Multi-Stage Extrusion Nozzle for Thermoelectric Grain Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for manufacturing thermoelectric materials require multiple hot deformation processes, increasing production time and cost, and struggle to enhance material performance due to the trade-off between Seebeck coefficient and electric conductivity.
Innovation Solution
An extrusion nozzle apparatus with a multi-stage shape that progressively decreases in cross-sectional area from inlet to outlet, allowing for a single extrusion process that mimics multiple hot deformations, reduces production time, and enhances material performance by controlling temperature gradients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple hot deformation processes are applied to increase grain alignment and electric conductivity, then the performance of thermoelectric material is improved, but the production time and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple hot deformation processes into a single extrusion process by using a multi-stage extrusion nozzle with progressively decreasing cross-sectional areas. This merging of processes achieves the grain alignment effect of multiple deformations while reducing production time and manufacturing steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The extrusion nozzle is segmented into multiple stages with different cross-sectional areas, where each stage performs a portion of the deformation. This segmentation allows the material to undergo progressive deformation in a single continuous process, achieving cumulative grain alignment without requiring multiple separate processing steps.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple hot deformation processes are applied to increase grain alignment and electric conductivity, then the performance of thermoelectric material is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple hot deformation processes into a single extrusion process by using a multi-stage extrusion nozzle with progressively decreasing cross-sectional areas. This merging of processes achieves the grain alignment effect of multiple deformations while reducing production time and manufacturing steps.
3Productivity
If the cross-sectional area of the extrusion nozzle is progressively decreased from inlet to outlet, then multiple hot deformation effects are achieved in a single pass, but the nozzle structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The extrusion nozzle is segmented into multiple stages with different cross-sectional areas, where each stage performs a portion of the deformation. This segmentation allows the material to undergo progressive deformation in a single continuous process, achieving cumulative grain alignment without requiring multiple separate processing steps.
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 extrusion nozzle apparatus effectively aligns grains, increases electric conductivity, and enhances the dimensionless figure-of-merit ZT of the thermoelectric material, improving its performance while reducing production costs and time.
Implementation Method 1
the input material is pressurized inside the discharge pipe and moves in a first direction from the inlet toward the outlet
Implementation Method 2
As the hot deformation is performed several times, the grains of the thermoelectric material are aligned in a certain direction and Hall mobility increases
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an extrusion nozzle apparatus and a method for extruding a thermoelectric material using the extrusion nozzle apparatus. An extrusion nozzle apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: an inlet introducing material; an outlet discharging the input material; and a discharge pipe formed in a multi-stage shape including a plurality of stages, wherein the input material is pressurized inside the discharge pipe and moves in a first direction from the inlet toward the outlet. The cross-sectional area of the plurality of stages in a direction perpendicular to the first direction progressively decreases from the inlet to the outlet. Accordingly, the thermoelectric performance of a thermoelectric material may be improved, and production cost and production time may be reduced.