Cooling Bar Outlet Tube Geometry to Prevent Coolant Follow-On Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooling systems for flat rolled metal in rolling mills experience uncontrolled coolant flow and follow-on flow issues due to suction effects and lack of precise control, leading to inefficient temperature control and material property variations.

Innovation Solution

The outlet openings of the cooling system are positioned above the cooling bar, with a height distance of the inlet opening being at least two to three times greater than the outlet opening from the apex, and the outlet tubes are designed with a vertical start portion, curved middle portion, and minimal end portion to minimize follow-on flow, incorporating flow resistors and optional ventilation bores to control coolant flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the cooling bar is evacuated by suction via outlet tubes according to siphon principle, then coolant flow is stopped, but uncontrolled coolant exits the outlet tubes leading to uncontrolled cooling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoolant flow controlVSAvoidtemperature control precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The outlet tube geometry is changed by creating an upwardly running start portion with an apex, where the distance from inlet opening to apex is at least twice the distance from outlet opening to apex. This geometric parameter change prevents siphon effect and uncontrolled coolant discharge, achieving both flow stoppage and controlled cooling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If dedicated valves are assigned to each outlet tube to prevent evacuation by suction, then uncontrolled cooling is prevented, but the system becomes very expensive and only simple switching is possible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoolant flow controlVSAvoidvalve system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex valve system is extracted and replaced by a simple geometric design of the outlet tube. The upward start portion with apex creates a air lock effect that naturally prevents siphon action, eliminating the need for expensive valves while maintaining reliable coolant flow control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The outlet tube geometry itself provides the flow control function. The upward start portion and apex create a self-regulating system where air enters the tube when coolant supply stops, automatically preventing further coolant discharge without requiring external control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If outlet tubes are configured as straight tubes protruding from below into the cooling bar, then good results are achieved in intensive cooling, but appreciable follow-on flow of coolant occurs when cooling bar is deactivated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidcoolant loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of having outlet tubes protrude upward from below into the cooling bar, the invention inverts the configuration by creating an upwardly running start portion within the outlet tube itself, with the apex positioned such that air can enter and block further coolant flow, preventing follow-on flow while maintaining cooling efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 design significantly reduces follow-on coolant flow by maintaining a stable equilibrium state, allowing only minimal coolant to flow after coolant supply is deactivated, enabling precise temperature control and reducing material property scatter.

Implementation Method 1

the respective outlet tube has, as seen in a flow direction of the liquid coolant, an upwardly running start portion which originates from the inlet opening, a middle portion adjoining thereto and a downwardly running end portion adjoining thereto which extends as far as the outlet opening, such that the middle portion contains an apex at which the coolant flowing through the respective outlet tube reaches a highest point

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

maintaining a stable equilibrium state, allowing only minimal coolant to flow after coolant supply is deactivated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir pressure: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS11548044B2Cooling of flat rolled material without post-running of the header

Publication Date: 2023.01.10 PRIMETALS TECH AUSTRIA GMBH

AI summary

Device for cooling flat rolled material with a liquid coolant has at least one cooling bar, which is arranged above the conveying path and to which the liquid coolant is fed. A plurality of outlet tubes have, in a flow direction of the liquid coolant, an initial portion, which proceeds from the inlet opening and extends upward, a middle portion, which adjoins the initial portion, and an end portion, which adjoins the middle portion and extends downward and to the output opening. The middle portion contains a vertex at which the coolant flowing through the outlet tube in question reaches a highest point. The outlet openings are located above the cooling bar. A height distance (h1) of the inlet opening from the vertex is at least twice as large, in particular at least three times as large, as a height distance (h2) of the outlet opening from the vertex.