Insulated Supply Line Sheathing for Gas-Tight Combustion Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sensor arrangements for combustion devices face challenges in withstanding thermal, mechanical, and chemical stresses, particularly in maintaining gas-tightness and electrical insulation for accurate gas analysis.

Innovation Solution

The arrangement features one or more supply lines running through a rod-shaped insulating body made of temperature-resistant and chemically inert materials, such as ceramic, with a sheath and spacers providing additional thermal insulation and mechanical support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If supply lines are exposed in the combustion device, then electrical connection to sensor is achieved, but the supply lines are subjected to thermal, mechanical, and chemical stresses causing degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupply line durabilityVSAvoidthermal and chemical exposure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The supply lines are nested within a protective tube that extends into the combustion device. The protective tube acts as a shelter, allowing the supply lines to maintain electrical connection while being shielded from thermal, mechanical, and chemical stresses in the combustion environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective tube serves as an intermediary element between the supply lines and the harsh combustion environment. It mediates the exposure by providing physical protection while still allowing the supply lines to function for electrical connection to the sensor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If multiple probes are installed to measure flue gas stratification, then measurement accuracy improves, but device complexity and installation cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflue gas stratification measurementVSAvoidnumber of probes required
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it measures oxygen concentration at its location and also enables measurement of flue gas stratification when multiple units are installed. The modular design allows the same sensor unit to serve both as a standalone oxygen sensor and as part of a stratification measurement system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments the measurement function into multiple identical sensor units that can be distributed at different heights in the flue gas stack. Each unit independently measures oxygen concentration, and together they provide stratification information, dividing the complex measurement task into simpler, identical components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If supply lines are routed through the combustion chamber wall, then electrical connection is maintained, but gas-tightness of the combustion device is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection stabilityVSAvoidgas leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The supply lines are nested within the protective tube that extends through the combustion device wall. This nested configuration allows the supply lines to pass through the wall for electrical connection while the protective tube maintains the gas-tight seal of the combustion chamber.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective tube acts as an intermediary that passes through the combustion device wall, allowing electrical connection while preventing gas leakage. It mediates between the need for electrical access and the requirement for gas-tightness.

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

This configuration ensures reliable and accurate gas analysis in combustion devices by maintaining electrical insulation, resisting chemical degradation, and withstanding high temperatures while preventing gas leakage.

Implementation Method 1

a sheath and spacers providing additional thermal insulation and mechanical support

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

one or more supply lines running through a rod-shaped insulating body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentEP4560305A1Arrangement with electrically conductive supply lines, a sheathing and a rod-shaped insulating body
Publication Date: 2025.05.28 SIEMENS AG
  • EP4560305A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4560305A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4560305A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Arrangement with supply lines. Arrangement comprising at least one first electrically conductive supply line (1a, 1b, 1c), a sheath (2), and a rod-shaped insulating body (3); wherein the sheath (2) has a first end (4a) and a second end (4b), the first end (4a) being different from the second end (4b), the first end (4a) being opposite the second end (4b), and the sheath (2) having a first opening at the first end (4a) and a second opening at the second end (4b); wherein the at least one first supply line (1a, 1b, 1c) extends through the arrangement from the first end (4a) to the second end (4b) and defines an axis; wherein the rod-shaped insulating body (3) comprises at least one passage through the rod-shaped insulating body (3) and a first section of the at least one supply line (1a, 1b, 1c) runs in the at least one passage through the rod-shaped insulating body (3).