Sintered Filter Enclosure Active Thermal Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing explosion-proof enclosures lack effective active thermal management, leading to increased maintenance and installation costs due to inadequate heat dissipation, which can result in decreased equipment life or explosions within hazardous areas.

Innovation Solution

The use of sintered filters with controlled airflow and a fan system, integrated with a control system, to actively manage temperature within enclosures by dissipating heat and preventing flame propagation, while maintaining hazardous area integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If automation equipment is installed outside hazardous area boundaries with long electrical cables, then explosion risk is reduced, but control capability and installation/maintenance costs worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexplosion risk reductionVSAvoidcontrol capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an explosion-proof enclosure as an intermediary device that allows automation equipment to be installed within hazardous areas while maintaining safety. The enclosure acts as a mediator between the equipment and the hazardous environment, enabling direct control at the device location without requiring external installation with long cables.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If conventional explosion-proof enclosures are used, then equipment can be housed within hazardous area, but heat dissipation capability worsens leading to decreased equipment life

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment housing capabilityVSAvoidheat dissipation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a sintered filter with a porous structure that allows efficient heat dissipation while maintaining explosion-proof containment. The porous material provides numerous heat transfer pathways, enabling the enclosure to dissipate heat generated by automation equipment without compromising safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

3Ease of operation

If conventional explosion-proof enclosures are used, then equipment can be housed within hazardous area, but inadequate heat dissipation leads to increased maintenance and installation costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment housing capabilityVSAvoidmaintenance and installation costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sintered filter with porous structure provides superior heat dissipation compared to conventional enclosures, preventing overheating-related failures and reducing maintenance requirements. This improves the overall cost-effectiveness of housing equipment within hazardous areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

4Ease of operation

If conventional explosion-proof enclosures are used, then equipment can be housed within hazardous area, but inadequate heat dissipation may lead to explosions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment housing capabilityVSAvoidexplosion prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sintered filter provides efficient heat dissipation pathways that prevent temperature buildup to dangerous levels, thereby eliminating the risk of explosions while maintaining the ability to house equipment within hazardous areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates temperature sensors and control systems that monitor thermal conditions within the enclosure and activate cooling mechanisms when necessary, providing active feedback control to prevent overheating and potential explosions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 effectively extends equipment life, reduces installation and maintenance costs, and prevents explosions by efficiently dissipating heat and controlling temperature within hazardous environments.

Implementation Method 1

the sintered filters can include channels that have a flame path of about one inch and a pore size of about 38.1 microns

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

The fan can be controlled by a control system having a sensor and a controller. In one aspect of the invention, the fan forces air out of one of the sintered filter systems

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 3

Some sintered filters are thermally conductive and have the ability to remove some heat energy from a flame passing therethrough, and thus can 'arrest' a flame passing therethrough

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS8992649B2Explosion-proof enclosures with active thermal management using sintered elements

Publication Date: 2015.03.31 EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LTD

AI summary

Enclosures for use in hazardous areas include sintered filters for thermal management. The enclosures include an opening to which a filter holder housing and sintered filter are coupled. The enclosures can also include a second opening to which a vent or a second filter holder housing and sintered filter are coupled. The internal temperature of the enclosures can be actively managed by such a system because air within the enclosure can be displaced to and from the atmosphere through the sintered filters. Air from the atmosphere enters the enclosure via the second opening and exits the enclosure via the first opening.