Two-Chamber Cooling Head for Fast Drainage and Uniform Spray
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling devices for rolling stock face challenges in rapid emptying of cooling medium, leading to prolonged dripping and non-uniform cooling, with complex elements like valves being error-prone and time-consuming, and lacking effective self-cooling during breaks.
Innovation Solution
The cooling device design features first and second line means with specific configurations, including tubes and nozzles, that allow quick medium discharge and self-cooling, minimizing complex elements and ensuring uniform cooling distribution, with optional ventilation and drain elements for efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the cooling device uses conventional piping configurations with outlets below the minimum coolant level, then the cooling medium can be supplied continuously, but the emptying time becomes excessively long (1-3 minutes) and dripping persists after shutdown
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling device is divided into two separate chambers: an upper supply chamber and a lower application chamber, separated by a partition wall. This segmentation allows independent control of water supply and drainage, enabling rapid emptying through the lower chamber's drain opening while maintaining supply capability through the upper chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension to the drainage system by positioning the drain opening at the lowest point of the lower chamber, below all nozzle outlets. This dimensional arrangement ensures complete drainage of the lower chamber while the upper chamber maintains its supply function, reducing emptying time from minutes to seconds.
2Manufacturing precision
If the cooling device uses a single chamber design, then the structure is simpler, but the cooling uniformity deteriorates due to difficulty in arranging nozzles evenly and risk of locally concentrated water exposure
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the cooling device into upper and lower chambers separated by a partition wall, the patent enables independent optimization of nozzle arrangement in each chamber. This segmentation ensures even distribution of cooling nozzles across the cooling surface, preventing locally concentrated water exposure and achieving uniform cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition wall creates distinct zones with optimized local characteristics: the upper chamber is optimized for water supply with its inlet configuration, while the lower chamber is optimized for uniform nozzle distribution and complete drainage. This local quality optimization achieves superior cooling uniformity.
3Loss of time
If the cooling device uses complex drainage systems with valves and automation, then the draining speed can be accelerated, but the device complexity increases and error-prone components are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage system is designed to operate automatically without valves or complex control mechanisms. The drain opening at the lowest point of the lower chamber allows gravity-driven self-draining, eliminating the need for motorized valves, sensors, or control systems while achieving rapid emptying.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the drainage function from the complex valve-controlled systems and implements it through a simple geometric feature: a drain opening positioned at the lowest point of the lower chamber. This extraction eliminates error-prone components while maintaining effective drainage functionality.
4Productivity
If the cooling device operates continuously without shutdown, then productivity is maintained, but energy consumption increases and self-cooling capability is lost during breaks
Solution Approach 1:
The partition wall separating the upper and lower chambers enables independent operation of supply and drainage functions. During breaks, the lower chamber can be completely drained while the upper chamber retains minimal water for self-cooling, allowing energy-efficient shutdown while maintaining cooling capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system can rapidly change its operational state by controlling the water level in the lower chamber. During breaks, the water level is reduced to minimum levels through the drain opening, minimizing energy consumption while maintaining the capability to quickly resume cooling operation.
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 emptying time, prevents long dripping, ensures uniform cooling, and allows effective self-cooling, suitable for heavy plate rolling mills and heat treatment lines, with reduced space requirements and fewer moving parts.
Implementation Method 1
the lower end of the first conduit means lies below the upper end of the second conduit means
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a cooling device (1) for cooling a material (2) to be cooled, comprising an inlet (3) for a cooling medium (M), which conducts the latter into a first, upper chamber (4) of the cooling device (1), wherein there are first conducting means (5), which conduct the cooling medium (M) from the upper chamber (4) into a second, lower chamber (6) of the cooling device (1), wherein the upper chamber (4) is separated from the lower chamber (6) by a wall (7), wherein there are second conducting means (8), which conduct the cooling medium (M) from the lower chamber (6) to at least one outlet opening (9) for cooling medium (M), via which the cooling medium (M) is discharged onto the material (2) to be cooled. To be able to stop the outflow of the cooling medium quickly and cool the cooling device effectively, the invention provides that the first conducting means (5) butts with its upper end against the wall (7) or passes upwards through it and projects into the lower chamber (6) and opens out into the latter with an open end (10), that the second conducting means (8) project from a bottom region of the lower chamber (6) upwards into the lower chamber (6) and open out into the latter with an open end (11), wherein the lower end (10) of the first conducting means (5) lies below the upper end (11) of the second conducting means (8).