Supercooling Device with Level-Controlled Supply Lines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current supercooling devices face challenges with high flow rates, leading to rapid evaporation and pressure fluctuations, which affect precise temperature control and efficiency, especially in applications like deburring and light metal extrusion.

Innovation Solution

The device employs multiple supply lines with shut-off fittings and level detection mechanisms, allowing for gradual opening and closing based on predetermined fill levels, reducing pressure fluctuations and ensuring consistent flow rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a single supply line is used to feed liquid gas to the cooling bath, then the device structure is simple, but at high flow rates rapid evaporation and pressure fluctuations occur, affecting temperature control precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow rateVSAvoidtemperature control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The single supply line is divided into multiple parallel supply lines (first, second, third supply lines). Each line is equipped with its own shut-off valve and level detection mechanism, allowing independent control. This segmentation enables gradual adjustment of liquid gas inflow to match evaporation rates, preventing pressure fluctuations and maintaining temperature control precision even at high flow rates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If multiple supply lines with level detection mechanisms are used, then temperature control precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each supply line is equipped with a level detection mechanism that automatically activates the corresponding shut-off valve when the liquid gas level drops to a predetermined level. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex external control systems, as the system automatically regulates its own liquid gas supply based on real-time level monitoring, thereby improving temperature control precision without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If the inflow of liquid gas is increased to maintain cooling bath level at high flow rates, then the cooling capacity is improved, but pressure fluctuations increase, affecting process stability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling capacityVSAvoidprocess stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the inflow of liquid gas by selectively activating supply lines based on real-time level detection. As the cooling bath level drops, additional supply lines are gradually opened to match the evaporation rate caused by high flow rates through the heat exchanger. This dynamic adjustment maintains cooling capacity while preventing pressure fluctuations, thereby ensuring process stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 enables precise and reliable temperature control, even at high flow rates, by adapting the inflow of liquid gas to match demand, thereby enhancing the efficiency and stability of the supercooling process.

Implementation Method 1

a device for heat transfer from the low-boiling liquefied gas to be subcooled in the outlet line to the cooling bath

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

an outlet line for the low-boiling liquefied gas to be subcooled, which is flow-connected to the storage container, is provided and which is flow-connected to a device for heat transfer from the low-boiling liquefied gas to be subcooled in the outlet line to the cooling bath

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP2679879B1Device for supercooling low boiling point liquefied gases
Publication Date: 2019.01.02 MESSER GROUP GMBH
  • EP2679879B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The device (1) has supply lines (12, 13, 14, 15) equipped with lock fittings (16-19) and fluidically connected with a supply container (6). The supply lines are led into an insulated container (3) for supply of a cooling bath (10). The lock fittings are operatively connected with a device for detecting a filling level of the cooling bath such that the lock fittings opens and/or closes the supply lines at a preset border filling level. A different border filling level is predetermined for the supply lines. Float valves are provided as the lock fittings.