Laminar Cooling Unit Flow Control Under Switching Pressure Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laminar cooling devices for metal strips suffer from imprecise control of coolant application due to pressure loss variations in piping systems, leading to inconsistent cooling rates and inability to maintain target temperatures under varying process conditions.
Innovation Solution
A laminar cooling device with direct flow measurement and control valves at each unit, along with specific cross-sectional ratios and pressure maintenance, ensures precise coolant delivery independent of switching states, using a control loop to adjust flow rates accurately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If switching valves are used to control coolant flow to individual application units, then cooling strategy can be adjusted, but pressure loss varies depending on switching state leading to imprecise flow rate control
Solution Approach 1:
A flow measurement device directly measures the flow rate through the central inlet and feeds this information back to a control section. The control section compares the measured flow rate with a target value and adjusts the total target flow rate accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that compensates for pressure loss variations caused by different switching states.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical pressure control with an electronic control system that uses flow measurement and electronic signal processing. Instead of relying on mechanical pressure regulators that cannot compensate for dynamic pressure losses, the system uses electronic sensors, controllers, and actuators to achieve precise flow rate control.
2Stability of the object's composition
If pre-pressure is maintained constant at the inlet, then supply stability is improved, but pressure loss in piping increases with flow velocity variations
Solution Approach 1:
The flow measurement device continuously monitors the actual flow rate and feeds this information back to the control section. The controller dynamically adjusts the total target flow rate to compensate for pressure losses, maintaining stable supply to application units despite variations in flow velocity and pressure loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the target flow rate parameter based on measured actual flow rate and pressure loss conditions. The control section adjusts the total target flow rate upward when pressure losses increase and downward when pressure losses decrease, optimizing energy usage while maintaining supply stability.
3Quantity of substance
If flow rate through central inlet is increased to compensate for pressure loss, then coolant delivery is improved, but control precision is reduced due to cumulative flow requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The flow measurement device provides real-time feedback on the actual flow rate through the central inlet. The control section uses this feedback to make precise adjustments to the total target flow rate, ensuring that individual application units receive exactly the coolant quantity they require without cumulative errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The control section acts as an intermediary between the flow measurement device and the valve control system. It processes the measured flow rate information and translates it into appropriate adjustments of the total target flow rate, mediating between the need for adequate coolant delivery and the need for precise control.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a cooling unit of a laminar cooling device (1). At least one cooling unit of the cooling device is arranged above and below a strip to be cooled in order to supply the strip with a cooling liquid, comprising a central inlet (2), via which cooling liquid is supplied, a distributing tube (3) which is supplied with cooling liquid by the central inlet (2), and a number of supplying units (4) which are supplied with cooling liquid from the distributing tube (3). Each supplying unit (4) is equipped with a number of cooling nozzles (5), via which cooling liquid is discharged onto the strip. In order to minimize the influence of the number of supplying units which are switched on or switched off, and thus have as little expenditure as possible, a volumetric flow rate regulating valve is arranged in or in front of the central inlet (2), said regulating valve being used to conduct a defined volume of cooling liquid through the central inlet (2) per unit of time.