Thermal Insulating System for High Temperature Industrial Tanks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermal insulating systems for high-temperature industrial equipment fail to effectively absorb thermal expansions and contractions without compromising insulation integrity, leading to heat loss, water ingress, and mechanical failure.
Innovation Solution
A thermal insulating system featuring overlapping covering sheets with omega-shaped longitudinal assembly clips that allow independent movement, reducing the need for fasteners and sealants, and minimizing the support system's soldered area by 60%, while maintaining insulation thickness and integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional thermal insulating systems are used on high-temperature equipment, then insulation is provided, but the system cannot absorb thermal expansions and contractions, leading to mechanical failure and loss of insulation integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The covering system is divided into multiple independent covering sheets that are not rigidly connected to each other. Each sheet can move independently to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of the equipment, preventing mechanical failure while maintaining insulation integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support system uses dynamic elements such as springs or elastic components instead of rigid fasteners. These dynamic elements allow the covering sheets to move with thermal expansion while maintaining attachment, resolving the contradiction between maintaining insulation integrity and adapting to dimensional changes.
2Reliability
If covering sheets are rigidly fastened to prevent movement, then insulation integrity is maintained, but thermal expansion causes mechanical failure and loosening of fasteners
Solution Approach 1:
The covering sheets are designed as flexible elements that can deform and move with thermal expansion. This flexibility allows the covering system to maintain tightness and prevent water ingress while avoiding the mechanical failure that would occur with rigid fastening systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening system changes its mechanical parameters (such as spring constant or engagement force) to accommodate thermal expansion. This allows the fasteners to maintain securing force during normal operation while allowing controlled movement during thermal cycles, preventing loosening and mechanical failure.
3Strength
If support system elements are increased to withstand thermal expansion, then mechanical strength is improved, but thermal transmission increases due to more metal elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes or minimizes metal support elements that create thermal bridges. Instead, it uses non-conductive or low-conductivity support structures, extracting the harmful thermal conduction function while retaining the necessary mechanical support function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary elements (such as thermal breaks or insulating spacers) between the metal equipment and the covering system. These intermediaries reduce thermal transmission while still providing the necessary mechanical support to withstand thermal expansion forces.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional fastening systems are used, then covering sheets are secured, but water and wind ingress deteriorate insulation quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses overlapping covering sheets that create a shingled configuration, copying the effective water-shedding design of traditional roofing. This simple overlapping arrangement prevents water and wind ingress without requiring complex sealing systems, maintaining both manufacturing simplicity and protection against harmful factors.
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 system effectively absorbs thermal expansions and contractions, maintaining insulation quality, preventing water and air ingress, and reducing thermal losses, while ensuring the integrity and tightness of the covering system.
Implementation Method 1
thermal insulating system for high temperature industrial tanks and equipment
Implementation Method 2
These materials have a thermal expansion coefficient that causes the walls of the tanks, deposits, and equipment to expand due to high temperatures
Data Source
AI summary
Thermal insulating system for high temperature industrial tanks and equipment, comprising thermal insulating material, a covering system and a support system. The covering system has covering sheets fixed only to the support system. Adjacent covering sheets overlap longitudinally giving rise to overlapped sections comprising an upper part from one of the adjacent covering sheets and a lower part from the other adjacent covering sheet. At least a substantially omega-shaped longitudinal assembly clip is placed at each overlapped section, on the interior sides of the covering sheets, which has a first end attached to the upper part, a central portion separated from the covering sheets, and a second end contacting the lower part of the overlapped section and pressing said lower part.