Knit Wire Mesh Bearing Elements for Monolith Vibration Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing element frame assemblies face challenges in securely holding monoliths within catalyst modules, particularly in harsh environments like marine vessels and gas turbines, where vibrations and mechanical stresses can cause damage, and current solutions like fibre mats are inadequate in maintaining position during mechanical stress.
Innovation Solution
The use of knit wire mesh bearing elements between the monoliths and the element frame walls, extending over the edges of the monoliths at the inlet and outlet, provides improved radial and longitudinal support and damping, reducing the need for protrusions in the frame walls and enhancing the assembly's bearing and damping properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If fibre mats are used between monoliths and element frame walls, then cushioning against vibration is provided, but the mats cannot stay in place during periodical mechanical stress and high vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces protrusions as intermediary structural elements that extend from the element frame walls into the interior space. These protrusions act as mediators between the rigid frame and the flexible fibre mat, providing anchoring points that prevent the mat from displacing during vibration while still allowing it to provide cushioning protection to the monoliths.
Solution Approach 2:
The fibre mat functions as a flexible protective layer that can deform under vibration and mechanical stress. By combining this flexible mat with the rigid protrusions, the system achieves both vibration cushioning and positional stability - the mat absorbs mechanical energy while the protrusions maintain its position.
2Reliability
If protrusions are added to element frame walls to hold fibre mats, then position stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The element frame walls are segmented by adding protrusions that divide the interior space into distinct regions. This segmentation allows the fibre mat to be positioned and anchored more effectively without requiring a completely different frame design, thus improving reliability with minimal increase in overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the fibre mat itself more complex or using additional fastening mechanisms, the invention inverts the approach by modifying the frame structure with simple protrusions. This reverses the traditional problem-solving direction and achieves position stability through a simpler structural modification rather than complicating the mat or assembly process.
3Strength
If monoliths are held securely in element frames, then mechanical damage is prevented, but the assembly cannot accommodate harsh ambient conditions like high vibration and gravity forces
Solution Approach 1:
The fibre mat is positioned beforehand between the monoliths and the element frame walls to provide cushioning protection. This pre-positioned cushioning layer absorbs mechanical shocks and vibrations before they can reach the monoliths, enabling the assembly to withstand harsh ambient conditions while protecting the catalyst structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The element frame assembly combines multiple materials with complementary properties: the rigid element frame provides structural support, the flexible fibre mat provides vibration damping and cushioning, and the protrusions provide mechanical anchoring. This composite structure achieves both strong monolith protection and adaptability to harsh conditions including high vibration and gravity forces.
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 knit wire mesh bearing elements effectively prevent mechanical damage to the monoliths by providing robust support and damping, ensuring the monoliths remain securely positioned even under conditions of high vibration and stress, thus improving the durability and performance of the element frame assemblies.
Implementation Method 1
The knit wire mesh bearing elements effectively prevent mechanical damage to the monoliths by providing robust support and damping
Data Source
AI summary
An element frame assembly (1) comprising an element frame (2) for holding at least one monolith (3) containing catalysts in the flow of exhaust gases from a combustion source. The element frame (2) comprising two pairs of opposing walls (10), an interior (11) formed by the walls (10), an inlet end (12) and an outlet end (13). The least one monolith (3) comprising an inlet (20), an outlet (20), four sides (22) and at least one catalyst. At least one knit wire mesh bearing element (4) is provided such that there is at least a portion of the at least one knit wire mesh bearing element (4) between the at least one monolith (3) and each adjacent wall (10) of the element frame (2).