Rapier Bar Cooling Guide Device with Dual Air and Liquid Circuits

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rapier bars in rapier weaving machines overheat due to friction, especially at increased weaving speeds, and existing compressed air cooling methods are insufficient for newer, lighter rapier bars with poor heat conductivity.

Innovation Solution

A guide device with an air circuit and perforations for compressed air cooling, combined with a cooling liquid circuit, is used to effectively cool the rapier bar, with the air circuit limited to discrete zones and the cooling liquid circuit extending along the guide's length for enhanced heat management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If compressed air cooling is used through perforations in the guide element, then cooling effect is provided, but cooling sufficiency deteriorates at increased weaving speeds

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverapier bar temperatureVSAvoidweaving speed
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide element is divided into multiple zones with different cooling mechanisms: a first zone with compressed air cooling through perforations, and a second zone with cooling liquid circulation channels. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for different cooling requirements, enabling sufficient cooling at high weaving speeds while maintaining the simplicity of compressed air cooling where adequate

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the guide element are assigned different cooling properties: the first zone uses compressed air permeation through perforations, while the second zone uses liquid cooling through channels. This local differentiation of cooling quality allows the system to address the insufficient cooling at high speeds in specific critical areas without compromising the overall system simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Weight of moving object

If rapier bars are made from materials with poor heat conductivity to reduce weight, then weight is reduced, but heat dissipation capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverapier bar weightVSAvoidheat dissipation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The guide element acts as an intermediary cooling system that compensates for the poor heat conductivity of lightweight rapier bar materials. By providing active cooling through compressed air and cooling liquid in contact with the rapier bar, the guide element mediates the heat dissipation problem, allowing lightweight materials to be used without suffering from inadequate heat conduction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If guide elements are designed to guide the rapier bar accurately, then positioning precision is improved, but friction-induced heating worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverapier bar positioning precisionVSAvoidfriction heating
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The guide element converts the harmful friction heat into a beneficial cooling opportunity by incorporating compressed air perforations and cooling liquid channels directly in the contact zones. The friction that causes heating is precisely where the cooling mechanisms are applied, transforming the heat-generating contact into a heat-removing interface while maintaining positioning precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 dual cooling method effectively limits the rapier bar's warming due to friction, ensuring accurate positioning and efficient cooling even at high weaving speeds, while reducing costs and adapting to various rapier bar materials and machine configurations.

Implementation Method 1

an air circuit through which compressed air can flow and which is provided with perforations for cooling the rapier bar by means of compressed air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompressed air cooling: Convection

Implementation Method 2

a cooling circuit through which cooling liquid can flow for cooling the rapier bar using cooling liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCooling liquid cooling: Convection

Implementation Method 3

the one or more guide elements delimit the movement trajectory of the rapier bar and may come into contact with this rapier bar when the rapier bar is moved

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3966375B1Guide device for a rapier bar and rapier weaving machine comprising such a guide device
Publication Date: 2023.09.06 VANDEWIELE NV
  • EP3966375B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3966375B1 patent drawingFigure 2~5
  • EP3966375B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The present invention relates to a guide device comprising a guide (1) with one or more guide elements (2) for guiding a rapier bar (3) in a rapier weaving machine, wherein this guide device is provided with an air circuit (5) through which compressed air can flow and which is provided with perforations (7) for cooling the rapier bar (3) by means of compressed air, and wherein this guide device is provided with a cooling circuit (8) through which coolant can flow for cooling the rapier bar (3) by means of coolant. In addition, the present invention relates to an assembly of a rapier bar (3), drive means (4) and such a guide device. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a rapier weaving machine comprising such an assembly.