Special electrode arrangement for the targeted ohmic heating of different products or structures that are electrically conductive or contain electrically conductive constituents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ohmic heating technologies are limited by non-homogeneous resistance distribution within the treated material, leading to uneven heating and prolonged treatment times.
Innovation Solution
A special electrode arrangement comprising multiple individually controllable electrodes, which can be combined with other treatment methods like electro-perforation and ultrasound, allowing for targeted and uniform heating by adjusting to changing resistance values and material properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional heating methods (microwave, infrared, steam, hot air) are used, then heating can be applied to various products, but the heating is non-selective and affects the entire product or surrounding area, causing energy waste and inability to target specific regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using conductive elements with varying geometries (different lengths, widths, and configurations) to create non-uniform current distribution. This enables selective heating of specific regions within the product by concentrating electromagnetic energy where conductive elements are densely arranged, while leaving other regions unaffected, thus resolving the contradiction between versatile heating application and energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating system is segmented into multiple independent conductive elements that can be individually configured with different geometries and positions. This segmentation allows the system to target specific regions of the product for heating while leaving other regions cool, enabling selective regional heating and reducing overall energy consumption compared to conventional whole-product heating methods.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional heating methods are used, then heating can be applied to various products, but the heating penetrates too deeply or uniformly, causing damage to sensitive components or uneven heating distribution
Solution Approach 1:
By varying the geometry of conductive elements (length, width, spacing) across different regions, the system creates localized heating zones with controlled intensity and depth. This enables precise control over heating distribution, preventing both excessive penetration and uniform heating, thus achieving the desired heating uniformity for sensitive products while maintaining versatility in heating application.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts heating characteristics by modifying the geometry and configuration of conductive elements to match the specific thermal requirements of different product regions. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize heating penetration depth and intensity for each local area, preventing damage to sensitive components while ensuring adequate heating where needed.
3Device complexity
If a single electrode configuration is used, then the device structure is simple, but the system cannot accommodate different product types or heating requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode system is divided into multiple independent conductive elements that can be individually configured with different geometries, lengths, widths, and positions. This segmented architecture allows the system to be adapted to various product types and heating requirements without requiring complete redesign, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive elements are designed with universal characteristics that allow them to serve multiple functions: they can be configured for different product geometries, adjusted for varying heating depths, and adapted to diverse thermal requirements. This multi-functionality enables a single electrode configuration design to accommodate different product types while maintaining structural simplicity.
4Temperature
If high power is applied to achieve deep heating, then heating depth increases, but the surface temperature becomes excessively high causing burning or damage
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive elements are configured with varying geometries to create localized current density distributions that concentrate electromagnetic energy at specific depths within the product. This enables deep heating in target regions while maintaining lower surface temperatures in other areas, thus achieving the desired heating depth without causing surface burning or damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive elements act as intermediaries that mediate between the applied electromagnetic field and the product tissue. By adjusting their geometry and configuration, they control the distribution and penetration depth of electromagnetic energy, enabling deep heating while distributing surface heat load to prevent burning, thus resolving the contradiction between heating depth and surface temperature control.
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
Enables rapid, uniform heating of conductive goods and structures with reduced treatment times and minimized risk of over-heating, while maintaining product quality and safety.
Implementation Method 1
targeted ohmic heating of different products or structures that are electrically conductive or contain electrically conductive constituents
Implementation Method 2
at least two different conductive elements arranged in a specific geometry to generate electromagnetic fields
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a special electrode arrangement for the targeted ohmic heating of different products, media or structures that are electrically conductive or contain electrically conductive constituents and have an inorganic or organic basis, including products of plant or animal origin, consisting of at least one electrode group comprising a plurality of individual electrodes. According to the invention, the individual electrodes are arranged at a distance apart from one another in an insulating carrier and, with the exception of an electrode surface region, are insulated from the product to be treated or the structure to be treated.