Grinding Wheel Segmented Cooling Channels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing grinding wheel systems are not capable of selectively supplying cooling fluid to different areas of a grinding wheel, leading to inefficient cooling and potential smearing issues due to uneven fluid distribution.

Innovation Solution

The grinding wheel system features multiple cooling inlets and channels arranged at varying radii on the grinding wheel's surface, allowing for targeted cooling fluid supply to specific grinding areas via a closed pressure line or free jet cooling, with rounded outlets to prevent material accumulation and smearing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If cooling fluid is supplied through a pressurized annulus to the grinding wheel circumference, then cooling is provided to the grinding wheel, but cooling fluid escapes over the entire circumference on both grinding wheels and cannot be supplied selectively to different grinding areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveselective cooling supply to different grinding areasVSAvoidcooling channel configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system is segmented into multiple independent cooling channels, each serving a specific grinding area. The first cooling channels supply the first grinding surface while the second cooling channels supply the second grinding surface, allowing selective cooling of different grinding areas without affecting the entire circumference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different cooling conditions are applied to different local areas of the grinding wheel. The first cooling inlets are arranged at a first radius from the axis of rotation while the second cooling inlets are arranged at a second radius, enabling each grinding surface to receive cooling fluid tailored to its specific thermal and operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If cooling outlets have sharp edges, then manufacturing is simpler, but removed material settles between abrasive grains causing smearing and requiring frequent cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling outlet fabricationVSAvoidgrinding wheel operational life
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling outlets are designed with rounded edges instead of sharp edges. This curvature prevents removed material from settling between the abrasive grains, eliminating smearing and allowing the grinding wheel to operate for longer periods without cleaning interruptions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Adaptability or versatility

If cooling ducts are guided over long distances through multiple set plates, then cooling can reach distant grinding surfaces, but cooling fluid flow is insufficient without complex gaskets

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling coverage distanceVSAvoidgasket and sealing system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling ducts are arranged obliquely to the vertical of the axis of rotation, creating a scoop effect that dynamically captures and conveys cooling fluid through the cooling channels. This dynamic arrangement eliminates the need for complex circumferential gaskets while maintaining effective cooling fluid flow over long distances through multiple set plates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 design enables precise cooling of different grinding surfaces, reducing smearing and extending the grinding wheel's operational life by ensuring cooling fluid is applied only where needed, improving efficiency and reducing maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

the end of the cooling channel at the cooling inlet and / or at the cooling outlet is arranged obliquely to the vertical of the axis of rotation of the first grinding wheel. This has the advantage that the cooling fluid is conveyed into the cooling channels in the manner of a scoop.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScoop flow:

Implementation Method 2

the first cooling outlets and / or the further cooling outlets each having a rounded outlet. This has the decisive advantage that a cooling film is created between the grinding wheel and the point of action of the component to be machined.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCooling film formation:

Implementation Method 3

The grinding surfaces can be provided with abrasive grains, such as corundum, diamond and / or CBN (cubic crystalline boron nitride). The rounded shape of the cooling outlet also prevents material that has been removed from settling in the spaces between the abrasive grains.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Data Source

PatentEP2808125B1Grinding disc system
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 MTU AERO ENGINES GMBH
  • EP2808125B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2808125B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a grinding system (1) with at least one first grinding wheel (10) comprising at least one first grinding surface (15), a first front end face (11), several first cooling inlets (27; 37), and several first cooling channels (17; 38). The first cooling channels (17; 38) extend from the first front end face (11) to the first grinding surface (15), with the first cooling channel inlets (27; 37) being spaced at a first radius (R1) from the axis of rotation (A) of the first grinding wheel and being arranged in the first front end face (11). Furthermore, the first front end face (11) has further cooling inlets (18; 25; 41) that are spaced at a further radius (R2, R3) from the axis of rotation, which is not equal to the first radius (R1).