Magnetic Coupling Drive for Heat Exchanger Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning devices for heat exchangers face challenges in efficiently and reliably removing deposits from heat transfer surfaces due to the need for electrical wiring and pressure-tight power bushings, which increase manufacturing and maintenance costs and risk of leaks.
Innovation Solution
A drive device with a screw shaft and coupling element, allowing for fluid-tight and pressure-tight connection to the cylinder tube, enabling efficient torque transmission without the need for pressure-tight power bushings, using a magnetic coupling to transmit drive force from a commercially available drive element outside the pressure range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If an electric motor is used as the drive element inside the cylinder tube, then the cleaning device can effectively remove deposits from heat transfer surfaces, but electrical wiring and pressure-tight power bushings are required, increasing manufacturing effort, manufacturing costs, maintenance effort, and risk of leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electric motor with a magnetic coupling drive system. The drive element is positioned outside the pressure-tight cylinder tube and transmits rotational force magnetically through the tube wall to the cleaning element inside, eliminating the need for electrical wiring and pressure-tight power bushings while maintaining effective cleaning capability
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic coupling acts as an intermediary between the external drive element and the internal cleaning element. It transmits rotational force through the pressure-tight wall without requiring penetration or direct mechanical connection, thus solving the contradiction between effective driving and pressure-tight sealing
2Reliability
If pressure-tight power bushings are installed to supply electrical energy to the drive element, then the cleaning device can operate inside the pressure-tight environment, but manufacturing effort, manufacturing costs, and maintenance effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates pressure-tight power bushings by replacing the electrical drive system with a magnetic coupling system. The drive element operates externally and transmits force magnetically through the pressure-tight wall, maintaining sealing integrity while simplifying manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the drive element from the pressure-tight environment and positions it externally. This removes the need for complex pressure-tight electrical connections while the cleaning element remains inside the cylinder tube to perform its function
3Use of energy by moving object
If pressure-tight power bushings are used to connect the drive element to external power sources, then electrical energy can be supplied to the cleaning device, but the risk of leaks in the heat exchanger system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical energy supply system with a magnetic force transmission system. The drive element converts electrical energy to mechanical rotation externally, and this rotational force is transmitted magnetically to the cleaning element, eliminating all electrical penetrations and associated leak risks
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic coupling serves as an intermediary that transmits rotational force without requiring physical penetration of the pressure-tight boundary, thereby eliminating the leak pathway that would be created by power bushings
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 reduces manufacturing costs, maintenance effort, and the risk of leaks by eliminating the need for pressure-tight connections and allowing the use of standard drive elements, while maintaining efficient cleaning of heat exchanger surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic coupling to transmit drive force from a commercially available drive element outside the pressure range
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a drive apparatus for a cleaning apparatus (10) for a cylinder tube of a heat exchanger (13, 212). The drive apparatus has a lead screw (3), which is designed to be arranged in the cylinder tube in an axial direction (100) coaxially to the cylinder tube of the heat exchanger (13) and to move a cleaning element (12) in the cylinder tube in the axial direction (100) by means of rotation. The drive apparatus also comprises a coupling element (30, 210) having a first rotor (32) and a second rotor (34) coupled to the first rotor (32), wherein the first rotor (32) can be connected to the lead screw (3) in a mechanically rigid manner and to the cylinder tube in a fluid-tight and/or pressure-tight manner, and wherein the second rotor (34) can be mechanically connected to a drive element (208), such that the lead screw is rotatable by the drive element (208) via the second rotor and the first rotor. The invention also relates to a cleaning apparatus (10) and a heat exchanger (13).