Supercritical Fluid Tooling With Venting for Stable Cutting Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional machining tool designs are inadequate for effectively delivering supercritical machining fluids, such as supercritical carbon dioxide, due to the rapid expansion and zero mass behavior of these fluids, which results in insufficient coverage and cooling/lubrication of cutting interfaces.
Innovation Solution
The design of tools and tool holders with specific configurations, including strategically positioned orifices, recesses, and flow restrictions, to direct and manage the expansion of supercritical fluids, ensuring adequate coverage and preventing pressurization issues in machining systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional machining tool designs are used to deliver supercritical machining fluids, then the tool structure remains simple and compatible with existing systems, but the fluid delivery is insufficient due to rapid expansion and zero mass behavior resulting in inadequate coverage and cooling/lubrication
Solution Approach 1:
The tool is divided into multiple functional segments including a tool body with internal fluid channels, multiple outlet orifices positioned at different locations and orientations, and integrated flow restrictions. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function in managing the supercritical fluid delivery, ensuring reliable cooling and lubrication while maintaining overall system compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the tool are designed with specific properties: the tool body contains internal fluid channels for fluid transport, outlet orifices are positioned at specific locations with particular orientations to direct fluid flow, and flow restrictions are placed at specific points to control expansion. This local differentiation ensures optimal fluid delivery to various cutting interfaces while managing the rapid expansion behavior of supercritical fluids
2Temperature
If supercritical machining fluids are delivered through the tool, then cooling and lubrication at the cutting interface is enhanced, but pressurization issues may cause tool holder dislodgment
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful pressurization effect is extracted and managed by providing a dedicated pressure relief pathway. The tool holder includes outlets positioned proximate to the first end portion that direct supercritical machining fluid away from the cutting interface and toward the exterior of the machining system, preventing pressure accumulation that could cause tool holder dislodgment while maintaining effective cooling at the cutting zone
Solution Approach 2:
The tool holder acts as an intermediary component between the supercritical fluid delivery system and the exterior environment. It receives supercritical machining fluid from the tool, manages its expansion, and provides controlled outlets for fluid egress, thereby mediating the pressure effects and preventing harmful pressurization while enabling effective cooling
3Area of stationary object
If orifices with diameter between 50-500 microns are used, then fluid distribution coverage is improved, but the system becomes more sensitive to manufacturing precision and clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid delivery system is segmented into multiple outlet orifices rather than relying on a single large opening. Each orifice has a diameter between 50-500 microns, and the collective arrangement of multiple such orifices provides comprehensive fluid coverage area. This segmentation approach allows the use of smaller, more precisely manufacturable orifices while achieving the required coverage through their combined effect
Solution Approach 2:
Different orifices are positioned at specific locations on the tool body with particular orientations to direct fluid flow to specific cutting interfaces. Each orifice's location and orientation are optimized for its specific function, ensuring that the smaller orifice sizes still achieve adequate local coverage at each cutting point while maintaining manufacturability
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
The proposed solution ensures effective delivery and distribution of supercritical machining fluids, enhancing cooling and lubrication at cutting interfaces while preventing tool holder dislodgment and icing, thus improving machining efficiency and system compatibility with existing tools and processes.
Implementation Method 1
due to the rapid expansion and zero mass behavior of these fluids
Implementation Method 2
to provide cooling and/or lubrication during a cutting or forming process
Implementation Method 3
to lubricate the cutting zone during a cutting process
Data Source
AI summary
Improvements in tooling for machining systems that utilize machining fluids comprising a supercritical fluid are disclosed. In some embodiments a tool may include a plurality of orifices configured to direct a supercritical machining fluid towards a cutting interface of the tool. In other embodiments, a tool holder may include one or more outlets configured to direct a supercritical machining fluid towards a cutting interface. Moreover, some embodiments, may relate to machining systems including one or more venting channels configured to provide pressure relief for a cavity located behind a tool holder. Embodiments related to machine tools including upstream fluid restrictions for controlling a flow of supercritical machining fluid through a tool are also disclosed.