Infrasound Cooling Box for Faster Hot Auto Component Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing cooling methods in automobile manufacturing, particularly air cooling, are too slow and inefficient for hot steel components, leading to prolonged processing times and potential inconsistencies in cooling rates that affect the properties of steel products.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that utilize a confined space with a heat sink and low-frequency sound waves to enhance heat exchange between the cooling gas and the steel component, eliminating the need for forced airflow and ensuring even cooling by using a larger cooling surface area and strategically placed heat sinks within the cooling box.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If air cooling is used to cool hot steel components, then the cooling process is simple and does not require complex equipment, but the cooling time is too long and efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of cooling processVSAvoidcooling efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional mechanical forced air flow system with an acoustic field-based cooling system. Low frequency sound waves (infrasound) are used to agitate the cooling medium and enhance heat exchange without requiring fans, motors, or complex mechanical airflow generation equipment. This substitution maintains simplicity while dramatically improving cooling efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the cooling process by introducing low frequency sound waves with frequencies below 50 Hz (preferably below 25 Hz). This parameter change affects the thermal convection characteristics of the cooling medium, creating more effective heat transfer patterns and significantly reducing cooling time compared to conventional air cooling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If forced air flow is used to accelerate cooling, then the cooling rate increases, but a protective film forms on the component surface that impairs heat exchange

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling rateVSAvoidheat exchange quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the mechanical forced air flow system that causes protective film formation. Instead, it uses acoustic waves to create gentle, uniform agitation of the cooling medium that enhances heat exchange without creating the high-velocity airflow conditions that lead to film formation and degraded heat transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies mechanical vibration in the form of low frequency sound waves to the cooling medium. This vibration creates micro-turbulence and enhances natural convection currents, improving heat exchange efficiency without the harmful effects of forced high-velocity air flow. The vibrational energy promotes uniform heat distribution and prevents film formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

3Device complexity

If conventional cooling methods are used, then equipment complexity is low, but cooling time is prolonged and overall process efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling system complexityVSAvoidcooling time

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical cooling systems (fans, blowers, forced circulation equipment) with a simple acoustic field generation system. The infrasound source requires minimal mechanical components while achieving superior cooling performance, thus reducing overall device complexity while dramatically cutting cooling time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs periodic action through low frequency sound waves that create rhythmic agitation in the cooling medium. This periodic energy input continuously renews the heat exchange process at the component surface, preventing thermal boundary layer stagnation and maintaining high heat transfer rates throughout the cooling period.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

4Reliability

If air cooling is used without forced flow, then no protective film forms and heat exchange remains effective, but the cooling rate is insufficient for efficient processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat exchange effectivenessVSAvoidcooling speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies mechanical vibration through infrasound waves to the natural convection cooling process. This vibration enhances the already-effective heat exchange mechanism by creating micro-turbulence and preventing boundary layer stagnation, thereby accelerating the cooling rate while preserving the advantages of natural convection (no film formation, uniform cooling).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the thermal convection parameters by introducing low frequency acoustic energy into the cooling medium. This parameter change transforms the natural convection process into an enhanced convection process with significantly improved heat transfer coefficients, achieving faster cooling speeds while maintaining the effectiveness and uniformity of natural convection cooling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 approach significantly reduces cooling time, enhances heat exchange efficiency, and maintains the integrity of the cooling process by preventing the formation of protective films that impede heat transfer, thereby improving the overall efficiency and consistency of the cooling process.

Implementation Method 1

cooling by means of a gas, the gas being cooled by heat exchange with a cooling surface of a heat sink inside said confined space

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a low frequency sound wave is provided into said confined space in order to improve heat exchange both between the gas and a cooling surface of the at least one heat sink, and between the gas and the automobile component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSound wave: Sound

Implementation Method 3

the gas being cooled by heat exchange with a cooling surface of a heat sink

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS11261502B2Method and system for cooling hot components

Publication Date: 2022.03.01 GESTAMP HARDTECH AB

AI summary

The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for cooling an automobile component (20) by means of a gas, the apparatus comprising a cooling box (11) with a re-closeable opening (12) for receiving an automobile component (20) to be cooled, wherein at least one heat sink (13) is provided inside the cooling box (11) for cooling of the gas, and wherein the apparatus (10) includes at least one infra sound pulsator (2, 3) arranged to provide an infra sound into said cooling box (11) to improve heat exchange of the gas both with a cooling surface of the at least one heat sink (13), and with the automobile component (20). The invention also relates to a process for cooling an automobile component in such an apparatus.