Cryogenic Die Cooling for Thin-Walled Curved Part Forming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current super cryogenic forming techniques face challenges in achieving uniform cooling and efficient batch production of large-size components due to high super cryogenic medium consumption and difficulties in cooling the blank to ultra-low temperatures, leading to issues like wrinkling and cracking during the forming of thin-walled curved surface parts.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a super cryogenic medium conveying and pressurizing unit, a press, and a control system that allows direct cooling of both the forming die and blank using liquid argon, liquid nitrogen, or liquid helium, with cryogenic pipes, valves, and temperature/pressure sensors for precise control, enabling efficient cooling and deformation of the blank at ultra-low temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the die is completely immersed in a super cryogenic medium to achieve uniform cooling, then the cooling uniformity is improved, but the super cryogenic medium consumption increases and batch production becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cooling system into separate components: the die has internal cooling channels through which super cryogenic medium flows, and the blank is cooled by contact with the cooled die surfaces. This segmentation allows cooling without complete immersion, reducing medium consumption while maintaining temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The die acts as an intermediary between the super cryogenic medium and the blank. The medium cools the die through internal channels, and the cooled die then transfers this cooling effect to the blank during forming, enabling indirect cooling that reduces medium consumption.
2Device complexity
If the forming tool is placed in a cryogenic box, then the equipment complexity is reduced, but the blank cannot be cooled to low temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The die is pre-cooled by circulating super cryogenic medium through its internal channels before the forming operation begins. This preliminary cooling ensures the die is at the required low temperature to cool the blank effectively during forming, without needing to cool the entire forming space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a hydraulic circulation system to pump super cryogenic medium through the die's internal channels. This fluid-based cooling system efficiently transfers heat from the die to the medium, enabling precise temperature control of the blank during forming.
3Weight of moving object
If high-strength lightweight alloy material is used to achieve light weight, then the weight is reduced, but the forming difficulty increases due to poor room-temperature ductility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the forming process by using super cryogenic cooling. Although counterintuitive, the ultra-low temperature transforms the material's mechanical properties, significantly improving ductility and formability. This allows high-strength lightweight alloys to be formed into complex shapes without cracking or wrinkling, maintaining weight benefits while enabling manufacture.
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
The device enables efficient cooling of the blank and die, increasing the forming limit, facilitating the production of large-size components with improved control over temperature and pressure, thus overcoming the limitations of prior art in super cryogenic forming.
Implementation Method 1
an advanced super cryogenic forming technique has been developed, which allows an aluminum alloy thin-walled curved surface part to be formed with a die at an ultra-low temperature (below −160° C.), based on significantly improved formability of the aluminum alloy at an ultra-low temperature
Implementation Method 2
a cryogenic pump is disposed on the cryogenic pipe between the cavity of the female die and the autoboosting cryogenic container
Implementation Method 3
temperature sensors are disposed in sidewalls of the female die and the blank holder, respectively
Implementation Method 4
a pressure sensor is disposed in the cavity of the female die
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a device for super cryogenic forming of a metal thin-walled curved surface part, including a super cryogenic medium conveying and pressurizing unit, a press, a die unit and a control system. A blank holder cylinder, a blank holder slide, a deep drawing cylinder and a deep drawing slide are disposed on the press. The die unit includes a male die, a blank holder and a female die. The super cryogenic medium conveying and pressurizing unit includes an autoboosting cryogenic container. A cryogenic channel in the blank holder, a cryogenic channel in the female die and a cavity of the female die are communicated with an outlet of the autoboosting cryogenic container by cryogenic pipes, respectively. A cryogenic pump is disposed on the cryogenic pipe between the cavity of the female die and the autoboosting cryogenic container.