Segmented Air Distribution for Melt Blowing Nozzle

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Solution Overview

Problem

In melt-blowing devices, the expansion of components due to heating leads to undesirable stress states, particularly at the interface between the nozzle carrier and air distribution devices, causing potential destruction of fastening elements, especially when trying to produce large nonwoven fabrics.

Innovation Solution

The air distribution devices are segmented with expansion joints and flexible supply lines, allowing for independent thermal behavior of the nozzle holder and air distribution components, preventing rigid connections and minimizing thermal stresses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the nozzle carrier length is increased to produce larger nonwoven fabrics, then the production capability is improved, but the thermal expansion stress at the interface between nozzle carrier and air distribution devices increases, leading to potential destruction of fastening elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenonwoven fabric production widthVSAvoidfastening element integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The air distribution device is divided into multiple air distribution segments that can move independently relative to the nozzle carrier. Each segment is connected through expansion joints that allow for differential thermal expansion, preventing stress concentration at fastening elements while maintaining the overall structure for large-scale fabric production

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection between the nozzle carrier and air distribution segments is changed from a rigid fixed connection to a flexible connection that accommodates thermal expansion. The expansion joints and flexible supply lines allow the system to adapt to temperature changes without generating destructive stresses, enabling the use of longer nozzle carriers for larger production widths

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If rigid connection is used between nozzle carrier and air distribution devices, then the structural stability is improved, but the thermal expansion stress leads to destruction of fastening elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidfastening element reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The air distribution segments are designed to be dynamically movable relative to the nozzle carrier through expansion joints and flexible supply lines. This dynamic connection allows the system to absorb thermal expansion movements while maintaining structural integrity, preventing fastening element destruction even at high temperatures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Expansion joints and flexible supply lines are introduced as intermediary elements between the rigid nozzle carrier and air distribution segments. These intermediaries absorb the thermal expansion differential, allowing both components to maintain their structural stability without transmitting destructive stresses to fastening elements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 design ensures reliable and even hot process air supply over the entire length of the nozzle holder, preventing inadmissible stress states and allowing for longer nozzle carrier lengths without compromising the integrity of fastening elements.

Implementation Method 1

the length expansions occurring due to the heating of the components have a disadvantageous effect, particularly in the area of the air distribution devices

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

In order to eliminate the different thermal expansions that occur during operation between the nozzle holder and the trachea, the development of the invention is preferably used, in which the supply lines are designed to be flexible at a distance between the trachea and the distribution block

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentEP2208811B1Device for melt blowing
Publication Date: 2013.09.11 OERLIKON TEXTILE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2208811B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2208811B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2208811B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for meltblowing synthetic fibers with an elongated nozzle assembly held on the underside of a nozzle carrier. For supplying process air, two elongated air tubes extend along opposite longitudinal sides of the nozzle carrier, each connected via an air distribution device to an air duct system within the nozzle carrier. To minimize thermal stresses in the interfaces between the air distribution device and the nozzle carrier, the air distribution devices are formed by several distribution segments, each with an expansion joint between adjacent distribution segments.