated for the purpose of drying, a convection current is produced between the heat radiator and the body to be dried. Said air current carries away the humidity discharged from the body but can also cool off the body and the heat radiator when too close. The invention provides a marginal sealing of the intermediate space between the body and the heat radiator, marginal zones of a sealing strip preventing the air current and an air-permeable central zone allowing the air current. In this way, the air can be carried off in as precise a manner as possible between the body to be dried and the heat radiator and has as little effect on these as possible.