Articulated Refractory Segment for Thermal Expansion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refractory protective segments for heating gas containers face challenges in achieving simple assembly and optimal stability, particularly under thermal expansion, where they fail to accommodate changes in the relative position of refractory blocks effectively, leading to inadequate gap management and potential stress on the blocks.
Innovation Solution
The design involves two superimposed refractory protection blocks articulated via a connecting element, allowing for reversible changes in their relative position due to thermal expansion, with a bridge that compresses elastically to reduce the bending radius and adjust gaps, ensuring the blocks maintain their original shape upon cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If refractory protection blocks are rigidly fixed to the gas container wall, then assembly simplicity is improved, but the ability to accommodate thermal expansion and maintain stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The refractory protection blocks are connected via articulated connections (hinges) that allow dynamic adjustment of the blocks' positions. This enables the structure to adapt to thermal expansion by changing the relative positions of blocks while maintaining overall stability, resolving the contradiction between rigid fixation and thermal accommodation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows changes in geometric parameters (positions and orientations of blocks) in response to thermal conditions. The articulated connections enable parameter adjustments that accommodate thermal expansion while maintaining structural integrity, balancing assembly simplicity with operational reliability.
2Reliability
If refractory protection blocks are articulated to accommodate thermal expansion, then stability under thermal changes is improved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The refractory protection system is divided into discrete blocks connected by articulated joints. This segmentation allows each block to be relatively simple in design while the overall system achieves thermal accommodation through the articulated connections, managing complexity by distributing functionality across multiple simple components.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulated connections (hinges) serve as intermediary elements between the refractory blocks and the gas container wall. These intermediaries absorb the complexity of thermal accommodation, allowing the blocks themselves to remain simple while achieving the required stability under thermal expansion.
3Manufacturing precision
If the refractory protection segment compresses under thermal expansion, then gap management is improved, but stress on individual blocks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The articulated connections enable dynamic compression and expansion of the refractory protection segment. This dynamic behavior allows gaps to be managed effectively during thermal cycles while distributing stresses through the articulated mechanism rather than concentrating them on individual blocks.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple refractory blocks are merged into a coordinated system through articulated connections. This merging allows the segment to compress as a unified structure, improving gap management while distributing the mechanical stresses across multiple blocks and connection points rather than concentrating them on single blocks.
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 ensures optimal stability and gap management by allowing the refractory protection segment to compress and expand with thermal changes, reducing stress on the blocks and maintaining effective coverage of the heating gas container wall.
Implementation Method 1
under compressive stress in the direction Y of the refractory protection segment, compression of the refractory protection segment is possible due to increased thermal expansion of the adjacent refractory protection wall
Implementation Method 2
The refractory protection segment returns to its original shape or relative position of the blocks when the pressure decreases due to cooling of the adjacent refractory protection wall
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~2a
Figure 3~4b
AI summary
The invention relates to a refractory protection segment (1) for a refractory protection lining (4) of a gas container wall (5), wherein the refractory protection segment (1) has a receptacle by means of which the refractory protection segment (1) can be brought into positive engagement with the gas container wall (5) directly or indirectly, wherein the refractory protection segment (1) extends in a direction Y and in a direction Z extending substantially perpendicular to the direction Y and has at least two refractory protection blocks which lie substantially one above the other in the direction Y, wherein the refractory protection blocks each have a front and each have a back with respect to a direction X, wherein the direction X is substantially perpendicular to the direction Z, and wherein the back is facing the gas container wall (5).wherein a) two superimposed refractory protection blocks are directly connected to each other by a hinge and are movable relative to the gas container wall (5), or b) two superimposed refractory protection blocks are indirectly connected by a hinge via a connecting element and are movable relative to the gas container wall (5), so that in the event of a pressure load on the refractory protection segment (1) in direction Y due to increased thermal expansion of the adjacent refractory protection wall (4), a reversible change in the relative position of the refractory protection blocks to each other is possible.