Solid Metal Block Heating Device for Material Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for testing material properties, such as outgassing of volatile constituents, are complex and expensive to maintain due to the need for tightness in heating devices and frequent renewal of heating baths, making them difficult to handle and operate reliably.

Innovation Solution

A device with a solid metal block as a heat transfer medium, integrated with a vent valve connection in the coolant distribution unit for air removal, and an electrically operated heating source for controlled heat input, simplifies handling and ensures long-term stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a heating bath is used to heat material samples, then the material samples can be heated to specified temperatures, but the device becomes complex and requires frequent maintenance of tightness and bath renewal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetest temperatureVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the liquid bath medium from the heating system and replaces it with a solid heating block. This eliminates the need for maintaining liquidtight seals and frequent bath renewal while preserving the heating function. The solid heating block directly contacts the sample containers, providing stable temperature without the complexity of liquid bath management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The heating block is designed as a simple, replaceable component that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. This approach replaces the expensive and complex liquid bath system with a simpler solid alternative that doesn't require the same level of maintenance or tightness requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Temperature

If a liquid heating bath is used, then heating can be provided, but regular renewal of the heating bath is required increasing maintenance costs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating capabilityVSAvoidmaintenance cost
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid bath medium is completely removed from the system and replaced by a solid heating block. This extraction eliminates the need for periodic bath renewal and associated maintenance costs, while the solid block provides stable, reusable heating capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The heating block is designed as a simple, durable component that replaces the expensive and maintenance-intensive liquid bath system. It provides long-term reliable operation without the need for regular replacement or renewal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Temperature

If air enters the coolant circuit, then cooling efficiency decreases, but removing air requires complex procedures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidair removal difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The vent valve is pre-positioned at the highest point of the coolant circuit where air naturally accumulates. This preliminary positioning of the air removal mechanism allows air to be easily evacuated during system startup or maintenance without requiring complex procedures. The vent valve connection is integrated into the coolant distribution unit at the optimal location for air removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution provides a simple and safe heating device with improved heat transfer and easy air removal, reducing operational complexity and costs while ensuring reliable performance.

Implementation Method 1

a metal block (4) as a heat transfer medium, which has a number of recesses (6) on an upper side (5)... an electrically operable heating source, which introduces the heat over a large area (i.e. homogeneously) into the metal block (4)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

A cooled test surface ensures that the outgassing caused by the heating of the material sample accumulates through condensation on the test surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 3

An electrically operable heating source, which introduces the heat over a large area (i.e. homogeneously) into the metal block (4)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2976637B1Testing device
Publication Date: 2023.04.05 BARKEY
  • EP2976637B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2976637B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2976637B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4b

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for testing material properties of material samples, in particular for testing gas emissions of volatile constituents of a material sample, having a housing containing a number of apertures for receiving a sample container containing a material sample, having a heating device for heating the material sample to a predetermined test temperature, having a test surface covering the sample container and cooled to a cooling temperature, such that a deposition of the material sample forms on the test surface, wherein the heating device comprises a heatable solid or modular metal block which completely surrounds the aperture with the exception of an opening region.