Model & approach
- Model hot equipment, supports, main beam, bearings and surrounding environment thermally
- Compare profile, support and insulation variants through heat paths and gradients
Project study
Thermal decoupling of a support frame and sliding bearings
A heat-conduction and boundary-condition model compared beam and support variants to limit heat transfer from hot equipment into the frame and sliding bearings.
Engineering question
The frame had to retain its structural role while conduction through supports and profiles raised the temperature of sensitive bearing locations.
Boundary conditions
- Conduction in metal assemblies with convection and environmental influence
- Several profile and decoupling variants
Results of the assessment
- Support length, profile form and insulation changed the heat path toward the bearings.
- The variants exposed the trade-off between compact construction and thermal decoupling.
Engineering consequence
The thermal assessment supported selection of support and profile concepts for subsequent frame design.
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