Cooling Section Control Using Kriging for Rolled Products

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for producing rolled products face challenges in determining sensible adaptation values for cooling sections when operating outside previously used process values or parameters, particularly with pure interpolation models lacking physical fundamentals for extrapolations.

Innovation Solution

The method employs a kriging method to determine adaptation values for the cooling section, allowing for extrapolation of known values to unknown process areas, combining with a physical cooling model to adapt the cooling section to specific process parameters such as thickness, cooling rate, and temperature, enabling precise control of target temperatures and properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional adaptation algorithms based on empirical values or interpolation variants are used, then the cooling section can be adapted to different cooling tasks within known parameter ranges, but the system cannot determine sensible adaptation values when operating outside previously used process values or parameters

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different cooling tasksVSAvoidprediction accuracy outside known parameter ranges
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the mathematical approach from empirical interpolation to a physics-based model that uses fundamental thermal conduction equations. This allows the system to handle parameter ranges beyond previously tested values by relying on physical laws rather than extrapolating from limited data points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the empirical/ad-hoc adaptation algorithm with a physics-based thermal conduction model. This substitution introduces fundamental thermodynamic principles into the adaptation process, enabling reliable predictions outside the range of previously observed process values.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of manufacture

If pure interpolation models are used for adaptation, then the system can operate within known parameter ranges, but the models lack physical fundamentals for extrapolations to unknown process areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of adaptation algorithmVSAvoidcapability for extrapolation to unknown parameters
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the purely mathematical interpolation model with a physics-based thermal conduction model. This replacement introduces physical fundamentals (heat transfer equations, thermal properties) that enable reliable extrapolation while maintaining computational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the basis of the adaptation model from empirical parameter relationships to physics-based thermal conduction principles. This fundamental parameter change enables the system to handle unknown process areas by relying on universal physical laws rather than dataset-specific patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 adaptation of the cooling section to new process parameters, improving prediction accuracy and output quality of rolled products with desired material properties, even in areas without empirical values.

Implementation Method 1

a cooling section downstream of the rolling mill

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

GB 2 484 917 A discloses a method of cooling a metal plate... the flows are adjusted according to the target cooling flows

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3787811B1Process for operating a cooling section and system for producing rolled products
Publication Date: 2022.01.19 SMS GROUP GMBH
  • EP3787811B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3787811B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a process for operating a cooling section (3) of a system (1) for producing rolled products, wherein the cooling section (3) is operated using a physical cooling model, which can be adapted to the cooling task in question using at least one adaptation value, which is associated with a determined process parameter. In order to improve operation of the cooling section (3), the adaptation value is determined from at least one predefined adaptation value using a kriging method.