Nitrogen-Cooled Impeder for Stable High-Frequency Pipe Welding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing impeder apparatuses for high-frequency welding of pipes face challenges such as temperature-related breakage and the need for complex water cooling systems, which increase system complexity and require ad hoc modifications to user machines.

Innovation Solution

The impeder apparatus employs a nitrogen cooling system with a mixing chamber fed by separate circuits for gaseous and liquid nitrogen, allowing for precise temperature control and real-time monitoring, thus eliminating the need for water cooling and specialized geometries.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If water cooling system is used for impeder, then cooling effect is achieved, but system complexity increases and ad hoc modifications to user machines are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpeder temperature controlVSAvoidcooling system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the water cooling system with a gas-based cooling system using nitrogen. The nitrogen gas flows through channels in the impeder structure, providing effective cooling without requiring complex water circulation infrastructure. This pneumatic approach simplifies the overall system while maintaining temperature control of the impeder during high-frequency welding operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the cooling function from the impeder structure itself by incorporating internal nitrogen cooling channels. This allows the cooling medium (nitrogen) to be directly introduced into the impeder, eliminating the need for external water cooling systems and their associated complexity, while still achieving effective heat dissipation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Temperature

If impeder is cooled by water, then temperature control is achieved, but recirculation and disposal systems are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpeder temperatureVSAvoidcoolant management system
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses nitrogen gas as the cooling medium instead of liquid water. The nitrogen is supplied through pressurized gas lines and flows through the impeder, absorbing heat and then being vented or recirculated in a simplified manner. This eliminates the need for complex water recirculation pumps, heat exchangers, and disposal systems that would be required for water-based cooling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Temperature

If impeder geometry is modified for water cooling optimization, then cooling efficiency is improved, but apparatus structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidimpeder structure
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates cooling channels directly into the impeder structure, extracting the cooling function from an external system. The nitrogen cooling passages are integrated within the impeder body, allowing efficient heat removal while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure compared to external water cooling systems with multiple connection points and components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 solution ensures a constant and controlled temperature for the impeder, simplifies the apparatus structure, reduces oxidative effects, and minimizes the need for user machine modifications, leading to improved welding efficiency and reduced operational costs.

Implementation Method 1

The impeder is in fact made of ferrite, and therefore proper cooling of the impeder is essential also to ensure maximum welding efficiency and to keep the parameters of the production process stable

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

The impeder apparatus employs a nitrogen cooling system with a mixing chamber fed by separate circuits for gaseous and liquid nitrogen

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

With induction welding, the heat is electromagnetically induced into the workpiece

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 4

the pipes pass at high speed through an induction spool (also known as a Ruhmkorff spool), which electromagnetically induces the heat required to make the weld

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInduction heating: Induction Heating

Implementation Method 5

The function of the impeder is to concentrate the magnetic flux that is generated by the inductor in the area of welding of the pipe

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic flux concentration: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 6

By lowering the reluctance of the magnetic path, the impeder, placed inside the pipe, enables energy to be saved

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic reluctance: Magnetic Reluctance

Data Source

PatentEP4349519B1Nitrogen cooling system apparatus for impeder high-frequency welding process
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 SOCIETA ITALIANA ACETILENE & DERIVATI SIAD SPA IN ABBREVIATED FORM SIAD SPA
  • EP4349519B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The present invention relates to an impeder apparatus for high-frequency welding, in particular for welding pipes or the like, comprising a system of cooling of the impeder by means of nitrogen, which enables a constant required temperature at the impeder itself to be ensured, achieving greater simplicity of installation and, at the same time, improved quality of the weld that can be obtained. The process implemented by said apparatus is also an object of the present invention.