Non-Stick Housing for Thermal Coating of Small Bore Diameters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing thermal coating devices for internal combustion engine cylinder bores face issues with high thermal loads, turbulence, and particle adhesion, leading to reduced efficiency and maintenance challenges, especially when coating smaller bore diameters.

Innovation Solution

A rotating single-wire spraying device with a non-stick and insulating housing and nozzle ring design, featuring a ceramic nozzle ring and a metallic housing with a non-detachable non-stick surface, optimized for reduced particle adhesion and improved heat dissipation, along with a flow-optimized surface design to minimize turbulence.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional thermal coating devices are used for coating small bore diameters, then coating capability is achieved, but particle adhesion to the device increases and maintenance frequency increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating capabilityVSAvoidmaintenance frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The housing surface properties are changed by applying a non-stick coating layer, which fundamentally alters the interaction between particles and the housing surface. This parameter change prevents particle adhesion without affecting the coating process capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The housing is constructed as a composite structure with an inner non-stick coating layer applied on the housing material. This composite design combines the structural integrity of the housing with the non-adhesive properties of the coating layer, solving both coating capability and particle adhesion issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-generated harmful factors

If the housing surface is made smooth to reduce particle adhesion, then particle adhesion decreases, but heat dissipation from the housing deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle adhesionVSAvoidheat dissipation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The housing employs a composite structure where the base housing material provides thermal conductivity for heat dissipation, while the applied non-stick coating layer provides the smooth non-adhesive surface. This composite approach allows both heat dissipation and particle adhesion prevention to coexist.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The non-stick coating is applied specifically to the inner housing surface where particle adhesion is problematic, while the outer housing structure maintains its original thermal properties. This localized application preserves heat dissipation capability while addressing particle adhesion only where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If the housing is made electrically conductive for structural integrity, then structural strength is maintained, but particle accumulation due to electrostatic charge increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidparticle accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The housing structure combines conductive base material for structural integrity with a non-conductive non-stick coating layer on the inner surface. This composite design allows the housing to maintain electrical conductivity for structural purposes while the coating layer prevents electrostatic particle accumulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The non-stick coating layer acts as an intermediary between the conductive housing and the spray particles. It prevents direct contact between particles and the conductive surface, thereby eliminating electrostatic particle accumulation while preserving the housing's structural electrical properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Object-generated harmful factors

If a removable protective jacket is added to prevent particle adhesion, then particle adhesion is reduced, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle adhesionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The non-stick coating is applied in advance to the housing surface during manufacturing, creating a permanent protective layer. This preliminary action eliminates the need for removable protective jackets, simplifying the device structure while maintaining particle adhesion prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The non-stick coating provides self-service by continuously preventing particle adhesion without requiring external protective components. The housing surface itself becomes protective through the coating, eliminating the need for additional removable jackets and simplifying operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 solution enables stable and efficient thermal coating of small bore diameters with reduced maintenance, higher application rates, and extended service life by preventing particle adhesion and maintaining process stability.

Implementation Method 1

at least the housing (6) has a non-stick and insulating layer system, with a non-detachable non-stick surface (36) being arranged on an electrically and thermally insulating layer (29) which is arranged on the housing (6)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNon-stick surface property: Hydrophobe

Implementation Method 2

an electrically and thermally insulating layer (29) which is arranged on the housing (6)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

The device (1) is inserted into a cylinder bore to be coated and rotated around itself during operation with a simultaneous linear up and down movement. It can be seen that during the rotation of the device the process gases flowing in the cylinder bore flow through flat surfaces of the device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface polishing effect: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2941493B1Apparatus for thermally coating a surface
Publication Date: 2018.10.17 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC
  • EP2941493B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2941493B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP2941493B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to an apparatus for thermally coating a surface, comprising at least one housing (6), a cathode (9), which is designed as a consumable wire, and at least one insulation element (13), the housing (6) having a non-detachable anti-adhesive surface.