Segmented Spray Boom for Flexible Hydraulic Descaling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing descaling systems for metallic materials lack flexibility, leading to reduced operational reliability and increased production downtime due to nozzle failures and limited operational modes, as well as higher costs and space requirements when using multiple devices.

Innovation Solution

A spray boom with at least two adjacent supply channels that can independently supply different groups of spray nozzles with descaling fluid, allowing for varying pressures and volume flows, and enabling individual or simultaneous operation of nozzles or rows, with adjustable distance and media parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple identical or similar descaling devices are arranged one behind the other to increase flexibility, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity, space requirements, and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spray bar is divided into multiple independent nozzle rows, each capable of being operated separately. This segmentation allows the system to achieve the flexibility of multiple descaling devices while maintaining a compact single-unit structure, avoiding the need to arrange multiple complete descaling devices in sequence

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each nozzle row can function independently to handle different operating requirements, making the spray bar universally applicable to various descaling scenarios. The system can switch between different nozzle rows based on production needs, effectively providing multiple functional modes within a single device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple identical or similar descaling devices are arranged one behind the other to increase flexibility, then adaptability is improved, but the space requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidspace requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple nozzle rows that would traditionally require separate descaling devices are merged into a single spray bar structure. The nozzle rows are arranged adjacent to each other in the transverse direction, allowing them to share common support structures and control systems, thereby reducing the overall space requirement while maintaining operational flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple identical or similar descaling devices are arranged one behind the other to increase flexibility, then adaptability is improved, but production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidproduction costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The spray bar is divided into multiple independent nozzle rows, each capable of being operated separately. This segmentation allows the system to achieve the flexibility of multiple descaling devices while maintaining a compact single-unit structure, avoiding the need to arrange multiple complete descaling devices in sequence

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each nozzle row can function independently to handle different operating requirements, making the spray bar universally applicable to various descaling scenarios. The system can switch between different nozzle rows based on production needs, effectively providing multiple functional modes within a single device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If individual nozzles fail in a row of descaling nozzles, then operational reliability deteriorates, but production must be interrupted for nozzle replacement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoidproduction continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The spray bar is divided into multiple independent nozzle rows, each capable of being operated separately. This segmentation allows the system to achieve the flexibility of multiple descaling devices while maintaining a compact single-unit structure, avoiding the need to arrange multiple complete descaling devices in sequence

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system can dynamically change operational parameters by switching between different nozzle rows based on real-time conditions. This allows adaptation to varying production requirements and maintains optimal descaling performance throughout operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 configuration enhances operational reliability, reduces downtime, and allows for flexible operation with reduced space requirements, enabling efficient descaling with minimal production interruptions and lower costs.

Implementation Method 1

the descaling fluid is generally passed through descaling nozzles, with the jet direction usually being directed against the running direction of the strip at a defined impact angle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHigh-pressure jet: Jet

Implementation Method 2

remove scale from the strip surface with a jet of media under high pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpact force: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentEP1900449B1Spray header of a hydraulic descaling facility and method for operating such a spray header
Publication Date: 2010.01.20 SMS GROUP GMBH
  • EP1900449B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP1900449B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b
  • EP1900449B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4b

AI summary

The spray boom (1) for a hydraulic descaling unit for the production of metal bands, comprises spray nozzles (2, 3), supply channels (4, 5) with descaling liquid to be supplied, a device for collecting the descaling liquid, and an unit for adjusting the distance between the spray boom and the surface of descaling product. Each of the different spray nozzles is supplied with the descaling liquid. The supplying channels are arranged sequently in conveying direction of the product, which is descaled in a common housing (7), which has two tubular supplying channels with semicircular cross section. The spray boom (1) for a hydraulic descaling unit for the production of metal bands, comprises spray nozzles (2, 3), supply channels (4, 5) with descaling liquid to be supplied, a device for collecting the descaling liquid, and an unit for adjusting the distance between the spray boom and the surface of descaling product. Each of the different spray nozzles is supplied with the descaling liquid. The supplying channels are arranged sequently in conveying direction of the product, which is descaled in a common housing (7), which has two tubular supplying channels with semicircular cross section. The collecting device is assigned to the spray boom and the spray nozzles, and is formed as crimping rollers. Unit for switching the liquid supply to the supply channel is present independent to the liquid supply of another supply channel. The spraying nozzles are arranged to each other in the direction transverse to the conveying direction of the product. An independent claim is included for a method for the operation of the spray boom.