There are a number of electrical heating devices with an electrical heating element, which is arranged inside the tube interior of a tube-shaped metal jacket and is electrically insulated from this jacket with an electrically insulating material.
In practical applications, it is a challenge in many use cases to dissipate the heat generated by the electrical heating element as effectively as possible, in particular, to the tube-shaped metal jacket.
The problem of the invention is therefore to provide an electrical heating device with an electrical heating element which is arranged inside the tube interior of a tube-shaped metal jacket and is electrically insulated from the jacket with an electrically insulating material, in which the heat dissipation from the electrical heating element is improved. The problem of the invention is also to specify a manufacturing method for such an electrical heating device.
This problem is solved by a device with the features of the electrical heating element described herein and a method with the features and steps described herein. Advantageous refinements are the subject matter of the dependent patent claims.
The electric heating device according to the preferred invention has an electric heating element, which is arranged, without a carrier, inside the interior of the tube of at least one tube-shaped metal jacket and is electrically insulated from the jacket with a compacted, electrically insulating material. Without a carrier means, in particular, that the electrical heating element is not coiled onto a winding body. In general, it will be a self-supporting structure that is brought into a predetermined shape and maintains this shape without the influence of external stabilization measures.
Firstly, it is preferred that the electrical heating element has coils with a flat ribbon geometry at least in sections. The coils with a flat ribbon geometry having an inside diameter, an outside diameter, and a spacing between adjacent coils and are shaped in such a way that the flat side of the coils with a flat ribbon geometry runs parallel to the coil axis. In the simplest case, it can be a self-supporting coiled resistance wire with a flat ribbon geometry; however, electrical heating elements with the appropriate geometry can also be machined from blanks, e.g., by laser cutting or water jet cutting. It can also be advisable to first make the cuts on a plate-shaped blank and then to deform the blank, in particular, to roll or coil it.
Even if the term does not actually need to be explained, it should nevertheless be mentioned here that flat ribbon geometry is to be understood as a property of the cross section of the coil, which is perpendicular to the running direction of the resistance material from which it is formed. This cross section is generally rectangular with a long dimension defining the width and a short dimension defining the height. However, the corners could be rounded and the profile of the sides, in particular, in the height direction, but also in the width direction, does not have to be exactly linear.
In fact, the coiling of a resistance wire with a flat ribbon geometry to form a corresponding electrical heating element can slightly change the preferred, essentially rectangular cross-sectional geometry, but the use of the term flat ribbon geometry is still appropriate here.
The flat side of the resistance wire is to be understood as the side which runs essentially parallel to the long direction of extent of its cross section.
The use of the coil with flat ribbon geometry in the orientation in which the flat side runs parallel to the coil axis means that even if the electrical heating device in which the electrical heating element is used can have only a small diameter, the electrical heating element can have a significant cross section, which is important in the case of high current loads. In contrast to elongated resistance wires with a relatively large cross section, which have often been used up to now, the coiled structure enables the electrical heating element to react more resiliently to alternating thermal loads, which results in significantly slower embrittlement and material fatigue and a lower risk of breakage.
In addition, there is a second very important aspect, namely the fact that, in the claimed configuration, a coiled resistance wire with a flat ribbon geometry automatically has larger surfaces as contact areas that enable heat dissipation, particularly in the direction of the tube-shaped metal jacket.
Tests by the applicant have shown that it is advantageous if the width of the coil with a flat ribbon geometry corresponds to at least 30% of the inner diameter of the coil. It has turned out to be particularly preferred if the width of the coil with the flat ribbon geometry corresponds to the outer diameter of the coil.
Tests have further shown that the width of the coil with a flat ribbon geometry is preferably at least twice as wide as its height, for some applications it can also reach ten times the height. Preferably, the height should be chosen sufficiently large to allow the coil of the electrical heating element to support its own weight, so that the electrical heating element, even if supported at only one end, will maintain its shape and will not change due to the effects of gravity at locations where it is not supported.
It was also determined through tests that the spacing between adjacent coils is preferably smaller than the width of the coils with a flat ribbon geometry. A spacing value of about 15% of the width is considered realistic. One goal is to realize small spacing values.
Secondly, it is preferred that the compacted electrically insulating material is a compacted granulate of grains of different sizes with edges and protrusions, at least in portions of the interior of the tube-shaped metal jacket that are adjacent to at least one coil. This arrangement then makes it possible for at least one surface of at least one coil to have sections in which grains of this granulate are at least partially pressed into the electrical heating element, with local deformation, in particular, of the electrical heating element. This increases the contact surface between the electrical heating element and the electrically insulating material, which enables better heat dissipation.
In addition, it has been shown that the same effect can also be achieved if the compacted insulating material is a compacted molded part made of an electrically insulating material, because then components, in particular fragments, of this molded part are at least partially pressed into the electrical heating element under local deformation, in particular, of the electrical heating element.
The use of magnesium oxide granulate is particularly advantageous, which is why this material is used in the description below.
This approach represents, to a certain extent, a paradigm shift. Until now, the choice of which electrically insulating material to use and the magnitude of the pressure to apply during compaction have always been largely determined by considering how to maximize the comparative tracking index and resistance to moisture, which is why powders with very fine and regular shaped powder particles have been used in order to obtain as homogeneous an insulating material layer as possible during compaction.
The use of a granulate according to the invention differs fundamentally from the prior approach. Unlike a powder, a granulate within the meaning of this disclosure has coarse, irregular grains with edges and protrusions, i.e., less roundness, with these grains also having a relatively wide particle size distribution with a Full Width Half Maximum (“FWHM”) value for the width of the distribution, which is between a few tens of μm and over a hundred μm, particularly in the case of magnesium oxide granulate. The maximum of the magnesium oxide grain size distribution of the magnesium oxide granulate being used can preferably be in the range between about 30 μm and about 300 from which it can be seen that the particle size alone is not the decisive parameter.
An indirect, macroscopically determinable measure of these properties of the granulate is the tap or tapped density. For example, magnesium oxide granulate within the meaning of this invention have a tapped density of less than 2.45 g/cm3 before compaction, while the density of magnesium oxide is given as 3.58 g/cm3. When the tube-shaped metal jacket is filled, an electrical insulation layer is initially formed which has a considerable proportion of empty volumes.
While intuitively it would be assumed that sufficient comparative tracking index and moisture resistance cannot be achieved due to the voids that remain within the area filled with electrically insulating material and the voids would counteract these properties, the inventor has found, surprisingly, that by applying high pressure such that sections of particles adjacent to coils of the electrical heating element and/or to the tube-shaped metal jacket, in particular, edges and protrusions of grains, are pressed into the electrical heating element and/or into the tube-shaped metal jacket, under local deformation of the electrical heating element and/or the tube-shaped metal jacket, an electrical insulation layer with high comparative tracking index and moisture resistance can be realized, which also proves mechanically to be significantly more stable than known electrical insulation layers in such devices.
A further advantage resulting from the use of a granulate according to the invention is that it achieves improved tolerance compensation.
However, the most preferred aspect for the solution of the problem according to the preferred invention is that a significant improvement in the heat conduction of the electrical insulation layer has also been observed. This can be realized, on one hand, by a lower proportion of grain boundaries due to a higher proportion of larger granulate. On the other hand, this is also realized because pressing the granulate into the coil of the electrical heating element also promotes heat dissipation, since the transfer area is effectively larger. These effects are maximized by the flat ribbon geometry of the coil of the heating element, which is coiled at least in sections.
The effects described above for the granulate occur in a similar manner when the electrically insulating material is a compacted article of electrically insulating material. The irregular components or fragments of this molded part, which are produced when the molded part is compacted, then take the place of the granulate.
In this way, an (additional) roughness is imparted to the electrical heating element or its coil, but also to the tube-shaped metal jacket during compaction by the granulate or the components of the compacted molded part produced during compaction. Tests have shown that for typical inner conductor materials, for example, mean roughness values Ra of a few μm and mean smoothing depths Rp of around ten micrometers (10 μm) can be achieved.
The pressure required for compaction can be provided, for example, by press compaction, roller compaction, or hammer compaction. Particularly preferred are pressures that are so high that the inner conductor is plastically deformed, in particular, such that the diameter of the inner conductor is reduced by a few percent, preferably about five percent (5%).
If necessary, the moisture resistance in particular, can be further increased by impregnating the compacted granulate, in particular magnesium oxide granulate, at least in sections.
In addition, the addition of impregnating agents, at least in sections of the device, in particular, e.g., the addition of one-half percent (0.5%) by volume of solid silicone resin, and subsequent heat treatment can cause the granulate to bond together, which makes the resulting structure more resistant and thus counteracts breakage at the edges of the structure, because granulate grains are bonded to one another and/or to the inner conductor and/or to the tube-shaped metal jacket.
It is particularly advantageous if the coil axis runs parallel to the center axis of the tube of the tube-shaped metal jacket.
This means that the contact surfaces between the electrical heating element and the electrically insulating material, into which granulate or components of the molded part are pressed, run essentially parallel or at right angles to the side of the jacket inner tube.
It is particularly preferred if at least one coil has multiple surfaces in which granulate or components of the molded part are at least partially pressed into the electrical heating element with local deformation in order to increase the contact surface between the electrical heating element and the electrically insulating material. In this way, heat dissipation can be improved in all directions, including inwards and into the spaces between the coils.
In one advantageous refinement of this embodiment, it is provided that the relative increase in the contact surface between the electrical heating element and the electrically insulating material is different for at least two different surfaces into which granulate or components of the molded part are at least partially pressed into the electrical heating element with local deformation. This can be achieved, in particular, by introducing different electrically insulating materials in a targeted manner.
The increase in surface area can be influenced, for example, by changing the particle size distribution of the granulate.
One way to change the increase in surface area is to use a porous molded body as an additional electrically insulating material.
For example, a rod-shaped molded body made of magnesium oxide can be inserted into the interior of the coil and relatively coarse magnesium oxide granulate can be slowly poured into the remaining annular gap between the outer tube and the electrical heating element. After the compaction step, all surfaces of the coils have been modified to a different degree, in particular, more strongly than on inward-facing surfaces.
In the interest of heat dissipation, it is advantageous if the relative increase in the contact surface between the electrical heating element and the electrically insulating material is greatest for the surface facing the tube-shaped metal jacket, into which granulate or components of the molded part are at least partially pressed into the electrical heating element with local deformation.
The method according to the invention for producing an electrical heating device with an electrical heating element which has coils with a flat ribbon geometry at least in sections, the coils with a flat ribbon geometry having an inside diameter, an outside diameter, and a spacing between adjacent coils and being shaped in such a way that the flat side or surface of the coils with a flat ribbon geometry runs parallel to the coil axis, with the electrical heating element being arranged inside the tube interior of a tube-shaped metal jacket and being electrically insulated from it with an electrically insulating material, has the following steps:
It is preferred that the electrically insulating material is a granulate of grains of different sizes with edges and protrusions or a molded body which is compacted at least to such an extent in the radial direction that sections, in particular edges and protrusions, of granulate grains or fragments of the molded body produced during compaction are pressed into at least one coil surface of at least one coil with a flat ribbon geometry under local deformation of the electrical heating element.
Magnesium oxide, in particular, is well suited as a base material for the electrically insulating material.
It is particularly preferred that the introduction of the electrically insulating material into voids of the interior of the tube-shaped metal jacket takes place at least partially by allowing the granulate to be slowly poured into the tube-shaped metal jacket from one end while being vibrated. This not only promotes the transport of material within the free internal volume of the tube-shaped metal jacket, but the pre-configuration of the grains of the granulate achieved as a result also proves to be helpful for reducing and/or preventing voids.
A magnesium oxide granulate is preferably used as the electrically insulating material, which is constituted in such a way that the electrically insulating material has a tapped density of less than two and forty-five hundredths grams per cubic centimeter (2.45 g/cm3) before compaction.
In particular, when a surface modification of different degrees is to be achieved by pressing granulate into different surfaces of coils, it is helpful if part of the electrically insulating material is also introduced as a molded body into the interior of the tube-shaped metal jacket. For example, a rod-shaped molded body can be inserted into the coil interior of the coils of the electrical heating element, or a tube-shaped molded body can be inserted into the annular gap between the electrical heating element and the tube-shaped metal jacket.
Differences in the strength of the respective surface modifications can also be realized by using different granulate with different grain size distributions to fill different areas of the interior of the tube-shaped metal jacket.
In order to make the electrically insulating material even more stable and, in particular, to prevent it from fracturing in edge areas, it is advantageous if magnesium oxide granulate mixed with an impregnating agent, in particular a silicone resin, are introduced into the interior of the tube-shaped metal jacket as electrically insulating material, at least in sections, and then a heat treatment step is carried out, but not necessarily immediately afterwards, so that granulate grains or components or fragments of the molded body formed by compaction are bonded to one another and/or to the inner conductor and/or to the tube-shaped metal jacket.
It is particularly preferred if such a high pressure is applied during the radial compaction that plastic deformation of the electrical heating element occurs, in particular, a reduction in the cross section of the electrical heating element by a few percent, i.e., in particular between two and ten percent (2%-10%). However, the preferred pressure is dependent on the material and geometry of the particular electrical heating element and tube-shaped metal jacket, which can vary.
Compacting can be realized in particular by press compaction, roller compaction, or hammer compaction.
A magnesium oxide granulate with a grain size distribution whose maximum is in the range between thirty and three hundred micrometers (30 μm-300 μm) is preferred. It is particularly preferred if the range of the grain size distribution is between about thirty and more than one hundred micrometers (30 μm and >100 μm).
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the preferred invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the preferred invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:
In particular, in the illustrated coiled resistance wire 10 with a flat ribbon geometry, it can be seen that:
Furthermore, when viewed together with
The detail enlargement of an area inside the electrical heating device from
The detail enlargement of an area inside the electrical heating device from
In the illustration according to
On the other hand, in the illustration according to
In particular, by filling in layers of (magnesium oxide) granulate with different grain size distributions, it is possible to compare the roughness of sides or surfaces W3.1, W3.2, W4.1, W4.2, which are oriented in or against the radial direction to sides or surfaces W3.3, W3.4, W4.3, W4.4 oriented in or against the direction of extension of the electrical heater, as can be seen in
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10 2021 102 893.0 | Feb 2021 | DE | national |
This application is a Section 371 of International Application No. PCT/EP2022/051888, filed Jan. 27, 2022, which was published in the German language on Aug. 11, 2022 under International Publication No. WO 2022/167316 A1, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(b) to German Patent Application No. 10 2021 102 893.0, filed on Feb. 8, 2021, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/EP2022/051888 | 1/27/2022 | WO |