Thermally Insulated Housing With Tortuous IR Shielding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional thermally insulated housings for heat-producing, heat-radiating devices, such as CPOX reformers and SOFC stacks, experience rapid heat loss due to direct IR radiation paths and require mechanical fastening for insulation retention, which increases weight and cost.

Innovation Solution

A thermally insulated housing design with refractory thermal insulation assemblies that line the internal surfaces, inhibiting IR radiation flow and eliminating the need for mechanical fastening, using pre-dimensioned and preconfigured sections with self-supporting structures to maintain efficient insulation and portability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional thermal insulation assemblies are used with mechanical fastening, then insulation retention is reliable, but weight and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsulation retentionVSAvoidhousing weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical fastening systems with a friction-based retention mechanism. The compression spring applies continuous radial force against the insulation assembly, creating friction that holds the insulation in place without mechanical fasteners. This substitution eliminates the weight and complexity of mechanical fastening while maintaining reliable insulation retention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The insulation assembly is designed to be self-retaining through the friction mechanism created by the compression spring. The system automatically maintains insulation retention through the spring's continuous radial force, eliminating the need for external mechanical fastening systems and reducing overall housing weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If conventional thermal insulation assemblies with mechanical fastening are used, then insulation retention is secure, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsulation retentionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical fastening systems with a simpler friction-based retention mechanism using a compression spring. This substitution reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining secure insulation retention, as the spring mechanism is easier and more cost-effective to manufacture than mechanical fasteners.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The compression spring is positioned at a specific location (radially outward from the heat-producing device) to apply localized radial force. This localized application of force creates sufficient friction for retention without requiring complex fastening systems throughout the entire housing, thereby reducing manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Temperature

If excessive insulation material is used, then external surface temperature is reduced, but device weight and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexternal surface temperatureVSAvoidhousing weight

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies insulation material in a controlled, localized manner around the heat-producing device. The compression spring ensures uniform distribution and contact of the insulation material, providing effective thermal protection at the external surface without requiring excessive insulation thickness throughout the entire housing, thereby reducing weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The compression spring acts as an intermediary mechanism that ensures optimal insulation material distribution and contact. By applying controlled radial force, the spring maximizes the thermal insulation efficiency of the material used, achieving effective external surface temperature reduction with minimal insulation material and reduced weight.

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 solution effectively reduces heat loss, maintains a cool external surface temperature, and enhances portability by using only the necessary insulation material, while reducing overall weight and cost through a self-supporting structure.

Implementation Method 1

a first housing possessing conjoined side, top and bottom panels... having adherently attached thereto at least one refractory thermal insulation assembly... the thermal insulation or combination thereof thereby inhibiting thermal losses from the enclosed heat-producing, heat-radiating device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

each thermal insulation assembly or combination thereof excluding a direct path for the flow of IR radiation from the heat-producing, heat-radiating device thereby inhibiting thermal losses

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIR radiation blocking: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP3844835B1Thermally insulated housing for a heat-producing, heat-radiating device

Publication Date: 2024.01.10 WATT FUEL CELL CORP

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AI summary

A thermally insulated housing for a heat-producing, heat-radiating device such as an integrated CPOX reformer and SOFC stack includes an assembly of thermal insulation sections that presents an indirect, or tortuous, path that inhibits the flow of IR vectors to the walls of the housing.