Heating Element Protrusion for Fluid Line Coupling Thermal Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heating devices for fluid line couplings suffer from low thermodynamic efficiency due to poor thermal contact and convection issues, leading to inefficient heat transfer and increased energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

A heating device with a radially protruding heating element and an annular insulating space formed between the heating element and the fluid line coupling, utilizing a filling material with higher thermal conductivity than air to enhance thermal contact while minimizing heat loss through a convection-free air layer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the heating element is embedded in the wall of the support part with spacing from the fluid line coupling, then the device structure is simple, but thermal contact is poor and thermodynamic efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structure simplicityVSAvoidthermodynamic efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a filling material as an intermediary substance between the heating element and the fluid line coupling. This filling material has higher thermal conductivity than air, serving as a thermal mediator that improves heat transfer from the heating element to the fluid line coupling, thereby resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and thermodynamic efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the thermal conductivity parameter of the medium between the heating element and the fluid line coupling by replacing air with a filling material that has higher thermal conductivity. This parameter change directly addresses the poor thermal contact issue while maintaining the simple embedded structure, thus improving thermodynamic efficiency without complicating the device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If air space is present between the heating element and fluid line coupling, then convection can occur, but thermal insulation is reduced and heat loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconvection heat lossVSAvoidthermal insulation performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating an annular insulating space with specific characteristics - it is convection-free and filled with insulating material. This localized modification of the space properties between the heating element and fluid line coupling provides both convection prevention and thermal insulation, resolving the contradiction between preventing convection heat loss and maintaining thermal insulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates an inert thermal environment by filling the annular space with insulating material that prevents convection currents. This inert thermal atmosphere eliminates convective heat transfer while maintaining thermal insulation, thereby reducing overall heat loss and resolving the contradiction between preventing convection and maintaining insulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

3Loss of energy

If the heating element protrudes radially inwards beyond the inner wall, then thermal contact is improved, but the remaining cross section for insulation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal contact qualityVSAvoidinsulating space cross section
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by transitioning from a uniform radial spacing approach to an annular insulating space configuration. The heating element protrudes radially inwards to improve thermal contact at the critical interface, while the insulating space is maintained in the annular region between the heating element and the outer wall, preserving insulation area in a different spatial dimension.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by concentrating the heating element protrusion at specific locations where thermal contact is most needed, while maintaining the annular insulating space in other regions. This localized modification optimizes thermal contact where required without sacrificing overall insulation area, resolving the contradiction between improving thermal contact and preserving insulating space.

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

The solution achieves high thermal efficiency by maintaining good thermal contact with the fluid line coupling while reducing heat loss, resulting in improved energy transfer and reduced energy consumption.

Implementation Method 1

a heating element (13) which is arranged in a heating element receiving space (14) formed in the head cuff part (11) and completely fills it, wherein the heating element (13) protrudes from the heating element receiving space (14) radially inwards beyond the inner wall (25) of the cuff part (11) in whose wall the heating element receiving space (14) is formed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

an annular insulating space (27) is formed along the inner wall (25) of the annular sleeve (10), which is delimited by the outer wall (22) of the fluid line coupling (2), isolating this area of the fluid line coupling (2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP2297505B1Heating device for a fluid line coupling and fluid line coupling arrangement comprising a heating device
Publication Date: 2013.01.02 A RAYMOND & CO SCS
  • EP2297505B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2297505B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2297505B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a heating device (1) for a fluid line coupling (2) comprising a heating element (13) arranged on a central section (4) of the fluid line coupling (2) in a positively engaged manner, and forming an insulating ring space (27) between an outer wall (22) of the central section (4) and inner walls (25, 26) of collar parts (11, 12) of a collar (10), thereby providing a high thermodynamic efficiency.