Adhesive Bin With Baffle And Shroud For Vacuum Transfer

Solution Overview

Problem

The inefficiency of pneumatic pumps in moving adhesive particulate to an adhesive melter due to varying particle sizes and increased vertical depth, which affects the density and gas entrainment, leading to reduced pumping efficiency.

Innovation Solution

An adhesive bin with a supply hopper, transfer pump, and shroud that maintains a consistent minimized depth of adhesive particulate above the inlet, along with a vibrator and gas conduit to actively provide additional make-up gas, enhancing gas entrainment and vacuum generation for improved pumping efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If smaller sizes of adhesive particulate are used, then the adhesive particulate can be more densely packed within the adhesive bin, but the gaps for drawing entrained make-up gas from the surrounding environment become smaller, reducing pumping efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedensity of adhesive particulate packingVSAvoidpumping efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The supply hopper is divided into two distinct zones: an upper storage zone and a lower pumping zone separated by a horizontal baffle. This segmentation allows dense packing of adhesive particulate in the upper zone while maintaining adequate gas gaps in the lower zone for efficient pump operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A horizontal baffle acts as an intermediary structure between the upper and lower zones. It prevents direct contact between densely packed particulate and the pump inlet while still allowing gas to pass through, thereby maintaining both high packing density and pumping efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of stationary object

If the vertical depth of adhesive particulate above the inlet is increased, then more adhesive particulate can be stored, but the transfer pump expends additional energy withdrawing make-up gas through the adhesive particulate, reducing pumping efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacity of adhesive binVSAvoidenergy expenditure of transfer pump

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The supply hopper is divided into two distinct zones: an upper storage zone and a lower pumping zone separated by a horizontal baffle. This segmentation allows dense packing of adhesive particulate in the upper zone while maintaining adequate gas gaps in the lower zone for efficient pump operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A horizontal baffle acts as an intermediary structure between the upper and lower zones. It prevents direct contact between densely packed particulate and the pump inlet while still allowing gas to pass through, thereby maintaining both high packing density and pumping efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If larger sizes of adhesive particulate are used, then larger gaps of entrained make-up gas are formed, but the adhesive particulate cannot be as densely packed within the adhesive bin, reducing storage capacity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepumping efficiencyVSAvoidstorage density of adhesive bin

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The supply hopper is divided into two distinct zones: an upper storage zone and a lower pumping zone separated by a horizontal baffle. This segmentation allows dense packing of adhesive particulate in the upper zone while maintaining adequate gas gaps in the lower zone for efficient pump operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the supply hopper are given different qualities: the upper zone is optimized for high-density storage while the lower zone is optimized for gas flow and pump efficiency. This local differentiation allows both contradictory requirements to be satisfied in their respective zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

The solution ensures consistent and efficient movement of adhesive particulate to the adhesive melter by maintaining a minimized depth and actively providing make-up gas, reducing energy expenditure and improving transfer pump efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The transfer pump generates a vacuum at the inlet that withdraws the entrained make-up gas and adhesive particulate therein

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum suction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

the suction of the entrained make-up gas creates a vacuum within the gaps of the adhesive particulate that withdraws additional gas from a surrounding environment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas entrainment: Entrainment

Implementation Method 3

introducing additional make-up gas around the adhesive particulate proximate to the pump inlet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas introduction:

Data Source

PatentEP2978699B1Adhesive bin and method of storing and moving adhesive particulate to an adhesive melter

Publication Date: 2020.12.09 NORDSON CORP

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AI summary

An adhesive bin (10) for storing and moving adhesive particulate (14) to an adhesive melter (12) includes a supply hopper (16), a transfer pump (62) operable to generate a vacuum, and a shroud (94 ). The supply hopper (16) has a sidewall (20, 22, 24, 26) and defines an interior space (36). The transfer pump (62) extends through the sidewall (22) and into the interior space (36). In addition, the shroud (94) is connected to the sidewall (22) and extends into the interior space (36) and at least partially surrounds an inlet (82) of the transfer pump (62).