Actuating Device Heating Pin Thermal Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuating devices with expansion materials, such as thermostatic valves, face challenges in reaction time and operational reliability due to slow heating of expansion materials, which can lead to thermal decomposition and seal damage from high temperatures.
Innovation Solution
An actuating device with a heating pin featuring a heating element on its outer surface, allowing for direct heat transfer to the expansion material, enabling rapid heating and movement without the need for high temperatures, thus improving response time and operational safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If high temperatures are applied to heat the expansion material quickly, then the response time of the thermostatic valve is improved, but the risk of seal damage and thermal decomposition of expansion material increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a heating pin as an intermediary heat transfer component. The heating pin is inserted directly into the expansion material, serving as a mediator that transfers electrical energy to thermal energy efficiently. This intermediary approach allows controlled heating at lower temperatures while achieving rapid response, avoiding the harmful effects of direct high-temperature application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional thermal conduction methods with direct electrical heating through the heating pin. By substituting the heating mechanism with an electrical resistance heating element embedded in the expansion material, the system achieves faster and more controlled heating without requiring high external temperatures, thereby preventing seal damage and material decomposition.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the expansion material is heated slowly, then the risk of thermal decomposition and seal damage is reduced, but the response time of the thermostatic valve increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating pin is pre-positioned within the expansion material during manufacturing, establishing a direct thermal pathway before operation. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when electrical power is applied, heat is immediately and efficiently transferred to the expansion material, enabling rapid response without requiring high temperatures that could cause decomposition or seal damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the heating parameter from external high-temperature conduction to internal electrical resistance heating. By transforming the heating method and controlling the electrical power input to the heating pin, the system achieves optimal balance between heating speed and temperature control, preventing thermal decomposition while maintaining fast response time.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a heating element is integrated into the expansion material, then the heat transfer efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heating function with the expansion material by integrating the heating pin directly into the material matrix. This combination creates a unified structure where the heating element and expansion material work together as a single functional unit, improving heat transfer efficiency while avoiding the complexity of separate heating systems and connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating pin is designed to be self-contained within the expansion material, with its own electrical connection path. Once installed, the system can be activated simply by applying electrical power without requiring additional external heating components or complex control mechanisms. The integrated design makes the system self-sufficient and reduces overall device 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
The solution enhances the actuator's response time and operational reliability by facilitating rapid expansion material heating and movement, reducing the risk of thermal decomposition and seal damage, while maintaining a high level of tightness and safety.
Implementation Method 1
At least a partial area of an outer surface of the heating pin is formed by the at least one heating element. This outer surface of the heating pin, of which at least the partial area is formed by the at least one heating element, is in contact with the expansion material in the radial direction of the heating pin. In this way, the at least one heating element can give off heat to the expansion material which surrounds the heating pin in the radial direction.
Implementation Method 2
If an expanding material contained in the housing, such as a wax, is heated by energizing the heating conductor, the volume of the expanding material increases. This leads to the housing of the expansion element being displaced relative to the piston in an axial direction of the piston.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to an actuating device, in particular for a thermostatic valve (10), comprising a thermal expansion element (22) which includes a housing (26) and at least one thermal expansion element (28) contained in the housing (26), and a heating pin (24) which can be supplied with electrical energy to heat the thermal expansion element (28). The heating pin (24) extends through a closure device (30) of the thermal expansion element (22). By heating the thermal expansion element (28), the thermal expansion element (22) is movable relative to the heating pin (24). The heating pin (24) has a base body (42) with an outer surface facing the thermal expansion element (28), wherein at least one heating element (40) is arranged on the outer surface, which can be supplied with electrical energy. The at least one heating element (40, 70) forms at least a partial region of an outer surface of the heating pin (24).The outer surface of the heating pin (24) is in contact with the expansion material (28) in the radial direction of the heating pin (24). Furthermore, the invention relates to a valve assembly.