Heating Element With Guided Resistive Wires For Complex Shapes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible heating elements are limited in their ability to conform to curved surfaces and withstand shear forces, making them unsuitable for heating applications on complex or hemispherical shapes.
Innovation Solution
A heating element comprising resistive wires guided by discrete means, such as flexible nets or plastic bands, allowing the formation of heating surfaces on any chosen shape, with parts inside and outside the flange, and featuring self-regulating temperature control and insulation for use in conductive fluids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If discrete guiding means are used to guide resistive wires at separate locations, then the heating surface can be formed on any chosen shape, but the structure becomes more complex compared to a simple flexible film
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible net made of thin, flexible material is used as the guiding means. This net can be draped over and conform to any chosen surface shape, providing guidance for the resistive wires while maintaining simplicity and flexibility. The thin-film nature of the net minimizes structural complexity.
2Reliability
If the resistive wire is covered with electrically insulating material, then electrical safety is maintained when immersed in conductive fluid, but the heat dissipation efficiency may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A thin flexible insulating coating is applied to the resistive wire. This thin film provides electrical insulation when the heating element is immersed in conductive fluids like urea solution, preventing short circuits while minimizing thermal resistance to maintain heat dissipation 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
Enables efficient heating of complex surfaces, including curved shapes, while maintaining electrical safety and flexibility, with controlled heat distribution to prevent freezing in fluid tanks like urea solutions.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element comprising at least one resistive wire for conducting an electrical current and dissipating heat as an effect of said current
Data Source
AI summary
A flange (101) for holding a quantity of fluid within a tank, such flange being equipped with a heating element comprising at least one resistive wire (102) for conducting an electrical current and dissipating heat as an effect of said current, wherein the heating element further comprises guiding means (103), and wherein the at least one resistive wire (102) is guided at a plurality of separate locations along its length by the guiding means (103) to form a heating surface, wherein a first part of the heating surface is present inside the flange (101) and a second part of the heating surface is present outside the flange (101).