Adjustable Angle Cushioning Spout End for Particulate Matter

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing adjustable spout ends for particulate matter flow are inefficient at varying flow rates and angles, leading to sub-optimal operation and increased wear due to abrasive particulate material, which requires frequent maintenance and can result in contamination and pest attraction when flow stops.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable angle cushioning spout end with a chamber and baffle system that slows particulate matter flow using a conical baffle positioned within the chamber, allowing particulate matter to exit under gravity, and a flange system for alignment and securement, ensuring effective deceleration and reduced wear across different configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If baffles are positioned in the stream flow to collect particulate material as a shield, then wear protection of the inner surface is improved, but trapped grain contaminates successive uses and attracts rodents or insects after grain flow stops

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewear protectionVSAvoidcontamination and pest attraction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful trapped grain is extracted from the system by designing the baffle with an opening that allows grain to pass through to the discharge spout, preventing accumulation and subsequent contamination or pest attraction while maintaining the protective shielding function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If adjustable spout ends operate at maximum flow rate and optimal angle (38-90 degrees), then deceleration efficiency is improved, but operation becomes sub-optimal when flow rate decreases or angle departs from optimal orientation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeceleration efficiencyVSAvoidoperational flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The spout end assembly is made dynamically adjustable, allowing the angle between the inlet spout and baffle to be changed during operation to optimize performance at different flow rates and operational conditions, transforming a static sub-optimal design into a dynamically adaptable system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Strength

If steel elbows are used to redirect particulate matter flow, then structural strength is improved, but rapid deterioration occurs due to abrasive wear from high velocity particulate material

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoiddurability against wear

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A baffle is introduced as an intermediary element between the incoming grain stream and the elbow structure. The baffle serves as a mediator that intercepts the grain flow, allowing grain-to-grain deceleration that protects the elbow from direct abrasive impact while maintaining the structural strength of the steel elbow

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 adjustable angle cushioning spout end efficiently decelerates particulate matter, minimizing wear and preventing contamination, while allowing for flexible orientation and reduced maintenance needs, ensuring effective particulate flow management across varying conditions.

Implementation Method 1

The incoming grain is thereby relatively gently decelerated by collision with the numerous movable grain particles building up inside the adjustable spout end

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGrain-to-grain deceleration through collision: Impact Force

Implementation Method 2

The second opening is positioned below the first opening so that the particulate matter can exit the chamber under the influence of gravity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 3

The baffles of the elbow reduce the velocity of particulate matter being transported to downstream spouting equipment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVelocity reduction through baffle interaction: Drag

Data Source

PatentUS9052044B2Adjustable angle cushioning spout end

Publication Date: 2015.06.09 L CUBED CORP

AI summary

An adjustable cushioned angle spout end for directing particulate matter flow from an inlet spout to a discharge spout. The adjustable angle spout end includes a chamber having a first opening in fluid communication with the inlet spout and a second opening in fluid communication with the discharge spout. The inlet spout receiving member is rotated and secured into position relative to the discharge spout receiving member to properly align an inlet spout receiving opening with the inlet spout and a discharge spout receiving opening with the discharge spout. A baffle is positioned within the chamber in the path of the particulate matter flowing through the chamber. As the inlet spout receiving member is rotated relative to the discharge spout receiving member, the baffle remains in alignment with the inlet spout to properly cooperate with the particulate matter flow.