Mobile Cooling System with Bottom Ventilation Nozzles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cooling systems for objects exiting heating furnaces are inefficient due to counter-current airflow, increased production costs from object transfer, and pollution from overheated air loaded with pollutant substances, with static systems having low cooling efficiency and complicating pollutant collection.

Innovation Solution

A mobile cooling system with a moveable structure equipped with baskets that uses ventilation nozzles and a fan to direct cooling air through the baskets' bottoms, while suctioning ducts collect overheated air loaded with pollutants, and a displacement unit automates basket movement, allowing for efficient cooling and pollutant management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If air is blown into containers through the upper opening for cooling objects, then cooling function is provided, but counter-current flow is generated which slows down the cooling process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidcooling speed
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the conventional cooling approach by introducing cooling air from the bottom of the container instead of the top. The air inlet is positioned at the lower base and directs airflow upward through the basket, causing air to rise naturally and exit through the upper opening, eliminating counter-current flow and accelerating cooling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs a moveable structure with wheels that can displace the entire cooling apparatus along tracks, transforming the static cooling system into a dynamic one. This allows the cooling unit to be repositioned for different baskets and facilitates automated operation, improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Temperature

If objects are transferred from baskets to containers for cooling, then cooling function is provided, but time is wasted and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling functionVSAvoidtransfer time
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention makes the basket itself the cooling container, giving it a dual function: holding objects during transport and serving as the cooling chamber. The moveable structure accommodates standard baskets directly, eliminating the need for separate transfer containers and reducing handling time.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the transport basket and cooling container into a single integrated unit. The basket is equipped with bottoms having through-holes that allow airflow, combining the holding function with the cooling function, thus eliminating the transfer step between separate containers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Temperature

If air is blown into containers through the upper opening, then cooling function is provided, but collection of overheated air loaded with pollutants is complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling functionVSAvoidpollutant collection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the air inlet function from the upper opening and relocates it to the lower base. This separation allows the upper opening to be dedicated solely as an air outlet and pollutant discharge point, simplifying the collection system. A suction unit can be directly positioned at the upper opening to capture polluted air without interference from the cooling air inlet.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Device complexity

If static cooling systems are used with fixed chambers, then structure is simple, but cooling efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidcooling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transforms the static cooling chamber into a dynamic system by equipping the cooling unit with wheels and a drive mechanism. The moveable structure can travel along tracks to service multiple baskets sequentially, and the baskets themselves can be rotated or repositioned, significantly improving cooling efficiency without requiring a completely complex system architecture.

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

The system accelerates cooling times, improves cooling efficiency, simplifies and automates object transfer, and reduces environmental pollution by effectively managing overheated air, enhancing production capacity and safety.

Implementation Method 1

ventilation means 13 which are connected to the ventilation chamber 5 for moving - thereinto - cooling air which, as previously mentioned, through the ventilation nozzles 9 and through holes 12, flows into the baskets 10

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 2

the air that cools the objects contained in the baskets 10

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

suctioning means 31, which enable collecting the air flowing out from the mouths 10a of the baskets 10 and conveying it to a possible treatment plant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3388768B1System for cooling objects
Publication Date: 2019.09.04 LM IND SRL
  • EP3388768B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3388768B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3388768B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system (1) for cooling objects comprising: a fixed scaffolding (2) which supports a moveable structure (3) comprising a lower base (6) abutting against the fixed scaffolding (2), an upper base (7) spaced from the lower base (6) and a lateral surface (8) which perimetrically delimits the lower base (6) and the upper base (7) to define a ventilation chamber (5); a plurality of ventilation nozzles (9) present in the upper base (7) and communicating with the ventilation chamber (5); a plurality of baskets (10) each having a mouth (10a) for introducing the objects to be cooled and a bottom (11) provided with a plurality of through holes (12) configured for communicating with the ventilation nozzles (9) when the baskets (10) rest against the upper base (7). There are provided for ventilation means (13) connected to the ventilation chamber (5) for conveying cooling air from the ventilation chamber (5) into the baskets (10) through the ventilation nozzles (9) and the through holes (12).