Air Sampling Conduit Ice Prevention via Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Smoke detection systems in low-temperature environments, such as refrigerated storage facilities, face issues with ice buildup in sampling points and pipes due to warm air ingress, leading to airflow problems and costly maintenance.
Innovation Solution
An air sampling system with a conduit having an entry port at the boundary of the low-temperature space, accessible for visual inspection and ice removal, and a restrictor outside the space to control airflow, featuring a connection assembly with a selectively removable restrictor fitting that prevents ice clogging and ensures proper assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sampling points are positioned on the ceiling or walls of the refrigerated space, then smoke detection coverage is improved, but ice buildup blocks the sampling points and pipes causing airflow issues and detection failure
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the sampling pathway into two separate segments: a sampling point inside the refrigerated space and a sampling pipe outside the refrigerated space. This segmentation prevents ice buildup from blocking the entire sampling system, as the critical sampling point remains accessible while the pipe is positioned in a warmer environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary structure (the sampling conduit with access opening) that mediates between the cold refrigerated space and the warmer external environment. This intermediary allows sampling air to be drawn from the cold space while the sampling pipe resides in a warmer zone, preventing condensation and ice formation.
2Ease of repair
If maintenance personnel access equipment inside the refrigerated storage facility to repair sampling points, then repair access is improved, but worker safety risks and operational disruptions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sampling pipe from the hazardous refrigerated environment and positions it outside the cold space. This allows maintenance personnel to access and repair the sampling pipe in a safe, warm environment without entering the refrigerated storage facility, eliminating worker safety risks while maintaining repair accessibility.
3Reliability
If sampling pipes are extended into the refrigerated space to improve sampling coverage, then detection effectiveness is improved, but condensation and ice formation in the pipes worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the sampling pathway so that only the sampling point (not the entire pipe) is positioned inside the refrigerated space. This minimizes the portion of the sampling system exposed to cold, humid conditions, reducing condensation and ice formation while maintaining effective smoke detection coverage.
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 system effectively prevents ice buildup and ensures continuous airflow, reducing maintenance costs and ensuring reliable smoke detection in low-temperature environments.
Implementation Method 1
a restrictor outside the space to control airflow
Data Source
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AI summary
An air sampling system (10, 110) for a low-temperature space (12) is disclosed. The air sampling system (10, 110) includes: an air sampling pipe (16) for passing sampling air to an air sampling device (2); and a sampling conduit (20, 120) extending from the low-temperature space (12) to outside the low-temperature space (12). The sampling conduit (20, 120) is connected to the sampling pipe (16), wherein the sampling conduit (20, 120) is selectively accessible from outside the low-temperature space (12) for removal of ice build-up within the sampling conduit (20, 120). Also disclosed is a kit for an air sampling system. Also disclosed is a method, computing system, air-sampling device and air monitoring system that evaluates an air sampling network.