Cooling Bar Chamber Segmentation for Metal Strip Temperature Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling devices for metal products struggle to adaptively control coolant distribution across the width of metal strips, leading to inefficient temperature uniformity and requiring fixed coolant flow strategies.
Innovation Solution
The cooling device subdivides its chilled beam into multiple chambers with movable partition walls, allowing for variable coolant distribution based on temperature profiles, and uses individually controllable valves and nozzles to achieve targeted cooling strategies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the cooling beam is divided into individual spray zones with individually controllable valves, then the control of temperature distribution across the width of the metallic material is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling beam is divided into multiple spray zones along its longitudinal extension, with each zone having individually controllable valves. This segmentation allows independent control of coolant flow to different sections of the metallic material, enabling precise temperature distribution control while managing system complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
Different spray zones can apply different coolant flow rates and patterns to different sections of the metallic material based on local temperature requirements. The partition walls create distinct cooling regions that can be independently optimized for their specific thermal conditions, implementing local quality control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If partition walls are made movable to adapt to different temperature profiles, then the adaptability of the cooling device is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The partition walls are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to be positioned at different locations along the longitudinal extension of the cooling beam. This dynamic configuration enables the cooling device to adapt to various temperature profiles and cooling strategies (constant, degressive, or progressive) without requiring complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates control devices that can detect temperature distributions and automatically adjust the position of partition walls and valve openings. This feedback mechanism simplifies operation by eliminating the need for manual calculation and adjustment of partition positions for different cooling scenarios.
3Manufacturing precision
If the partition walls are shaped according to the temperature distribution, then the manufacturing precision of the cooling pattern is improved, but the ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The partition walls are shaped asymmetrically according to the expected temperature distribution across the metallic material. The partition walls may have varying heights, angles, or curved profiles that correspond to the thermal profile, allowing the cooling pattern to precisely match the temperature requirements while maintaining manufacturability through standardized forming processes.
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
This approach enables precise, adaptive cooling that matches cooling requirements across the metal strip's width, allowing for symmetrical or asymmetrical coolant distribution and smooth volume flow, effectively addressing temperature non-uniformities and improving cooling efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
nozzles (130) for applying a coolant (300) to the metallic material (200)
Implementation Method 2
A cooling medium can be fed into each of the spray zones via individually controllable valves and is then applied to the metallic material to be cooled
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates a cooling device (100) for cooling a metal product and to a method for operating same. The cooling device (100) has at least one cooling bar (110) having a plurality N of spraying regions I, II, III adjacent to each other in pairs, which in turn each have at least one spraying nozzle (130) for spraying a coolant onto the metal product. Valves are provided for individually setting the pressure or the volumetric flow rate of the coolant (300) in each of the spraying regions. The valves (120) and a pump for the coolant are individually controlled with the aid of a control device (150). In order to improve the application of coolant to the metal product, the invention provides that at least one separating wall is provided in the at least one cooling bar of the cooling device according to the invention in order to divide the interior of the cooling bar into at least two chambers, each of the spraying regions being associated with a different one of said chambers. The separating wall is shaped at least approximately in accordance with the curve of the temperature distribution in a predefined width segment of the metal product before the metal product enters the cooling device, and the separating wall is arranged in the cooling bar over said width segment.