Heating cell, heater using same, heating system and use thereof
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heating systems using electrical resistances are inefficient due to high energy consumption and slow heat release, and microwave-based systems face limitations in efficiently transforming microwave energy into heat due to inefficient transmission and potential for electric discharges, especially when using dielectric materials with high dielectric constants.
Innovation Solution
The development of low-power heating cells utilizing transverse electromagnetic mode electrical transmission lines and high dielectric loss ceramic materials, such as SiC, to efficiently absorb microwave energy and convert it into heat, with a heating system design that includes microstrip and stripline configurations and power splitters to optimize energy transfer and reduce electricity supply requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If electrical resistances are used to heat ceramic accumulators, then heat can be stored and released slowly, but the heating time is very prolonged and energy consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional electrical resistance heating system with a microwave-based heating system. The microwave generator emits electromagnetic waves that directly heat the ceramic accumulators, eliminating the need for resistive heating elements. This substitution reduces heating time from hours to minutes while maintaining the ability to store and release heat slowly, thereby resolving the contradiction between prolonged heating time and extended heat release duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the heating mechanism from thermal conduction via electrical resistance to electromagnetic radiation absorption. By using microwaves with specific frequencies that resonate with the ceramic material's molecular structure, the heating process becomes much more efficient. The ceramic accumulators absorb microwave energy directly, converting it to heat rapidly, thus reducing heating time while preserving the slow release characteristic due to the material's thermal inertia.
2Loss of energy
If dielectric materials with high dielectric constants are used in microwave systems, then microwave energy can be transmitted, but electric discharges may occur reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully selects and optimizes the dielectric properties of the ceramic materials used in the system. By choosing materials with appropriate dielectric constants and loss tangents, the system achieves efficient microwave energy transmission without excessive energy loss. The ceramic accumulators are designed with specific compositional parameters that allow them to absorb microwave energy effectively while preventing electric discharges, thus resolving the contradiction between transmission efficiency and system stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite ceramic materials that combine different substances with complementary properties. These composites are designed to have optimized dielectric characteristics that balance microwave transmission efficiency and electrical stability. The composite structure allows the material to interact with microwave fields in a controlled manner, absorbing energy efficiently while preventing the formation of electric discharges that would reduce system reliability.
3Power
If conventional heating systems are used, then heat can be generated continuously, but electricity consumption is very high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional electrical resistance heating with microwave electromagnetic heating. The microwave generator converts electrical energy to electromagnetic waves with high efficiency, and the ceramic accumulators convert these waves to heat with minimal losses. This substitution eliminates the need for continuous high-power electrical resistance elements, significantly reducing electricity consumption while maintaining adequate heat generation capacity through the thermal storage and release cycle of the ceramic accumulators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a periodic heating system where the microwave generator operates in cycles rather than continuously. During off-peak electricity hours or when thermal storage capacity is sufficient, the system reduces or stops microwave generation, allowing the ceramic accumulators to release stored heat. This periodic operation pattern maintains heat generation capacity when needed while dramatically reducing overall electricity consumption by avoiding continuous high-power operation.
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 enables high-efficiency heat generation with significantly reduced electricity consumption, faster heating times compared to conventional systems, and slower cooling rates, optimizing the use of ceramic materials to achieve efficient and homogeneous heat distribution.
Implementation Method 1
heating cell comprising a transverse electromagnetic mode electrical transmission line, a power splitter and an electric charge in the form of high loss ceramic material which is coupled to said electrical transmission line and which is characterised in that it has electromagnetic wave absorption in the microwave frequency range
Implementation Method 2
low-power heating cells that allow microwave energy to be propagated along transverse electromagnetic mode electrical transmission lines to ceramic materials with high dielectric loss in the microwave region
Implementation Method 3
Ceramic heaters that incorporate a ceramic element have a greater thermal inertia. A heater with ceramic element will need between 80-100 W for every m2
Implementation Method 4
a reflector plane which directs said microwave radiation towards said high loss ceramic material
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention details a solution to the problem of transforming, with high efficiency, microwave energy into heat by means of heating units in the form of low-power heating cells that allow microwave energy to be propagated along transverse electromagnetic mode electrical transmission lines to ceramic materials with high dielectric loss in the microwave region. Said low-power heating cells are integrated in a heating unit. The set of heating units form a heating system with microwave energy that uses an electric low-power line.