DE102021133075A1 - Process and device for treating an inner surface of a component - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for treating, in particular surface finishing, an inner surface of a component using a medium, in which the component to be treated is placed at least partially within the medium and a relative movement is generated between the component and the medium surrounding the component. According to the invention, a flow guide is attached in the area of an inlet opening of the component that is in fluidic connection with the inner surface to be treated. The present invention also relates to a device for carrying out the method according to the invention and a method for producing a flow guide of a device according to the invention.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for treating, in particular for finishing, an inner surface of a component using a medium, a device for carrying out this method and a method for producing a flow guide of such a device.

The field of application of the present invention relates in particular to components with a complex internal structure such as channels, undercuts or the like, where there is a need to change or improve an internal surface using chemical processes (surface refinement).

Surface finishing is an integral part of the production of functional components and is subject to constant further development. For the surface treatment of geometries that are becoming more and more complex, mostly purely chemical processes or processes without external current are used. The kinetics for processing the surfaces result from the chemical reaction between the material of the workpiece or component and the medium or reactants used. In order to maintain the chemical reaction, a constant supply of the liquid or gaseous medium to the surface to be processed is necessary. The medium is a consumable medium in the immediate vicinity of the component surface, so that the reactant is depleted. This is the case regardless of whether it is a removing or coating process.

• - Umwälzung des Mediums mittels einer oder mehrerer Pumpen, Rührwerke oder Gebläsen,
• - Selektive bzw. zielgerichtete Anströmung des Bauteils oder Kanals mittels Düsen oder Pumpen,
• - Beaufschlagung des Bauteils mit Vibrationen, besonders im Tauchverfahren,
• - Anwendung von Ultraschall im Tauchverfahren,
• - Warenträgerbewegungen in 2 oder 3 Dimensionen im Tauch- oder Dampf- bzw. Gasverfahren,
• - Abdichtung des Bauteils / Kanals und/oder mehrmaliges Fluten und Entleeren mit Medium,
• - Beaufschlagung von Über- oder Unterdruck im Prozessraum,
• - Beaufschlagung von Über- oder Unterdruck in den Kanälen / Hohlräumen des Bauteils.

In order to enable the processing of surfaces by means of chemical processes or the surface refinement in the internal structures of components, an additional process technology in the form of a mechanical support is usually used in the prior art. It must be ensured that the initiated flow of the medium reacting with the surface reaches the surface to be processed uniformly and homogeneously, including the inner contours. The following mechanical supports for chemical processes are established in industry:

• - Circulation of the medium by means of one or more pumps, agitators or fans,
• - Selective or targeted flow of the component or channel using nozzles or pumps,
• - Exposing the component to vibrations, especially in the immersion process,
• - Application of ultrasound in the immersion process,
• - Goods carrier movements in 2 or 3 dimensions in the immersion or steam or gas process,
• - Sealing of the component / duct and/or repeated flooding and emptying with medium,
• - Application of positive or negative pressure in the process room,
• - Application of positive or negative pressure in the channels / cavities of the component.

In industry, especially in mechanical engineering, a trend is emerging that is leading to ever more compact and complex components. A rapidly growing industry sector that explicitly emphasizes this is 3D printing. The current post-treatment methods and their processing techniques for surface treatment in complex, internal contours quickly reach their manufacturing limits. The effort to ensure a sufficient, homogeneous flow of the medium on or along the entire inner surface to be treated is immense or simply not possible with the currently established process technologies.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing chemical surface treatment with a possibility of ensuring a constant supply of medium to surfaces of components with complex to highly complex internal structures with little effort.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1 and a device having the features of claim 9 . Advantageous embodiments of the invention result from the dependent claims and the following description.

Accordingly, a method for treating, in particular surface finishing, an inner surface of a workpiece or component using a medium is proposed, in which the component to be treated is placed at least partially within the medium and a relative movement is generated between the component and the medium surrounding the component.

The medium, in particular the electrolyte, can be gaseous or liquid and acts in particular as a reactant for the surface treatment or surface refinement.

According to the invention in the area of a fluid with the inner surface to be treated A flow conductor is attached to the inlet opening of the component which is shear-connected and directs part of the medium moving relative to the component specifically into the inlet opening and thus to the inner surface to be treated.

The flow guide additionally provided in the area of the inlet opening initiates or improves the flow of the medium in the complex internal structures of the component. The flow guide picks up part of the medium surrounding the component and guides it in a targeted manner into the internal structure or onto the inner surface to be treated. As a result, the inner surface, which is difficult to access with conventional methods, can be effectively and constantly supplied with medium. In this way, in particular, a uniform flow of the medium can be achieved over the entire component surface, thus enabling homogeneous chemical surface processing or finishing.

The component can have a plurality of inlet openings, each of which is assigned at least one flow conductor. One or more flow conductors can be provided for each inlet opening.

The surface to be treated is preferably part of a complex internal structure such as an undercut, channel, junction, etc.

The relative movement between the medium and the component can be generated by a movement of the component (e.g. by a translatory, rotary and/or pivoting movement), a movement of the medium (e.g. by means of nozzles and/or pumps) or a combination thereof.

The inlet opening can have any shape and open into a channel or cavity or itself be part of a recess or cavity. The medium entering the inlet opening can exit again through one or more outlet openings of the component or the medium moves within the inlet opening and exits again (e.g. if the inlet opening is the opening of a recess or a cavity).

The feature that the flow guide is arranged in the area of the inlet opening is to be interpreted broadly and can mean that the flow guide is arranged completely inside the inlet opening (i.e. inside the component), completely outside the outlet opening (i.e. outside the component) or through protrudes through the entry opening (i.e. is partially located both inside and outside the component).

The treatment of the inner surface can include the application or removal of a layer and can serve to improve at least one functional and/or decorative property of the surface. If a layer is applied, it can be a metallic, ceramic, amorphous and/or organic coating.

Furthermore, the surface treatment can comprise a number of successive treatment steps, which can also comprise the consecutive use of different media. The treatment can in particular include a combination of the processes or steps mentioned in the previous paragraph, for example the application of several different layers one on top of the other or the removal of one or more layers and the subsequent application of one or more layers.

Said inlet opening can be a single, connected opening or several separate openings. For example, it is conceivable that a flow guide is arranged in the area of several individual inlet openings and directs the flow of the medium through these openings in a targeted manner. These openings in the area of the flow guide can also be understood as an “inlet opening”.

In one possible embodiment, the component is actively moved within the medium and the flow conductor moves with the component. The component is preferably actively rotated within the medium, with the flow conductor rotating with the component. Due to the active movement of the component and thus also of the flow guide, the latter picks up the medium and directs it in a targeted manner to the assigned inlet opening.

The medium that surrounds the component therefore does not necessarily have to be actively moved itself in order to convey it to the at least one or through the at least one inlet opening. Of course, it is also possible to actively move the medium, for example by means of a pump, a nozzle or other moving elements.

In a further possible embodiment, at least one flow conductor is provided in the form of a blade, which protrudes outwards in the area of an inlet opening of the component. The blade guides the medium in a targeted manner to the inlet opening. For this purpose, the shovel is specially shaped so that the medium can be effectively picked up and guided in a targeted manner. In particular, the blade can have at least one curved and/or kinked area. The blade can also be curved overall, ie essentially continuously, with the curvature guiding the medium to the inlet opening. In the simplest case, however, a flat element protruding outwards could also be provided in order to pick up the medium.

Ideally, the blade has a geometry specially adapted to the component and/or the inlet opening. This can be determined, for example, by simulation and/or experimentally. A possible procedure for this is described further below.

In a further possible embodiment it is provided that the flow guide has a funnel-shaped and/or bowl-shaped structure. This results in an effective intake and guidance of the medium to the inlet opening.

Alternatively or additionally, the flow guide can have at least one surface structure on a surface facing the inlet opening. This surface structure can be a rib or a web. Combinations of different surface structures are of course conceivable, depending on the type and shape of the component or the entry opening. For example, the inlet opening could comprise a number of small openings which are separated from one another by ribs or webs of the flow guide. As a result, the medium is divided and directed to the individual openings.

In a further possible embodiment it is provided that the flow guide rests at least partially on an outside of the component in the area of the inlet opening. The flow guide is at least partially directly connected to a surface or the outside of the component, so that the medium can be effectively guided to the inlet opening.

In a further possible embodiment, at least one flow guide is provided, which is located at least partially within an inlet opening, the flow guide preferably having at least one curved and/or kinked area or section.

Such a flow guide can initiate the flow of the medium within the inlet opening and thus, for example, guide the medium in a targeted manner into complex internal structures or ensure that the medium actually reaches certain inner areas and these are constantly supplied with "fresh" medium. The flow guide can be shaped in such a way that it imparts a certain movement or direction of flow to the medium, for example causes the medium to rotate or swirl in a targeted manner.

In particular, if said inlet opening is not the opening of a channel but the opening of a recess or cavity, the arrangement of a specially shaped flow guide within this recess or cavity can be advantageous in order to guide the medium therein in a targeted manner can and reach all inner surfaces.

Of course, a combination is also conceivable in such a way that a flow guide is provided both outside the component, for example shaped as a blade as described above, and thus leads the medium from the outside to the inlet opening, and at the same time the same flow guide extends through the inlet opening into the interior of the component and influences the flow behavior of the medium in the corresponding recess or cavity there with the aid of a specific geometry.

In a further possible embodiment it is provided that the flow conductor is not directly connected to the component but is held in position relative to the component by a holding device. The flow guide is therefore not part of the component, but an external element which is only provided to improve the introduction of the medium and its flow behavior.

The component is preferably held in a component holder to which the holding device is fixedly or movably connected. The flow guide can therefore either be an integral part of the component holder and connected to it in one piece, for example, or represent a separate element which can be moved relative to the component holder and whose position can be adjusted, for example. In the latter case, the positioning of the flow guide can be flexibly adapted to the geometry of the component or the inlet opening.

In a further possible embodiment it is provided that at least one inner flow guide is provided completely within the component in a channel or cavity connected to an inlet opening. Such an inner flow guide is not held from the outside, but is integrated in the component and influences the flow of the medium inside for example directly within a complex inner structure. As a result, the distribution and flow of the medium can be influenced in areas within the component that elements brought in from outside would not or not easily be able to access. Even in very complex inner structures, the flow of the medium can be specifically influenced so that the inner surfaces to be treated are effectively and constantly reached by the medium.

The inner flow guide can be formed in one piece with the component and, for example, can be manufactured together with it. This is particularly useful if the component is manufactured using a 3D printing process. The inner flow conductors can be planned and printed at the same time. Provision can be made here for these inner flow conductors to remain within the component even after the surface treatment and to assume a specific function during normal operation of the component. It could be taken into account from the outset that an inner flow guide is provided in a region of the component through which a fluid later flows and also influences the corresponding fluid flow during later operation, for example to direct fluid around a corner or into a branching channel. However, the inner flow conductors could also be removed from the component during and/or after the surface treatment process.

Alternatively, the at least one inner flow guide can represent a separate element which is connected to the component. In this case, the at least one flow conductor is added to the component after it has been produced and connected to it.

A combination of inner flow conductors formed at least in one piece with the component and at least one separate inner flow conductor connected to the component is also possible.

The present invention also relates to a device for carrying out the method according to the invention. Accordingly, the device comprises a component holder for holding a component with an inner surface to be treated within a medium and at least one flow conductor which is fixedly or movably connected to the component holder via a holding device and which can be placed in the region of an inlet opening of the component which is in fluidic connection with the inner surface is. The flow guide is designed in such a way that when there is a relative movement between the component and the surrounding medium, it directs part of the medium in a targeted manner into the inlet opening.

The component holder, the holding device and/or the flow guide can be designed according to one of the embodiments described above in relation to the method.

This obviously results in the same advantages and properties as for the method according to the invention, which is why a repeated description is dispensed with at this point.

In one possible embodiment, it is provided that the device includes a drive for moving, in particular for rotating, the component holder relative to the medium. The rotation preferably takes place around an essentially vertical axis, although rotation around an essentially horizontal or an inclined axis is of course also conceivable.

In a further possible embodiment it is provided that the device comprises a container which surrounds the component holder and/or the component held by the component holder and which can be filled with medium. The container can include an inlet and an outlet for the medium.

If a gaseous medium is used, the device or component holder and component can be arranged completely inside the container. When using a liquid medium, the container can be partially open, in particular open at the top.

One or more of the following components can be provided within the container: a pump, a nozzle, a mixing device, a heating device, a cooling device, a sensor (e.g. a temperature sensor, a flow sensor or a pressure sensor).

In a further possible embodiment it is provided that the flow guide of the device is designed according to one of the exemplary embodiments described above.

1. a) Bereitstellen oder Simulieren eines Bauteils mit einer zu behandelnden inneren Oberfläche innerhalb eines Mediums. Das Bauteil weist insbesondere eine komplexe innere Struktur auf, die durch Kontakt mit dem Medium hinsichtlich mindestens einer Eigenschaft verändert werden soll.
2. b) Analysieren, durch physisches Erzeugen einer Relativbewegung zwischen Bauteil und Medium und/oder durch Simulation, wenigstens eines Strömungsparameters des Mediums im Bereich einer Eintrittsöffnung und/oder im Bereich eines mit der Eintrittsöffnung fluidisch verbundenen Kanals oder Hohlraums des Bauteils und/oder wenigstens eines Oberflächenparameters der zu behandelnden inneren Oberfläche.
3. c) Bereitstellen oder Simulieren eines Strömungsleiterentwurfs (falls dieser tatsächlich physisch bereitgestellt wird, könnte man auch von einem Strömungsleiter-Prototypen sprechen) im Bereich der Eintrittsöffnung und erneutes Analysieren des wenigstens einen Strömungsparameters und/oder des wenigstens einen Oberflächenparameters. Bei einer korrekt entworfenen Strömungsleitergeometrie und -platzierung sollten sich die genannten Parameter verbessern, da nun eine zielgerichtete Strömung des Mediums zur / in die Eintrittsöffnung erfolgt und dadurch idealerweise ein konstanter Strom von Medium an der zu behandelnden inneren Oberfläche bereitgestellt wird.
4. d) Entwerfen und Herstellen, insbesondere mittels eines 3D-Druckverfahrens, eines Strömungsleiters mit einer Form, für die der wenigstens eine Strömungsparameter und/oder der wenigstens eine Oberflächenparameter optimiert wird. Dabei kann es sich jeweils um eine Erhöhung oder eine Verringerung des entsprechenden Parameterwerts (z.B. die Erhöhung einer Strömungsgeschwindigkeit) handeln.

The present invention further relates to methods for producing a flow guide of a device according to the invention. The procedure includes the following steps:

1. a) Providing or simulating a component with an inner surface to be treated within a medium. The component has in particular a complex internal structure, which is due to contact with the medium at least one property is to be changed.
2. b) Analysis, by physically generating a relative movement between component and medium and/or by simulation, at least one flow parameter of the medium in the area of an inlet opening and/or in the area of a channel or cavity of the component fluidically connected to the inlet opening and/or at least one surface parameter the inner surface to be treated.
3. c) Providing or simulating a flow guide design (if this is actually physically provided, one could also speak of a flow guide prototype) in the area of the inlet opening and re-analyzing the at least one flow parameter and/or the at least one surface parameter. With a correctly designed flow guide geometry and placement, the parameters mentioned should improve, since there is now a targeted flow of the medium to/into the inlet opening, ideally providing a constant flow of medium at the inner surface to be treated.
4. d) Designing and producing, in particular by means of a 3D printing process, a flow guide with a shape for which the at least one flow parameter and/or the at least one surface parameter is optimized. This can in each case be an increase or a decrease in the corresponding parameter value (eg an increase in a flow rate).

Verification of flow guide performance can be done virtually or by using fabricated models and experimental testing (or a combination of these).

Part of the aforementioned process can be an identification of an optimal alignment of the component in the medium (or in a product window), for example with regard to air bubble formation, medium flow behavior, medium entrainment or the like, and / or an identification of critical component features that a impede uniform flow of the surface to be processed. Again, this can be done virtually via simulation, experimentally, or both.

In one possible embodiment, it is provided that the at least one flow parameter relates to a volume flow of the medium through the inlet opening and/or a volume flow of the medium within the component, in particular in a channel or cavity fluidically connected to the inlet opening. The flow guide should increase the volume flow through the inlet opening (or, in the case of an internal flow guide, within the inlet opening or a channel / cavity).

In one possible embodiment, it is provided that the at least one surface parameter relates to a property of the inner surface that is to be changed by an in particular chemical reaction of the medium with the inner surface to be treated. The at least one flow conductor should increase the quality of the surface treatment or finishing, since, for example, more medium per unit of time and/or a more constant supply of medium is provided on the inner surface to be treated.

In another possible embodiment, it is provided that one or more of the following parameters or processes is adjusted in such a way that the at least one flow parameter and/or the at least one surface parameter is optimized: a placement or orientation of the flow guide in the area of the inlet opening, a movement parameter , in particular a rotational speed, the component within the medium, an orientation of the component within the medium or a product window.

Conventional processes or a 3D printing process can be used to construct or manufacture the flow guide.

Furthermore, a modular design of the device is conceivable, in which, for example, several differently shaped flow conductors are provided, which can be connected to the holding device via corresponding connecting elements as required and depending on the geometry of the component. The appropriate flow guide is selected (or newly manufactured) for the respective component or the respective inlet opening and then connected to the holding device. A certain degree of mobility of the holding device or the flow guide would be advantageous here in order to be able to optimally place the flow guide relative to the component. For this purpose, for example, the holding device can have corresponding degrees of freedom of movement (which can ideally be fixed or locked for the treatment process), e.g. one or more pivot axes, a telescopic extension or the like.

• 1: ein Beispiel für ein Warenfenster innerhalb eines flüssigen Mediums in einer schematischen Seitenansicht;
• 2: ein Beispiel für ein Warenfenster innerhalb eines gasförmigen Mediums in einer schematischen Seitenansicht;
• 3: ein Ausführungsbeispiel der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung mit gehaltenem Bauteil in einer schematischen Seitenansicht;
• 4a-c: vergrößerte perspektivische Ansichten des Strömungsleiters der Vorrichtung gemäß 3;
• 5: ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel der erfindungsgemäßen modularen Vorrichtung mit gehaltenem Bauteil und modular angesetzten Strömungsleiter in einer perspektivischen Seitenansicht;
• 6: eine vergrößerte perspektivische Ansicht des Strömungsleiters der Vorrichtung gemäß 5;
• 7a-c: perspektivische Ansichten eines weiteren modularen Ausführungsbeispiels der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung;
• 8a-c: vergrößerte Ansichten von Strömungsleitern der Vorrichtung gemäß 7a-c;
• 9: ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines Bauteils mit inneren Strömungsleitern in einer seitlichen Schnittansicht;
• 10: einen beispielhaften Ablauf des erfindungsgemäßen Herstellungsverfahrens;
• 11: ein Ausführungsbeispiel der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung mit einem innerhalb eines Warenfensters rotierten Bauteil und einem flüssigen Medium in einer schematischen Seitenansicht; und
• 12: ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung mit innerhalb eines Warenfensters rotierten Bauteilen und einem gasförmigen Medium in einer schematischen seitlichen Schnittansicht.

Further features, details and advantages of the invention result from the following exemplary embodiments explained with reference to the figures. Show it:

• 1 : an example of a product window within a liquid medium in a schematic side view;
• 2 : an example of a product window within a gaseous medium in a schematic side view;
• 3 : an embodiment of the device according to the invention with held component in a schematic side view;
• 4a-c 12: enlarged perspective views of the flow guide of the device according to FIG 3 ;
• 5 1: a further exemplary embodiment of the modular device according to the invention with a retained component and a modularly attached flow guide in a perspective side view;
• 6 : an enlarged perspective view of the flow guide of the device according to FIG 5 ;
• 7a-c 1: perspective views of a further modular embodiment of the device according to the invention;
• 8a-c : enlarged views of flow guides of the device according to FIG 7a-c ;
• 9 1: an exemplary embodiment of a component with internal flow guides in a lateral sectional view;
• 10 : an exemplary sequence of the production method according to the invention;
• 11 : an exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention with a component rotated within a product window and a liquid medium in a schematic side view; and
• 12 1: a further exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention with components rotated within a product window and a gaseous medium in a schematic lateral sectional view.

The 1 and 2 show, by way of example and only schematically, two devices for the surface treatment of components 10 (not shown here), which can be arranged in an area 3 within a container 2 called a “goods window”. The container 2 is flooded with a reactant or medium 1, which causes a desired change in said surfaces at least via a chemical reaction with surfaces of the components 10 placed inside the goods window 3 (surface refinement).

In the 1 a variant with a liquid medium, for example an electrolyte, is shown. The components 10 are introduced from above into the container 2 , which is open at the top, and are immersed in the medium 1 . There they can be rotated about a vertical axis, for example, in order to improve the contact of the surfaces to be treated with fresh medium 1 (ie not used up by the chemical reaction). The medium 1 itself can also be actively set into a circulating movement (indicated here schematically by the arrow 4), for example via one or more pumps and/or agitators.

The 2 shows a variant with a gaseous medium 1. For this purpose, the container 2 has a gas inlet 5 and a gas outlet 6. As shown here, a substrate 8 can be located below the goods window 3 , which is vaporized by a heating device 7 . The gaseous substrate 9 mixes with the gas (such as a carrier gas) introduced into the container 2 to form the medium 1 for surface treatment. The gaseous medium 1 can also optionally be set in motion (not shown), for example by means of nozzles.

Even if the medium 1 is actively set in motion, in the case of components 10 with complex internal structures such as branched channels, undercuts or a number of structures obstructing the medium 1, it may happen that not all fluid-carrying internal surfaces are sufficient or constantly supplied with fresh medium 1 which negatively influences (or even prevents) the surface finishing of these inner surfaces.

To solve this problem, the present invention relies on the active generation of a relative movement between the component 10 to be treated and the surrounding medium 1, in particular by moving the component 10, and the use of special baffles or flow guides 20, 22 in the areas of inlet openings 12 in order to pick up the medium 1 and guide it in a targeted manner into the inlet openings 12 and thereby to the internal structures and surfaces of the component 10.

In the 3 a first exemplary embodiment of a device for treating the inner surfaces of a component 10 is shown in a schematic side view, the surrounding container 2 with the medium 1 being masked out.

A component 10 is shown with a complex internal structure in the form of multiple kinked or angled and branching channels. The component 10 has three openings, which, depending on the function of the component 10, can serve as inlet and/or outlet openings for a fluid (gas or water).

For the purpose of finishing the inner surfaces of the channels of the component 10, one of the openings (here the opening at the bottom right) serves as an inlet opening 12 for the medium 1, i.e. as an opening into which medium 50 is to be directed in a targeted manner, so that the medium 1 can penetrate the channels flows through and comes into contact with all inner surfaces of the channels for the purpose of surface finishing.

Of course, another of the three openings or even more of the openings could serve as an "inlet opening" in the sense of the invention, i.e. for introducing medium 1 into the channels.

The component 10 is held by a component holder 40 . In the present case, the term component holder is to be interpreted broadly and is not limited to an element that actually grips the component 10 . Rather, any area, any element, any device in which the component is held, gripped, stored, etc. can be understood as a component receptacle 40 .

In the present example 3 the component 10 is suspended in the component holder 40 and immersed in the medium 1 (not shown). A holding device 30 is connected to the component receptacle 40, at the end of which a flow conductor 20 is arranged. The flow guide 20 is held directly next to the inlet opening 12 by the holding device 30 .

There is expediently no fixed connection between the flow guide 20 and the component 10, ie the flow guide 20 is positioned by the holding device 30 next to the inlet opening 12 and the flow guide 20 partially projects into the inlet opening 12, as in FIG 4a can be seen closer. If necessary, the holding device 30 can press the flow conductor 20 against the outside of the component 10 with a certain force in order to produce a sealing effect at the contact areas. This can be achieved either through the shape of the holding element 30 (and/or the flow guide 20). The use of a spring element is also conceivable, which presses the holding device 30 or the flow conductor 20 in the direction of the component 10 .

In principle, however, it is also conceivable that the flow conductor 20 can be temporarily (i.e. detachably) connected to the component 10 by connecting means for the treatment process.

In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the flow guide 20 has the shape of a funnel-shaped vane, which tapers or narrows towards the area of the inlet opening 12 (or towards the inlet opening 12). The flow guide 20 has a complex geometric, three-dimensional shape.

The 4a-c show three different perspective views of the flow guide 20 of FIG 3 from different angles.

The flow conductor 20 is curved and narrows from an opening or inlet directed away from the component 10 towards an outlet surrounding the inlet opening 12 of the component 10 . The outlet of the flow conductor 20 ends in the inlet opening 12 of the component 1 and thus provides sufficient support for the resulting transverse loads for tapping the medium 50. The positioning of the flow conductor 20 held in the inlet opening enables the medium entering by means of the inlet of the flow conductor 20 1 flows through the outlet into the inlet opening 12 of the component 10.

The component holder 40 and thus also the component 10 held therein are rotated about a vertical axis by means of a drive (not shown) (cf. dashed arrow in FIG 3 ) so that the component 10 rotates within the medium 1. The flow guide 20 , which is connected to the holding device 40 in a rotationally rigid manner, therefore rotates with the component 10 and, due to its shape, picks up medium 1 , which is guided to the inlet opening 12 by the non-linear geometry of the flow guide 20 .

The medium 1 flowing in through the inlet opening 12 continues to flow through the inner channels of the component 10 and thus not only reaches all inner surfaces, but there is also a constant exchange or constant renewal of medium 1 within the component 10 . The medium 1 can escape to the outside again through the other two openings.

In the 5 a second exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention is shown with a different component 10 and a differently shaped flow guide 20 . The device 10 has a housing with a complex internal structure and multiple openings. The flow guide 20 is in turn connected to the rotatable component holder 40 via a holding device 30, wherein in this exemplary embodiment the holding device 30 is mounted so as to be displaceable along the longitudinal axis of the component holder 40 (or along a guide rod of the component holder 40) in order to position the flow guide 20 relatively to be able to change component 10. Preferably, the holding device 30 in the desired th position on the component holder 40 are fixed or locked.

The flow conductor 20 has a half-shell or shell-shaped geometry and is located on the outside of the component 10 in the area of an inlet opening 12, which comprises three smaller openings 13 that are separate from one another. The flow guide 12 and the three openings 13 are in the 6 shown enlarged. On the inner side facing the openings 13 , the flow guide 20 has curved webs or ribs 21 that extend from the circular gate-shaped opening of the flow guide 20 to the areas of the outside of the component 10 located between the openings 13 . The ribs 21, together with the curved blade shape of the flow guide 20, guide the tapped medium 1 in a targeted manner to the respective openings. The corresponding medium flows are in the 6 indicated by dashed arrows 50.

The 7a-b show a third exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention, a plurality of holding frames 46 being provided here, which are arranged one above the other along a holding rod 44 with a rectangular cross section and each have two opposite component receptacles 40, in each of which a component 10 (cf. 7b ) can be put down or fastened. The component receptacles 40 are thus formed here by entire receptacle areas of the holding frames 46 .

The 7b shows the device according to FIG 7a in an exploded view. The support rod 44 has a foot 45 at the lower end, on which the lowermost support frame 46 rests. Above this is a middle holding frame 46 which is rotated by 90° compared to the lower holding frame 46 . Above this is an upper holding frame 46, which in turn has been rotated by 90° compared to the middle holding frame 46. At the upper end, the holding rod 44 is fastened via a connecting area in a holder 42, which can be set in rotary motion by means of a drive (not shown) in order to To rotate support rod 44 together with the support frame 46 and components 10 within the medium 1 (not shown).

A blade-shaped flow guide 20 is arranged in the region of each component receptacle 40 and is assigned to an inlet opening 12 of the component 10 to be accommodated in the component receptacle 40 . The web of the holding frame 46 carrying the flow guide 20 can be regarded as a holding device 30 which connects the flow guide 20 to the component receptacle 40 . In addition, each component receptacle 40 has a further flow conductor 22 in a lower area, which is associated with a recess on the underside of the components 10 and protrudes into this in the fastened state.

The 8a shows the area of a blade-shaped flow guide 20 together with the associated component 10. Here, too, the flow of the medium 1 caused by the curved, funnel-shaped shape of the flow guide 20 is indicated with a dashed arrow 50.

The 8b shows a section through a component 10 and the holding frame 46 in the area of the further flow conductor 22. In FIG 8c Finally, a component receptacle 40 of one of the holding frames 46 is shown in a perspective view.

You can see in the 8b-c the further flow guide 22, which protrudes through an inlet opening 12 in the base of the component 10 into a recess. The flow guide 22 has two blades that cross one another or are rotated by 90° relative to one another and are curved in each case. Medium 1, which flows through the inlet opening 12 and between the blades of the flow guide 22 into the recess (cf. arrow 50 in Fig 8b ), a rotation is imposed by the curved, spiral shape of the flow guide 22, which means that the medium 1 is effectively distributed in the recess and reaches and flows around all areas of the inner surface to be treated.

The shape and number of the support frames 46, the flow conductors 20, 22 and the component receptacles 40 can of course be varied and depends on the component 10 to be treated and the identified critical areas thereof. The entire system is scalable due to the holding frame 46 that can be pushed onto the holding rod 44 .

The holding frames 46 - together with the corresponding flow guides 20, 22 - can be produced by a 3D printing process.

In addition to the previously shown flow conductors 20, 22 attached to the outside of the component 10, further internal flow conductors 24 can be provided within the component 10, in particular in the area of the complex internal structure, as is illustrated by an exemplary embodiment in FIG 9 is shown. Here that is already from the 3 known component 10 shown in a sectional view. Within the angled and branching channels of the component 10 there are several inner flow conductors 24 in the form of vanes connected to the channel walls, which guide and distribute the medium 1 within the channels. For example, in the area of the branch that leads to the opening of the component 10 shown on the left in the picture, a blade-shaped inner flow divider 24' is provided, which in the branch tion area and picks up part of the medium 1 flowing through the channel and directs it to the left into the branching channel.

This ensures that the medium 1 is not only effectively guided through the outer flow conductors 20, 22 from the outside into the inner structure of the component 10, but that the medium 1 is also guided within the complex structure and everywhere to the surfaces to be treated is brought.

The inner flow conductors 24 may be integrally formed with the component 10 . This is particularly useful when the component 10 is produced using a 3D printing process. In this case, the inner flow conductors 24 can also be manufactured in the same process.

The 10 shows schematically a possible process sequence for the design and production of corresponding flow guides 20, 22, 24 for a component 10 to be treated.

In a first step, a most favorable alignment and positioning of the component 10 within the goods window 3 is defined with special consideration of air bubble formation, medium inflow behavior or subsequent low medium/electrolyte carry-over. This can be done computer-based, with the relevant processes being simulated, or by appropriate experimental tests (or both).

In a second step, critical component features that prevent a uniform flow of medium 1 onto the component surface to be treated are identified. In particular, it is therefore examined at which points or due to which characteristics an insufficient flow behavior of certain surfaces through the medium 1 takes place.

In a third step, first flow guide drafts or prototypes are placed and laid out in the areas of the identified critical features.

Then (or before) it is decided how or with which variant (fixed or movable holding device 30, use of holding frame 46, provision of inner flow guides 24 etc.) each individual flow guide 20, 22, 24 is positioned on/in the component 10.

In a subsequent fifth step, the design, simulation and production of the flow conductors 20, 22, 24 takes place. Both conventional and 3D printing technologies can be used for this.

In a sixth step, the quality of the flow conductor, the positioning of the component within the device and the connection of the flow conductor to the component 10 or test specimen are checked. This can be done purely experimentally or computer-assisted (or both).

A process test in the medium 1 to be treated and the device or system used (or a comparable system technology) with a subsequent assessment of the treated inner surface takes place in a seventh step. Various flow and/or surface parameters can be considered and analyzed as to whether the flow conductors 20, 22, 24 used bring about the desired effect.

As an eighth step, a further optimization of the flow conductors 20, 22, 24 with regard to their position, type, design, variant, material and/or an adjustment of the rotational speed in the process can be carried out if the parameters considered have not been sufficiently improved in the previous step was observed.

In a final ninth step, the method is defined and applied using the optimized flow conductors 20, 22, 24.

The 11 shows a variant of the device according to the 7a-b with only a single holding frame 46 and a component 10 fastened therein in a schematic side view, the container 2 with a liquid medium 1 also being shown here. The goods window 3 is indicated by a dashed box. The holder 42 for the holding rod 44 carrying the holding frame 46 extends from outside the medium 1 through an upper opening of the container 2 into its inner region, so that the holding frame 46 with the component 10 is completely immersed in the medium 1 and rotates therein. In addition, the medium 1 can be set in a tumbling movement 4, although this is not absolutely necessary.

The 12 Finally, FIG. 1 shows a device for use with a gaseous medium 1. The corresponding container 2 has a heatable wall with a heater 60 (eg induction or radiation heating). A plurality of components 10 are mounted inside the container 2 within a goods window 3 and each rotate about a vertical axis, being surrounded by the gaseous medium 1 .

The medium 1 is provided by supplying a reactive gas via a gas mixer 62 with a mass flow controller and a carrier gas. Medium 1 is fed out of container 2 again via a pump 64 and an exhaust air scrubber.

In summary, the main advantage of the method according to the invention (or the corresponding device) is that it can be used in almost all chemical processes. A simple construction of a flow-guiding geometric shape 20, 22, 24 and the associated rotation in the medium 1 enables easy implementation in the already existing process. Through this process, fluids and gases are guided in a targeted manner into complex internal structures such as e.g. highly angled pipelines with cavities. This enables a homogeneous and reproducible coating or removal of the surface.

Reference List

1

medium

2

container

3

goods window

4

recirculation flow

5

gas inlet

6

gas outlet

7

heating device

8th

substrate

9

gaseous substrate

10

component

12

entry opening

13

opening

20

flow conductor

21

surface structure (rib)

22

flow conductor

24

Inner Flow Guide

24`

Inner Flow Guide

30

holding device

40

component recording

42

bracket

44

handrail

45

Foot

46

holding frame

50

flow of the medium

60

Heating

62

gas mixer

64

pump

Claims (15)

Method for treating, in particular finishing, an inner surface of a component (10) using a medium (1), the component (10) being placed at least partially within the medium (1) and a relative movement between the component (10) and the component (10) surrounding medium (1) is generated, characterized in that in the region of an inlet opening (12) of the component (10) which is in fluidic connection with the inner surface to be treated, a flow conductor (20, 22) is attached, which part of the medium (1) moving relative to the component (10) in a targeted manner into the inlet opening (12). procedure after claim 1 , wherein the component (10) is actively moved within the medium (1), in particular rotated, and the flow conductor (20, 22) moves with the component (10). procedure after claim 1 or 2 wherein at least one flow guide (20) is provided in the form of an in particular curved and/or kinked blade which protrudes outwards in the region of an inlet opening (12) of the component (10). Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the flow guide (20) has a funnel-shaped and/or bowl-shaped structure and/or at least one surface structure (21), in particular a rib, on a surface facing the inlet opening (12). Method according to one of the two preceding claims, in which the flow guide (20) rests at least partially on an outside of the component (10) in the region of the inlet opening (12). Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one flow guide (22) is provided which is located at least partially within an inlet opening (12), the flow guide (22) preferably having at least one curved and/or kinked area. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the flow guide (20, 22) is not directly connected to the component (10), but is held in position relative to the component (10) by a holding device (30), the component (10) preferably in a component holder (40) is held, with which the holding device (30) is fixedly or movably connected. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one inner flow guide (24) is provided entirely within the component (10) in a channel or cavity connected to an inlet opening (12), the inner flow guide (24) being connected to the component (10) as a individual element is formed with the component or represents a separate element connected to it. Device for carrying out a method according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a component holder (40) for holding a component (10) with an inner surface to be treated within a medium (1) and at least one component holder (40) via a holding device (30). ) fixedly or movably connected flow guide (20, 22), which can be placed in the area of an inlet opening (12) of the component (10) that is in fluidic connection with the inner surface and is designed in such a way that it can be moved during a relative movement between the component (10) and directs part of the medium (50) from the surrounding medium (1) into the inlet opening (12) in a targeted manner. device after claim 9 , further comprising a drive for particular rotational movement of the component holder (30) relative to the medium (1). device after claim 9 or 10 , further comprising a container (2) surrounding the component receptacle (40) and/or the component (10) held by the component receptacle (40) and which can be filled with the medium (1). Device according to one of claims 9 until 11 , wherein at least one flow guide (20, 22) according to one of claims 3 until 6 is trained. Method for producing a flow guide (20, 22) of a device according to one of claims 9 until 12 , comprising the following steps: - providing or simulating a component (10) with an inner surface to be treated within a medium (1), - analyzing, by generating a relative movement between component (10) and medium (1) and/or by simulation, at least one flow parameter of the medium (50) in the area of an inlet opening (12) and/or in the area of a channel or cavity of the component (10) fluidically connected to the inlet opening (12) and/or at least one surface parameter of the inner surface to be treated, Providing or simulating a flow guide design in the area of the inlet opening (12) and re-analyzing the at least one flow parameter and/or the at least one surface parameter, - designing and producing, in particular by means of a 3D printing process, a flow guide (20, 22) with a shape, for which the at least one flow parameter and/or the at least one surface parameter is optimized. procedure after Claim 13 , wherein the at least one flow parameter is a volume flow of the medium (1) through the inlet opening (12) and/or a volume flow of the medium (1) within the component (10), in particular in a channel or cavity fluidically connected to the inlet opening (12). , relates and/or that the at least one surface parameter relates to a property of the inner surface to be changed by an in particular chemical reaction of the medium (1) with the inner surface to be treated. procedure after Claim 13 or 14 , The placement of the flow guide (20, 22) in the area of the inlet opening (12) and/or a movement parameter, in particular a rotational speed, of the component (10) within the medium (1) and/or an alignment of the component (10) within of the medium (1) is adjusted in such a way that the at least one flow parameter and/or the at least one surface parameter is optimized.

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