Heating Device Recirculation Circuit for Packaging Oven Energy Savings

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing heating devices used in packaging lines for bundling products face significant energy consumption issues during shutdown periods, leading to unnecessary heat dissipation and energy wastage, as the conveyor system continues to circulate air to prevent overheating of components.

Innovation Solution

A recycling circuit is introduced to redirect heated air from the outlet back to the inlet of the heating means, reducing heat loss by maintaining air circulation within the heating device, thereby minimizing energy consumption during non-production periods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the conveyor system continues to circulate air during shutdown periods to prevent overheating of components, then the reliability of heating components is improved, but energy consumption increases due to unnecessary heat dissipation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of heating componentsVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent recovers heated air that would otherwise be discarded during shutdown periods. The recycling circuit captures heated air from the outlet of the heating means and redirects it back to the inlet, preventing energy waste while maintaining component temperature. This resolves the contradiction by recovering useful thermal energy that would otherwise be lost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism through the recycling circuit that continuously monitors and adjusts air circulation. During shutdown periods, the system detects the state and activates the recycling circuit to maintain optimal temperatures without continuous energy input, creating a self-regulating feedback loop that balances reliability and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Temperature

If heated air is circulated through the conveyor and oven interior during shutdown, then the temperature of heating components is maintained, but heat loss to the outside environment increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature of heating componentsVSAvoidheat loss
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts heated air from the outlet of the heating means and separates it from the main circulation path. By taking out the heated air and redirecting it through the recycling circuit back to the inlet, the system prevents this thermal energy from being lost to the external environment, thereby maintaining component temperature while reducing heat loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The recycling circuit creates a thermal equilibrium by continuously circulating heated air through the heating means. This equipotential approach ensures that the temperature remains stable throughout the system during shutdown periods without requiring continuous energy input, balancing temperature maintenance with energy conservation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

3Use of energy by moving object

If a recycling circuit is introduced to redirect heated air, then energy consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidcomplexity of heating device
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the recycling circuit with the existing air circulation system of the heating means. By integrating the recycling function into the current structural framework and using existing components (heating means, conveyor, oven), the system achieves energy reduction without proportionally increasing complexity. The recycling circuit works in conjunction with existing elements rather than adding entirely separate systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 limits heat loss inside the oven and on the conveyor, preserving heating components and reducing energy expenditure during shutdowns, allowing for efficient restarts and cost savings.

Implementation Method 1

Generally, such a heating block is provided with electrical resistors or gas burners

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

A circulation means may be in the form of a turbine or a fan

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 3

the film shrinks under the effect of heat to form a constriction that keeps the products grouped in batches

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal contraction: Thermal Contraction

Data Source

PatentEP3734208B1Heating device, installation for packaging by bundling with such a device and method for circulation of flow of air heated in this device
Publication Date: 2024.11.13 SIDEL PARTICIPATIONS SAS
  • EP3734208B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3734208B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a heating device (1) for batches of coated products, comprising an oven with an enclosure, at least one conveyor (2) passing through said enclosure, a heating means (3) for said enclosure, with an inlet (4,40,41) and an outlet (5,50,51), and a heating module (30,31), each comprising a heating block (6), a circuit (7,70,71) connecting at the outlet of said heating block (6) and opening into the interior of said enclosure and a means for circulating (10) a flow of heated air with an air inlet (11), characterized in that it comprises a recirculation circuit (12) connecting said outlet (5,50,51) to said inlet (4,40,41) of said heating means (3). The invention also relates to a packaging installation by bundling with such a heating device (1) and a method of circulating heated airflow in the heating device (1).