Pre-heater Assembly with Moderately Conductive Capillary

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pre-heater assemblies for fluid separation apparatuses in liquid chromatography suffer from inadequate heat transfer efficiency, leading to unsatisfactory pre-heating of fluids.

Innovation Solution

A pre-heater assembly comprising a capillary with a thermal coupling body made of a material having a moderate thermal conductivity between 8 W/(m K) and 100 W/(m K), such as plastic, which surrounds the capillary to efficiently transfer heat from a heat source, while minimizing parasitic heat flow and enhancing manufacturability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a highly thermally conductive material (such as aluminum) is used for the thermal coupling body, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but parasitic heat flow increases and manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidparasitic heat flow

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by selecting a specific thermal conductivity range (8-100 W/(m K)) for the thermal coupling body material. This optimized parameter range balances heat transfer efficiency with parasitic heat flow suppression, resolving the contradiction between these two opposing requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials by using plastic materials with embedded thermally conductive particles or fillers. This composite approach achieves the desired moderate thermal conductivity (8-100 W/(m K)) that provides sufficient heat transfer while limiting parasitic heat flow, thus resolving the contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Use of energy by moving object

If a highly thermally conductive material (such as aluminum) is used for the thermal coupling body, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adopts plastic materials for the thermal coupling body, which are generally easier and cheaper to manufacture than metals like aluminum. These plastics can be molded into complex shapes more simply, reducing manufacturing complexity while still achieving the required heat transfer performance through the optimized thermal conductivity range and composite formulations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

By using composite plastic materials with thermally conductive fillers, the patent achieves adequate thermal performance through simpler plastic molding processes compared to metal fabrication. This composite approach maintains heat transfer efficiency while significantly easing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional pre-heater assemblies are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but heat transfer efficiency is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidheat transfer efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by changing the thermal conductivity parameter of the thermal coupling body to a specific range (8-100 W/(m K)), which is lower than conventional highly conductive materials but sufficient for efficient heat transfer. This parameter optimization achieves good heat transfer efficiency while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through plastic materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The use of composite plastic materials with thermally conductive fillers provides a manufacturing-friendly alternative to conventional metals. These composites can be molded using standard plastic processing techniques, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving the thermal performance needed to resolve the contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 use of a moderately thermally conductive thermal coupling body improves the overall pre-heating performance by suppressing parasitic heat flow, resulting in efficient heat transfer to the fluid, even surpassing the efficiency of highly conductive materials like aluminum, and allows for simpler manufacturing processes.

Implementation Method 1

heat generated by a heat source is supplied to the capillary via at least part of the thermal coupling body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS10994222B2Pre-heater assembly with moderately thermally conductive capillary surrounding

Publication Date: 2021.05.04 AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

A pre-heater assembly for pre-heating a fluid, in particular in a fluid separation apparatus, wherein the pre-heater assembly comprises a capillary having a lumen and being configured for conducting the fluid, and a thermal coupling body contacting at least part of the capillary, having a value of thermal conductivity in a range between 8 W/(m K) and 100 W/(m K) and being arrangable so that heat generated by a heat source is supplied to the capillary via at least part of the thermal coupling body.