Cooling Bar Layout for Uniform Strip Width Coolant Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling devices for metallic items have limited options for adjusting coolant distribution over the width, leading to inadequate cooling of items with varying widths, where narrow items are under-cooled and wider items are over-cooled, resulting in stepped coolant application and potential strip-shaped cooling.
Innovation Solution
The cooling device features cooling bars with differently designed application regions in adjacent bars, allowing for individual pressure and volume flow adjustments in each region, enabling nearly arbitrary coolant distribution over the width of the metallic item, particularly implementing parabolic distributions by combining multiple bars with unique application regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cooling bars with uniform application regions are used, then the device structure is simple, but the coolant distribution is inadequate for varying strip widths
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling device is segmented into multiple cooling bars, each divided into distinct application regions (first, second, third regions) with different outlet opening arrangements. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized for specific coolant distribution patterns, enabling adaptability to various strip widths while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
Different application regions on the cooling bars are designed with locally optimized outlet opening arrangements. The first application region has a different pattern than the second and third regions, allowing each region to provide tailored coolant distribution characteristics. This local quality variation enables the system to adapt to different strip widths and cooling requirements without requiring complete redesign of all cooling bars.
2Manufacturing precision
If separate pumps and valves are assigned to each application region, then coolant flow control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into separate pumps and valves for each application region, allowing independent control of coolant flow to the first, second, and third regions. This segmentation enables precise flow control for each region while maintaining modular architecture that simplifies the overall control strategy compared to a fully integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed to dynamically adjust coolant flow distribution by independently controlling pumps and valves for each application region. This dynamic control capability allows the system to adapt coolant distribution in real-time based on strip width and cooling requirements, achieving high precision control while the modular dynamic architecture prevents excessive complexity.
3Ease of operation
If cooling bars are arranged in rows with similar application regions, then device structure is simplified, but stepped coolant application occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling bars break the symmetric arrangement by designing the first application region with a different outlet opening pattern than the second and third regions. This asymmetric design within the otherwise regular cooling bar structure eliminates stepped coolant application while maintaining the simplicity of the row-based cooling bar arrangement, achieving both ease of operation and uniform coolant distribution.
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 solution allows for precise and uniform coolant distribution over the width of metallic items, improving cooling efficiency and preventing under- or over-cooling, regardless of item width, by varying the design and operation of cooling bars within a group.
Implementation Method 1
cooling device having a plurality of cooling bars arranged in parallel for applying a coolant to a metallic item
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling device for cooling a metallic item and a method for operating the cooling device. Such cooling devices having a plurality of cooling bars arranged in parallel in groups for applying a coolant to the metallic item are known in the prior art. In order to be able to set a desired distribution function of the coolant over the width of the metallic item as precisely as possible, the cooling device provides that similar application regions in at least two cooling bars within a group are each formed differently with respect to their contour and/or with respect to their surface area.