Oven Width Measurement Instrument with Thermoelectric Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oven width measuring instruments face limitations in continuous measurement due to temperature restrictions and the need for cooling systems, which restrict measurement area and time in high-temperature environments like coke ovens.
Innovation Solution
An oven width measuring instrument integrated with a laser displacement sensor, thermoelectric cooling elements, and a housing with a cooling air passage system, along with a push-out ram equipped with a compressor and hose for supplying cooling air, allowing continuous and stable measurement without area or time restrictions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a water cooling jacket is used to protect noncontact distance meters in high-temperature environments, then the sensors can operate in carbonizing chambers, but the cooling device becomes large-sized and requires cooling pipes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the water cooling system with an air cooling system. Instead of using water cooling jackets and pipes, the invention uses air as the cooling medium, which eliminates the need for complex water supply and drainage piping while still providing effective cooling for the sensors in high-temperature environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the cooling medium from water to air, and changes the cooling method from contact cooling (water jacket) to convection cooling (air flow). This parameter change simplifies the system structure while maintaining cooling effectiveness.
2Reliability
If cooling pipes are required for the water cooling jacket, then sensors can be cooled, but the measurement area is restricted by the pump discharging performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the water-based cooling system with an air-based cooling system. Air can be supplied through flexible hoses that are not constrained by pump discharging performance, allowing the measurement device to operate in various positions and locations without being limited by cooling system constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pneumatic cooling by supplying compressed air through hoses to cool the sensors. This approach allows for greater flexibility in hose routing and measurement area coverage compared to hydraulic water cooling systems, as air can be delivered over longer distances without requiring high-pressure pumps.
3Area of stationary object
If a heat absorbing box with liquid is used without cooling pipes, then measurement area is not restricted, but measurement cannot continue when liquid temperature reaches service temperature limit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous cooling by supplying fresh air continuously to the sensors. Unlike the heat-absorbing liquid box that becomes ineffective when the liquid reaches its temperature limit, the air cooling system maintains continuous cooling capability by constantly supplying new air, allowing measurements to continue indefinitely without interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes from using a heat-absorbing liquid (which has limited heat capacity) to using air flow (which can be continuously replenished). This parameter change transforms the cooling system from a finite heat sink to an infinite heat sink, enabling continuous operation.
4Reliability
If thermoelectric cooling elements are used with cooling fins, then sensors can be cooled effectively, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cooling system into distinct functional components: thermoelectric cooling elements for active cooling and cooling fins for passive heat dissipation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system manageability and modularity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines active thermoelectric cooling with passive heat sink (cooling fins) into a single integrated cooling system. This merging of active and passive cooling methods creates a hybrid system that leverages the advantages of both approaches while sharing common structural elements.
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
Enables continuous and stable measurement of oven width without temperature-related limitations, ensuring accurate monitoring of coke oven wall conditions over extended periods.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of plate-like thermoelectric cooling elements surrounding the outer package and arranged so as to direct their heat absorbing faces toward the outer package
Implementation Method 2
a thermal conductor embedded in the gap between the outer package and the heat absorbing faces of the thermoelectric cooling elements
Implementation Method 3
cooling fins arranged on heat radiating faces of the thermoelectric cooling elements
Implementation Method 4
cooling fins arranged on heat radiating faces of the thermoelectric cooling elements
Implementation Method 5
a housing having an introduction part for introducing cooling air, a discharging part for discharging the cooling air used for cooling
Implementation Method 6
a laser displacement sensor containing a beam emitting element and a beam receiving element
Implementation Method 7
a laser displacement sensor containing a beam emitting element and a beam receiving element
Data Source
AI summary
An oven width measuring instrument capable of measuring the oven width continuously while being subject to no restrictions of measurement area or measuring time has: a sensor unit SU composed of an integrated combination of laser displacement sensors 16 and 17 each containing a beam emitting element and a beam receiving element in an outer package, a plurality of plate-like Peltier elements 20a-20d surrounding the outer package and arranged so as to direct their heat absorbing faces toward the outer package, an aluminum inner frame 18 for embedding gaps between the outer package and the heat absorbing faces of the Peltier elements, and cooling fin groups 21a-21d arranged on the heat radiating faces of the Peltier elements; and a housing 13 having an introduction part for introducing cooling air, a discharging part for discharging the cooling air used for cooling, and measurement windows 26 and 28 through which laser beams are passed. The sensor unit SU is accommodated in the housing.