Graphene Roll-to-Roll Coating Apparatus for Metallic Heat Pipe Surfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a lack of efficient and cost-effective methods for manufacturing heat pipes with high heat transfer efficiency and reliability by coating metallic members such as pipes or plates with graphene, and a continuous process for graphene coating on these surfaces has not been reported.

Innovation Solution

A graphene roll-to-roll coating apparatus and method are introduced, which include a first roller for supplying a metallic member, a pre-treating unit for surface treatment, a graphene forming unit for coating graphene, and a second roller for collecting the coated member in a roll-to-roll mechanism, enabling stable continuous coating of high-quality graphene on metallic members.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a continuous roll-to-roll coating process is implemented, then productivity and manufacturing efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for multiple coordinated rollers and treatment units

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous coating throughputVSAvoidcoating apparatus structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coating apparatus is divided into distinct functional modules: a first roller for supplying the metallic member, a pre-treating unit for surface preparation, a graphene forming unit for coating application, and a second roller for collecting the coated member. This segmentation allows each unit to perform its specific function independently while maintaining continuous operation, thereby improving productivity without overwhelming complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The roller-based transport mechanism serves multiple functions: it supplies the metallic member to the pre-treating unit, transports it through the graphene forming unit, and collects the coated member. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate handling mechanisms, balancing productivity improvement with controlled device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If graphene coating is applied to improve heat transfer efficiency and anti-corrosion properties, then reliability and performance are improved, but manufacturing cost increases due to the specialized coating process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The roll-to-roll coating process enables continuous coating of graphene on metallic members without interruption or batch processing. This continuity eliminates downtime between coating operations, reduces labor and energy costs associated with repeated heating and cooling cycles, and allows for high-volume production, thereby improving ease of manufacture while maintaining the reliability benefits of graphene coating

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical coating methods (such as spray coating or dip coating) with a field-based graphene formation process. The graphene forming unit uses energy fields (such as plasma or chemical vapor deposition fields) to form graphene directly on the metallic member surface as it passes through, eliminating the need for mechanical application equipment and reducing manufacturing complexity and cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If surface treatment is performed before graphene coating, then coating quality and adhesion are improved, but manufacturing time and process complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegraphene coating qualityVSAvoidtotal coating process time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The pre-treating unit and graphene forming unit are merged into a single continuous process line where surface treatment and graphene coating occur in sequence without interruption. The metallic member passes through the pre-treating unit for surface preparation, then immediately enters the graphene forming unit for coating application, eliminating transfer time and handling steps between operations. This merging maintains high coating quality while minimizing time loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 coated metallic members exhibit improved anti-chemical/anti-corrosion properties, enhanced liquid resistance, and increased heat transfer efficiency, with the graphene roll-to-roll coating process allowing for large-scale, cost-effective application on one or both surfaces of metallic members.

Implementation Method 1

a graphene forming unit for forming and simultaneously coating graphene on a surface of the pre-treated metallic member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical vapor deposition: Chemical Vapour Deposition

Data Source

PatentUS10808321B2Graphene roll-to-roll coating apparatus and graphene roll-to-roll coating method using the same

Publication Date: 2020.10.20 GRAPHENE SQUARE INC

AI summary

A graphene roll-to-roll coating apparatus and a graphene roll-to-roll coating method are provided on the basis of a continuous process.