Abrasive Throughput Control via Capacitive Sensor Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Particle blasting systems face fluctuations in abrasive throughput due to irregular flow and changing physical properties, leading to inconsistent processing quality, especially in production lines where precise abrasive supply is critical.

Innovation Solution

A method that determines the actual throughput of abrasive through a changeable passage opening by measuring the let-through blasting media weight within a defined time span, creating an allocation table to store relationships between actual throughput, manipulated variable, and throughput sensor signal, allowing for precise control of the passage system to maintain required throughput.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a baffle plate sensor is used to measure throughput based on deflection of a deflectable element, then the measurement is independent of abrasive electrical properties, but the measurement becomes inaccurate when abrasive composition or physical properties change

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement reliabilityVSAvoidadaptability to abrasive composition changes
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the measurement parameter from mechanical deflection (baffle plate) to electromagnetic interaction (capacitive sensor). The capacitive sensor measures changes in capacitance caused by abrasive particles passing through, which responds to the physical properties and composition of the abrasive material, thereby adapting to different abrasive types while maintaining measurement reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical measurement system (baffle plate sensor measuring deflection) with an electromagnetic field-based system (capacitive sensor measuring capacitance changes). This substitution allows the system to detect abrasive properties through electrical field interaction rather than mechanical force, improving adaptability to different abrasive compositions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the passage opening is mechanically varied to maintain constant abrasive throughput, then the throughput can be kept constant, but the system requires continuous adjustment and cannot quickly adapt to abrasive composition changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethroughput constancyVSAvoidresponse time to composition changes
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control system where the capacitive sensor continuously monitors abrasive flow characteristics and the controller adjusts the passage opening based on this feedback. This closed-loop system maintains constant throughput while能够快速 responding to abrasive composition changes, eliminating the need for manual intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the passage opening dynamically adjustable through an actuator controlled by the controller. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to automatically adapt to changing abrasive properties in real-time, maintaining throughput stability without requiring physical reconfiguration or manual intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If manual adjustment of the flow control system is performed, then the system can be calibrated, but it requires significant personnel and time expenditure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethroughput calibration accuracyVSAvoidadjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the system to perform self-calibration and self-adjustment through the automated feedback control system. The capacitive sensor continuously monitors abrasive flow and the controller automatically adjusts the passage opening to maintain optimal throughput, eliminating the need for manual calibration and reducing personnel time expenditure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated electromechanical system. The capacitive sensor and controller work together to automatically calibrate and adjust the passage opening based on real-time abrasive flow measurements, eliminating manual intervention and significantly reducing calibration time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Ensures the desired processing quality by maintaining the required abrasive throughput, allowing for quick adjustment and minimal personnel and time expenditure, even with changes in blasting media composition or environmental conditions, and reduces downtime in production lines.

Implementation Method 1

a capacitive sensor, the signal of which changes in response to changes in the measured variable

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP3247536B1Control of the abrasive throughput of a blasting installation
Publication Date: 2020.10.28 SENTENSO GMBH
  • EP3247536B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3247536B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3247536B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for adjusting or operating a particle-metering system for a particle blasting installation, in particular a blasting installation for the working of surfaces, the abrasive throughput of which is preset by means of a passing-through opening that can be varied on the basis of time and/or variables and is determined by means of a downstream throughput sensor as a throughput sensor signal (DS), wherein the throughput sensor signal (DS) is used for controlling a manipulated variable (SG) for the degree of setting of the passing-through opening, wherein to adjust the metering system for at least one value of the manipulated variable (SG) the actual throughput (D) through the passing-through opening is determined by means of a measurement of the weight of abrasive material (M) allowed through within a defined time period (Dt), and the manipulated variable (SG), the actual throughput (D) and the corresponding throughput sensor signal (DS) are stored in an assignment table, wherein the relations between the actual throughput (D), the manipulated variable (SG) and the throughput sensor signal (DS) are used during subsequent operation.