Jacket Conduit with Symmetrical Channels for Uniform Fluid Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature-controlled heating devices for fluid lines require additional connecting pieces for integrating temperature sensors, which delays their introduction into the jacket conduit and affects the uniformity of heat transfer.
Innovation Solution
The jacket conduit features symmetrical circumferential sections with continuous and intermittent longitudinal channels to accommodate heating elements and temperature sensors, along with air-filled hollow channels that enhance thermal conductivity and reduce the number of heating elements needed, allowing for uniform radial heating and improved temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional connecting pieces are used to integrate temperature sensors into the jacket conduit, then the temperature sensors can be integrated into the system, but the introduction of temperature sensors is delayed and the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensors are directly integrated into the jacket conduit structure itself, merging the sensor housing with the conduit body. This eliminates the need for separate connecting pieces and allows temperature sensors to be introduced during the same manufacturing process as the jacket conduit, resolving the contradiction between reliable sensor integration and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The jacket conduit is designed with integrated sensor receptacles that serve dual purposes: structurally supporting the conduit while simultaneously housing the temperature sensors. This multi-functionality allows the same component to fulfill both mechanical and sensing functions, eliminating additional connecting pieces
2Temperature
If heating elements are arranged asymmetrically in the jacket conduit, then the device structure is simpler, but homogeneous heating of the fluid line in radial direction is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs symmetrical arrangement of heating channels around the fluid line to ensure uniform heat distribution in all radial directions. This deliberate use of symmetry (rather than asymmetry) resolves the technical contradiction by achieving homogeneous heating through balanced thermal distribution, with the symmetrical channel arrangement becoming an integral part of the jacket conduit manufacturing process
3Temperature
If more heating elements are used to achieve uniform heating, then homogeneous heating is improved, but the number of heating elements and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions heating elements at specific locations within integrated channels at the periphery of the jacket conduit, where they can efficiently transfer heat to the fluid line through the conduit wall. This localized arrangement achieves uniform heating distribution with fewer elements by optimizing their placement rather than simply increasing their quantity
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 homogeneous heating of the fluid line in both radial and circumferential directions, improving the temperature condition of the fluid, especially for shorter lines, and allows for reduced heating element usage.
Implementation Method 1
to benefit of the higher thermal conductivity of the air filling the hollow channel compared to that of the jacket conduit material, in order to promote homogenization of heat introduction along the circumference of the fluid line
Implementation Method 2
at both sides of a longitudinal center plane extending through a longitudinal slot the jacket conduit is provided with at least one circumferential section having a plurality of continuous and/or intermittent longitudinal channels which are adapted to accommodate at least two heating elements
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for temperature controlled heating of a fluid line which comprises a jacket conduit made of a flexible material and provided with a longitudinal slot across which a fluid line is insertable into a cavity of said jacket conduit, at least one heating element extending in longitudinal direction of said jacket conduit and one temperature sensor each arranged in a first and a second section of the jacket conduit, wherein at both sides of a longitudinal center plane (M) extending through the longitudinal slot (5) the jacket conduit (1, 21) is provided with at least one circumferential section (7, 8, 22, 23) having a plurality of continuous longitudinal channels (9, 9′, 10, 10′, 13, 13′, 13″, 26, 26′) and/or intermittent longitudinal channels (13, 13′, 13″) adapted to accommodate at least two heating elements (11) and/or at least one temperature sensor (14, 15), said continuous longitudinal channels (9, 9′, 10, 10′, 13, 13′, 13″, 26, 26′) and/or intermittent longitudinal channels (13, 13′, 13″) extending symmetrically to said longitudinal center plane (M) of the jacket conduit (1, 21) and/or to a center plane of said circumferential section (7, 8, 22, 23).