Heat Pipe Forming Element for Homogeneous Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing forming elements struggle to achieve precise and homogeneous temperature control over larger process areas, leading to undesirable variations in the properties of shaped materials, such as layer thickness and chemical composition.
Innovation Solution
A forming element with an internal media space that includes a capillary structure and a heat tube system, allowing a fluid working medium to circulate and transfer heat efficiently between an evaporator and condenser area, which are thermally coupled with the process surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If local heating or cooling elements are embedded in the forming element, then temperature control capability is improved, but temperature homogeneity deteriorates due to local temperature differences
Solution Approach 1:
The forming element is divided into multiple independent heating zones, each equipped with its own heating element. This segmentation allows independent temperature control of each zone while maintaining overall temperature homogeneity across the entire process surface, resolving the contradiction between temperature control capability and temperature uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the forming element are equipped with heating elements having different power outputs or thermal conductivities tailored to specific local requirements. This enables precise local temperature adjustment while maintaining global temperature homogeneity, addressing both temperature control capability and temperature uniformity needs.
2Temperature
If heating or cooling fluids are circulated through drilled channels, then temperature control is improved, but temperature distribution homogeneity worsens with higher temperatures near heating channels
Solution Approach 1:
A thermally conductive medium or phase change material is introduced as an intermediary between the heating channels and the process surface. This intermediary distributes heat more uniformly across the process surface, reducing localized temperature peaks near heating channels while maintaining effective temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal parameters of the forming element are optimized by modifying channel dimensions, spacing, and thermal conductivity of surrounding materials. These parameter changes ensure more uniform heat distribution from the channels to the process surface, maintaining temperature control while improving temperature homogeneity.
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 temperature control of the process area, achieving a homogeneous temperature distribution and avoiding unwanted inhomogeneities, while also allowing for targeted temperature variations as needed.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid working medium can be circulated in the media space according to the principle of a heat pipe
Implementation Method 2
The media space has an internal capillary structure with a plurality of capillary fluid-conducting channels
Implementation Method 3
The media space has an evaporator region and a condenser region
Implementation Method 4
The media space has an evaporator region and a condenser region
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A forming element (10, 60) is specified for a process, in particular for a manufacturing process, in which a material (M) to be processed is formed, comprising: - a process surface (20) for forming the material (M) and - a closed media space (22) arranged inside the forming element (10, 60), in which a fluid working medium (F) is circulated according to the operating principle of a heat pipe, - wherein the media space (22) has an evaporator region (26) and a condenser region (24), wherein at least one of these two regions (24, 26) is thermally coupled to the process surface (20) in such a way that the latter can be temperature-controlled by the circulating working medium (F), - wherein the media space (22) is bounded towards the process surface (20) by a fluid-tight first wall element (31), - wherein the media space (22) has an internal capillary structure (35) with a plurality of capillary fluid-conducting channels exhibits.Furthermore, a manufacturing process is specified in which a material to be processed (M) is formed with such a forming element (10,60) as well as a method for producing such a forming element (10,60).