Removable Thermal Insulation Blocks With Lock-Latch Tight Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing reinforced removable thermal insulation systems for equipment and pipelines are inefficient due to excessive use of stainless steel, leading to increased weight and potential thermal gaps, which compromise insulation effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a strong reinforcing frame grating combined with a thin-walled stainless steel cladding, utilizing lock-latch mechanisms with annular springs for secure contact between blocks, reducing the need for tension screws and minimizing thermal gaps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If thick-walled steel boxes are used for thermal insulation blocks, then structural strength is improved, but weight and steel consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The block structure is segmented into three functional layers: an inner corrosion-resistant steel shell (0.3-0.5mm thick), an intermediate heat-insulating layer (mineral wool or foam), and an outer protective cladding. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function with optimized material thickness, eliminating the need for a single thick-walled steel box that would require 1.0-1.5mm steel throughout.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal insulation block uses a composite structure combining different materials: thin-walled corrosion-resistant steel (0.3-0.5mm) for the inner shell, mineral wool or foam insulation material for thermal protection, and outer protective cladding. This composite approach provides both corrosion resistance and structural integrity while significantly reducing steel consumption compared to homogeneous thick-walled steel boxes.
2Reliability
If numerous tension screws are installed on block surfaces, then fastening reliability is improved, but moments of force increase causing bending that creates thermal gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The tension screws are extracted from the block outer surfaces and relocated to the inner bases of the blocks. This extraction eliminates the harmful bending moments and thermal gaps on the outer surfaces while maintaining fastening reliability through the relocated anchoring system that engages with the block structure from the inside.
Solution Approach 2:
A specialized fastening system acts as an intermediary between the blocks and the structure being insulated. The fasteners anchor to the inner bases and extend outward to secure adjacent blocks, providing reliable connection without creating surface stress concentrations that would cause thermal gaps.
3Adaptability or versatility
If 60% of fastening is done by tension screws and 40% by welding, then assembly flexibility is improved, but installation complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using tension screws on the outer surfaces to pull blocks together, the fastening system is inverted to anchor from the inner bases outward. This inversion simplifies the assembly process by eliminating the need for surface-mounted tension screws while maintaining the flexibility of mechanical fastening combined with selective welding at the inner connections.
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 design significantly reduces the weight of stainless steel used, ensures tight contact between insulation blocks, and enhances thermal insulation reliability, while simplifying assembly and maintenance by eliminating the need for numerous tension screws.
Implementation Method 1
the captures are connected among themselves by the ring spring fastened with elastic plates of capture
Implementation Method 2
reinforced removable thermal insulation (ASTI) containing heat insulation blocks joined by longitudinal lateral walls between each other in close contact to each other
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The reinforced removable thermal insulation (PARTS) contains the heat-insulating blocks joined among themselves placed on an external surface of the heat-isolated equipment. The Asti block is filled with heat-insulating material and consists of a reinforcing frame lattice sheathed on all sides with facing stainless sheets. For mutual detachable connection of heat - insulating blocks between themselves the lock latch is used. When using the proposed lock-latch, a guaranteed tightness is provided, the disclosure of thermal gaps between the side faces of thermal insulation blocks from the inaccessible internal bases of thermal insulation at temperature fluctuations is excluded, fitting works and welding of tension locks on the surface of their blocks in place during installation and Assembly work on the equipment are excluded. Asti blocks are able to save the weight of stainless steel, increase the strength of thermal insulation blocks by 2.56 times, significantly reduce the cost of their manufacture