Laser-Welded Finned Tube Production With Parallel Strip Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing finned tubes are limited by high production times due to constraints on rotational and displacement speeds, which can lead to tearing of the strip and imprecise welding, making it difficult to economically manufacture tubes with improved heat transfer properties.

Innovation Solution

The use of multiple laser beams to simultaneously attach strips to the tube base body, allowing for higher pitch and displacement speed while maintaining precise control, thereby reducing production time and enhancing manufacturing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the rotational and displacement speed of the tubular body is increased during strip attachment, then production time is reduced, but the strip may tear off and welding precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction timeVSAvoidwelding precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single strip attachment process into multiple parallel attachment operations. Multiple strips are attached simultaneously to different sections of the tubular body, allowing each attachment point to operate at lower speeds with higher precision while the overall production throughput increases due to parallel processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a single-point attachment process to a multi-point simultaneous attachment process. By distributing multiple attachment points along the tubular body and using multiple laser beams working in parallel, the system adds a spatial dimension to the attachment process, enabling higher overall productivity without compromising individual welding precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If the rotational speed of the tubular body is increased during strip attachment, then production time is reduced, but pipe vibrations occur preventing precise welding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction timeVSAvoidwelding quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the welding process into multiple independent laser beams working simultaneously at different locations. This allows the tubular body to rotate at controlled speeds while each laser beam maintains stable positioning and welding quality at its specific location, avoiding the vibrations and precision losses associated with high-speed single-point welding

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If multiple laser beams are used to simultaneously attach strips, then production time is reduced and displacement speed can be increased, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction timeVSAvoidnumber of laser beams
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs multiple laser beams that perform identical welding functions simultaneously at different locations. This multi-functional approach allows the system to achieve higher productivity through parallel processing while using standardized, proven laser welding technology for each beam, reducing the complexity burden that would arise from developing entirely new multi-beam coordination systems

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

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 method significantly reduces production time by enabling faster attachment of fins with consistent spacing and higher displacement speeds, improving the economic viability of finned tube manufacturing while maintaining precise control and heat transfer efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the laser beams radiate into the contact area of the tubular body and strip, wherein during welding preferably both the tubular body material assigned to the contact area and the strip material assigned to the contact area are irradiated and melted by the relevant laser beam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser beam irradiation: Laser

Data Source

PatentEP3769899B1Finned tube and method and device for producing a finned tube
Publication Date: 2022.04.13 KME SCHMOLE
  • EP3769899B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3769899B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3769899B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A method for manufacturing a finned tube, in which a tube body is ribbed on its outer surface, in particular helically, with a first strip, the first strip being attached to the tube body using a first laser beam. The special feature is, among other things, that the tube body is ribbed on its outer surface, in particular simultaneously, with a second strip, the second strip being attached to the tube body using a second laser beam, in particular parallel to the first strip.