Plenum Coolant Nozzle Geometry for Cooler Metal Cutting Edges

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing metal cutting tool cooling systems are inadequate in reducing heat load on the cutting edge, leading to a decreased tool lifetime.

Innovation Solution

A nozzle design with a plenum chamber having a larger inlet cross-sectional area than outlet area, increasing fluid pressure and enhancing coolant delivery to the cutting edge, which reduces friction and heat load through optimized fluid dynamics and channel geometry.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If coolant fluid is delivered through the tool holder and coolant nozzles at high pressure, then the coolant delivery system is simple, but the ability to reduce heat load on the cutting edge is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat load on cutting edgeVSAvoidtool lifetime
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle is divided into multiple functional segments: a plenum chamber for pressure equalization, multiple inlet channels for coolant supply, and multiple outlet channels for directed coolant delivery. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, with the plenum chamber ensuring high pressure is maintained at all outlet points simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The plenum chamber acts as an intermediary element between the coolant supply system and the outlet channels. It receives coolant from multiple inlet channels and distributes it to multiple outlet channels while maintaining high pressure throughout, ensuring effective coolant delivery to the cutting edge without requiring complex high-pressure pumping systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stress or pressure

If the total cross-sectional area of inlet openings is larger than the total cross-sectional area of outlet openings in the plenum chamber, then the fluid pressure in outlet channels increases, but the nozzle structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid pressure in outlet channelsVSAvoidnozzle structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle design changes the geometric parameters of the plenum chamber, specifically making the total inlet opening area larger than the total outlet opening area. This parameter change naturally increases the fluid pressure in the outlet channels according to fluid dynamics principles, eliminating the need for additional pressure-boosting mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The plenum chamber performs preliminary pressure equalization and buildup before the coolant enters the outlet channels. By designing the inlet openings with larger total area than outlet openings, the system preliminarily increases pressure within the plenum chamber volume, ensuring high-pressure coolant delivery to all outlets simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 nozzle effectively increases coolant pressure and chip breaking properties, reducing friction and heat load on the tool, thereby extending the tool's lifetime.

Implementation Method 1

the plenum chamber will be filled with coolant fluid which will increase the fluid pressure in the subsequent internal outlet channels

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid pressure accumulation: Hydraulic Accumulator

Implementation Method 2

the chip breaking properties of the coolant fluid will increase, which will contribute to reducing the friction between the chip and the tool

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentEP3903973B1Metal cutting tool with nozzle for providing coolant fluid to a cutting edge
Publication Date: 2022.12.21 SECO TOOLS AB
  • EP3903973B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3903973B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP3903973B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

A nozzle (10) for providing coolant fluid to a cutting edge of a metal cutting tool (1) and such a metal cutting tool (1), wherein the nozzle (10) comprises - at least one internal inlet coolant channel (161i; 162i), - at least one internal outlet coolant channel (171i; 172i), wherein - the at least one internal inlet coolant channel (161i; 162i) is connected to a coolant inlet (18), and - the at least one internal outlet coolant channel (171i; 172i), is connected to a coolant outlet (191i; 192i) for directing the coolant fluid to the cutting edge, characterized in that the nozzle (10) further comprises - a plenum chamber (201; 202) comprising - at least one inlet opening (211i; 212i) connecting the at least one internal inlet coolant channel (161i; 162i) and the plenum chamber (201; 202), and - at least one outlet opening (221i; 222i) connecting the at least one internal outlet channel (171i; 172i) and the plenum chamber (201; 202), wherein - each of the at least one inlet openings (211i; 212i) have a cross-sectional area A1i and - each of the at least one outlet openings (221i; 222i) have a cross-sectional area A2i, wherein where i is an integer, n is the number of inlet openings, and m is the number of outlet openings.