Flexible multi-channel cooling thermal simulation test device and method

Abstract

The invention belongs to the field of thermal simulation tests, and particularly relates to a flexible multi-channel cooling thermal simulation test device and method.The flexible multi-channel cooling thermal simulation test device comprises a rack assembly, a lifting sliding frame, a material clamping jaw, a fan cooling module, a gas spraying cooling module, a water mist cooling module, a water spraying cooling module and a water quenching cooling module; the winch drags the lifting sliding frame through a steel wire rope, the lifting sliding frame is connected with the material clamping jaw, and the material clamping jaw is used for clamping a test plate; a fan cooling module, a gas spraying cooling module, a water mist cooling module, a water spraying cooling module and a water quenching cooling module are symmetrically arranged in the rack assembly; and the winch drives the lifting carriage to lift, so that the symmetrically arranged cooling modules can be aligned with the test plate for cooling. According to the invention, simulation requirements of metal materials on different cooling rates in different industrial heat treatment processes and laboratory studies can be effectively met, and the technical problems of single cooling mode and limited cooling capacity coverage range of traditional thermal simulation equipment are solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of thermal simulation testing, and particularly relates to a flexible multi-channel cooling thermal simulation testing device and method. Background Technology

[0002] Thermal simulation testing devices are key equipment in materials science research used to evaluate the hot working properties of metallic materials. Their core function is to simulate the thermal cycling process in industrial production to analyze the microstructure evolution and performance trends of materials under different processing conditions. Cooling during thermal simulation testing is a crucial step in controlling the phase transformation process, obtaining the desired microstructure, and determining the final properties. By precisely controlling the cooling rate and path, simulating the cooling conditions of steel during actual rolling, welding, or heat treatment directly determines the phase transformation type of the material, such as the formation ratio and morphology of martensite, bainite, and ferrite, thus affecting its strength, toughness, and service performance. However, most existing thermal simulation testing devices still have significant limitations in achieving cooling functionality. Common cooling methods, such as fan cooling, air jet cooling, water mist cooling, and water quenching, are usually implemented using independent modules. This discrete design results in low integration of the entire cooling system. When switching cooling processes in different tests is required, manual disassembly and replacement of modules are necessary. This process is not only cumbersome and time-consuming, but more importantly, manual reinstallation makes it difficult to guarantee the relative positional accuracy between the cooling module and the sample. The positioning deviation caused by each change will directly lead to inconsistent cooling conditions, which will seriously affect the accuracy and repeatability of the experimental results.

[0003] Patent application number CN202310918646.7 discloses a quenching device for a thermal simulation testing machine, which is an external water tank device with a robotic arm and a sealed box. After the experiment, the sample is quickly knocked into the water, and then the box is sealed for vacuuming.

[0004] Patent application CN202110518977.2 discloses a continuous annealing simulation device and experimental method for steel specimens. This simulation device includes specialized fixtures and a cooling arrangement. The cooling rate is adjusted by controlling the output pressure of the cooling gas source. A first cooling nozzle and a second cooling nozzle cool the first and second positions of the steel specimen. After cooling, the continuous annealing simulation of the steel specimen is completed. The tensile specimen after thermal simulation fractures at the temperature-controlled thermocouple point (uniform temperature zone) to ensure accurate performance data. It employs a method of strong cooling at both ends and weak cooling in the middle to "create" a mechanically weak point.

[0005] Patent application number CN202121455751.4 discloses an ultra-low temperature rapid cooling device for a thermal simulation testing machine. The device comprises an adjustable support, a cooler, a solenoid valve, a high-pressure metal pipeline, and an external high-pressure gas source within a vacuum working chamber. Using external high-pressure gas as the source and the solenoid valve as the control element, the gas is connected to the working chamber of the thermal simulation testing machine through the metal pipeline. Precise positioning is achieved using the adjustable support within the working chamber. The high-pressure gas is sprayed onto the surface of the thermal simulation sample in the form of a liquid coolant through the cooler. Ultra-low temperature rapid cooling of the sample is achieved through the absorption of heat by the vaporization of the liquid coolant. The ultra-low temperature rapid cooling process of the thermal simulation sample is controlled by the solenoid valve.

[0006] Patent application number CN201611052009.2 discloses a test method for simulating the post-rolling cooling process of hot-rolled steel plates, including: 1) test preparation, connecting the water spray pipe of the quenching system of the thermal simulation test machine into the working chamber, adjusting and fixing the cooling water nozzle; 2) using thermocouple temperature control mode to obtain the average power angle of the set cooling start temperature and end temperature; 3) taking out the sample installed in the thermal simulation working chamber and repeating step 1); 4) inserting the quenching system start switch before the cooling control program command, and simultaneously adjusting the temperature control system to power angle control mode; 5) when the test has been running for 60 seconds, quickly opening the air inlet valve of the working chamber; 6) plotting the temperature-time curve measured in step 5).

[0007] The existing technologies mentioned above have the following problems: low system integration and insufficient flexibility, making it impossible to respond flexibly and quickly to complex and ever-changing process simulation needs; due to the separation of modules, operation relies on manual labor, making it difficult to guarantee efficiency and accuracy; poor experimental repeatability and accuracy, which restricts the reliability of data and the value of comparative research. Summary of the Invention

[0008] To overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies, the purpose of this invention is to provide a flexible multi-channel cooling thermal simulation test device and method. By modularly integrating five cooling units—fan, air jet, water mist, water spray, and water quenching—it achieves continuous switching of cooling paths within the range of 5–1000℃ / s, so as to accurately simulate complex industrial cooling processes, that is, to simulate various industrial cooling processes from slow cooling to quenching, thereby improving the cooling control accuracy and experimental repeatability.

[0009] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: A flexible multi-channel cooling thermal simulation test device includes a frame assembly, a lifting slide, material grippers, a fan cooling module, an air spray cooling module, a water mist cooling module, a water spray cooling module, and a water quenching cooling module. A winch is connected to the top of the frame assembly, and the winch pulls the lifting slide via a wire rope. The lifting slide is connected to the material grippers, which are used to hold the test material. The fan cooling module, air spray cooling module, water mist cooling module, water spray cooling module, and water quenching cooling module are symmetrically arranged inside the frame assembly. The water quenching cooling module is located at the bottom of the frame assembly. The winch drives the lifting slide to rise and fall, so that the symmetrically arranged cooling modules can be aligned with the test material for cooling.

[0010] The fan cooling module includes two speed-regulating fans and a connecting end plate. One side of the two speed-regulating fans is fixedly connected to the connecting end plate, and the speed-regulating fans can blow air onto the test plate held by the material clamps.

[0011] The connecting end plate is connected to the piston rod of the telescopic cylinder, and the cylinder body of the telescopic cylinder is connected to the frame assembly. The telescopic cylinder drives the connecting end plate to reciprocate, thereby driving the fan away from or closer to the test plate.

[0012] The air jet cooling module includes two slotted nozzles, which can spray compressed air onto the test plate held by the material grippers.

[0013] The air jet cooling module also includes a three-way connecting pipe and an airflow pipe. The air inlets of the two slotted nozzles are fixedly installed with the three-way connecting pipe. The end of the three-way connecting pipe is fixedly installed with a pressure regulating valve and a flow meter. The air outlet of the air compressor is connected to the airflow duct. The airflow duct is connected to the two slotted nozzles via the flow meter, the pressure regulating valve, and the three-way connecting pipe.

[0014] The water mist cooling module includes two air-water dual-medium nozzles, which can spray water mist onto the test plate held by the material grippers.

[0015] The water spray cooling module includes a water supply tank and water nozzles. Several water nozzles are installed at equal intervals on the side of the water supply tank. The water nozzles can spray water onto the test plate held by the material clamps.

[0016] The water quenching cooling module includes a water quenching stainless steel tank, with electric heating tubes installed at the four corners of the inner cavity of the water quenching stainless steel tank, and a quenching medium installed in the inner cavity of the water quenching stainless steel tank.

[0017] The rack assembly includes support columns, a top mounting frame, and a mounting bracket. The top of the support columns is connected to the top of the top mounting frame, and the mounting bracket is fixed to the top of the top mounting frame.

[0018] A flexible multi-channel cooling thermal simulation test method includes the following steps: S1. Configuration and implementation method of cooling module: Based on the preset thermal simulation process curves and the requirements of specific application scenarios, the usage sequence and installation location of different cooling modules are configured: If applied to industrial production scenarios, the configuration should be based on the actual cooling method and cooling capacity of the production line; If applied to laboratory research scenarios, the configuration should be based on the cooling curve preset in the experimental protocol; 1) Performance parameters of the cooling module: Before configuring, the cooling rate range of each cooling module needs to be determined, as follows: Fan cooling module: cooling rate is 5~20℃ / s; Air jet cooling module: cooling rate is 10~100℃ / s; Water mist cooling module: cooling rate is 90~250℃ / s; Water spray cooling module: cooling rate is 220~400℃ / s; Water quenching cooling module: cooling rate is 50~1000℃ / s; 2) Selection and installation of cooling modules: The selection and installation of the cooling module shall be carried out in accordance with the following steps: Module selection: Select the cooling module based on the cooling requirements in the thermal simulation process curve; Installation rules: Standard installation method: The cooling modules from top to bottom are: fan cooling module, air jet cooling module, water mist cooling module, water spray cooling module, and water quenching cooling module; among them, the position of the water quenching cooling module is fixed. Precise positioning method: Based on the standard installation method, if it is necessary to switch different cooling modules for testing according to the thermal simulation process curve, the winch is connected to an absolute encoder. The test plate is moved by the winch so that the test plate is precisely aligned with the target cooling module. Layout adaptability adjustment method: If the layout of the cooling modules is adjusted, only the installation position and sequence of the fan cooling module, air jet cooling module, water mist cooling module and water spray cooling module are allowed to be adjusted; S2. Clamping and positioning of the test plate: First, the surface of the test plate is cleaned, and thermocouples are welded to the preset temperature measuring points of the test plate using a micro spot welding device. The test plate is then stably clamped using material clamps. According to the cooling module configuration scheme determined in S1, the winch is driven to move the test plate vertically and accurately position the area of ​​the test plate to be cooled to the center of action of the target cooling module. S3. Execution of the cooling process: After the test plate is heated to the initial cooling temperature required by the thermal simulation process curve, the pre-positioned target cooling module is activated to begin cooling. The cooling modes can be divided into the following two types: Single module: Cooling is performed according to preset parameters under the action of a single cooling module; Multi-module: When performing continuous cooling in multiple different stages, the system performs rapid switching between cooling modules; the moment the previous cooling module reaches the cooling endpoint condition, the winch immediately moves to transfer the test plate to the next predetermined cooling module; S4. Termination of Experiment and Safe Sample Removal: After the entire thermal simulation experiment is completed, the cooling monitoring stage begins. Based on the temperature data detected by the thermocouples, the sample can be unloaded when the overall temperature of the test plate drops below 50°C. The material clamps are released from their grip on the test plate, and the thermocouple wires are cut to remove the sample. S5. Sample identification and data correlation: After cleaning or drying the removed test plates, they are numbered. This number is associated with the thermal simulation process curve number corresponding to this experiment, the cooling module configuration parameters, and the time-temperature data recorded during the thermal simulation, forming a data chain from process parameters to sample identification and then to process data, providing data support for subsequent material microstructure and performance analysis.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: 1. This invention achieves coverage and flexible simulation of a wide range of cooling rates. By integrating five modules—fan cooling, air jet cooling, water mist cooling, water spray cooling, and water quenching cooling—into a single device, it provides a broad range of cooling capabilities. This integrated design effectively meets the simulation needs of different cooling rates for metallic materials in various industrial heat treatment processes and laboratory research, solving the technical problems of traditional thermal simulation equipment having a single cooling method and limited cooling capacity coverage.

[0020] 2. This invention ensures the consistency and repeatability of the experimental process through high-precision positioning. The device uses a winch drive combined with an absolute encoder for real-time position detection and feedback, forming a high-precision closed-loop position control that ensures the test plate is quickly and accurately positioned to the working area of ​​the target cooling module. Simultaneously, a control system coordinates the lifting motion and the operating parameters of each cooling module, achieving fully automated control of the entire process. This minimizes human error and significantly improves the consistency and reliability of experimental data.

[0021] 3. This invention supports complex cooling process curves and precise execution. The experimental method provided by this invention can flexibly combine the working sequence and action time of different cooling modules according to a preset thermal simulation process curve. This enables the device to accurately realize complex heat treatment cooling processes involving multiple stages and varying cooling rates, providing an effective means for accurately reproducing actual industrial production and conducting in-depth research on material phase transitions.

[0022] 4. This invention features a flexible modular layout. The cooling module adopts a modular design, allowing for adjustments to the installation sequence and position of other modules based on specific experimental needs, while maintaining a fixed water-quenching module as the baseline. This enhances the flexibility of the device's application. Furthermore, this method forms a data chain from process parameters to sample identification and process data, providing a precise and reliable data foundation for in-depth analysis of material microstructure and property evolution and process optimization. This invention has a wide range of applications, satisfying the needs of cooling phase transformation studies for various materials such as steel and non-ferrous alloys, from thin to thick plates. It combines the precision of laboratory research with the practicality of industrial simulation, significantly reducing R&D costs and time. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the assembly structure of a flexible multi-channel cooling thermal simulation test device.

[0024] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional structural diagram.

[0025] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A magnified view of a portion of point A in the middle.

[0026] Figure 4 for Figure 2 A magnified view of a portion of point B in the middle.

[0027] Figure 5 This is the main circuit schematic.

[0028] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the control system.

[0029] Figure 7 The cooling curve was pre-set for the experimental design.

[0030] In the diagram: 1. Support column; 2. Top mounting bracket; 3. Mounting top frame; 4. End positioning body; 5. Mounting cross arm; 6. Winch; 7. Limiting slide bar; 8. Connecting slide block; 9. Lifting slide; 10. Material gripper; 11. Test plate; 12. Slide bar support arm; 13. Water-quenched stainless steel tank; 14. Mounting frame arm; 15. Connecting end plate; 16. Speed-regulating fan; 17. Telescopic cylinder; 18. Mounting frame one; 19. Supporting slide bar; 20. Mounting frame two; 21. Mounting frame plate one; 22. Slotted nozzle; 23. T-connecting pipe one 24. Pressure regulating valve; 25. Flow meter; 26. Airflow duct; 27. Mounting bracket two; 28. Mounting slide; 29. ​​Mounting slide; 30. Air-water dual-medium nozzle; 31. Inlet hose; 32. T-connector two; 33. Water inlet pipe; 34. Control valve one; 35. Air inlet pipe; 36. Control valve two; 37. Mounting bracket three; 38. Fixed mounting base; 39. Water flow nozzle; 40. Water supply tank; 41. Water inlet connecting pipe; 42. Mounting base plate; 43. Mounting clamp; 44. Electric heating element; 45. Temperature sensor. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, but it should be noted that the implementation of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0032] See Figures 1-6 A flexible multi-channel cooling thermal simulation test device includes a frame assembly, a lifting slide 9, material grippers 10, a fan cooling module, an air spray cooling module, a water mist cooling module, a water spray cooling module, and a water quenching cooling module. A winch 6 is connected to the top of the frame assembly, and the winch 6 pulls the lifting slide 9 via a steel wire rope. The lifting slide 9 is connected to the material grippers 10, which are used to hold the test plate 11. The fan cooling module, air spray cooling module, water mist cooling module, water spray cooling module, and water quenching cooling module are symmetrically arranged inside the frame assembly. The water quenching cooling module is located at the bottom of the frame assembly. The winch 6 drives the lifting slide 9 to rise and fall, so that the symmetrically arranged cooling modules can be aligned with the test plate 11 for cooling. The test plate 11 is a thin metal plate. According to the specific requirements of the thermal simulation process, the fan cooling module, air spray cooling module, water mist cooling module, water spray cooling module, and water quenching cooling module are used to cool the thin metal plate, accurately simulating different cooling rates under industrial production or experimental research.

[0033] The frame assembly includes support columns 1, a top mounting frame 2, and a mounting bracket 3. The top of the four support columns 1 is connected to the top mounting frame 2, forming the main frame. The mounting bracket 3 is fixed to the top of the main frame. The four support columns 1 are respectively fixedly installed at the four corners of the bottom of the top mounting frame 2, and a support base plate is welded to the bottom of each support column 1. The support base plate is fixed to the ground with bolts. An end positioning body 4 is fixedly installed on the top of the mounting bracket 3. Two mounting cross arms 5 are fixedly installed between the two end positioning bodies 4. A winch 6 is fixedly installed on the two mounting cross arms 5. A lifting slide 9 is connected to the bottom of the winch 6 via a wire rope. A wire rope connector is fixedly installed at the top of the lifting slide 9 for connecting the wire rope of the winch 6. The winch 6 is equipped with an absolute encoder to precisely control the position of the lifting carriage 9. The control system of the test device controls the unwinding length of the wire rope of the winch 6. With the cooperation of the absolute encoder, it precisely controls the lifting height of the lifting carriage 9, so that the position of the test plate 11 corresponds to the five cooling modules required for the thermal simulation test. The slide support arm 12 is set on both sides of the frame assembly and is fixed between two support columns 1. The end positioning body 4 is fixedly connected to the slide support arm 12 with limit slide rods 7. There are 4 limit slide rods 7, which are respectively set on both sides of the winch 6. The connecting slide 8 is slidably connected to the limit slide rods 7. The two sides of the lifting carriage 9 are fixedly connected to the connecting slide 8.

[0034] See Figure 1 The material clamps 10 are set in two pairs. The main body is a fixed arm that is fixedly installed at the bottom of the lifting slide 9. A high-temperature resistant insulating plate is provided on one side of the fixed arm. The insulating plate is connected to the fixed arm by multiple bolts. The four insulating plates are respectively clamped on the front and back sides of both ends of the test plate 11.

[0035] See Figure 3 Two symmetrically arranged fan cooling modules (one shown in the figure) are provided. The main body of the fan cooling module is composed of two speed-regulating fans 16, which are fixedly installed on the connecting end plate 15. The speed-regulating fans 16 of the two fan cooling modules blow air synchronously onto the test plate 11.

[0036] See Figure 2 , Figure 3The connecting end plate 15 is connected to the piston rod of the telescopic cylinder 17, and the cylinder body of the telescopic cylinder 17 is connected to the frame assembly. Supporting slide rods 19 are provided on both sides of the cylinder body of the telescopic cylinder 17, and the supporting slide rods 19 are fixedly connected to the connecting end plate 15. The mounting arm 14 is fixed between two supporting columns 1 on the front side of the frame assembly. The connecting end plate 15 is positioned between the two mounting arms 14. The telescopic cylinder 17 is positioned on the outside of the mounting arm 14. Mounting bracket one 18 is fixed in the middle of the mounting arm 14, and mounting bracket two 20 is fixed on the mounting arm 14 and positioned on both sides of mounting bracket one 18. Mounting bracket one 18 is used to fix the cylinder body of the telescopic cylinder 17, and mounting bracket two 20 is slidably sleeved with the supporting slide rods 19. The extension and retraction of the piston rod of the telescopic cylinder 17 drives the connecting end plate 15 to reciprocate, thereby causing the speed-regulating fan 16 to move away from or towards the test plate 11. Under the action of the supporting slide rods 19, the speed-regulating fan 16 moves smoothly. A position sensor is installed on the connecting end plate 15 to detect the distance between the speed-regulating fan 16 and the test plate 11. The start and stop of the telescopic cylinder 17 are controlled by a solenoid valve.

[0037] The telescopic cylinder 17 is existing technology, and its associated air source, pipelines, and control methods will not be described in detail in this application. The control system of the test device adjusts the telescopic length of the telescopic cylinder 17 based on the position information fed back by the position sensor, so that the distance between the air outlet of the speed-regulating fan 16 and the test plate 11 meets the set value.

[0038] See Figure 2 , Figure 3 Two symmetrically arranged air-jet cooling modules are positioned below the fan cooling module and fixedly connected to the main frame. The main body of each air-jet cooling module consists of two vertically arranged slotted nozzles 22, which spray compressed air onto the test plate 11. Mounting plates 21 are fixed to the front and rear sides of the frame assembly. The slotted nozzles 22 are fixed to the side of the mounting plate 21 closest to the lifting slide 9. The air inlets of the two slotted nozzles 22 are connected to two mounting ports of a three-way connecting pipe 23. The third mounting port of the three-way connecting pipe 23 is connected to a pressure regulating valve 24. The pressure regulating valve 24 is connected to an air compressor via an airflow duct 26. A flow meter 25 is also connected to the airflow duct 26 to detect the gas flow rate. The control system adjusts the opening of the pressure regulating valve 24 based on the flow rate information, thereby adjusting the gas output from the slotted nozzles 22.

[0039] See Figure 2 , Figure 4The water mist cooling module includes two air-water dual-medium nozzles 30, which can spray water mist onto the test plate 11 held by the material gripper 10. The water mist cooling module also includes a mounting plate 27 fixedly connected to the frame assembly. The mounting plate 27 has mounting grooves 28, within which two mounting seats 29 are slidably mounted. The two air-water dual-medium nozzles 30 are respectively fixed to the two mounting seats 29, allowing the two air-water dual-medium nozzles 30 to move laterally. A fixing bolt is threaded onto the top of each mounting seat 29, allowing the mounting seat 29 to be relatively fixed to the mounting plate 27. The air-water dual-medium nozzles 30 are connected to inlet hoses 31, which are connected to a water inlet pipe 33 via a three-way connector 32. The water inlet pipe 33 is connected to an air inlet pipe 35. A control valve 34 is fixedly installed at the end of the water inlet pipe 33. The control valve 34 is connected to a water supply pressure tank via a water pump. An air inlet pipe 35 is fixedly connected to one side of the water inlet pipe 33. A control valve 36 is fixedly installed at the end of the air inlet pipe 35. The control valve 36 is connected to an air compressor pump. Water supplied by the water supply pressure tank and delivered through the water inlet pipe 33, and air supplied by the air compressor pump and delivered through the air inlet pipe 35, converge through a three-way connecting pipe 32 into the inlet hose 31, and are then sprayed onto the test plate 11 by the air-water dual-medium nozzle 30. Both control valves 34 and 36 are solenoid valves. The solenoid valves, water pump, and air compressor pump are all controlled by the control system of the test device. Compressed air forms a negative pressure zone in the spray gun of the air-water dual-medium nozzle 30, which induces the water flow to mix with the air. Through cavitation, the water is atomized into fine particles. The high-speed sprayed air-water mixture further rubs against the atmosphere, enhancing the atomization effect and uniformly cooling the test plate 11.

[0040] See Figure 2 , Figure 4 The water spray cooling module includes a water supply tank 40 and water nozzles 39. Several water nozzles 39 are equidistantly installed on the side of the water supply tank 40, and the water nozzles 39 can spray water onto the test plate 11 held by the material gripper 10. A mounting plate 37 is fixed on the frame assembly, and a fixed mounting base 38 is fixedly installed in the middle of the mounting plate 37. The multiple water nozzles 39 are all fixed to the fixed mounting base 38. One side of the water supply tank 40 is connected to the water nozzles 39, and the other side is connected to the water inlet connection pipe 41. The water inlet connection pipe 41 is connected to a high-pressure plunger pump. The high-pressure plunger pump pressurizes the water, and the water is sprayed onto the test plate 11 through the water nozzles 39 via the water supply tank 40.

[0041] The main body of the water quenching cooling module is a water-quenching stainless steel tank 13. A drain valve and filter screen are installed at the bottom of the tank for drainage and water filtration. Electric heating tubes 44 are installed at each of the four corners of the tank's interior. The tank contains a liquid medium for quenching the test plate 11. Mounting plates 42 are fixed to the four corners of the top of the tank, and mounting clips 43 are fixed to the bottom of each plate. These cylindrical clips limit the position of the electric heating tubes 44. Multiple temperature sensors 45 are fixed to the inner wall of the tank to detect the temperature of the liquid medium. The control system of this testing device controls the switching of the electric heating tubes 44 based on the liquid medium temperature feedback from the temperature sensors 45, maintaining the liquid medium inside the tank within the set temperature range to facilitate the quenching treatment of the test plate 11.

[0042] The heating of the test plate 11 is mainly carried out in two ways: 1) Resistance heating system: It adopts the principle of direct resistance heating, and achieves rapid heating by generating Joule heat through a large current through the sample itself. The heating rate reaches 10,000℃ / s, and the temperature control accuracy reaches ±1℃. Typical applications include the Gleeble series testing machine, where the heating transformer and the sample form a closed loop, and the temperature is monitored in real time with the help of thermocouples.

[0043] 2) Induction heating system: An alternating magnetic field is generated by a high-frequency induction coil, which causes eddy currents inside the plate sample to heat up. It is suitable for rapid heating of thin plates (such as 200℃ / s manual mode). This technology is often used in combination with resistance heating, and some models support dual power supply switching.

[0044] See Figures 1-6 A flexible multi-channel cooling thermal simulation test method includes: S1. Configuration and implementation method of cooling module: Based on the preset thermal simulation process curves and the requirements of specific application scenarios, the usage sequence and installation location of different cooling modules are configured: If applied to industrial production scenarios, the configuration should be based on the actual cooling method and cooling capacity of the production line; If applied to laboratory research scenarios, the configuration should be based on the cooling curve preset in the experimental protocol.

[0045] 1) Performance parameters of the cooling module Before configuring, the cooling rate range of each cooling module needs to be determined, as follows: Fan cooling module: cooling rate is 5~20℃ / s; Air jet cooling module: cooling rate is 10~100℃ / s; Water mist cooling module: cooling rate is 90~250℃ / s; Water spray cooling module: cooling rate is 220~400℃ / s; Water quenching cooling module: cooling rate is 50~1000℃ / s.

[0046] 2. Selection and Installation of Cooling Modules The selection and installation of the cooling module shall be carried out in accordance with the following steps: Module selection: Select a suitable module from the five cooling modules mentioned above based on the cooling requirements in the thermal simulation process curve; Installation rules: Standard installation method: The five cooling modules are installed on the main frame in a fixed order, from top to bottom: fan cooling module, air jet cooling module, water mist cooling module, water spray cooling module, and water quenching cooling module. Among them, the water quenching cooling module has a fixed position and serves as one of the installation benchmarks for the entire cooling module group.

[0047] Precise Positioning Method: Based on the standard installation method, if it is necessary to switch between different cooling modules for testing according to the thermal simulation process curve, the test plate 11 can be moved by the winch 6. The position of the test plate 11 is fed back in real time by an absolute encoder, ensuring that the test plate 11 is aligned with the target cooling module. This method achieves rapid and precise switching between the test plate 11 and different cooling modules without changing the fixed installation state of the cooling modules, while ensuring positioning accuracy and the stability of the device operation.

[0048] Adaptive Layout Adjustment: If the cooling module layout needs to be adjusted due to special experimental requirements, only appropriate adjustments to the installation positions and sequence of the fan cooling module, air jet cooling module, water mist cooling module, and water spray cooling module are permitted. The adjustments must meet two core requirements: first, ensure that the adjusted module configuration matches the cooling requirements of the preset thermal simulation process curve; second, ensure that the overall operational safety of the device is not affected.

[0049] S2, Clamping and Precise Positioning of Test Plate 11 First, the surface of the test plate 11 is cleaned to ensure the welding quality of the thermocouples. Then, a miniature spot welding device is used to firmly weld the thermocouples to the preset temperature measuring points on the plate. After welding, the test plate 11 is stably clamped using material grippers 10. Next, the control system, based on the cooling module configuration scheme determined in S1, drives the winch 6 to move the test plate 11 vertically. During this process, an absolute encoder continuously detects the real-time position of the plate and feeds the signal back to the control system. By comparing the real-time position with the target position, the control system dynamically adjusts the operating parameters of the winch 6, ultimately accurately positioning the area to be cooled on the test plate 11 to the center of action of the target cooling module.

[0050] S3, Execution of the cooling process After the test plate 11 is heated to the initial cooling temperature required by the thermal simulation process curve, the pre-positioned target cooling module is activated to begin the cooling process. The cooling modes can be divided into the following two types: Single module: The system can cool according to preset program parameters under the action of a single cooling module.

[0051] Multi-module: When the process requires continuous cooling in multiple different stages, the system will perform rapid switching between modules. At the instant the previous module reaches the cooling endpoint condition, the winch 6 will move to quickly and smoothly transfer the test plate 11 to the next predetermined cooling module.

[0052] S4. Termination of Experiment and Safe Sample Removal After the entire thermal simulation experiment is completed, the system enters the cooling monitoring phase. Based on the temperature readings from the thermocouples, the sample is unloaded once the overall temperature of the test plate 11 is confirmed to have dropped below 50°C. Subsequently, the material grippers 10 release their clamping and fixing of the test plate 11, and the thermocouple wires are cut to remove the sample.

[0053] S5. Sample Identification and Data Correlation After cleaning or drying the removed test plate 11, it is numbered. This number will be associated with the thermal simulation process curve number corresponding to this experiment, the cooling module configuration parameters, and the time-temperature data recorded during the thermal simulation, forming a data chain from process parameters to sample identification and then to process data, providing accurate data support for subsequent material microstructure and performance analysis.

[0054] The following describes the test process of the test plate 11 in detail, based on the cooling curve preset in the experimental scheme, applied to a laboratory research scenario.

[0055] The sheet metal used in the thermal simulation experiment was 1.2 mm thick, grade 590RD+Z, and the cooling curve was as follows. Figure 7 As shown.

[0056] S1. Configuration and implementation method of cooling module: Based on the preset thermal simulation process curve, applied to laboratory research scenarios, the cooling curve is first fan cooling, then jet cooling, and after a period of heat preservation, jet cooling is performed again.

[0057] 1) Performance parameters of the cooling module Fan cooling module: cooling rate is 5~20℃ / s; Air jet cooling module: cooling rate is 10~100℃ / s; Water mist cooling module: cooling rate is 90~250℃ / s; Water spray cooling module: cooling rate is 220~400℃ / s; Water quenching cooling module: cooling rate is 50~1000℃ / s.

[0058] Therefore, the selected cooling modules are a fan cooling module and an air jet cooling module.

[0059] 2) Selection and installation of cooling modules Based on the cooling requirements in the thermal simulation process curve, the standard installation method can be followed. The installation rule is that the five cooling modules are installed on the main frame in a fixed order, from top to bottom: fan cooling module, air jet cooling module, water mist cooling module, water spray cooling module, and water quenching cooling module. Among them, the water quenching cooling module has a fixed position and serves as one of the installation benchmarks for the entire cooling module group.

[0060] S2, Clamping and Precise Positioning of Test Plate 11 First, the surface of the test plate 11 is cleaned to ensure the welding quality of the thermocouples. Then, a miniature spot welding device is used to firmly weld the thermocouples to the preset temperature measuring points on the plate. After welding, the test plate 11 is stably clamped using material grippers 10. Next, according to the cooling module configuration scheme determined in S1, the system drives the winch 6 to move the test plate 11 vertically. During this process, the absolute encoder continuously detects the real-time position of the plate and feeds the signal back to the controller. The controller dynamically adjusts the operating parameters of the winch 6 by comparing the real-time position with the target position, ultimately accurately positioning the area of ​​the test plate 11 to be cooled to the center of action of the fan cooling module.

[0061] S3, Execution of the cooling process After the test plate 11 is heated to 780°C as required by the thermal simulation process curve and held at that temperature for 70 seconds, the fan cooling module is activated to begin the fan cooling process. When the temperature reaches 680°C, the moment the fan cooling endpoint condition is reached, the system will perform a rapid switch between modules. The controller immediately instructs the winch 6 to move the test plate 11 quickly and smoothly to the air spray cooling module. When the temperature reaches 460°C, it is held at that temperature for a period of time before air spray cooling is performed again, until the temperature reaches the 20°C set in the curve.

[0062] S4. Termination of Experiment and Safe Sample Removal After the entire thermal simulation experiment is completed, the system enters the cooling monitoring phase. The controller continuously reads the thermocouple data and, once it confirms that the overall temperature of the test plate 11 has dropped below 20°C, issues a signal indicating that the sample can be removed. Subsequently, the material grippers 10 release their clamping and fixing of the test plate 11, and the sample can be removed by cutting the thermocouple wires.

[0063] S5. Sample Identification and Data Correlation After cleaning or drying the removed test plate 11, it is numbered. This number will be associated with the thermal simulation process curve number corresponding to this experiment, the cooling module configuration parameters, and the time-temperature data recorded during the thermal simulation, forming a data chain from process parameters to sample identification and then to process data, providing accurate data support for subsequent material microstructure and performance analysis.

[0064] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention, based on the technical solution and inventive concept of the present invention, should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A flexible multi-channel cooling thermal simulation test device, characterized in that, The system includes a frame assembly, a lifting carriage, material grippers, a fan cooling module, an air spray cooling module, a water mist cooling module, a water spray cooling module, and a water quenching cooling module. A winch is connected to the top of the frame assembly, which pulls the lifting carriage via a wire rope. The lifting carriage is connected to the material grippers, which are used to hold the test material. The fan cooling module, air spray cooling module, water mist cooling module, water spray cooling module, and water quenching cooling module are symmetrically arranged inside the frame assembly. The water quenching cooling module is located at the bottom of the frame assembly. The winch drives the lifting carriage to rise and fall, so that the symmetrically arranged cooling modules can be aligned with the test material for cooling.

2. The flexible multi-channel cooling thermal simulation test device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fan cooling module includes two speed-regulating fans and a connecting end plate. One side of the two speed-regulating fans is fixedly connected to the connecting end plate, and the speed-regulating fans can blow air onto the test plate held by the material clamps.

3. The flexible multi-channel cooling thermal simulation test device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The connecting end plate is connected to the piston rod of the telescopic cylinder, and the cylinder body of the telescopic cylinder is connected to the frame assembly. The telescopic cylinder drives the connecting end plate to reciprocate, thereby driving the fan away from or closer to the test plate.

4. The flexible multi-channel cooling thermal simulation test device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air jet cooling module includes two slotted nozzles, which can spray compressed air onto the test plate held by the material grippers.

5. The flexible multi-channel cooling thermal simulation test device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The air jet cooling module also includes a three-way connecting pipe and an airflow pipe. The air inlets of the two slotted nozzles are fixedly installed with the three-way connecting pipe. The end of the three-way connecting pipe is fixedly installed with a pressure regulating valve and a flow meter. The air outlet of the air compressor is connected to the airflow duct. The airflow duct is connected to the two slotted nozzles via the flow meter, the pressure regulating valve, and the three-way connecting pipe.

6. The flexible multi-channel cooling thermal simulation test device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water mist cooling module includes two air-water dual-medium nozzles, which can spray water mist onto the test plate held by the material grippers.

7. The flexible multi-channel cooling thermal simulation test device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water spray cooling module includes a water supply tank and water nozzles. Several water nozzles are installed at equal intervals on the side of the water supply tank. The water nozzles can spray water onto the test plate held by the material clamps.

8. The flexible multi-channel cooling thermal simulation test device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water quenching cooling module includes a water quenching stainless steel tank, with electric heating tubes installed at the four corners of the inner cavity of the water quenching stainless steel tank, and a quenching medium installed in the inner cavity of the water quenching stainless steel tank.

9. The flexible multi-channel cooling thermal simulation test device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rack assembly includes support columns, a top mounting frame, and a mounting bracket. The top of the support columns is connected to the top of the top mounting frame, and the mounting bracket is fixed to the top of the top mounting frame.

10. A thermal simulation test method for flexible multi-channel cooling implemented by the device as described in any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1. Configuration and implementation method of cooling module: Based on the preset thermal simulation process curves and the requirements of specific application scenarios, the usage sequence and installation location of different cooling modules are configured: Standard installation method: The cooling modules from top to bottom are: fan cooling module, air jet cooling module, water mist cooling module, water spray cooling module, and water quenching cooling module; among them, the position of the water quenching cooling module is fixed. Precise positioning method: Based on the standard installation method, if it is necessary to switch different cooling modules for testing according to the thermal simulation process curve, the winch is connected to an absolute encoder. The test plate is moved by the winch so that the test plate is precisely aligned with the target cooling module. Layout adaptability adjustment method: If the layout of the cooling modules is adjusted, only the installation position and sequence of the fan cooling module, air jet cooling module, water mist cooling module and water spray cooling module are allowed to be adjusted; S2. Clamping and positioning of the test plate: First, the surface of the test plate is cleaned, and thermocouples are welded to the preset temperature measuring points of the test plate using a micro spot welding device. The test plate is then stably clamped using material clamps. According to the cooling module configuration scheme determined in S1, the winch is driven to move the test plate vertically and accurately position the area of ​​the test plate to be cooled to the center of action of the target cooling module. S3. Execution of the cooling process: After the test plate is heated to the initial cooling temperature required by the thermal simulation process curve, the pre-positioned target cooling module is activated to begin cooling. The cooling modes can be divided into the following two types: Single module: Cooling is performed according to preset parameters under the action of a single cooling module; Multi-module: When performing continuous cooling in multiple different stages, the system performs rapid switching between cooling modules; the moment the previous cooling module reaches the cooling endpoint condition, the winch immediately moves to transfer the test plate to the next predetermined cooling module; S4. Termination of Experiment and Safe Sample Removal: After the entire thermal simulation experiment is completed, the cooling monitoring stage begins. Based on the temperature data detected by the thermocouples, the sample can be unloaded when the overall temperature of the test plate drops below 50°C. The material clamps are released from their grip on the test plate, and the thermocouple wires are cut to remove the sample. S5. Sample identification and data correlation: After cleaning or drying the removed test plates, they are numbered. This number is associated with the thermal simulation process curve number corresponding to this experiment, the cooling module configuration parameters, and the time-temperature data recorded during the thermal simulation, forming a data chain from process parameters to sample identification and then to process data, providing data support for subsequent material microstructure and performance analysis.

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