IR Waveguide Heating for Selective Treatment of Complex Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating technologies struggle with controlling the wavelength of IR radiation, leading to non-selective and uneven heating of targets, especially non-flat surfaces and composites, and fail to effectively address issues like burr removal and heating inaccessible locations.
Innovation Solution
A device using a set of elongate bodies, such as glass rods, to couple and decouple IR radiation from an IR source, allowing controlled wavelength application and selective heating of targets, including inaccessible areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple thermal emitter is used for heating, then the device structure is simple, but the wavelength of radiation cannot be controlled and selective heating is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical system comprising lenses and mirrors as intermediary components between the thermal emitter and the target. This optical system acts as a mediator to control and direct the radiation wavelengths, enabling selective heating while maintaining a relatively simple thermal emitter structure. The optical components focus and filter the radiation to achieve wavelength control without complicating the emitter itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the heating system into distinct functional modules: the thermal emitter generates radiation, the optical system (lenses and mirrors) controls and directs the radiation, and the target receives selective heating. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the emitter remains simple while the optical system provides wavelength control capability.
2Device complexity
If direct heating from an emitter is used, then the heating process is simple, but uneven heating of a target surface occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses uneven heating by introducing optical dimensionality control through lenses and mirrors. These optical components manipulate the radiation in multiple spatial dimensions, directing it to follow the contour of non-flat target surfaces. This enables uniform energy distribution across complex geometries without increasing the fundamental simplicity of the heating system.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system provides dynamic control over radiation distribution, allowing the heating pattern to adapt to the target surface geometry. The lenses and mirrors can be positioned or adjusted to dynamically redirect radiation as needed, ensuring uniform heating across varying surface topographies while maintaining system simplicity.
3Ease of operation
If conventional heating methods are used on non-flat surfaces, then the process is straightforward, but selective heating of specific areas is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality control by using the optical system to direct radiation selectively to specific areas of the target. The lenses and mirrors enable different regions of the target to receive tailored radiation doses, with the optical components positioned to focus energy precisely where needed on non-flat surfaces, achieving selective heating without complicating the overall process.
4Area of stationary object
If broad spectrum IR radiation is applied, then all areas are heated, but inaccessible locations cannot be effectively treated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the optical system to extend radiation access into difficult-to-reach areas by manipulating the radiation path through reflection and refraction. The mirrors and lenses can direct radiation around obstacles and into cavities or recesses that would be inaccessible to a conventional emitter, effectively treating inaccessible locations while maintaining broad area coverage.
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 device achieves selective heating and burr removal with improved control over heating locations, particularly in complex geometries, enhancing treatment of plastics and composites.
Implementation Method 1
IR radiation emitted from the IR source is coupled into the set of elongate bodies via the inlets and decoupled from the elongate body via the outlets
Implementation Method 2
A device for heating a target with IR radiation
Implementation Method 3
selective heating of a target surface
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c~1d
Figure 1e~2
AI summary
In general, the invention relates to a device for heating a target with IR radiation. More specifically, the invention relates to a device, a process for heat treating a target, a process for making a composite, a use of an IR source, a use of an array of IR sources and a use of the device. The invention relates to a device for treating a target, the device comprising the following: a.An IR source adapted and arranged to emit IR radiation from an emitter surface having a first surface area; b.A set of elongate bodies consisting of 1 or more elongate bodies, each elongate body having an inlet, collectively referred to as the inlets, and each elongate body having an outlet, collectively referred to as the outlets; wherein IR radiation emitted from the IR source is coupled into the set of elongate bodies via the inlets and decoupled from the elongate body via the outlets over an outlet surface having a second surface area; wherein the first surface area is greater than the second surface area.