Spiral Heating Pipe with Insulated Gap Channel for Cabin Saunas

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fossil fuel-operated heating devices for cabins and saunas have low surface temperature and convection heat release, leading to longer heating times and unsatisfactory air circulation, and existing solutions require additional cooling measures to prevent burns, increasing costs.

Innovation Solution

A heating device with a spiral heating pipe surrounded by an insulating jacket and a gap channel for fresh air circulation, where fresh air is blown through the gap channel to cool the heating pipe and enhance air circulation within the cabin, eliminating the need for separate cooling and improving heating efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If fossil fuel burners are used to heat cabins, then operating cost is reduced, but surface temperature of heating elements decreases and convection heat release is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating costVSAvoidsurface temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the cooling function with the heating function by using the same gap channel between the heating pipe and insulating jacket for both cooling the heating pipe and enhancing convection heat release into the cabin. The fresh air blown through the gap channel serves dual purposes: cooling the heating pipe surface and providing convective heat release, thereby resolving the contradiction between low operating cost and insufficient convection heat release.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the temperature parameter of the air in the gap channel by blowing fresh air through it. This transforms the gap channel from a purely insulating space into an active thermal management channel that modifies air temperature to achieve both cooling and heating functions, addressing the contradiction between maintaining low operating cost and improving surface temperature effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If insulating jacket is added to cooling the heating pipe in supply line section, then burn risk is reduced, but additional cooling measures are required and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveburn riskVSAvoidcooling system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gap channel between the heating pipe and insulating jacket is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides thermal insulation to reduce burn risk, acts as a cooling channel for the heating pipe, and functions as a convection heat release pathway into the cabin. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cooling measures, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the gap channel's inherent structure to self-cool the heating pipe through fresh air circulation. The design leverages the existing space between the heating pipe and insulating jacket, eliminating the need for external cooling systems or additional components, thus reducing complexity while addressing burn risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If fresh air is blown through gap channel, then heating speed is improved and air circulation is enhanced, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating speedVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of energy consumption into a benefit by using the fresh air flow through the gap channel to simultaneously cool the heating pipe (preventing overheating and burn risks) and enhance convection heat release into the cabin. The energy input for air circulation serves dual purposes, improving heating speed while maintaining safety, thus converting what could be seen as a disadvantage into an advantage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 accelerates cabin heating, improves air quality, and reduces the risk of burns by using fresh air to cool the heating pipe and enhance convection, thereby addressing the limitations of low surface temperature and convection heat release in fossil fuel-operated systems.

Implementation Method 1

the heating device having a fan device by means of which fresh air can be conveyed through the gap duct into the furnace housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 2

the heating tube being surrounded by an insulating jacket of the heating device in a supply line section

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal Insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

the release of convection heat is also relatively lower

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3299006B1Heating device and method for operating same
Publication Date: 2020.06.17 KUSATEK GMBH
  • EP3299006B1 patent drawingFigure 1~5
  • EP3299006B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a heating device (10) for infrared cabins, saunas or the like, and to a method for operating a heating device, wherein the heating device comprises a furnace housing (14) that can be arranged inside a cabin (11), a burner (15) that can be arranged outside the cabin and is designed for burning a fossil fuel, and a heating tube (16) connected to the burner, which connects the burner to the furnace housing and through which combustion gases from the burner can pass, wherein the heating tube forms a spiral (17) that is arranged inside the furnace housing, wherein in a supply line section (18) of the heating tube between the burner and the furnace housing the heating tube is surrounded by an insulating jacket (22) of the heating device, wherein the insulating jacket is spaced apart from the heating tube, such that a gap channel (26) is formed in the supply line section between the insulating jacket and the heating tube.wherein the slotted channel opens into the furnace housing, wherein the heating device has a fan device (30) by means of which fresh air can be conveyed through the slotted channel into the furnace housing.