Device and method for extruding a solid body

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing extrusion devices for producing solid hydrogen or deuterium targets at cryogenic temperatures are complex, difficult to manufacture, and require precise control of temperature and pressure, making them challenging to integrate with other devices like tokamaks or proton therapy systems, and often involve moving parts.

Innovation Solution

A device with a cell structure that applies a temperature gradient between the inlet and outlet orifices to generate pressure for extrusion, using a control circuit to form a solid phase volume that obstructs the outlet, allowing for extrusion without moving parts, by regulating temperatures to create a pressure gradient for film formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If traditional extrusion devices are used to produce solid hydrogen or deuterium targets, then extrusion can be achieved, but the device complexity increases and integration becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidintegration ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical moving parts (screws, pistons, valves) with a thermal field-based extrusion mechanism. A heating element localized at the die tip creates a small molten cavity that acts as a thermal pump, driving material extrusion through temperature gradients rather than mechanical force. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical components while maintaining reliable extrusion function.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the control parameter from mechanical pressure/force to temperature gradient. By precisely controlling the temperature distribution within the extrusion chamber and die, particularly creating a localized hot zone at the die tip, the system achieves material flow control without mechanical moving parts. This parameter change simplifies the device structure while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If moving parts are used in extrusion devices, then extrusion control is achievable, but the device becomes difficult to manufacture and integrate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveextrusion controlVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical moving parts (screws, pistons, valves) with a thermal field-based extrusion mechanism. A heating element localized at the die tip creates a small molten cavity that acts as a thermal pump, driving material extrusion through temperature gradients rather than mechanical force. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical components while maintaining reliable extrusion function.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts and removes all moving parts from the extrusion system. By eliminating screws, pistons, and valves, the device becomes a static structure with simplified manufacturing. The extrusion control function is transferred to the thermal field, which is controlled by stationary heating and cooling elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Manufacturing precision

If precise temperature and pressure control is implemented, then extrusion quality improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveextrusion qualityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a highly localized hot zone only at the die tip rather than heating the entire extrusion chamber. This localized thermal treatment provides precise control over the molten cavity formation and material flow at the critical extrusion point, while the rest of the system remains simpler and easier to control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Enables the production of pure solid targets efficiently and easily, with precise control over extrusion speed and purity, simplifying integration with other devices and eliminating the need for moving parts, while maintaining cryogenic conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a control circuit imposing on the device for applying the first and second temperatures a first adjustment to form a volume of the solid phase material inside the cell, said volume obstructing the orifice outlet, and a second adjustment to generate a temperature gradient, between the outlet orifice and the first zone so as to generate a pressure in the cell forcing the extrusion of the solid film through the outlet orifice

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature gradient: Temperature Gradient

Implementation Method 2

generate a temperature gradient, between the outlet orifice and the first zone so as to generate a pressure in the cell forcing the extrusion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 3

a control circuit imposing on the device for applying the first and second temperatures a first adjustment to form a volume of the solid phase material inside the cell

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentEP2682695B1Device and method for extruding a solid body
Publication Date: 2020.09.30 COMMISSARIAT A LENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
  • EP2682695B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2682695B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The device (1) has a cell (2) with an input opening (3) and an output opening (4). A heat exchanger (E1) applies a temperature (T1) to the output opening, and another heat exchanger (E2) applies another temperature (T2) in a zone (6) of the cell. A control circuit controls the exchangers to impose a set of temperatures to form a volume (V1) of the material in solid phase inside the cell, and another set of temperatures to generate a temperature gradient between the output opening and the zone so as to generate a pressure in the cell forcing extrusion of the solid film via the output opening. An independent claim is also included for a method for extrusion of a solid film.