JPH11239971A - Porous member, working fluid foaming method and working fluid foaming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To structure a porous member through which working fluid is passed with gas in order to foam the working fluid, and by which the working fluid can be reliably and efficiently foamed. SOLUTION: A porous member 14 is made to have a structure formed by gathering many continuous pores three-dimensionally, and is made to be hard enough not to substantially deform, depending on working fluid and gas passing through the porous member. A foaming tool 10 to hold the porous member, a working fluid supplying device to supply the working fluid to the porous member and pass it, and a gas supplying device to supply the gas to the porous member and pass it, are included in the working fluid foaming device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a porous member for foaming a working fluid, a working fluid foaming method using the same, and a working fluid foaming apparatus provided with the porous member.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-104393 of the present applicant describes a working fluid foaming apparatus. The working fluid foaming apparatus includes (a) a porous member, (b) a device for impregnating the cutting fluid, which is a high-concentration aqueous solution of a water-soluble working fluid, with the porous member, and (c) the porous member. And a device for passing air from one end face to the other end face. This publication further discloses that the size of the pores of the porous member and the concentration of the cutting fluid can be changed to change the size of the bubbles of the working fluid, and the amount of bubbles can be adjusted by adjusting the gas supply amount. It is also described that it can be done.

[0003]

However, the above-mentioned publication specifically discloses a structure of a porous member suitable for reliably and efficiently foaming a working fluid. I don't tell. Further, the above publication does not specifically teach a technique for adjusting the size of the pores of the porous member. Against this background, the present invention provides a porous member suitable for reliably and efficiently foaming a working fluid and a working fluid foaming method using the porous member. An object of the present invention is to provide a working fluid foaming apparatus capable of adjusting the size of pores. The problem is solved by the following mode. In addition,
In the following description, each aspect of the present invention will be described in the same form as the claims, with the respective items numbered. This is to clarify the possibility of adopting the features described in each section in combination.

(1) A porous member through which a working fluid is passed together with a gas in order to foam the working fluid, wherein the structure of the porous member is formed by three-dimensionally assembling a large number of continuous pores. Wherein the hardness of the porous member is not substantially changed by a force applied to the porous member by a processing liquid and a gas passing through the porous member. ]. This porous member has a structure in which a large number of continuous pores are gathered three-dimensionally. If a structure in which a number of continuous pores are arranged in one plane is referred to as one layer, it can be said that this porous member has a laminated structure. Therefore, according to this porous member, the mixing of the working fluid and the gas is performed more finely than in the case where the porous member is formed from only one layer, and thereby, the foaming of the working fluid is ensured. It is performed efficiently. The porous member has a hardness that does not substantially change due to the working fluid and the gas passing therethrough. For example, the higher of the working fluid pressure and the gas pressure is 0.5 kgf / c.
In a region of not less than m ^{2 and not} more than 10 kgf / cm ² , the hardness is such that the porous member does not substantially deform. Therefore, according to this porous member, the apparent porosity described below, which is an important factor for reliably and efficiently performing foaming, does not change during foaming. Performed reliably and efficiently. Further, according to this porous member, foaming can be reliably and efficiently performed with a working fluid having a small surface tension or a working fluid at a low temperature (for example, a temperature sufficiently close to 0 ° C.) based on the above-described effects. Can do well. Here, the "working fluid" is a coolant, a cutting fluid, a grinding fluid, a lubricant, etc., which avoids scattering of dust generated at the time of cutting or grinding, or a machining tool or a workpiece to be heated by frictional heat. Used for cooling or reducing the frictional resistance by improving the lubricity between the working tool and the workpiece. (2) The apparent porosity, which is the ratio of the area occupied by the large number of continuous pores in an arbitrary cross section of the porous member, is 10
% Or more of the porous member according to item (1) [Claim 2].
This porous member has an apparent porosity of 10% or more. Therefore, according to this porous member, the mixing of the working fluid and the gas is performed more finely, and thereby the working fluid is reliably and efficiently foamed. However, even when the apparent porosity is smaller than 10%, if the length of the mixture of the working liquid and the gas in the porous member is made longer than that in the case where the apparent porosity is 10% or more, the processing can be performed. Liquid foaming can be performed reliably and efficiently. (3) The porous member according to (1) or (2), wherein the cross-sectional area of each of the continuous pores is at least 0.01 mm ² . (4) The cross-sectional area of each continuous pore is 0.25 mm ² or more and 1 m
The porous member according to (1) or (2), wherein m is ² or less [Claim 4]. If this porous member is used, especially when the gas is used at a low pressure (for example, at a pressure of 1 kgf / cm ² or less), the working fluid can be reliably and efficiently foamed. (5) A working fluid foaming method characterized by foaming the working fluid by passing the working fluid together with a gas through the porous member according to any one of (1) to (4). . When foaming the working fluid, the gas is 0.5kgf
It is desirable that the working liquid be supplied to the porous member at a pressure slightly higher than the gas pressure at a pressure of at least / cm ² . (6) A foaming tool that holds the porous member according to any one of (1) to (4), a working fluid supply device that supplies and passes the working fluid to the porous member, And a gas supply device for supplying the gas to the member and passing the gas through the member. (7) The processing fluid supply device adjusts a flow rate of the processing fluid supplied to the foaming tool, a tank containing the processing fluid, a pressure feeding unit configured to pressure feed the processing fluid in the tank to the foaming tool. And a working fluid pressure adjusting valve for adjusting the pressure of the working fluid supplied to the foaming tool, wherein the gas supply device supplies a compressed gas as the gas to the foaming tool. A compressed gas source, and a compressed gas pressure regulating valve for regulating the pressure of the compressed gas supplied to the foaming tool, and / or a compressed gas flow regulating valve for regulating the flow rate of the compressed gas (6). The working fluid foaming apparatus according to item 6. According to this apparatus, the amount (weight) of the foaming processing fluid discharged from the foaming tool can be adjusted by adjusting the flow rate of the processing fluid supplied to the foaming tool by the processing fluid flow rate adjustment valve. Also, by adjusting the flow rate at which the working fluid is supplied to the foaming tool with the working fluid flow rate adjusting valve, or adjusting the flow rate at which the compressed gas is supplied to the foaming tool with the compressed gas flow rate adjusting valve, The liquid content of the foaming processing liquid discharged from can be adjusted. Here, the “liquid content” refers to the volume percentage of the working fluid in the foaming working fluid containing bubbles. In order to adjust the liquid content, a compressed gas pressure regulating valve can be used instead of the compressed gas flow rate regulating valve. This is because there is a certain relationship between the flow rate and the pressure of the compressed gas, which can be used. (8) The porous member can be elastically deformed by a force greater than the force applied to the porous member by the working fluid and gas passing therethrough, and the size of the continuous pores according to the amount of elastic deformation. The foaming tool includes a pore adjuster that adjusts the size of continuous pores by applying the large force to the porous member and elastically deforming the porous member (6) to (7). The working fluid foaming apparatus according to claim [Claim 7]. According to this device, the size of the pores can be adjusted by the pore adjuster, and therefore, the size of the bubbles of the foaming processing liquid discharged from the foaming tool can be adjusted. The features described in this section can be adopted independently of the features described in the above section (1). (9) the foaming tool, which has a space inside and a housing that opens at the supply port and the discharge port, and is loaded in the housing so that a gap does not substantially occur between the inner surface of the housing and the housing. A porous member, and a movable member that is movably disposed between the housing and the porous member and that applies elastic force to the porous member by applying a force corresponding to the amount of the movement, and The working fluid foaming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the working fluid and the gas are supplied to a supply port, and the foamed working fluid is discharged from the discharge port to the outside. (10) The porous member has an outer peripheral surface extending straight in a circular cross section, the housing has an inner peripheral surface extending straight in a circular cross section, and the movable member is straight in a cylindrical cross section. And the inner peripheral surface of the housing and the outer peripheral surface of the porous member are axially movably fitted to each other, and the diameter of the inner peripheral surface of the movable member changes in the axial direction. The working fluid foaming apparatus according to the above mode (9). (11) The movable member and the housing are screwed (10)
The working fluid foaming apparatus according to item 6. (12) The working fluid foaming apparatus according to any one of (6) to (11), wherein a plurality of the working fluid supply devices are provided for the same foaming tool. According to this apparatus, it is possible to supply a plurality of types of working fluids to the foaming tool together, or to appropriately select at least one of the plurality of types of working fluids and supply it to the foaming tool, It is possible to generate a foaming processing liquid according to various uses. The features described in this section can be adopted independently of the features described in the above section (1). (13) The working fluid foaming apparatus according to (12), wherein a plurality of types of the working fluid are stored in the plurality of tanks of the plurality of working fluid supply devices. (14) The working fluid foaming apparatus according to (13), wherein the plurality of types of working fluids include a water-soluble working fluid and an oily working fluid. (15) The working fluid foaming apparatus according to (7), wherein the pumping means includes a pump for pumping up the working fluid in the tank and discharging the working fluid to the foaming tool. (16) The tank is a pressure vessel capable of storing the working fluid under pressure, and the pressure feeding means introduces the compressed air from the compressed gas source into the pressure vessel, thereby causing the working fluid to be stored in the pressure vessel. (7) The working fluid foaming apparatus according to the above mode (7), further comprising a compressed air introducing means for extruding the compressed air from the foaming tool and supplying the foamed tool to the foaming tool. According to this device, the working fluid can be pumped to the foaming tool without a pump, and as a result, the cost of the device can be easily reduced. (17) At least one of the working fluid flow rate adjustment valve and the working fluid pressure adjustment valve is an electromagnetic adjustment valve whose state changes according to an electric signal, and the working fluid supply device further includes:
(a) a thermometer for measuring the temperature of the working fluid, and (b) a controller for controlling the electromagnetic regulating valve based on the temperature measured by the thermometer, according to (7). Processing liquid foaming equipment. The features described in this section can be adopted independently of the features described in the above section (1). (18) The controller according to (17), wherein the controller controls the electromagnetic adjustment valve such that the foaming state of the processing fluid is maintained at a set state regardless of the temperature of the processing fluid. Processing fluid foaming equipment. Here, the “foaming state of the working fluid” means, for example, the foaming rate of the working fluid, the weight of the foaming working fluid, the size of bubbles in the foaming working fluid, and the like.

[0005]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Some specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a coolant foaming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This coolant foaming device foams the coolant by forming a mist of a coolant as a working fluid and passing the mist through a porous member together with compressed air as a gas. The porous member is one embodiment common to claims 1 to 4, and the coolant foaming device is one embodiment common to the inventions of claims 6 to 8, and the coolant foaming device is Is an embodiment of the invention of claim 5.

[0007] In this coolant foaming apparatus, the coolant has water solubility and foamability. The foaming property is realized by adding a surfactant. A water-soluble coolant called a synthetic type containing a synthetic lubricant as a main component uses polyalkylene glycol as a synthetic lubricant, and like the surfactant, has a large surface tension and foams. It has nature.

The coolant foaming apparatus includes a foaming tool 10, which has a housing 12 and a porous member 14. The housing 12 has a space formed therein and is opened at the supply port 16 and the discharge port 18. The internal space extends straight with a circular cross section, and a supply port 16 is formed at one end and a discharge port 18 is formed at the other end. Supply port 16
Is connected to one end of the first passage 19. Discharge port 1
8 has a nozzle 2 whose inner diameter increases outward.
0 is provided.

The porous member 14 extends straight with a circular cross section, as shown in FIG. The porous member 14 is loaded into the housing 12 such that there is substantially no gap between the porous member 14 and the inner peripheral surface thereof. The porous member 14 also has a structure in which a large number of continuous pores are three-dimensionally gathered inside. That is, the porous member 14 can be said to have a laminated structure if a structure in which a large number of continuous pores are arranged in one plane is called one layer. The porous member 14 further has a hardness that does not substantially deform as the coolant and compressed air pass through it. If deformed by the coolant and the compressed air, the size of the pores of the porous member 14 becomes irregular, and as a result,
This is because the foaming of the coolant may be hindered, or the size of the bubbles of the foamed coolant discharged from the foaming tool 10 may become irregular.

That is, the specific structure of the porous member 14 is as follows.・ External dimensions: 10 mm in diameter × 8 mm in length ・ Material: Polyethylene ・ Structure: Structure formed by a large number of continuous pores gathered three-dimensionally ・ Hardness: Substantially by coolant and compressed air passing through the porous member 14 Specifically, the pressure acting on the porous member 14 is 0.5 kgf /
Hardness in which the porous member 14 is not substantially deformed in a region of not less than cm ^{2 and not} more than 10 kgf / cm ^2. Apparent porosity: 10% Here, the “apparent porosity” is defined as an arbitrary cross section of the porous member 14. Means the ratio of the area occupied by a large number of continuous pores.・ Cross-sectional area of each continuous pore: 0.01 mm ² However, low-pressure compressed air (pressure is larger than 0 and 1 kgf
/ Cm ² or less), it is preferable that the cross-sectional area of each continuous pore is large.
It is desirable that it is not less than 25 mm ^{2 and not} more than 1 mm ² .・ Volume of each continuous pore: average 0.001 mm ³・ Density: 0.6 Here, “density” means a numerical value obtained by dividing the weight (g) of the porous member 14 by the bulk volume (cm ³ ). The “bulk volume” refers to the volume of the porous member 14 including the continuous pores.

The coolant is a liquid obtained by diluting 20-fold Yushiroken Synthetic # 870 (trade name) manufactured by Yushiro Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. with water.

The conditions for foaming the coolant are set as follows. (1) Coolant Pump discharge amount: 15 cc / min Pump discharge pressure: Pressure slightly higher than 0.5 kgf / cm ² Temperature: 20 ° C. (2) Compressed air Pressure: 0.5 kgf / cm ²

In the foaming device 10 configured as described above, the compressed air and the coolant are pushed together from the supply port 16, and as shown in FIG. 3, the compressed air and the coolant are mixed with each other and the grid is formed. (Porous member 1
4 are portions that form walls of continuous pores adjacent to each other, and can also be referred to as a cell film, and are conceptually indicated by simple black circles in the figure).
Then, while diffusing, it progresses toward the discharge port 18 through the space inside the lattice (continuous pores, open pores) surrounded by the lattice, and at this time, the coolant uniformly wets the whole of many lattices and compresses. Air also enters and passes through the space in the grid, causing the coolant to foam.

This coolant foaming apparatus further includes a
As shown in FIG. 3, a coolant supply device 22 as a working fluid supply device and a compressed air supply device 23 as a gas supply device
And

The coolant supply device 22 has a tank 66 for storing coolant under atmospheric pressure. This tank 66 is connected to the other end of the first passage 19 by a second passage 68. In the middle of the second passage 68, a pump 70 as a pumping means for pumping a coolant from the tank 66 and discharging the coolant to the supply port 16 of the foaming tool 10, and a flow regulating valve 72 as a working fluid flow regulating valve are provided. I have. The flow control valve 72 is of a manual type. A relief valve 74 as a working fluid pressure adjusting valve is connected to a portion of the second passage 68 on the discharge side of the pump 70. The relief valve 74
When the discharge pressure of the pump 70 reaches the set pressure, the coolant is released to the tank 66, so that the discharge pressure is adjusted to be constant. The pressure of the coolant is adjusted to the set value by the relief valve 74, and the flow rate is adjusted to the set value by the flow rate adjusting valve 72. If the pump 70 has a built-in relief valve, the relief valve 74 is connected to the pump 7.
It is not necessary to provide them outside 0.

On the other hand, the compressed air supply device 23
An air pressure source 76 as a compressed gas source is provided. The air pressure source 76 is connected to the other end of the first passage 19 via a third passage 78. The third passage 78 is connected to the other end of the first passage 19 together with the second passage 68. Third
An air pressure regulating valve 80 as a compressed gas pressure regulating valve is provided in the middle of the passage 78. This air pressure regulating valve 8
0 is also a manual type. The pressure of the compressed air is controlled by the air pressure regulating valve 8
Adjusted to a set value by 0.

In the coolant foaming apparatus configured as described above, the coolant and the compressed air pass through the first passage 19.
After that, the mixture is passed through the porous member 14, whereby the coolant is foamed, and the foamed coolant is discharged from the discharge port 18 of the foaming tool 10.

The size of the bubbles in the foamed coolant is mainly determined by the size of the space (continuous pores, open pores) surrounded by the lattice in the porous member 14. Further, the discharge amount of the foamed coolant is as follows.
It depends on the amount of pumping that is pumped to zero. The liquid content of the foamed coolant (the ratio of the coolant to the volume of the foamed coolant) is determined by the amount of the pumped coolant and the amount of the compressed air (the amount is defined according to the flow rate or the pressure). Can be determined). Therefore, it is possible to adjust the liquid content by changing at least one of the amount of pumped coolant and the amount of compressed air,
In the present embodiment, the liquid content is adjusted by changing the amount of the compressed air while changing the amount of the compressed air, and in the present embodiment, the flow rate, while keeping the coolant pumping amount constant.

Next, a coolant foaming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. However, this embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in the configuration regarding the foaming tool, and the other configurations are common. Therefore, only the foaming tool will be described in detail.

FIG. 4 shows a foaming tool 160 in the coolant foaming apparatus. This foaming tool 160
The basic configuration is the same as that of the foaming tool 10 in the first embodiment, but the foaming tool 160 is elastically deformed by applying a force to the porous member 164 in which the size of the pores changes, thereby elastically deforming the porous member 164. A pore adjuster for adjusting the pore size is included.

The porous member 164 is not substantially deformed by the coolant and compressed air passing therethrough.
When a force larger than the force given by the coolant and the compressed air is applied, the material is elastically deformed, and the hardness of the pores changes according to the amount of the deformation.

The pore regulator is a hollow cylindrical compressor 166 sandwiched between a housing 162 and a porous member 164. The compressor 166 has a housing 1 on its outer peripheral surface.
62 is screwed with the inner peripheral surface. Housing 162
Has a supply port 168 and a discharge port 170, and the compressor 166 is disposed in a portion of the housing 162 near the discharge port 170. As a result, the compressor 166 has its inner peripheral surface in contact with the outer peripheral surface near the distal end, which is the end near the discharge port 170, from both ends of the porous member 164 from the outside in the radial direction. The inner peripheral surface of the compressor 166 is formed with a tapered surface 172 whose diameter decreases as the distance from the porous member 164 increases.
The compressor 166 has a porous member 164 at its tapered surface 172.
Is contacted from the outside in the radial direction with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the main body.

Therefore, the compressor 166 is connected to the housing 1
62, so that when the compressor 166 approaches the porous member 164,
The tip of the porous member 164 is elastically compressed by the compressor 166 in a direction in which the diameter decreases. Porous member 1
Since the size of the pores is reduced correspondingly when 64 is compressed, the size of the bubbles of the foam coolant discharged from the foaming tool 160 is also reduced accordingly.

From this state, the compressor 166 is rotated in the opposite direction, whereby the compressor 166 is rotated by the porous member 16.
When separated from 4, the tip of the porous member 164 is expanded in a direction of increasing the diameter by its own elasticity. When the porous member 164 is expanded, the size of the pores increases accordingly, and accordingly, the size of the bubbles of the foam-like coolant discharged from the foaming tool 160 also increases.

The discharge port 170 of both ends of the compressor 166
A nozzle 174 is formed at an end far from the nozzle.
On the inner peripheral side of the nozzle 174, a tapered surface 176 whose inner diameter increases toward the outside is formed.

Next, a description will be given of a coolant foaming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. However, this embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in the configuration for pumping the coolant, and the other configurations are common. Therefore, the detailed description will be made by using the same reference numerals for the elements related to the common configuration. The description will be omitted, and only the elements related to the configuration for pumping the coolant will be described in detail.

FIG. 5 shows only a part of the coolant foaming apparatus necessary for explaining the structure for feeding the coolant under pressure. In this coolant foaming device,
Unlike in the first embodiment, the pump is omitted. Instead, the tank 66 is a pressurized tank 200 as a pressure vessel, and the compressed air of the air pressure source 76 is supplied not only to the foaming tool 10 but also to the pressurized tank 200. The air pressure source 76 and the pressurized tank 200 are connected to each other by the fourth passage 202. However, one end of the fourth passage 202 is connected to the pressurized tank 200 in an upper space that is not filled with the coolant in the pressurized tank 200. Is pressed. Pressurized tank 20
The coolant in 0 is pumped toward the foaming device 10 in the second passage 68 by increasing the surface pressure of the coolant. In the middle of the fourth passage 202, the tank internal pressure regulating valve 20 is provided.
4 are provided, whereby the pressurized tank 200
The pressure of the air inside is adjusted.

Next, a coolant foaming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 shows the coolant foaming apparatus. This coolant foaming apparatus includes a foaming tool 220 similar to the foaming tool 10 in the first embodiment. The foaming tool 220 has a supply port 222 and a discharge port 2.
24, and the supply port 222 has the first passage 2
One end of 26 is connected.

This coolant foaming device further includes a coolant supply device 230 and a compressed air supply device 232.

The coolant supply device 230 has two tanks for storing coolant. One is an open first tank 234 and the other is a closed second tank 236.

The first tank 234 is disposed above the second tank 236, and the bottom of the first tank 234 and the upper part of the second tank 236 are connected to each other by an auxiliary passage 240. A shutoff valve 242 is provided in the middle of the auxiliary passage 240. The shutoff valve 242 is linked to a float 244 that is displaced up and down according to the amount of coolant stored in the second tank 236, that is, the surface position of the coolant. If the amount of coolant stored is insufficient, the float 244 descends due to gravity and the auxiliary passage 24
0 is opened, so that the coolant
This is a state in which the tank 234 is allowed to flow into the second tank 236. On the other hand, if the amount of the stored coolant increases, the float 244 rises against the weight and closes the auxiliary passage 240, whereby the coolant flows from the first tank 234 to the second tank 236 by gravity. In a state that prevents the user from doing so.

A second passage 245 is provided at the bottom of the second tank 236.
Is connected, and the other end thereof is connected to the first passage 22.
2 is connected to the other end. A flow control valve 246 is provided in the middle of the second passage 245.

It should be noted that no shut-off valve is provided in the middle of the second passage 245. This is because the height of the foaming tool 220 is designed not to be lower than the height of the surface position of the coolant in the second tank 236. However,
Nevertheless, a shut-off valve may be provided, and if a shut-off valve is provided, it is not necessary to design the height of the foaming tool 220 as such. Also, instead of providing a shut-off valve,
It is also possible for the flow control valve 246 to perform its function.

The coolant supply device 230 further has an auxiliary passage 247. This auxiliary passage 247 is connected at one end to the upper part of the second tank 236,
The other end is open to the atmosphere. This auxiliary passage 2
In the middle of 47, a shutoff valve 248 is provided. When the compressed air is supplied to the upper part (air layer) of the second tank 236, the shut-off valve 248 raises the float 250 against gravity and closes to close the auxiliary passage 247, thereby closing the second tank 247. 236 can be boosted. On the other hand, if the compressed air is not supplied, the float 250 descends by gravity to open the auxiliary passage 247, thereby connecting the second tank 236 to the atmosphere. The shutoff valve 248 is different from the shutoff valve 242 in that a valve element is provided integrally with the float 250. Further, a limit regulating member 252 for regulating the lowering limit of the float 250 is provided.

The coolant supply device 230 further has an auxiliary passage 258. The auxiliary passage 258 is connected at one end to an upper portion of the second tank 236.
A tank internal pressure adjustment valve 260 is provided in the middle of the auxiliary passage 258. The tank internal pressure adjusting valve 260 adjusts the pressure of the air layer in the second tank 236.

The compressed air supply device 232 has the same air pressure source 262 as the air pressure source 76 in the first embodiment, and further has a third passage 264. The third passage 264 has one end connected to the air pressure source 262 and the other end connected to the other end of the first passage 222 and the other end of the second passage 245, respectively. A shutoff valve 266 and an air pressure adjusting valve 268 are provided in the middle of the third passage 264. The shut-off valve 266 is electrically operated according to the operation of the operator. The shut-off valve 266 is in a closed state before starting the foaming of the coolant, and by closing the third passage 264, the compressed air is supplied to the air pressure source 2.
It is prevented from being supplied from 62 to the foaming tool 220 and the second tank 236. When the operator operates the shutoff valve 266 to open the third passage 264, the compressed air is supplied from the air pressure source 262 to the foaming tool 220.
And the second tank 236.

The other end of the auxiliary passage 258 is connected in the middle of the third passage 264. The auxiliary passage 258 is connected to the shutoff valve 266 and the air pressure regulating valve 2 of the third passage 264.
68.

In the coolant foaming apparatus configured as described above, when the shut-off valve 266 is closed, the coolant is full in the second tank 236 and no compressed air is supplied to the second tank 236. In state. Therefore, the shutoff valve 242 is in the closed state by the rise of the float 244, and the shutoff valve 248 is in the open state by the lowering of the float 250, and the second tank 2
36 air layers are communicated to the atmosphere.

In this state, when the shut-off valve 266 is opened by the operator, the compressed air of the air pressure source 262 is supplied to the second tank 236 via the shut-off valve 266 and the tank internal pressure regulating valve 260 in that order. You. As a result, the pressure in the air in the second tank 236 rises, and the rise in the pressure causes the float 250 to rise, thereby switching the shutoff valve 248 to the closed state. As a result, the air layer in the second tank 236 is cut off from the atmosphere.

When the pressure in the second tank 236 rises,
The coolant is pressurized accordingly, and as a result, the coolant is pumped through the flow control valve 246 to the foaming tool 220.

On the other hand, the compressed air of the air pressure source 262 is also supplied to the foaming tool 220 through the shutoff valve 266 and the air pressure regulating valve 268 in that order. The air and the coolant will be pushed together into the foaming tool 220, thereby generating a foamy coolant in the foaming tool 220.

When the amount of the coolant in the second tank 236 is reduced by the generation of the foamy coolant, the surface position of the coolant is lowered, the float 244 is lowered, and the shutoff valve 242 is formed.
Switches to the open state. When the shutoff valve 242 is switched to the open state, coolant is supplied from the first tank 234 to the second tank 236.

Since the necessary foaming has been completed, if the operator operates the shut-off valve 266 to the closed state, the second compressed air
The supply into the tank 236 is stopped, and the second tank 23 is stopped.
The air in 6 falls. As a result, the float 250 descends and the shutoff valve 248 is opened, and the second tank 236
Air layer is communicated to the atmosphere. Thereby, the pressure of the air in the second tank 236 becomes the atmospheric pressure.

Next, a coolant foaming apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. However, since this embodiment has many elements common to the first embodiment, detailed description of common elements will be omitted by using the same reference numerals, and only different elements will be described in detail.

In each of the embodiments described above, only one type of coolant can be used. However, for example, there is a case where the function of an oil-based coolant having excellent low-temperature activity, that is, a lubricating effect is required. In this case, with only the oil-based coolant, stable foaming is difficult, and there is a risk of fire. . Therefore, it is desirable to use the oil-based coolant together with the water-soluble coolant. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the mixture of the two types of coolant is caused to pass through the porous member together with the compressed air, so that the mixed coolant is foamed.

FIG. 7 shows a coolant foaming apparatus according to the present embodiment. In this coolant foaming device, two types of coolant supply devices are provided. The first coolant supply device 300 supplies a water-soluble coolant to the foaming tool 10, and the second coolant supply device 302
Supplies an oil-based coolant to the foaming tool 10. Each of the coolant supply devices 300 and 302 includes a tank 66 and a second coolant supply device similar to the coolant supply device 22 in the first embodiment.
A passage 68, a pump 70, a flow control valve 72, and a relief valve 74 are provided. The first and second coolant supply devices 300, 302 are provided with two second passages 68, 68.
Is connected to the first passage 19.

In this coolant foaming apparatus, the oil-based coolant and the water-soluble coolant are mixed and then supplied to the foaming tool 10, so that the oil-based coolant is added to the water-soluble coolant and the interface contained in the water-soluble coolant. It is supplied to the foaming device 10 in a state of being taken in by the activator, and the mixed coolant is foamed by the foaming device 10.

On the other hand, the two types of coolant were not mixed before being supplied into the
It is also possible to mix for the first time within 0. In this case, the oil-based coolant is replaced by the water-soluble coolant,
When the oil-based coolant is dispersed and confined in the bubbles of the water-soluble coolant foamed by 0, it is taken in.

It should be noted that the liquid mixture of the oil-based coolant and the water-soluble coolant decreases the foaming property when the ratio of the oil-based coolant to the water-soluble coolant is increased. The mixing is performed by paying attention to the above-described principle.
It is desirable to perform this for the first time.

The number of coolants to be mixed is not limited to two, but may be three or more.

Next, a description will be given of a coolant foaming apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. However, since this embodiment has many elements common to the first embodiment, detailed description of common elements will be omitted by using the same reference numerals, and only different elements will be described in detail.

As shown in FIG. 8, the coolant foaming apparatus is obtained by adding a controller 320, an operating device 322 and a temperature measuring device 324 to the coolant foaming apparatus of the first embodiment. The operation device 322 has an operation member operated by an operator and outputs a signal according to the operation state of the operation member. The temperature measuring device 324 has a temperature measuring element for measuring the temperature of the coolant, and outputs a signal corresponding to the measured temperature. In the present embodiment, the air pressure regulating valve 80 is of an electromagnetic type that electromagnetically changes the flow rate of compressed air. The controller 320 is connected on its output side to the solenoid of the air pressure regulating valve 80, while on the input side, the controller 322 and the temperature sensor 3.
24. The controller 320 includes a CPU, R
The computer mainly includes an OM and a RAM, and a program for controlling the air pressure regulating valve 80 is stored in a ROM as a computer-readable recording medium.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the program. In this program, first, in step S1, a signal from the operation device 322 is fetched. The signal includes a signal related to the target value γ ^* of the liquid content of the foamed coolant discharged from the foaming tool 10. Next, in step S2, a signal is taken in from the temperature detector 324, and the temperature t is measured based on the signal. Thereafter, in step S3, a target pressure P to be achieved by the air pressure regulating valve 80 is determined based on the measured temperature t and the target liquid content γ ^* .
The relationship between the temperature t, the target liquid content γ ^* and the target pressure P is R
This is stored in the OM, and the target pressure P is determined according to the relationship. Subsequently, in step S4,
A drive signal for realizing the determined target pressure P is output to the air pressure adjusting valve 80. This completes one execution of the program.

In addition, in all of the above-described coolant foaming apparatuses, the first passage is formed of a flexible member, and the length thereof is increased as necessary. Foaming equipment can be used in close proximity to the site, but in addition, for example,
The foaming tool can be used by being incorporated into a processing tool, a processing jig, a tool fixture, or a workpiece.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, various modifications may be made based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the claims. The present invention can be implemented in an improved form.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a coolant foaming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing a porous member in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view for explaining a state in which a coolant is foamed in the foaming tool in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing a foaming tool of a coolant foaming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing a main part of a coolant foaming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a coolant foaming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a coolant foaming apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a front view showing a coolant foaming apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a program stored in a ROM of a computer of the controller in FIG. 8;

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 160, 220 Foaming device 14, 164 Porous member 22, 230 Coolant supply device 23, 232 Compressed air supply device 166 Compressor 300 First coolant supply device 302 Second coolant supply device

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Tatsuichi Iwai 1969─6, Katsura character Ota, Kaiho-gun, Aichi Prefecture

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A porous member through which a working fluid is passed together with a gas in order to foam the working fluid, wherein the structure of the porous member is formed by a large number of continuous pores gathered three-dimensionally. A porous member, wherein the hardness of the porous member is not substantially changed by a force applied to the porous member by a processing liquid and a gas passing through the porous member. 2. The porous member according to claim 1, wherein an apparent porosity, which is a ratio of an area occupied by the plurality of continuous pores, in an arbitrary cross section of the porous member is 10% or more. 3. A cross-sectional area of each of the continuous pores is 0.01 mm ^2.
The porous member according to claim 1 or 2, which is as described above. 4. A cross-sectional area of each of the continuous pores is 0.25 mm ^2.
The porous member according to claim 1, wherein the porous member has a thickness of 1 mm ² or less. 5. A method for foaming a working fluid, wherein the working fluid is foamed by passing the working fluid together with a gas through the porous member according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. A foaming tool for holding the porous member according to any one of claims 1 to 4, a processing liquid supply device for supplying and passing the processing liquid through the porous member, and the porous member. And a gas supply device for supplying and passing the gas through the apparatus. 7. The porous member is capable of being elastically deformed by a force greater than a force applied to the porous member by the processing liquid and gas passing therethrough, and the porous member is formed in accordance with the elastic deformation amount. 7. The foaming device according to claim 6, wherein the foaming tool includes a pore adjuster that adjusts the size of continuous pores by applying the large force to the porous member to elastically deform the porous member. Processing liquid foaming equipment. 8. The working fluid foaming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a plurality of the working fluid supply devices are provided for the same foaming tool.