Planar Heating Element for Sample Concentrator Tube

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sample concentration devices face challenges in rapidly and uniformly raising the temperature of a sorbent to a desorption temperature, which is essential for efficient analysis of trace gas samples. Additionally, these devices often suffer from thermal degradation of the sorbent and increased chemical noise due to non-uniform temperature control.

Innovation Solution

A sample concentrator tube with a heat-resistant planar heating element adhered to its outer surface, which allows for rapid and precise temperature control. The heating element is composed of a carbon nanotube or carbon nanotube-metal complex with a silicone adhesive, providing efficient heat transfer and minimizing temperature differences across the sorbent.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a heating wire is wound on the outer surface of the tube for heating, then heating function is provided, but the heating wire linearly expands during heating causing decreased adhesion with the tube and inability to precisely control sample temperature

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating capabilityVSAvoidtemperature control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical winding structure of heating wires with a planar heating element that is adhered to the tube surface. This substitution eliminates the linear expansion problem of wound wires while maintaining heating capability, enabling precise temperature control for sample desorption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical form of the heating element from a three-dimensional wound wire structure to a two-dimensional planar structure. This parameter change allows the heating element to maintain stable contact with the tube surface during thermal expansion, preventing adhesion loss and ensuring accurate temperature control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If high heating rate is applied to rapidly raise temperature to desorption temperature, then analysis efficiency is improved, but thermal shock causes degradation of the sorbent and adsorbed material

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanalysis efficiencyVSAvoidsorbent integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The planar heating element provides uniform heat distribution across the tube surface, creating consistent local heating conditions. This prevents localized thermal shock that would otherwise degrade the sorbent, while still achieving the required high heating rate for efficient analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The heating system enables dynamic temperature control with rapid response capability. The planar heating element can quickly adjust temperature profiles to optimize desorption efficiency while preventing excessive thermal stress on the sorbent material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If heating is applied to desorb volatile material from sorbent, then sample concentration is achieved, but non-uniform temperature distribution causes thermal degradation and increases chemical noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesorption efficiencyVSAvoidchemical noise
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The planar heating element ensures uniform temperature distribution across the entire sorbent bed, eliminating hot spots that would cause localized thermal degradation. This uniform heating reduces chemical noise while maintaining efficient desorption of volatile materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The planar heating element creates a consistent temperature profile that accurately replicates the desired heating pattern across the sorbent. This uniform thermal field prevents irregular desorption and minimizes chemical noise generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

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 solution enables precise control of the sorbent temperature, preventing thermal degradation and minimizing chemical noise. It allows for rapid heating and efficient thermal desorption of samples, improving analysis reproducibility and energy efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a heating layer 200 including a heat-resistant planar heating element adhered to an outer peripheral surface of the tube 100

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

The heating element is composed of a carbon nanotube or carbon nanotube-metal complex with a silicone adhesive, providing efficient heat transfer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

an adsorptive material layer formed on the electrical heating substrate to contact the fluid channel for adsorbing moisture or volatile organic compounds in a gas flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP3910313B1Sample concentrator tube having heat-resistant planar heating element adhered thereto, analysis device comprising same, and analysis method using same
Publication Date: 2025.04.30 BIONEER
  • EP3910313B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3910313B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3910313B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A sample concentrator tube having a heat-resistant planar heating element adhered thereto, an analysis device comprising the same, and an analysis method using the same, according to the present invention, have an effect capable of precisely controlling the temperature by uniformly and rapidly heating the sample concentrator tube to a target temperature for desorption, and capable of almost simultaneously desorbing an adsorbed sample in any part of an adsorbent by minimizing a local temperature difference of the adsorbent in the tube. In addition, it is possible to minimize chemical noise by preventing thermal denaturation of the adsorbent caused by over-heating, and there is an advantage of excellent reproducibility as well as an effect of being inexpensive, economical, and excellent in energy efficiency.