Steel Sheet Thermal Path Adjustment for Microstructure Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for thermally treating steel sheets in heat treatment lines do not account for the unique characteristics of each steel grade, leading to unplanned deviations and poor quality steel with inconsistent mechanical properties due to non-personalized cooling treatments.
Innovation Solution
A method of dynamical adjustment that detects deviations during thermal treatment and calculates a new thermal path to reach a specific microstructure target, taking into account the steel's chemical composition and microstructure, using sensors and real-time calculations to adapt the thermal treatment process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a non-personalized cooling treatment is applied to multiple steel grades, then the manufacturing process is simple and fast, but the mechanical properties of the treated steel show big dispersion and poor quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of cooling parameters based on real-time detection of steel sheet characteristics. The system continuously monitors thickness, temperature, and composition, then dynamically modifies cooling rates and patterns to match each steel sheet's specific requirements, transforming a static cooling process into an adaptive one that maintains both speed and precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a feedback control system where sensors detect deviations in steel sheet properties during processing, and this information feeds back to the control system which adjusts cooling parameters accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that each steel grade receives the optimal cooling treatment while maintaining high production rates through automated real-time adjustments
2Productivity
If a standardized thermal treatment is used for all steel sheets, then the production line operates efficiently with minimal adjustments, but the treatment does not account for steel sheet characteristics leading to unplanned deviations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary detection and characterization of steel sheets before thermal treatment, measuring thickness, composition, and initial temperature. This advance information allows the control system to pre-calculate optimal treatment parameters, so when treatment begins, the steel sheet already has a customized thermal path planned, preventing deviations before they occur
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes thermal treatment parameters including temperature, heating rate, cooling rate, and holding time based on detected steel sheet characteristics. The system adjusts these parameters in real-time to match each steel grade's specific requirements, ensuring reliable and consistent results across different steel compositions while maintaining production efficiency
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 approach ensures that each steel sheet receives a personalized heat treatment, minimizing property dispersion and achieving the desired mechanical properties with precision, resulting in high-quality steel products with consistent mechanical properties.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling apparatus comprising a plurality of nozzles disposed in the direction in which strip travels, the nozzles spraying coolant against the hot running strip
Implementation Method 2
the obtained heat transfer rate is corrected according to the effect of natural cooling in idle-pass zones
Implementation Method 3
a method of dynamical adjustment for manufacturing a thermally treated steel sheet having a chemical steel composition and a microstructure mtarget comprising from 0 to 100% of at least one phase chosen among: ferrite, martensite, bainite, pearlite, cementite and austenite
Implementation Method 4
a predefined thermal treatment TT is performed on the steel sheet
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention describes a method of dynamical adjustment for manufacturing a thermally treated steel sheet. The method includes:A. a control step, wherein at least one sensor detects a deviation happening during the thermal treatment,B. a calculation step performed when the deviation is detected during the thermal treatment such that a new thermal path TPtarget is determined to reach mtarget taking the deviation into account, such calculation step including:1) a calculation substep, wherein at least two thermal path, TPx corresponding to one microstructure mx obtained at the end of TPx, are calculated based on TT and the microstructure mi of the steel sheet to reach mtarget,2) a selection substep wherein one new thermal path TPtarget to reach mtarget is selected, TPtarget being chosen from said TPx and being selected such that mx is the closest to mtarget,C. a new thermal treatment step, wherein TPtarget is performed online on the steel sheet.