Tempering Furnace Modular Division Channel Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tempering furnaces for glass sheets are costly due to the high cost of blowers and electrical components, particularly those that withstand high temperatures, and the installation and maintenance costs are also significant.
Innovation Solution
A modular tempering furnace design where division channels of successive furnace portions are connected to each other, allowing some or most portions to be provided without blowers and electrical components, with airtight connections maintained through separate connector elements that accommodate thermal expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each furnace portion is provided with its own blower and electrical components, then each portion can operate independently, but the cost of the furnace increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the air supply function across multiple furnace portions by providing a single blower in the first furnace portion that supplies air to division channels in both the first and second furnace portions through interconnected channels, eliminating the need for separate blowers in each portion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the furnace into modular portions that can be assembled together, with the division channels designed to connect between portions, allowing the system to maintain modular benefits while reducing component repetition
2Area of stationary object
If the number of blowers is increased to provide air to multiple furnace portions, then air supply coverage is improved, but the cost and installation complexity increase proportionally
Solution Approach 1:
The division channels of the first and second furnace portions are connected to form a continuous air distribution network, allowing a single blower to serve multiple furnace portions and reducing the total number of blowers needed
3Device complexity
If division channels are connected between furnace portions, then the number of blowers can be reduced, but thermal expansion may affect connection integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The division channel of the second furnace portion is arranged to be nested inside the division channel of the first furnace portion, creating a telescopic arrangement that accommodates thermal expansion while maintaining connection integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The nested arrangement of division channels allows for differential thermal expansion between connected furnace portions, with the inner channel able to expand independently within the outer channel without compromising the connection
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 design reduces costs by minimizing the number of blowers and electrical components, lowers installation costs, and maintains efficient air flow while compensating for thermal expansion, resulting in a cost-effective and high-output construction.
Implementation Method 1
convection heating devices... a blower pressurizing air sucked from the tempering furnace and feeding said air to the division channel... blowing air in the furnace portion to temper or heat the glass sheet
Implementation Method 2
one of the connected division channels is dimensioned to extend inside another of said connected division channels at least when in temperatures prevailing in the tempering furnace
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2~5
Figure 6~8
AI summary
A tempering furnace (100) for a glass sheet, and method for assembling the tempering furnace. The furnace comprises a first furnace portion (1) and a second furnace portion (2) attached successively one after another in the lengthwise direction (X) of the furnace. Each of said furnace portions (1, 2) comprises a division channel (4a, 4b) arranged in the lengthwise direction (X) of the furnace for dividing air to blow enclosures (5) . The first furnace portion (1) is provided with a blower (7) pressurizing air sucked from the tempering furnace and feeding said air to the division channel (4a) of said first furnace portion (1). The division channel (4a) of the first furnace portion is connected to the division channel (4b) of the second furnace portion for leading air from the blower (7) to said division channel (4b) of the second furnace portion.