Gas Blowing Device with Movable Shutters for Strip Width Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas blowing devices for moving strip materials face challenges in maintaining temperature uniformity and stability, especially at the free edges, and are inflexible during bandwidth transitions, leading to inefficient gas flow and potential turbulence.

Innovation Solution

A gas blowing device with movable shutter members that can selectively conceal blowing orifices to adapt to varying strip widths, allowing for precise control of gas flow and improved thermal and aerodynamic performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If fixed partitions and rotary valves are used to control gas flow to different zones, then bandwidth adaptation is possible, but the system becomes very restrictive and complex, requiring excessive gas flow rate to account for strip position variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth adaptationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces fixed partitions with movable shutters that can dynamically adjust their position laterally. This allows the gas blowing device to adapt to different strip widths and positions without requiring complex valve systems and fixed compartmentalization, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The blowing box is divided into multiple independent gas injection nozzles arranged laterally. Each nozzle can be independently controlled by its own movable shutter, allowing selective activation of specific zones based on strip position and width, simplifying the overall control mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of energy

If gas blowing zones are reduced to match narrower bandwidth, then gas flow efficiency improves, but temperature uniformity and stability at free edges deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas flow efficiencyVSAvoidtemperature uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different gas flow characteristics to different lateral zones by using independently controllable nozzles with adjustable shutters. This allows optimization of gas flow for each local zone - reducing flow in areas where strip is absent while maintaining adequate flow at edge zones to prevent temperature non-uniformity, thus resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and temperature uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If movable shutters are used to adapt blowing zone width, then bandwidth transition flexibility improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth transition flexibilityVSAvoidshutter mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs movable shutters that can laterally displace to adjust the active blowing zone width. This dynamic adjustment mechanism provides flexibility for bandwidth transitions while maintaining relatively simple construction through direct lateral movement rather than complex mechanical systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical valve systems with movable shutter members that can be actuated by simpler mechanisms such as pneumatic or electric actuators, reducing overall mechanical complexity while achieving the same adaptive functionality.

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

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 flexible adaptation to different strip widths, optimizing gas flow rates and improving production efficiency by reducing excessive gas supply and minimizing turbulence, while maintaining uniform temperature and stability across the strip.

Implementation Method 1

Device for blowing gas onto a surface of a moving strip material... with a view to a drying, cooling or coating treatment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

during which a deposited protective varnish is dried by blowing hot air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

blowing hot air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2283165B1Device for blowing a gas on the surface of a material in the form of a running strip
Publication Date: 2020.07.29 COCKERILL MAINTENANCE & INGIE SA
  • EP2283165B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2283165B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2283165B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for blowing a gas on a surface of a material in the form of a running strip that comprises at least one hollow casing (20) having a wall (22) provided with a plurality of blowing openings (30) for directing a gas towards said surface of the strip material. According to the invention, the hollow casing (20) is further laterally provided, on at least one side thereof relative to a median plane (Q) perpendicular to the plane of the strip (15), with a mobile blocking member (50) adapted for selectively blocking certain blowing openings (30) in order to adapt the width of the blowing area to the width of the related strip material (15), said mobile member (50) having an edge (54) adjacent to the inner surface (25) of the wall (22) provided with blowing openings (30), and an edge (55) adjacent to a side wall (23) of the hollow casing (20).