Trimmable Heater Mat Segments for Pipe Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe heaters lack a practical solution for adjustable length to fit various piping components without disrupting electrical connections, making them inflexible for different applications.
Innovation Solution
A trimmable heater apparatus comprising a heater mat with segmented elements and a power bus, where each segment is separable without affecting electrical connections, and a displaceable cover sheet to expose and trim the segments, allowing for customizable length adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the heater is made as a single continuous unit, then it provides uniform heating, but it cannot be adjusted to fit different piping component lengths
Solution Approach 1:
The heater is divided into multiple discrete segments that can be individually trimmed and reconfigured. Each segment contains heating elements and insulation, allowing the heater to be customized for different piping lengths while maintaining functional integrity through the connection elements between segments
2Adaptability or versatility
If the heater is made trimmable to fit different lengths, then it becomes versatile for various applications, but it risks disrupting electrical connections and heating uniformity
Solution Approach 1:
Connection elements are pre-positioned at specific locations within each heater segment, designed to maintain electrical continuity even after trimming. The segments are configured with built-in connection points that ensure reliable electrical contact is preserved when segments are assembled in series
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple heater segments are connected in series to achieve desired length, then flexibility increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each heater segment is designed as a universal module with standardized connection elements that can interface with any other segment. This uniform design allows segments to be freely combined in series to achieve any desired length without requiring different connection mechanisms for each segment pair
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
Enables flexible fitting on various piping components by allowing segments to be severed and reconnected without interrupting heat production, ensuring efficient heat distribution across different lengths and shapes.
Implementation Method 1
resistive wires and tape wrapped around the pipes
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A trimmable heater appliance (10) comprises a plurality of heater appliance segments (20, 22, 23, 26, 28) that can be severed from each other. The heater appliance (10) includes a heater mat (30) that has a plurality of heater mat segments (32, 34, 36, 38, 40) that together comprise a length of the heater mat (30). Each of the heater mat segments has a segment heater element (42, 44, 46, 48, 50) connected to a power bus (52) for generating heat. One or more of the heater appliance segments with respective heater mat segments can be severed from the others and removed from the heater appliance to trim the length of the heater appliance to a desired length. Heater mat segment boundary indicia on the heater appliance indicate locations where one of the heater mat segments can be severed from the other remaining heater mat segments of the heater mat without interfering with the segment heater elements of the remaining heater mat segments or with the connections of the remaining segment heater elements to the power bus.