Laval Nozzle Cooling Medium Mixing for Thermal Coating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooling methods for thermal coating, such as using carbon dioxide snow, are inefficient in achieving uniform cooling, especially on moving or rotating components, due to unsatisfactory heat exchange and particle distribution.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that utilize a Laval nozzle to mix a cooling medium flow with a carrier gas, allowing for adjustable flow rate and composition by positioning the cooling medium nozzle within or downstream of the Laval nozzle, creating a turbulent flow for effective mixing and distribution of the cooling medium, which can be in liquid or gaseous form, including carbon dioxide, nitrogen, or argon, to optimize particle size and distribution for efficient cooling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If carbon dioxide snow is applied to cool the component surface during thermal coating, then cooling effect is achieved, but uniform cooling is difficult to achieve especially on moving or rotating components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent surface temperatureVSAvoidcooling uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a carrier gas as an intermediary medium that transports the cooling medium (carbon dioxide snow) to the component surface. This mediator enables more uniform distribution of the cooling agent, especially on moving or rotating components, by allowing the cooling medium to be delivered in a controlled gas stream rather than directly applied

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses pneumatic principles by employing a carrier gas flow to transport and distribute the cooling medium. The gas flow dynamics enable precise control over the cooling medium delivery, achieving uniform cooling across the component surface through aerodynamic transport mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the cooling medium flow rate and composition are fixed, then the system is simple, but it cannot adapt to different component requirements and spraying materials

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to component requirementsVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control capabilities that allow adjustment of the cooling medium flow rate and composition based on specific component requirements and coating conditions. This dynamic adaptability enables the system to optimize cooling performance for different applications without requiring completely different systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal cooling system that can handle various component types, coating materials, and cooling requirements through a single integrated装置. The system's ability to adjust flow rate and composition makes it multi-functional, accommodating diverse thermal coating scenarios

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If the cooling medium is applied directly to the component surface, then cooling effectiveness depends on particle distribution, but it is difficult to achieve sufficient cooling when components move quickly or rotate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling effectivenessVSAvoidcomponent speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The carrier gas acts as a mediator that maintains contact between the cooling medium and the moving/rotating component surface. Even at high speeds, the gas stream continues to deliver the cooling agent effectively, ensuring continuous cooling coverage that direct application cannot achieve

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes changes in the physical parameters of the carrier gas flow (velocity, pressure, direction) to maintain effective cooling delivery to moving components. By adjusting these parameters, the system adapts to component motion and maintains optimal cooling effectiveness across varying speed conditions

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 allows for precise control of cooling medium distribution and particle size, reducing thermal stresses and ensuring effective cooling of components during thermal coating, thereby preventing defective layer formation and improving adhesion by adapting to the specific requirements of the component and spraying materials.

Implementation Method 1

the carrier gas flow is guided through a Laval nozzle, the Laval nozzle having a longitudinal axis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaval nozzle effect: De Laval Nozzle

Implementation Method 2

how much carbon dioxide snow hits the component surface, sublimates on the component surface and to what extent heat exchange takes place between the component and carbon dioxide

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSublimation: Sublimation

Implementation Method 3

creating a turbulent flow for effective mixing and distribution of the cooling medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentEP2574408B1Method and device for supplying a coolant media flow
Publication Date: 2018.04.11 AIR LIQUIDE DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • EP2574408B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The method involves guiding a carrier gas flow by a laval nozzle (3), where the laval nozzle has a longitudinal axis (7). A cooling medium is inputted in the carrier gas flow by a cooling medium nozzle (11), so that the outlet of the cooling medium flow takes place in the carrier gas flow within or downstream the laval nozzle. The cooling medium flow is displaceable in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the laval nozzle relative to the laval nozzle. The cooling medium has substances such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen and argon. An independent claim is included for a device for discharging a cooling medium flow.