Heat-shrinking Installation Temperature Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat-shrinking installations for sleeves on supports, such as containers, face challenges in accurately regulating steam temperature, leading to inconsistent sleeve retraction quality due to reliance on sole boiler outlet pressure measurement.
Innovation Solution
The installation incorporates temperature measurement and control within the enclosure, using multiple sensors to regulate steam generation based on setpoints in different zones, ensuring precise temperature control for optimal sleeve retraction, including preheating, retraction, and smoothing steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If steam temperature is regulated based on boiler outlet pressure measurement, then the regulation system is simple, but the temperature control precision is insufficient leading to inconsistent sleeve retraction quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pressure-based regulation system with a thermal field-based regulation system. Instead of measuring steam pressure at the boiler outlet to infer temperature, the invention directly measures the actual temperature inside the heat-shrinking enclosure using temperature sensors. This substitution of measurement methodology (from pressure inference to direct temperature measurement) resolves the contradiction by providing precise temperature data without requiring complex pressure-temperature correlation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a closed-loop feedback system where temperature sensors continuously monitor the temperature inside the enclosure, and the measured temperature is fed back to the steam generation means to adjust steam supply. This feedback mechanism ensures that the temperature remains within the desired range, resolving the precision issue while maintaining manageable system complexity through automated control.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple temperature sensors are used in different zones of the enclosure, then the temperature control precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the heat-shrinking enclosure into multiple thermal zones, each equipped with its own temperature sensor. This segmentation allows independent temperature monitoring and control in different regions (e.g., preheating zone, retraction zone, smoothing zone), enabling precise control of the sleeve retraction process at each stage while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular sensor placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality control by positioning temperature sensors at specific locations within the enclosure where temperature control is most critical for sleeve retraction. Each zone receives tailored temperature regulation based on local requirements, improving overall manufacturing precision without requiring uniform complex instrumentation throughout the entire system.
3Use of energy by moving object
If steam generation is finely regulated based on temperature measurements, then energy efficiency is improved, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control where temperature measurements from sensors inside the enclosure are continuously used to adjust steam generation. This closed-loop system automatically modulates steam supply to match actual thermal requirements, improving energy efficiency by avoiding both overheating and insufficient heating, while the automated nature of the feedback control keeps system complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature measurement and regulation system operates autonomously, with sensors automatically detecting temperature conditions and the control system self-adjusting steam generation accordingly. This self-service capability improves energy efficiency through continuous optimization without requiring manual intervention, while the automated control logic maintains reasonable system complexity.
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 allows for precise temperature control throughout the heat-shrinking process, significantly improving sleeve adherence to supports, even for complex shapes, and reducing water consumption by finely adjusting vapor flow rates.
Implementation Method 1
steam generation means for supplying steam to the heating means
Implementation Method 2
means for heating by water vapor arranged in the enclosure... under the action of the heating induced by the heat diffusion means, the sleeve softens and then retracts
Implementation Method 3
the sleeve softens and then retracts onto the support
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention concerns an installation for heat-shrinking sleeves made from a heat shrinkable material inserted on supports, such as containers, comprising a housing, steam heating means arranged in the housing, means (200) for generating steam for supplying steam to the heating means and at least one conveyor for conveying the supports into the housing between an inlet of the housing and an outlet of the housing. According to the invention, the means for generating steam comprise control means capable of controlling the means for generating steam on the basis of at least one measurement of the temperature in the housing in order to shift the measured temperature towards a given temperature setpoint.