Vacuum Heat Conduction Pipe Cutting and Brazing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional batch production of heat conduction pipes faces inefficiencies due to variations in length, low production efficiency, and difficulty in maintaining vacuum sealability during squelching and cutting processes, which often result in vacuum loss and quality inconsistencies.
Innovation Solution
A method and equipment for conducting squelching, cutting, and sealing of semi-finished heat conduction pipes in a vacuum environment, where the pipes are prepared with sealed ends, and squelching and cutting are performed in a vacuum using a dedicated device, followed by brazing to maintain seal integrity and control working medium quantity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If squelching and cutting are conducted at atmospheric pressure, then the process is simple and equipment is easy to operate, but vacuum within the pipe is lost and working medium vapor leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies vacuum environment (inert atmosphere) during squelching and cutting operations to prevent atmospheric pressure from breaking the vacuum seal. The entire squelching and cutting process is conducted inside a vacuum chamber that maintains negative pressure, preventing outside air from infiltrating the pipe when the wall is breached during these operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the squelching and cutting operations into distinct sequential steps performed under vacuum. First, the pipe is squelched to create a localized deformation, then cut at the squelched portion, with each step completed before the next begins, all while maintaining vacuum conditions to preserve sealability.
2Reliability
If heating is applied to generate positive pressure, then vacuum sealability is maintained during cutting, but working medium vapor leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for heating to generate positive pressure by conducting all operations under vacuum (negative pressure) conditions. The vacuum chamber maintains negative pressure throughout the squelching and cutting process, preventing air infiltration without requiring temperature increase, thereby avoiding vapor leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using positive pressure (heating) to prevent vacuum loss, the patent inverts the approach by using negative pressure (vacuum environment) to prevent atmospheric pressure from breaking the vacuum seal. This reversal eliminates the need for heating and associated vapor leakage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If batch production is used, then production flexibility is maintained, but production efficiency is low and delivery time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares semi-finished heat conduction pipes with extended length in advance, before actual customer orders are received. These pre-prepared pipes are stored and then cut to specific lengths according to customer requirements, eliminating the need for complete batch production while maintaining flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the production process into two stages: bulk production of semi-finished extended-length pipes, and subsequent individual cutting to customer-specified lengths. This segmentation allows efficient bulk preparation while maintaining flexibility for customized order fulfillment.
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 prevents vacuum loss and ensures precise control over working medium quantity, enhancing production efficiency and quality by maintaining a consistent vacuum environment and reducing vapor leakage, even at lower temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
squelching and cutting is conducted on a fixed point of the semi-finished heat conduction pipe in a vacuum environment by a squelching and cutting device
Implementation Method 2
A heater device (110) is used to heat the bottom portion of the pipe to a predetermined temperature
Implementation Method 3
positive pressure is generated within the pipe by heating
Implementation Method 4
the cut end of the semi-finished heat conduction pipe is brazed and sealed in a vacuum environment by a brazing device
Data Source
AI summary
A method of making a length of heat conduction pipe from a long conduction pipe filled with heat transfer medium in vacuum environment comprises: a material preparation step in which a long heat conduction pipe with predetermined length sealed at both ends is prepared, a squelching and cutting step in which squelching and cutting is conducted on pre-determined point of said long heat conduction pipe in vacuum environment; a sealing step by which the cut end of said long heat conduction pipe is brazed and sealed in vacuum. There also provides an equipment for performing the method.