Hermetic Blower Magnetic Coupling High-Temperature Gas

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional blowers used in solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems face durability issues due to high-temperature heat generation and leakage of high-temperature working fluids, leading to reduced efficiency and energy generation in the SOFC system.

Innovation Solution

A hermetic blower design featuring a magnetic coupling unit, a heat shield, and a sealing cap to prevent fluid leakage and indirect heat transfer, along with a bearing member with enhanced heat resistance coatings, ensuring the blower unit remains sealed and durable even in high-temperature environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the blower is used for a long time in high-temperature environment, then the blower can pressurize and transport high-temperature gas, but high-temperature heat is generated and durability of parts is rapidly reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressurize and transport high-temperature gasVSAvoiddurability of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The blower is divided into two separate units: a blower unit that handles high-temperature gas and a motor unit that operates at lower temperature. This segmentation allows each unit to operate within its optimal temperature range, maintaining durability while achieving the required productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A magnetic coupling unit serves as an intermediary between the blower unit and motor unit, transmitting rotational motion without direct mechanical connection. This allows the blower unit to be isolated from the motor unit's thermal environment, protecting the motor from high-temperature heat while maintaining operational connectivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If the blower unit is opened for motor cooling, then the motor can be cooled effectively, but high-temperature working fluid leaks to the outside

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotor coolingVSAvoidworking fluid leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into a hermetic blower unit and a separate motor unit, allowing independent thermal management for each. The blower unit maintains its seal integrity for high-temperature working fluid containment while the motor unit has its own cooling mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic coupling unit acts as a hermetic barrier that transmits rotational motion while preventing any leakage between the blower unit and motor unit. This intermediary maintains the seal integrity of the blower unit while allowing the motor unit to be independently cooled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If the motor unit is integrated with the blower unit, then the structure is compact, but heat generated from the blower unit is directly transferred to the motor unit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrationVSAvoidheat transfer to motor

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The motor unit and blower unit are segmented into separate assemblies connected only through the magnetic coupling unit. This physical separation eliminates direct heat transfer paths while maintaining functional integration through magnetic coupling, achieving both compactness and thermal isolation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic coupling unit serves as a thermal barrier that transmits rotational motion from the motor unit to the blower unit without allowing heat transfer. This intermediary maintains functional connectivity while providing thermal isolation, solving the contradiction between integration and heat management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 hermetic blower effectively prevents fluid leakage and enhances durability, maintaining efficiency and extending the lifespan of the blower, while minimizing heat transfer to the motor unit and reducing maintenance costs by allowing separate replacement of the motor unit.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetic coupling unit connecting the blower unit and the motor unit by using a magnetic force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

a heat shield shielding heat generated while the blower shaft operates

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat shielding: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

a sealing cap coupled to the other end of the blower shaft to seal the housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHermetic sealing: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS11480183B2Hermetic blower for high-temperature gas

Publication Date: 2022.10.25 INGINEERS

AI summary

Discloses is a hermetic blower for high-temperature gas, including: a blower unit in which the inside is hermetic so as to prevent an internal working fluid from being leaked to the outside; a motor unit supplying power to the blower unit; and a magnetic coupling unit connecting the blower unit and the motor unit by using a magnetic force.