Modular CFC Grating for Industrial Heat Treatment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grating systems for industrial heat treatment are limited by their size-specificity, requiring multiple grating configurations for different furnace sizes and involving complex assembly processes, which are time-consuming and costly.
Innovation Solution
A modular grating system featuring strips with receiving sockets and tubular support rods that can be easily assembled and combined to form larger elements, providing enhanced load-bearing capacity and stability, with support rods extending over the entire width and modular spacers for stacking, allowing for universal use across various oven sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If standard-sized gratings are used, then the grating structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it only covers one oven size and lacks versatility
Solution Approach 1:
The grating is divided into multiple individual bars (longitudinal and transverse) that can be independently manufactured and then assembled together. These segmented bars with receiving sockets allow the grating to be configured in different sizes by varying the number and arrangement of bars, thus achieving versatility while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The grating design uses universal components (standardized bars with receiving sockets, plug-in connections) that can be assembled into different configurations to suit various oven sizes. The same basic bar design serves multiple functions across different grating sizes, eliminating the need for custom-made gratings for each application.
2Adaptability or versatility
If custom-made gratings are used for different furnace sizes, then the adaptability to various oven sizes is improved, but the device complexity and assembly time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The grating consists of standardized segmented bars that can be easily assembled and disassembled. Each bar has receiving sockets that simplify the connection process, reducing assembly complexity while allowing customization for different furnace sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The bars are designed with receiving sockets that allow one bar to be inserted into another in a nested manner, simplifying the assembly process. This nested connection system reduces the complexity of assembling custom-sized gratings while maintaining adaptability.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional grating connections are used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the load-bearing capacity and stability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The bars are pre-equipped with receiving sockets during manufacturing, which preliminary prepares the connection interfaces. This preliminary action allows for quick and strong assembly without complex field manufacturing, thereby improving load-bearing capacity while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The grating bars are made from carbon-fibre-reinforced carbon (CFC), which is a composite material combining carbon fibers with a carbon matrix. This composite material provides high strength-to-weight ratio and excellent thermal stability, significantly improving the load-bearing capacity and stability of the grating while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized production processes.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a grid for charging and industrial heat treatment of objects in furnaces, consisting of comb-like and interlocking, right-angled strips made of CFC or graphite, with a square or rectangular outline. The invention aims to create a plug-in grid for industrial heat treatment that, with significantly improved load-bearing capacity, can be easily and reliably assembled into larger elements. This is achieved by inserting a plurality of receiving sockets (5) provided with openings (4) side by side in parallel strips (1, 2), symmetrically to the longitudinal extent of the strips (1, 2), such that the openings (4) are aligned with the openings (4) of adjacent strips (1, 2) and that parallel support bars (6) are arranged side by side in the openings (4).