High-Pressure Torsion Heating Layout for Larger Workpiece Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-pressure torsion techniques are limited to workpieces with specific geometric constraints, such as disks with thicknesses of 1 millimeter or less, and scaling these techniques to larger workpieces is challenging due to requirements for high pressure and torque, and incremental processing of elongated workpieces has not been successfully implemented.

Innovation Solution

A high-pressure-torsion apparatus that heats only a portion of the workpiece while applying compression and torque, using a stacked arrangement of a convective chiller, heater, and another convective chiller to control temperature and strain, allowing for processing of larger workpieces by confining deformation to a narrow heated layer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If high-pressure torsion is applied to workpieces, then grain structures are controlled, but the technique is limited to workpieces with specific geometric constraints (disks with thicknesses of 1 millimeter or less)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrain structure controlVSAvoidworkpiece geometric constraints
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The workpiece is divided into a processed portion and unprocessed portions. The heating means heats only a localized region (processed portion) of the workpiece, while the cooling means cools adjacent regions. This segmentation allows high-pressure torsion to be applied to a specific section without requiring the entire workpiece to meet strict geometric constraints, enabling processing of larger and more varied workpiece geometries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies thermal treatment locally to specific portions of the workpiece rather than uniformly throughout. The heating means is positioned to heat only the region where high-pressure torsion will be applied, creating a localized processed zone with controlled grain structure while leaving other regions unaffected. This local quality approach enables versatility in workpiece geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If high pressure and torque are required for high-pressure torsion, then grain structure control is achieved, but scaling to larger workpieces becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrain structure controlVSAvoidpressure and torque requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the workpiece into processed and unprocessed portions and applying heat only to the processed portion, the invention concentrates the high-pressure torsion effect in a localized zone. This allows the application of high pressure and torque to a smaller volume, making it feasible to process larger workpieces without requiring excessively high forces across the entire workpiece volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the temperature parameter locally in the processed portion of the workpiece. By heating the material to a specific temperature range before applying high-pressure torsion, the material properties are modified to facilitate deformation and grain structure control. This parameter change enables effective processing with manageable pressure and torque levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Volume of moving object

If incremental processing of elongated workpieces is attempted, then larger workpiece sizes are addressed, but successful implementation has not been achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworkpiece sizeVSAvoidprocessing success
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention implements segmentation by processing the workpiece in discrete portions along its length. The heating means can be positioned at different locations to process successive segments of an elongated workpiece sequentially. This controlled incremental approach, with proper cooling between processing zones, achieves reliable processing of larger workpieces that was not successfully accomplished by previous incremental methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 the processing of larger workpieces with precise control over processing parameters, resulting in ultrafine grained materials with higher strength and ductility, and reduces the complexity and cost of the apparatus.

Implementation Method 1

heating a portion of the workpiece while applying compression and torque to the heated portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

using a stacked arrangement of a convective chiller, heater, and another convective chiller to control temperature and strain

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvective cooling: Convection

Implementation Method 3

applying shear stress by the rotation of the metal body by a rotation operating part to a softened region

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectShear stress: Shear Stress

Data Source

PatentEP3670680B1High-pressure-torsion apparatus and method of modifying material properties of workpieces using such apparatuses
Publication Date: 2023.08.16 THE BOEING CO
  • EP3670680B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3670680B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3670680B1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

A high-pressure-torsion apparatus (100), comprising a working axis (102), a first anvil (110), a second anvil (120), and an annular body (130). The annular body (130) comprises a first total-loss convective chiller (140), a second total-loss convective chiller (150), and a heater (160). Each of the first total-loss convective chiller (140) and the second total-loss convective chiller (150) is translatable between the first anvil (110) and the second anvil (120) along the working axis (102), is configured to be thermally convectively coupled with a workpiece (190), and is configured to selectively cool the workpiece (190). The heater (160) is positioned between the first total-loss convective chiller (140) and the second total-loss convective chiller (150) along the working axis (102), is translatable between the first anvil (110) and the second anvil (120) along the working axis (102), and is configured to selectively heat the workpiece (190).