Variable-Slot Cooling Bar for Uniform Metal Sheet Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling methods for metallic items, such as sheet metal, result in nonuniform cooling due to fixed nozzle geometry, leading to inhomogeneous temperature profiles and mechanical properties, as the cooling power cannot be adjusted during the process to accommodate changing parameters.
Innovation Solution
A cooling bar with a slotted nozzle design that allows for dynamic adjustment of the slot width in both the conveying and transverse directions, utilizing movable sections with nonlinear geometry and adjustable pneumatic, hydraulic, or electrical means, enabling closed-loop control to optimize cooling power distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the slot width in the cooling bar is fixed, then the device structure is simple, but the cooling power cannot be adjusted during the process leading to nonuniform cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling bar incorporates movable sections that can be dynamically adjusted during operation to change the slot width. This transforms the static cooling bar into a dynamic system that adapts cooling power to process requirements, resolving the contradiction between fixed structure and adjustable cooling capability
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling bar is divided into multiple sections that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows different portions of the cooling bar to be adjusted separately, enabling localized cooling power modification without redesigning the entire structure
2Manufacturing precision
If water is applied uniformly over the width of the metal sheet, then the application is simple, but the volumetric flow rate increases toward the edges causing nonuniform cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling bar sections can be positioned to create variable slot widths across the width of the cooling bar. This allows different local regions to have different cooling intensities, compensating for the natural flow distribution pattern and achieving uniform cooling across the metal sheet width
3Adaptability or versatility
If the nozzle geometry is adjusted, then the cooling power can be varied, but the setting cannot be altered during ongoing operation
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling bar sections are designed to be movable during operation, allowing real-time adjustment of slot width in response to changing process parameters. This dynamic capability eliminates the time loss associated with stopping the process to adjust cooling parameters
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 solution ensures uniform cooling across the width of the metal sheet by dynamically adjusting the nozzle geometry, improving material properties and allowing for real-time adaptation to process changes, resulting in enhanced evenness and optimized mechanical properties.
Implementation Method 1
water is generally applied onto the surface of the metal sheet
Implementation Method 2
cooling water can simply run off over the edges of the metal sheet
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for cooling a metallic item (1) by discharging a cooling medium from a cooling bar (2) onto the item (1), wherein the cooling medium is discharged through a slot (3) in the cooling bar (2). According to the invention, in order to achieve improved cooling, during the cooling process the width (B) of the slot (3) in the conveying direction (F) of the item (1) or of the cooling bar (2) is altered in order to bring the cooling power of the cooling medium to a desired or predefined level by open-loop or closed-loop control. In addition, the invention relates to a cooling bar.