Explosion Welded Copper Cooling Element Thermal Contact

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooling elements used in metallurgical furnaces face challenges in achieving effective thermal contact between the copper base element and metal coatings, leading to inefficient heat transfer.

Innovation Solution

The method involves drilling holes in the copper base element, plugging them, and applying a metal coating via explosion welding, which creates a strong thermal energy transfer joint and optionally includes a ceramic lining or specific metal alloys like stainless steel with high chromium content.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a metal coating is applied to the copper base element using conventional methods, then the cooling element gains protective coating, but the thermal contact between base element and coating is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal contact qualityVSAvoidheat transfer efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Holes are drilled into the copper base element before coating application, and these holes are subsequently plugged during the explosion welding process. This preliminary structural modification enables the coating to be mechanically anchored to the base element, ensuring intimate thermal contact from the outset rather than relying on post-application adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical state and bonding mechanism by using explosion welding instead of conventional coating methods. The explosive force creates a metallurgical bond between the coating and base element, fundamentally altering the interface properties to achieve superior thermal contact and heat transfer efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If the base element is drilled with holes and plugged, then thermal contact between base element and coating is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal contact qualityVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges multiple operations into a single integrated process: holes are drilled in the base element, and the same holes serve as receptacles for plugs that are installed during the explosion welding process itself. This consolidation eliminates separate plugging operations and reduces overall manufacturing complexity despite the added drilling step.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The drilled holes serve multiple functions: they provide mechanical anchoring for the plugs, facilitate intimate contact between coating and base element, and enable the explosion welding process to create strong thermal bonds. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized features or processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If explosion welding is used to apply metal coating, then thermal energy transfer between base element and coating is significantly improved, but the process requires specialized equipment and higher energy input

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidenergy input for coating process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the energy delivery mechanism from gradual, low-intensity conventional coating methods to a high-intensity, instantaneous explosive energy input. This parameter change in energy delivery creates a metallurgical bond with superior thermal contact, overcoming the limitation of insufficient heat transfer that plagues conventional coating methods.

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 enhances thermal contact and energy transfer between the copper base element and the metal coating, improving the cooling element's performance in metallurgical furnace applications.

Implementation Method 1

the base element is coated with a metal coating at the plugs by explosion welding, so that the metal coating at least partly covers the plugs fitted in the holes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectExplosion welding: Explosive Welding

Data Source

PatentEP2304362B1Method for manufacturing a cooling element and a cooling element
Publication Date: 2015.03.25 OUTOTEC OYJ
  • EP2304362B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2304362B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for coating the frame element of a cooling element (1) used in connection with a metallurgical furnace or the like, said frame element being mainly made of copper, at least partly with a metal coating (3). In the method, the metal coating (3) is explosion welded to the frame element of a cooling element (1) mainly made of copper. The invention also relates to a cooling element, particularly to be used in connection with metallurgical furnaces or the like, said cooling element comprising a frame element (1) mainly made of copper, in which frame element there is arranged a cooling water channel system (2), said frame element of the cooling element (1) being at least partly coated with a metal coating (3). The metal coating (3) is explosion welded to the frame element (1) that is mainly made of copper.