IR UV Module Gas Flow Dividing Device for Uniform Window Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infrared and ultraviolet modules used in drying and curing processes face challenges in maintaining low surface temperatures to prevent ignition in flammable atmospheres, with conventional cooling methods being inefficient and prone to hotspots, and requiring complex modifications to existing process lines.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a module housing with a window that allows infrared or ultraviolet radiation to pass through while maintaining low surface temperatures, utilizing a gas flow dividing device to distribute coolant flows evenly over the window and radiator surfaces, ensuring efficient and uniform cooling without hotspots and allowing for integration into existing systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single coolant flow is used to cool the window, then the structure is simple, but temperature distribution becomes uneven and hotspots occur
Solution Approach 1:
The single coolant flow is divided into multiple separate coolant flows using a flow dividing device. Each divided coolant flow is directed to cool different regions of the window independently, transforming one uniform cooling stream into multiple targeted cooling streams that can maintain even temperature distribution across the window surface.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the window receive coolant flows with locally optimized characteristics. The flow dividing device enables each region to be cooled according to its specific thermal requirements, creating non-uniform cooling characteristics that result in uniform temperature distribution across the entire window surface.
2Temperature
If coolant flow rate is increased to improve cooling performance, then cooling efficiency increases, but pressure stability and structural tightness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The total coolant flow rate is segmented into multiple lower-rate flows distributed across different regions. This allows the system to achieve the same total cooling effect while maintaining lower pressure in each individual flow channel, thereby preserving structural tightness and pressure stability.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the window surface area is increased to improve radiation transmission, then infrared or UV radiation efficiency increases, but the window becomes more prone to hotspots
Solution Approach 1:
The large window surface is effectively segmented into multiple cooled regions through the flow dividing device. Each region receives its own dedicated coolant flow, enabling independent temperature control that prevents hotspot formation even as the total window area increases for improved radiation transmission.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional cooling methods are used, then the system is easy to implement, but cooling uniformity deteriorates and hotspots occur
Solution Approach 1:
A flow dividing device is introduced as an intermediary component between the coolant source and the window. This relatively simple device takes the single coolant flow and automatically divides it into multiple flows, providing uniform cooling without requiring complex cooling system architecture or difficult-to-implement modifications.
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 solution effectively maintains surface temperatures below ignition points, prevents hotspots, and allows for space-saving integration into existing processes, enhancing safety and efficiency while reducing the risk of flammable substance ignition.
Implementation Method 1
a gas stream is led from the inlet opening via an inner surface of the window to the at least one radiator with the line
Implementation Method 2
a window (3) matching the radiator made of a material that is transparent to infrared radiation
Implementation Method 3
UV radiation emitted by the at least one UV radiator radiates out of the UV module through the window
Implementation Method 4
the module housing has a gas flow dividing device, wherein the gas flow dividing device divides the gas flow from the inlet opening into a plurality of gas flows
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an IR or UV module comprising at least one emitter (1), a module housing (2) with a window (3) enclosing the emitter (1), wherein the emitter (1) is arranged in the module housing (2) such that emitted radiation shines out of the module through the window (3), wherein the module housing (2) has an inlet opening (4) for supplying a gas flow into the module housing (2) and at least one outlet opening (5) for discharging the gas flow out of the module housing (2), wherein the module housing (2) has a conduit (6) for directing the gas flow from the inlet opening (4) via an inner surface (7) of the window (3) to the at least one outlet opening (5), wherein the module housing (2) has a gas flow dividing device (8) that divides the gas flow within the module housing (2) into several gas flows, and wherein the module housing (2) directs the several gas flows in such a manner thatthat the multiple gas flows section by section wash over the inner surface (7) of the window (3). The invention also relates to a processing system with such an IR or UV module and a method for operating an IR or UV module or a processing system.