Suction Nozzle Hole Layout for Titanium Cutting Fire Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cutting devices used in aeronautics, particularly when drilling titanium, face challenges with insufficient air supply leading to temperature rise and risk of fire due to titanium shavings, which can ignite and cause damage to suction pipes and vacuum cleaners.

Innovation Solution

The cutting device incorporates a suction nozzle with circular holes along its edge and an oblong hole parallel to its axis, enhancing air supply and chip evacuation, while an infrared sensor connected to a fire detection module monitors the cutting zone for fire outbreaks and secures the device via wireless communication in case of detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the suction nozzle is pierced with small circular holes to ensure air supply, then heat evacuation is improved, but the air supply becomes insufficient for refractory materials like titanium

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat evacuationVSAvoidair supply
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The suction nozzle is divided into multiple zones with different hole configurations: circular holes arranged along the edge for heat evacuation, and oblong holes for additional air supply. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function optimally without interfering with the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the suction nozzle are given different properties: the edge region has circular holes for heat evacuation, while the body has oblong holes for air supply. This local differentiation ensures that each area performs its designated function effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Temperature

If air supply is increased to prevent fire, then temperature control is improved, but the risk of fire remains due to insufficient chip evacuation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature controlVSAvoidfire risk
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The oblong holes are positioned and sized to provide preliminary air supply that prevents chip accumulation and heat buildup before fire can occur. This proactive approach addresses the fire risk by maintaining proper air flow and chip evacuation throughout the cutting process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The design converts the potential harm of increased air flow (which could exacerbate fire risk) into a benefit by using the air flow to evacuate chips and prevent heat buildup, thereby actually reducing fire risk.

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

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the suction nozzle design is modified to improve air flow, then fire prevention is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire preventionVSAvoidnozzle design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The suction nozzle incorporates a porous structure with multiple holes of different shapes and positions, creating an effective air flow system without requiring complex external components or mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The air supply and chip evacuation functions are merged into a single integrated nozzle structure, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall system complexity while achieving fire prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 reduces the risk of fire by improving air flow and chip fragmentation, preventing accumulation and heat buildup, and enables rapid detection and response to potential fires, ensuring safer and more efficient cutting operations.

Implementation Method 1

a suction nozzle (114) integral with said base (112), said suction nozzle (114) being configured to remove shavings produced during cutting of the part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

at least one infrared sensor fixed in a hole formed in the wall of said head and opening onto a cutting zone inside said head

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared radiation detection: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP4116034B1Cutting device equipped with a suction nozzle
Publication Date: 2024.05.01 AIRBUS OPERATIONS (SAS)
  • EP4116034B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4116034B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4116034B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A cutting head (10) of a cutting device (1) is described. The head (10) comprises a base (112) for mounting on a machine tool, a cylindrical suction nozzle (114) integral with the base (112), and a connector (118) integral with the base (112) and for receiving a suction hose. The suction nozzle (114) has at least one oblong hole, for example parallel to an axis of said suction nozzle.