Workpiece Cooling Nozzles for Faster Temperature Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Workpieces often experience significant delays in machining and measurement processes due to temperature equalization, requiring lengthy storage and risking production rejects, as they cool to a defined temperature at the ambient environment's pace.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing nozzles to blow a fluid, such as air, onto workpieces at a lower temperature than the surface, monitored by surface temperature sensors, to accelerate cooling, with the option of using cold-air sources for rapid surface cooling and ambient air for core temperature equalization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If workpieces are stored at ambient temperature for temperature equalization, then the workpiece temperature stabilizes to the environment temperature, but the cooling time delay increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-cooling the workpiece surface with compressed air nozzles before the workpiece enters the measurement or machining process. This preliminary cooling action reduces the temperature equalization time significantly compared to passive ambient cooling, allowing the workpiece to reach target temperature faster without requiring extended storage time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pneumatic cooling by directing compressed air through nozzles onto the workpiece surface. This pneumatic method transfers heat from the workpiece to the cooling air stream, achieving rapid surface cooling. The compressed air system provides controlled, efficient heat removal that is much faster than natural convection cooling in ambient air.
2Stability of the object's composition
If workpieces are stored for extended periods for temperature equalization, then temperature stability is achieved, but production productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By performing preliminary cooling with compressed air nozzles before the workpiece requires measurement or machining, the system achieves temperature stability much faster. This eliminates the need for extended storage periods, allowing workpieces to move quickly through the production pipeline while still reaching the required temperature stability for accurate measurement and machining.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the cooling parameters by using forced convection with compressed air instead of natural convection. This parameter change (from passive to active cooling) dramatically reduces the time required to achieve temperature stability, thereby maintaining temperature control requirements while significantly improving production throughput.
3Speed
If rapid cooling is applied to reduce cooling time, then cooling speed increases, but temperature uniformity across the workpiece may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using multiple nozzles positioned to target different regions of the workpiece surface. Each nozzle provides localized cooling to specific areas, and the combined effect of multiple localized cooling zones achieves both rapid cooling and temperature uniformity across the entire workpiece surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial cooling action by directing compressed air only at the surface regions that require cooling, rather than attempting to cool the entire workpiece uniformly throughout its volume. This partial action on the surface is sufficient to reduce thermal gradients and achieve temperature uniformity without requiring excessive cooling time.
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 significantly reduces cooling time, allowing for quicker production release and continuous processing by ensuring the entire workpiece reaches the target temperature efficiently, minimizing storage needs and reducing the risk of rejects.
Implementation Method 1
at least one nozzle (411, 412) which is configured to blow a fluid onto a workpiece (5)... the temperature of said fluid being lower than the surface temperature of the workpiece... the workpiece cools more quickly than would be possible in a conventional cooling operation by way of heat exchange with the environment
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for cooling workpieces. The device has at least one nozzle which is configured to blow a fluid onto a workpiece. At least one surface temperature sensor is able to be arranged on the workpiece. In order to cool the workpiece, it is blown with a fluid by means of the at least one nozzle, the temperature of said fluid being lower than the surface temperature of the workpiece. In the process, the surface temperature is monitored by means of the at least one surface temperature sensor.