Hollow glass microsphere floatation device and method

Abstract

The application discloses a hollow glass microsphere floatation device and method, and relates to the technical field of hollow glass microsphere production. Through the design of the pressurizing assembly, the glass microspheres in the pressurizing cylinder can be subjected to pressure by the pressurizing plate before entering the floatation operation, so that the hollow microspheres with surface cracks can penetrate into the floatation liquid, thereby facilitating the increase of the weight of the hollow microspheres with surface cracks and the sinking of the hollow microspheres with surface cracks to the bottom during the subsequent floatation operation, and effectively distinguishing the hollow microspheres with surface cracks from qualified hollow microspheres, so as to improve the floatation qualification rate. Through the design of the multi-stage floatation assembly, the cylinder is divided into a first collecting chamber, a second collecting chamber and a third collecting chamber by a first baffle assembly and a second baffle assembly, and the different particle sizes of the filter holes are matched, so that the classification and screening according to the particle size are realized, the qualified hollow microspheres, the hollow microspheres with surface cracks and the fragments can be simultaneously separated, and are respectively stored in the first collecting chamber, the second collecting chamber and the third collecting chamber, so that multi-stage fine separation is realized, and the hollow glass microspheres can be used according to the actual environmental requirements.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of hollow glass microsphere production technology, specifically to a hollow glass microsphere flotation device and method. Background Technology

[0002] Hollow glass microspheres are important functional materials for manufacturing energy-saving glass and related products. They possess a variety of properties, including low density, high strength, low thermal conductivity, electrical insulation, high temperature resistance, and acid and alkali resistance. When used as an additive in the production of energy-saving glass, hollow glass microspheres reduce the thermal conductivity of the material by blocking the heat conduction path, thereby improving the glass's thermal insulation performance and enhancing its energy-saving effect.

[0003] However, in the industrial production of hollow glass microspheres, solid glass microspheres, broken microspheres, and hollow microspheres with excessive wall thickness inevitably occur in the finished hollow glass microspheres, which affect their later use. At present, qualified products and defective products are mainly classified and processed by flotation technology.

[0004] Currently, most methods for flotation of hollow glass microspheres utilize the fact that solid glass microspheres have a density greater than water and therefore sink, and take advantage of the significant volume difference between solid and whole glass microspheres to filter and screen glass microsphere fragments.

[0005] However, during flotation, in addition to qualified hollow glass microspheres and some broken fragments, there are also hollow glass microspheres with surface cracks that have not completely penetrated the glass shell in the flotation solution. Under normal pressure, the flotation solution cannot penetrate into the hollow glass microspheres, allowing some hollow glass microspheres to still float. The structural strength of these cracked hollow glass microspheres is severely reduced, making them prone to breakage in subsequent use and unsuitable for use. Current flotation equipment is not capable of screening hollow glass microspheres with surface cracks. Although a flotation device for hollow glass microspheres is disclosed in patent application CN217016960U, it can only perform water filling and screening for microspheres with broken spherical surfaces. Under normal pressure, the flotation solution cannot penetrate into the hollow glass microspheres with surface cracks but not broken, making it unsuitable for flotation of glass microspheres with surface cracks.

[0006] Referring to the hollow glass microsphere flotation device disclosed in patent application CN219043385U, although the device can float glass microsphere fragments, the floated glass microsphere fragments gradually accumulate on the surface of the filter screen, forming an isolation barrier that hinders the rapid passage of the flotation liquid and makes collection inconvenient. Subsequently discharged glass microsphere fragments flow over the top of the glass microsphere fragments deposited on the surface of the filter screen with the flotation liquid and enter the collection box, thus introducing glass microsphere fragments and flotation liquid back into the qualified glass microspheres, causing the flotation operation to fail. In addition, the qualified hollow glass microspheres also contain a variety of different particle sizes. The difference in particle size will cause the microspheres to be unevenly distributed in the matrix. Larger microspheres are prone to become crack sources, reducing the structural strength of the material. However, the current flotation device lacks the ability to classify and float hollow glass microspheres of different particle sizes.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention proposes a hollow glass microsphere flotation device and method to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0008] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a hollow glass microsphere flotation device and method. It solves the problem that during current flotation processes, in addition to qualified hollow glass microspheres and some broken fragments, the flotation solution contains microspheres with surface cracks that have not penetrated the outer shell. These cracked microspheres cannot be penetrated by the flotation solution under normal pressure, allowing them to still float, but their structural strength is severely reduced, rendering them unusable. Existing flotation equipment cannot screen such microspheres. Secondly, while existing technologies can float glass microsphere fragments, these fragments accumulate on the filter screen surface, forming an isolation barrier that hinders the passage of the flotation solution and is difficult to collect. Some fragments may even flow into qualified glass microspheres with the flotation solution, leading to flotation failure. Furthermore, qualified hollow glass microspheres contain a mixture of different particle sizes, causing uneven distribution of the microspheres in the matrix. Larger microspheres are prone to becoming crack sources, reducing material strength. Existing flotation devices lack the ability to perform graded flotation.

[0009] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a hollow glass microsphere flotation device, comprising a flotation cylinder and a water supply and drainage assembly disposed on the outer wall of the flotation cylinder, and further comprising:

[0010] The drive assembly includes a servo motor fixedly mounted at the center of the bottom of the flotation cylinder. The output shaft of the servo motor rotates through the flotation cylinder and is fixedly mounted with a drive shaft to provide power for the flotation process of hollow glass microspheres.

[0011] Multiple flotation mechanisms are evenly arranged on the outer wall of the drive shaft. By using the power of the drive assembly to perform circumferential motion inside the flotation cylinder, the flotation mechanism uses the reaction force relative to the flotation liquid to float solid glass microspheres, hollow glass microspheres with surface cracks, and glass microsphere fragments mixed in with hollow glass microspheres. The qualified hollow glass microspheres, solid glass microspheres, hollow glass microspheres with surface cracks, and glass microsphere fragments are collected and stored separately.

[0012] The pressurization assembly includes an L-shaped support arm fixedly mounted on the side wall of the flotation cylinder. An electric push rod is also fixedly mounted on the top of the L-shaped support arm. Multiple support arms are evenly mounted on the outer wall of the output end of the electric push rod, and a pressure plate is fixed to the bottom of each support arm.

[0013] Furthermore, the flotation mechanism includes a solid glass microsphere flotation component and a multi-stage flotation component. The solid glass microsphere flotation component is used to screen solid glass microspheres and simultaneously supply flotation liquid to the multi-stage flotation component. The solid glass microsphere flotation component includes a solid glass microsphere float and a flotation liquid channel opened on the side wall of the solid glass microsphere float. A second impeller is rotatably arranged inside the flotation liquid channel via a rotating shaft. A first protective mesh cover is detachably installed on the outer wall of the solid glass microsphere float at both ends of the flotation liquid channel. The end of the rotating shaft away from the second impeller is rotatably arranged on the inner wall of the solid glass microsphere float. Multiple baffles are uniformly fixed on the outer wall of the rotating shaft. A ring frame is uniformly fixed on the outer wall of the multiple baffles. Multiple protrusions are uniformly fixed on the outer wall of the ring frame.

[0014] Furthermore, a pressure-boosting cylinder is fixedly installed at the top of the solid glass microsphere float. A conical opening communicating with the solid glass microsphere float is opened at the bottom of the inner cavity of the pressure-boosting cylinder. A hopper is fixedly installed at the top of the pressure-boosting cylinder. A control valve assembly for controlling the opening and closing of the conical opening at the bottom of the pressure-boosting cylinder is also installed inside the pressure-boosting cylinder. The control valve assembly includes a conical sealing plate movably installed inside the pressure-boosting cylinder for sealing the conical opening or allowing glass microspheres to pass through the conical opening, and a support plate fixedly installed inside the solid glass microsphere float. A lifting column is fixedly installed at the bottom of the conical sealing plate. The bottom end of the lifting column slides through the support plate and is slidably connected to the outer wall of the annular frame. A spring baffle is fixedly installed on the outer wall of the lifting column. A spring is slidably installed on the outer wall of the lifting column between the spring baffle and the support plate.

[0015] Furthermore, the solid glass microsphere float has a second feed port and a solid glass microsphere passage port respectively opened on the upper and lower sides of the inner wall near the multi-stage flotation component. A wedge-shaped guide plate is fixedly installed at the bottom of the inner cavity of the solid glass microsphere float to facilitate the solid glass microspheres sliding to the solid glass microsphere passage port. Push rods are fixedly installed on both sides of the inner wall of the solid glass microsphere float and the solid glass microsphere passage port. A second water inlet is opened on the inner wall of the solid glass microsphere float above the solid glass microsphere passage port. A second protective net is fixedly installed inside the second water inlet. Mounting sleeves are fixedly installed on both sides of the outer wall of the solid glass microsphere float near the multi-stage flotation component.

[0016] Furthermore, the multi-stage flotation assembly includes a cylinder and assembly sliders fixedly disposed on both sides of the outer wall of the cylinder. Lifting handles are also fixedly disposed on both sides of the outer wall of the cylinder. A first partition assembly and a second partition assembly are respectively disposed on both sides of the interior of the cylinder. The first partition assembly and the second partition assembly divide the interior space of the cylinder into three parts: a first collection chamber, a second collection chamber, and a third collection chamber. A solid glass microsphere collection chamber is provided inside the cylinder and below the first collection chamber, the second collection chamber, and the third collection chamber.

[0017] Multiple drain ports are provided on the side wall of the cylinder away from the solid glass microsphere float and at the bottom of the solid glass microsphere collection chamber. A first feed port and a solid glass microsphere collection port are respectively provided on the upper and lower sides of the outer wall of the cylinder near the solid glass microsphere flotation component. The first feed port and the solid glass microsphere collection port are connected to the first collection chamber and the solid glass microsphere collection chamber, respectively. A baffle is rotatably installed inside the solid glass microsphere collection port. A torsion spring is provided between the baffle and the cylinder to control the baffle to always block the solid glass microsphere collection port when no external force is applied. A first water inlet is provided on the side wall of the cylinder above the baffle. A third protective mesh is fixedly installed inside the first water inlet. The cylinder is also provided with an anti-backflow component to prevent the glass microspheres inside the first collection chamber, the second collection chamber and the third collection chamber from flowing back.

[0018] Furthermore, the first partition assembly includes a first partition fixedly disposed inside the cylinder. The first partition has an elongated movable groove on its side wall near the first feed inlet. Multiple filter holes are evenly disposed below the inner wall of the elongated movable groove. The first partition assembly and the second partition assembly are identical in structure except for the size of the filter holes. The second partition assembly allows glass microspheres with a smaller particle size than the first partition assembly to pass through.

[0019] Furthermore, the anti-backflow assembly includes a first sealing plate, a second sealing plate, and a third sealing plate. A lifting plate is fixedly installed at the bottom of each of the first, second, and third sealing plates. A drive shaft is rotatably inserted through the inside of the cylinder and below the lifting plate. A first impeller is fixedly installed at one end of the drive shaft and inside the first water inlet. Multiple cams corresponding to the positions of the lifting plates are evenly fixedly installed on the outer wall of the drive shaft. An eccentric counterweight is fixedly installed at the end of the drive shaft away from the first impeller. The second and third sealing plates are respectively slidably installed in the elongated movable grooves within the first and second partition assemblies.

[0020] Furthermore, a guide groove is provided on the side wall of the cylinder near the second feed inlet. The first sealing plate is slidably disposed in the guide groove. When the first partition assembly is not rotating, the first sealing plate, the second sealing plate, and the third sealing plate respectively block the first feed inlet, the first partition assembly, and the second partition assembly. The bottom of the inner cavity of the first collection chamber, the second collection chamber, and the third collection chamber are all recessed downward to form a collection groove. Multiple drainage holes are evenly provided at the bottom of the collection groove.

[0021] Furthermore, the water supply and drainage assembly includes an inlet pipe and a drain pipe, both of which are equipped with valves. A control box is also fixedly installed on one side of the outer wall of the flotation cylinder to control the operation of all electrical equipment.

[0022] This invention also discloses a method for flotation of hollow glass microspheres, used in a hollow glass microsphere flotation device, the method comprising the following steps:

[0023] Step 1: First, weigh out a fixed amount of glass microspheres and pour them into multiple flotation units.

[0024] Step 2: The servo motor drives multiple flotation mechanisms to rotate at a preset angle according to the preset program and then stops rotating. A certain amount of flotation liquid is injected into each flotation mechanism. The electric push rod is started to drive multiple support arms to move down to a preset height in a synchronous manner. Multiple pressure plates cooperate with the flotation mechanisms at the corresponding positions to pressurize the glass microspheres.

[0025] Step 3: After the pressurization operation is completed, a preset volume of flotation liquid is fed into the flotation cylinder through the water supply and drainage components. Then, the servo motor is started to drive multiple flotation mechanisms to rotate at a constant speed. Solid glass microspheres and hollow glass microspheres with surface cracks sink. Qualified hollow glass microspheres and glass microsphere fragments of various particle sizes are floated out from the remaining glass microspheres.

[0026] This invention provides a hollow glass microsphere flotation device and method. Compared with the prior art, it has the following advantages:

[0027] 1. A hollow glass microsphere flotation device and method, wherein, through the design of a pressurizing component, pressure is applied to the flotation liquid in the pressurizing cylinder by a pressure plate before entering the flotation operation. This pressure causes cracks on the surface of the hollow glass microspheres that have not completely penetrated the glass shell to penetrate the shell and connect with the internal cavity. This allows the flotation liquid to enter the hollow microspheres through this channel, facilitating their sinking after being weighed in subsequent flotation operations. This effectively distinguishes them from qualified hollow microspheres, improving the flotation pass rate. Secondly, a second impeller inside the solid glass microsphere float... The structure, along with the baffle plate, utilizes the power generated by the flow of the flotation liquid to drive the rotation of the second impeller, providing power for the rotation of the baffle plate and achieving the effect of automatically opening the conical sealing plate. This allows solid microspheres and hollow glass microspheres with surface cracks to quickly settle to the bottom after falling into the solid glass microsphere flotation cylinder, achieving the effect of flotation of hollow glass microspheres with surface cracks but not completely penetrating the glass shell. Moreover, the design of the wedge-shaped guide plate allows the settled solid microspheres and hollow glass microspheres with surface cracks to slide into the collection chamber, avoiding residue.

[0028] 2. A flotation device and method for hollow glass microspheres, comprising a multi-stage flotation assembly. A first and second partition assembly divides the flotation cylinder into first, second, and third collection chambers. Combined with filter pores of different particle sizes, it achieves particle size-based grading and screening, simultaneously separating qualified hollow microspheres, surface-cracked microspheres, and fragments, which are then stored in the first, second, and third collection chambers respectively. This multi-stage fine separation facilitates collection and allows for targeted use of the hollow glass microspheres according to actual environmental requirements. The glass microspheres... Microbead fragments pass directly through the filter holes with the water flow and are moved away from the filter hole area by the water flow impact, thus ensuring the continuous and efficient filtration capacity of the filter holes. Secondly, the first, second, and third sealing plates automatically open the feed port and filter holes when the flotation liquid is flowing through the drive shaft and cam structure, and seal each chamber when the flow stops to prevent the backflow of sorted microbeads and ensure independent collection in each chamber. In addition, the multi-stage flotation components can be quickly connected or disassembled with the solid flotation components through the assembly slider, and the lifting handle design makes it easy to clean the collected microbeads and reduce maintenance difficulty.

[0029] 3. A hollow glass microsphere flotation device and method, which utilizes the principle that the flotation mechanism rotates in the flotation liquid and the flotation liquid can flow relative to the flotation mechanism, so that qualified hollow microspheres, surface-cracked microspheres and fragments other than solid glass microspheres entering the solid glass microsphere collection chamber can flow directionally with the flotation liquid, thereby providing conditions for subsequent multi-stage separation. Furthermore, the flowing flotation liquid drives the second impeller and the first impeller to rotate, which in turn drives the baffle and multiple cam structures to operate, providing driving force for the opening of the conical sealing plate and the intermittent opening of the first sealing plate, the second sealing plate and the third sealing plate. There is no need to set up a separate power device for this process, thereby reducing additional energy consumption and improving energy efficiency.

[0030] Other advantages, objectives, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following examination, or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention can be realized and obtained through the following description. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the first overall three-dimensional structure of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the second overall three-dimensional structure of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the flotation tube in the present invention.

[0034] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the flotation mechanism of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the first decomposition state structure of the flotation mechanism of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 6 For the present invention Figure 5 A magnified structural diagram of part A in the diagram;

[0037] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the second decomposition state structure of the flotation mechanism of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 8 For the present invention Figure 7 A magnified structural diagram of part B in the diagram;

[0039] Figure 9 This is a first cross-sectional view of the flotation mechanism of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 10 For the present invention Figure 9 A magnified structural diagram of part C in the diagram;

[0041] Figure 11 For the present invention Figure 9 A magnified structural diagram of part D in the diagram;

[0042] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the second cross-sectional structure of the flotation mechanism of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 13 For the present invention Figure 12 A magnified structural diagram of part E in the diagram;

[0044] Figure 14 For the present invention Figure 12A magnified structural diagram of part F in the diagram;

[0045] Figure 15 For the present invention Figure 12 A magnified structural diagram of part G in the diagram;

[0046] Figure 16 This is a cross-sectional view of the solid glass microsphere flotation component of the present invention;

[0047] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of the decomposed state structure of the multi-stage flotation component of the present invention.

[0048] In the diagram: 1. Flotation cylinder; 2. Water supply and drainage assembly; 3. Drive shaft; 4. Flotation mechanism; 41. Solid glass microsphere float; 42. Multi-stage flotation assembly; 421. Cylinder body; 422. First partition assembly; a1. First partition; a2. Long strip movable groove; a3. Filter hole; 423. Second partition assembly; 424. First collection chamber; 425. Second collection chamber; 426. Third collection chamber; 427. First feed inlet; 428. Solid glass microsphere collection port; 429. Baffle; 4210. First water inlet; 4211. First sealing plate; 4212. Second sealing plate; 4213. Third sealing plate; 4214. Lifting plate; 42 15. Drive shaft; 4216. First impeller; 4217. Cam; 4218. Eccentric counterweight; 4219. Solid glass microsphere collection chamber; 4220. Collection groove; 4221. Drain hole; 43. Second impeller; 44. Baffle plate; 45. Ring frame; 46. Protrusion; 47. Pressure booster cylinder; 48. Hopper; 49. Conical sealing plate; 410. Lifting column; 411. Spring; 412. Second feed inlet; 413. Solid glass microsphere passage; 414. Wedge-shaped guide plate; 415. Push rod; 416. Second water inlet; 417. Mounting sleeve; 5. L-shaped support arm; 6. Electric push rod; 7. Support arm; 8. Pressure booster plate. Detailed Implementation

[0049] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0050] This invention provides three technical solutions: a hollow glass microsphere flotation device, specifically including the following embodiments:

[0051] like Figures 1-3 The first embodiment is shown: a hollow glass microsphere flotation device, including a flotation cylinder 1 and a water supply and drainage assembly 2 disposed on the outer wall of the flotation cylinder 1, and further comprising:

[0052] The drive assembly includes a servo motor fixedly installed at the center of the bottom of the flotation cylinder 1. The output shaft of the servo motor rotates through the flotation cylinder 1 and is fixedly installed with a drive shaft 3, which is used to provide power for the flotation process of hollow glass microspheres.

[0053] Multiple flotation mechanisms 4 are evenly arranged on the outer wall of the drive shaft 3. By using the power of the drive assembly to perform circumferential motion in the flotation cylinder 1, the flotation mechanism 4 uses the reaction force relative to the flotation liquid to float solid glass microspheres, hollow glass microspheres with surface cracks and glass microsphere fragments mixed in hollow glass microspheres, and collects and stores qualified hollow glass microspheres, solid glass microspheres, hollow glass microspheres with surface cracks and glass microsphere fragments respectively.

[0054] The pressurization assembly includes an L-shaped support arm 5 fixedly mounted on the side wall of the flotation cylinder 1. An electric push rod 6 is also fixedly mounted on the top of the L-shaped support arm 5. Multiple support arms 7 are evenly fixedly mounted on the outer wall of the output end of the electric push rod 6. A pressure boosting plate 8 is fixedly mounted at the bottom of each support arm 7. The pressure applied by the pressure boosting plate 8 to the pressure boosting cylinder 47 is not enough to damage the intact hollow glass microspheres.

[0055] In this embodiment, the water supply and drainage assembly 2 includes an inlet pipe and a drain pipe, both of which are equipped with valves. A control box is also fixedly installed on one side of the outer wall of the flotation cylinder 1 to control the operation of all electrical equipment.

[0056] like Figures 4-16 The second embodiment is shown, which differs from the first embodiment in that: the flotation mechanism 4 includes a solid glass microsphere flotation component and a multi-stage flotation component 42. The solid glass microsphere flotation component is used to screen solid glass microspheres and simultaneously supply flotation liquid to the multi-stage flotation component 42. The solid glass microsphere flotation component includes a solid glass microsphere float 41 and a flotation liquid channel opened on the side wall of the solid glass microsphere float 41. A second impeller 43 is rotatably arranged inside the flotation liquid channel via a rotating shaft. A first protective net cover is detachably arranged on the outer wall of the solid glass microsphere float 41 at both ends of the flotation liquid channel. The end of the rotating shaft away from the second impeller 43 is rotatably arranged on the inner wall of the solid glass microsphere float 41. A plurality of baffles 44 are uniformly fixed on the outer wall of the rotating shaft. A ring frame 45 is uniformly fixed on the outer wall of the plurality of baffles 44. A plurality of protrusions 46 are uniformly fixed on the outer wall of the ring frame 45. The flotation solution is clear water. The first, second, and third protective nets are all used to block the glass microspheres from passing through, and the inner diameter of the mesh of the first and second protective nets is smaller than the minimum particle size of the glass microspheres.

[0057] In this embodiment, a pressure boosting cylinder 47 is fixedly installed at the top of the solid glass microsphere float 41. A conical opening communicating with the solid glass microsphere float 41 is provided at the bottom of the inner cavity of the pressure boosting cylinder 47. A hopper 48 is fixedly installed at the top of the pressure boosting cylinder 47. A control valve assembly for controlling the opening and closing of the conical opening at the bottom of the pressure boosting cylinder 47 is also provided inside the pressure boosting cylinder 47. The control valve assembly includes a conical sealing plate 49 movably installed inside the pressure boosting cylinder 47 for sealing the conical opening or allowing glass microspheres to pass through the conical opening, and a support plate fixedly installed inside the solid glass microsphere float 41. A lifting column 410 is fixedly installed at the bottom of the conical sealing plate 49. The bottom end of the lifting column 410 slides through the support plate and is slidably connected to the outer wall of the annular frame 45. A spring baffle is fixedly installed on the outer wall of the lifting column 410, and a spring 411 is slidably installed on the outer wall of the lifting column 410 between the spring baffle and the support plate. The top height of the pressure boosting cylinder 47 is lower than the top height of the flotation cylinder 1. During flotation operation, the first type is flotation of solid glass microspheres. The amount of glass microspheres added to the pressurizing cylinder 47 at one time is about half the volume of the pressurizing cylinder 47. A certain amount of flotation liquid is introduced into the pressurizing cylinder 47 that has been filled with glass microspheres. The amount of flotation liquid is required to submerge three-quarters of the height of the pressurizing cylinder 47. The amount of flotation liquid input that meets this requirement is a known value.

[0058] In this embodiment, a second feed inlet 412 and a solid glass microsphere passage 413 are respectively provided on the upper and lower sides of the inner wall of the solid glass microsphere float 41 near the multi-stage flotation component 42. A wedge-shaped guide plate 414 is fixedly provided at the bottom of the inner cavity of the solid glass microsphere float 41 to facilitate the solid glass microspheres to slide to the solid glass microsphere passage 413. Push rods 415 are fixedly provided on both sides of the inner wall of the solid glass microsphere float 41 and the solid glass microsphere passage 413. A second water inlet 416 is provided on the inner wall of the solid glass microsphere float 41 and above the solid glass microsphere passage 413. A second protective net is fixedly provided inside the second water inlet 416. Mounting sleeves 417 are fixedly provided on both sides of the outer wall of the solid glass microsphere float 41 near the multi-stage flotation component 42. For flotation of glass microspheres other than solid glass microspheres, the second feed inlet 412 is located above the second impeller 43. During flotation operation, the flotation liquid is required to completely submerge the second impeller 43, and the liquid level of the flotation liquid is located in the middle of the second feed inlet 412. Moreover, the positional relationship between the second impeller 43 and the second feed inlet 412 has been taken into account in the initial design. To meet the above requirements, the amount of flotation liquid input into the flotation cylinder 1 is a known value.

[0059] like Figures 10-12 , Figure 15 , Figure 17The third embodiment is shown, which differs from the second embodiment in that: the multi-stage flotation assembly 42 includes a cylinder 421 and assembly sliders fixedly disposed on both sides of the outer wall of the cylinder 421. Lifting handles are also fixedly disposed on both sides of the outer wall of the cylinder 421. A first partition assembly 422 and a second partition assembly 423 are respectively disposed on the inner sides of the cylinder 421. The first partition assembly 422 and the second partition assembly 423 divide the internal space of the cylinder 421 into three parts: a first collection chamber 424, a second collection chamber 425, and a third collection chamber 426. A solid glass microsphere collection chamber 4219 is provided inside the cylinder 421 and below the first collection chamber 424, the second collection chamber 425, and the third collection chamber 426.

[0060] In this embodiment, multiple drain ports are provided on the side wall of the cylinder 421 away from the solid glass microsphere float 41 and at the bottom of the solid glass microsphere collection chamber 4219. A first feed port 427 and a solid glass microsphere collection port 428 are respectively provided on the upper and lower sides of the outer wall of the cylinder 421 near the solid glass microsphere flotation assembly. The first feed port 427 and the solid glass microsphere collection port 428 are respectively connected to the first collection chamber 424 and the solid glass microsphere collection chamber 4219. The solid glass microsphere collection port 428 has an internal rotatable design. A baffle 429 is provided, and a torsion spring is provided between the baffle 429 and the cylinder 421 to control the baffle 429 to always block the solid glass microsphere collection port 428 when no external force is applied. A first water inlet 4210 is provided on the side wall of the cylinder 421 above the baffle 429. A third protective mesh is fixedly installed inside the first water inlet 4210. The cylinder 421 is also provided with an anti-backflow component to prevent the glass microspheres inside the first collection chamber 424, the second collection chamber 425 and the third collection chamber 426 from flowing back. The first feed inlet 427 and the second feed inlet 412 have the same structure. After the multi-stage flotation component 42 and the solid glass microsphere flotation component are assembled, the two assembly sliders are slidably installed in the mounting sleeves 417 at the corresponding positions. The first feed inlet 427, the second feed inlet 412, the first water inlet 4210 and the solid glass microsphere passage 413 are completely overlapped. The inside of the drain port is fixedly equipped with a filter screen, and the inner diameter of the filter screen is smaller than the minimum particle size of the glass microsphere fragments.

[0061] In this embodiment, the first partition assembly 422 includes a first partition a1 fixedly disposed inside the cylinder 421. The first partition a1 has an elongated movable groove a2 on its side wall near the first feed port 427. A plurality of filter holes a3 are evenly disposed below the inner wall of the elongated movable groove a2. The first partition assembly 422 and the second partition assembly 423 are identical in structure except for the size of the filter holes a3. The second partition assembly 423 allows glass microspheres with a smaller particle size than the first partition assembly 422 to pass through.

[0062] In this embodiment, the anti-backflow assembly includes a first sealing plate 4211, a second sealing plate 4212, and a third sealing plate 4213. A lifting plate 4214 is fixedly installed at the bottom of each of the first sealing plate 4211, the second sealing plate 4212, and the third sealing plate 4213. A drive shaft 4215 is rotatably inserted through the inside of the cylinder 421 and below the lifting plate 4214. A first impeller 4216 is fixedly installed at one end of the drive shaft 4215 and inside the first water inlet 4210. Multiple cams 4217, which correspond one-to-one with the positions of the lifting plate 4214, are evenly fixedly installed on the outer wall of the drive shaft 4215. An eccentric counterweight 4218 is fixedly installed at the end of the drive shaft 4215 away from the first impeller 4216. The second sealing plate 4212 and the third sealing plate 4213 are respectively slidably installed in the elongated movable grooves a2 in the first partition assembly 422 and the second partition assembly 423.

[0063] In this embodiment, a guide groove is provided on the side wall of the cylinder 421 near the second feed inlet 412. The first sealing plate 4211 is slidably disposed in the guide groove. When the first partition assembly 422 is not rotating, the first sealing plate 4211, the second sealing plate 4212 and the third sealing plate 4213 respectively block the first feed inlet 427, the first partition assembly 422 and the second partition assembly 423. The bottom of the inner cavity of the first collection chamber 424, the second collection chamber 425 and the third collection chamber 426 are all recessed downward to form a collection groove 4220. A plurality of drainage holes 4221 are evenly provided at the bottom of the collection groove 4220. After the first impeller 4216 is installed inside the first inlet 4210, the end face of the first impeller 4216 is located inside the first inlet 4210, so there will be no interference when the cylinder 421 and the solid glass microsphere float 41 are assembled. After the assembly is completed, the second inlet 416 and the first inlet 4210 are exactly opposite each other, and the protrusion at the end of the push rod 415 pushes the baffle 429 to rotate. The opening gap between the baffle 429 and the solid glass microsphere passage 413 allows the glass microspheres to pass through.

[0064] This invention also provides a method for flotation of hollow glass microspheres, used in a hollow glass microsphere flotation device, the method comprising the following steps:

[0065] Step 1: First, weigh out a fixed amount of glass microspheres and pour them into multiple flotation units 4.

[0066] Step 2: The servo motor drives multiple flotation mechanisms 4 to rotate at a preset angle according to the preset program and then stops rotating. A certain amount of flotation liquid is injected into each flotation mechanism 4. The electric push rod 6 is started to drive multiple support arms 7 to move down to a preset height. Multiple pressure plates 8 cooperate with the flotation mechanisms 4 at the corresponding positions to perform pressure operation on the glass microspheres.

[0067] Step 3: After the pressurization operation is completed, a preset volume of flotation liquid is fed into the flotation cylinder 1 through the water supply and drainage component 2. Then, the servo motor is started to drive multiple flotation mechanisms 4 to rotate at a uniform speed. Solid glass microspheres and hollow glass microspheres with surface cracks sink. Qualified hollow glass microspheres and glass microsphere fragments of various particle sizes are floated out from the remaining glass microspheres.

[0068] The specific process is as follows: First, a fixed amount of glass microspheres are weighed separately, and each glass microsphere is poured into the pressure cylinder 47 through the hopper 48 in the flotation mechanism 4. The glass microspheres occupy about half of the volume of the pressure cylinder 47. Then, the servo motor is controlled by the control box to rotate at a preset angle so that the hoppers 48 in the multiple flotation mechanisms 4 are exactly opposite to the multiple pressure plates 8.

[0069] Next, a first volume of flotation liquid is fed into the flotation cylinder 1 through the water supply and drainage assembly 2. The amount of flotation liquid fed into the flotation cylinder 1 is known, and this amount of flotation liquid is sufficient to submerge three-quarters of the pressurization cylinder 47, with the flotation liquid level below the top of the flotation cylinder 1. Initially, the hoppers 48 in each flotation mechanism 4 are positioned between two adjacent hoppers 48. When the servo motor is stationary, its output shaft is locked by a locking mechanism and cannot rotate.

[0070] Next, the electric push rod 6 is activated to push the support arms 7 at multiple positions down to a preset height. The pressure plate 8 slides downward along the inner wall of the pressure cylinder 47 at the corresponding position to seal it. When the pressure plate 8 moves down, it squeezes the air inside the pressure cylinder 47, thereby increasing the pressure of the pressure cylinder 47. After being pressurized, the external flotation liquid can be squeezed into the interior of the hollow glass microspheres with surface cracks through the cracks, which increases the weight of the hollow glass microspheres with surface cracks and makes them unable to float in the flotation liquid.

[0071] The servo motor is started, driving the drive shaft 3 to rotate clockwise at low speed. The flotation liquid enters the solid glass microsphere float 41 through the flotation liquid channel on the side wall of the solid glass microsphere float 41. During the flow of the flotation liquid in the flotation liquid channel, the second impeller 43 is rotated. During the synchronous rotation of the second impeller 43 by multiple baffles 44, multiple protrusions 46 intermittently push the spring 411 upward. During the upward movement of the conical sealing plate 49, the conical opening at the bottom of the pressure cylinder 47 is exposed. The glass microspheres located in the pressure cylinder 47 fall into the chamber of the solid glass microsphere float 41 through the conical opening. The solid glass microspheres and the hollow glass microspheres with surface cracks and already filled with flotation liquid quickly sink to the bottom of the solid glass microsphere float 41. Guided by the wedge guide plate 414, they enter the solid glass microsphere collection chamber 4219 through the gap between the solid glass microsphere throughlet 413 and the baffle 429 for storage.

[0072] Because the flotation liquid level is located at the middle position of the second inlet 412, the remaining hollow glass microspheres and glass microsphere fragments float on the surface. During the flow of the flotation liquid, some of the flotation liquid flows through the second inlet 416 and the first inlet 4210. The first impeller 4216 is driven to rotate by the flowing flotation liquid. Multiple cams 4217 simultaneously push the corresponding lifting plates 4214 upward. During the upward movement of the first sealing plate 4211, the second sealing plate 4212, and the third sealing plate 4213, the second inlet 412 and the filter hole a3 are intermittently and completely exposed. When the second feed inlet 412 is fully exposed, hollow glass microspheres and glass microsphere fragments enter the first collection chamber 424 through the second feed inlet 412 along with the flowing flotation liquid. As the flotation liquid continues to flow, smaller-diameter hollow glass microspheres and glass microsphere fragments enter the second collection chamber 425 through the filter hole a3 on the first partition assembly 422. The smaller-diameter hollow glass microspheres are intercepted by the filter hole a3 in the second partition assembly 423 and remain in the second collection chamber 425. The glass microsphere fragments enter the third collection chamber 426 through the filter hole a3 on the second partition assembly 423.

[0073] After the flotation operation is completed, the servo motor stops working, and the locking mechanism locks the output shaft of the servo motor. At this time, the flotation mechanism 4 is located between two adjacent pressure plates 8. Due to the eccentric gravity of the eccentric counterweight 4218, the convex end of the cam 4217 of the transmission shaft 4215 is vertically downward after it stops rotating. The first sealing plate 4211, the second sealing plate 4212, and the third sealing plate 4213 respectively block the first feed port 427, the first partition assembly 422, and the second partition assembly 423. Grasp the lifting handles on both sides of the outer wall of the cylinder 421 and pull upward. The assembly slider disengages from the mounting sleeve 417 in the corresponding position. The first receiving... Hollow glass microspheres of different sizes floated in the first collection chamber 424 and the second collection chamber 425, as well as glass microsphere fragments in the third collection chamber 426, are collected in the collection groove 4220. After the multi-stage flotation assembly 42 is completely pulled out of the flotation cylinder 1, it is allowed to stand and drain. Then, the glass microspheres collected in the first collection chamber 424, the second collection chamber 425, and the solid glass microsphere collection chamber 4219 are taken out, and the glass microsphere fragments in the third collection chamber 426 are taken out. It should be noted that when flotation is performed again, the flotation liquid in the flotation cylinder 1 must be completely drained and a preset amount of flotation liquid must be added before the flotation operation can be carried out.

[0074] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0075] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A hollow glass microsphere flotation device, comprising a flotation cylinder and a water supply and drainage assembly disposed on the outer wall of the flotation cylinder, characterized in that, Also includes: The drive assembly includes a servo motor fixedly mounted at the center of the bottom of the flotation cylinder. The output shaft of the servo motor rotates through the flotation cylinder and is fixedly mounted with a drive shaft to provide power for the flotation process of hollow glass microspheres. Multiple flotation mechanisms are evenly arranged on the outer wall of the drive shaft. By using the power of the drive assembly to perform circumferential motion inside the flotation cylinder, the flotation mechanism uses the reaction force relative to the flotation liquid to float solid glass microspheres, hollow glass microspheres with surface cracks, and glass microsphere fragments mixed in with hollow glass microspheres. The qualified hollow glass microspheres, solid glass microspheres, hollow glass microspheres with surface cracks, and glass microsphere fragments are collected and stored separately. The pressurization assembly includes an L-shaped support arm fixedly mounted on the side wall of the flotation tube, an electric push rod fixedly mounted on the top of the L-shaped support arm, and multiple support arms evenly mounted on the outer wall of the output end of the electric push rod, with a pressure plate fixedly mounted at the bottom of each support arm. The flotation mechanism includes a solid glass microsphere flotation component and a multi-stage flotation component. The solid glass microsphere flotation component is used to screen solid glass microspheres and simultaneously supply flotation liquid to the multi-stage flotation component. The solid glass microsphere flotation component includes a solid glass microsphere float and a flotation liquid channel opened on the side wall of the solid glass microsphere float. A second impeller is rotatably arranged inside the flotation liquid channel via a rotating shaft. A first protective mesh cover is detachably installed on the outer wall of the solid glass microsphere float at both ends of the flotation liquid channel. The end of the rotating shaft away from the second impeller is rotatably arranged on the inner wall of the solid glass microsphere float. Multiple baffles are evenly fixed on the outer wall of the rotating shaft. A ring frame is fixedly sleeved on the outer wall of the multiple baffles. Multiple protrusions are evenly fixed on the outer wall of the ring frame. The multi-stage flotation assembly includes a cylinder and assembly sliders fixedly disposed on both sides of the outer wall of the cylinder. Lifting handles are also fixedly disposed on both sides of the outer wall of the cylinder. A first partition assembly and a second partition assembly are respectively disposed on the inner sides of the cylinder. The first partition assembly and the second partition assembly divide the internal space of the cylinder into three parts: a first collection chamber, a second collection chamber, and a third collection chamber. A solid glass microsphere collection chamber is provided inside the cylinder and below the first collection chamber, the second collection chamber, and the third collection chamber.

2. The hollow glass microsphere flotation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A pressure-boosting cylinder is fixedly installed at the top of the solid glass microsphere float. A conical opening communicating with the solid glass microsphere float is opened at the bottom of the inner cavity of the pressure-boosting cylinder. A hopper is fixedly installed at the top of the pressure-boosting cylinder. A control valve assembly for controlling the opening and closing of the conical opening at the bottom of the pressure-boosting cylinder is also installed inside the pressure-boosting cylinder. The control valve assembly includes a conical sealing plate movably installed inside the pressure-boosting cylinder for sealing the conical opening or allowing glass microspheres to pass through the conical opening, and a support plate fixedly installed inside the solid glass microsphere float. A lifting column is fixedly installed at the bottom of the conical sealing plate. The bottom end of the lifting column slides through the support plate and slides to be connected to the outer wall of the ring frame. A spring baffle is fixedly installed on the outer wall of the lifting column. A spring is slidably installed on the outer wall of the lifting column between the spring baffle and the support plate.

3. The hollow glass microsphere flotation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The solid glass microsphere float has a second feed port and a solid glass microsphere passage port on the upper and lower sides of its inner wall near the multi-stage flotation assembly, respectively. A wedge-shaped guide plate is fixedly installed at the bottom of the inner cavity of the solid glass microsphere float to facilitate the sliding of solid glass microspheres to the solid glass microsphere passage port. Push rods are fixedly installed on both sides of the inner wall of the solid glass microsphere float and the solid glass microsphere passage port. A second water inlet is opened on the inner wall of the solid glass microsphere float above the solid glass microsphere passage port. A second protective net is fixedly installed inside the second water inlet. Mounting sleeves are fixedly installed on both sides of the outer wall of the solid glass microsphere float near the multi-stage flotation assembly.

4. The hollow glass microsphere flotation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Multiple drain ports are provided on the side wall of the cylinder away from the solid glass microsphere float and at the bottom of the solid glass microsphere collection chamber. A first feed port and a solid glass microsphere collection port are respectively provided on the upper and lower sides of the outer wall of the cylinder near the solid glass microsphere flotation component. The first feed port and the solid glass microsphere collection port are connected to the first collection chamber and the solid glass microsphere collection chamber, respectively. A baffle is rotatably installed inside the solid glass microsphere collection port. A torsion spring is provided between the baffle and the cylinder to control the baffle to always block the solid glass microsphere collection port when no external force is applied. A first water inlet is provided on the side wall of the cylinder above the baffle. A third protective mesh is fixedly installed inside the first water inlet. The cylinder is also provided with an anti-backflow component to prevent the glass microspheres inside the first collection chamber, the second collection chamber and the third collection chamber from flowing back.

5. The hollow glass microsphere flotation device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first partition assembly includes a first partition fixedly installed inside the cylinder. The first partition has an elongated movable groove on its side wall near the first feed inlet. Multiple filter holes are evenly provided on the lower inner wall of the elongated movable groove. The first partition assembly and the second partition assembly are identical in structure except for the size of the filter holes. The second partition assembly allows glass microspheres with a smaller particle size than the first partition assembly to pass through.

6. The hollow glass microsphere flotation device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The anti-backflow assembly includes a first sealing plate, a second sealing plate, and a third sealing plate. A lifting plate is fixedly installed at the bottom of each of the first, second, and third sealing plates. A drive shaft is rotatably inserted through the inside of the cylinder and below the lifting plate. A first impeller is fixedly installed at one end of the drive shaft and inside the first water inlet. Multiple cams corresponding to the positions of the lifting plates are evenly fixed on the outer wall of the drive shaft. An eccentric counterweight is fixedly installed at the end of the drive shaft away from the first impeller. The second and third sealing plates are respectively slidably installed in the elongated movable grooves in the first and second partition assemblies.

7. The hollow glass microsphere flotation device according to claim 6, characterized in that: A guide groove is provided on the side wall of the cylinder near the second feed inlet. The first sealing plate is slidably disposed in the guide groove. When the first partition assembly is not rotating, the first sealing plate, the second sealing plate and the third sealing plate respectively block the first feed inlet, the first partition assembly and the second partition assembly. The bottom of the inner cavity of the first collection chamber, the second collection chamber and the third collection chamber are all recessed downward to form a collection groove. Multiple drainage holes are evenly provided at the bottom of the collection groove.

8. The hollow glass microsphere flotation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water supply and drainage assembly includes an inlet pipe and a drain pipe, both of which are equipped with valves. A control box is also fixedly installed on one side of the outer wall of the flotation cylinder to control the operation of all electrical equipment.

9. A method for flotation and packing of hollow glass microspheres, characterized in that: The method for the hollow glass microsphere flotation apparatus as described in any one of claims 1-8 comprises the following steps: Step 1: First, weigh out a fixed amount of glass microspheres and pour them into multiple flotation units. Step 2: The servo motor drives multiple flotation mechanisms to rotate at a preset angle according to the preset program and then stops rotating. A certain amount of flotation liquid is injected into each flotation mechanism. The electric push rod is started to drive multiple support arms to move down to a preset height in a synchronous manner. Multiple pressure plates cooperate with the flotation mechanisms at the corresponding positions to pressurize the glass microspheres. Step 3: After the pressurization operation is completed, a preset volume of flotation liquid is fed into the flotation cylinder through the water supply and drainage components. Then, the servo motor is started to drive multiple flotation mechanisms to rotate at a constant speed. Solid glass microspheres and hollow glass microspheres with surface cracks sink. Qualified hollow glass microspheres and glass microsphere fragments of various particle sizes are floated out from the remaining glass microspheres.

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