Adjustable Auger Feed Mechanism for Smoke Generators
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing smoke generating devices face challenges in maintaining constant low temperatures during cold smoking due to heat spikes caused by unpredictable distribution and addition of smoke generating materials, particularly sawdust and wood chips, which require improved feed mechanisms to manage different sizes and ensure even airflow.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable auger feed mechanism with a bin and delivery tube system, where the auger's height can be adjusted using bearings and set screws to accommodate various material sizes, ensuring materials fall predictably onto a burn plate, thereby maintaining consistent smoke output and temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If smoke generating materials are added to the burn chamber, then smoke output is increased, but temperature spikes occur
Solution Approach 1:
The auger feed mechanism pre-positiones smoke generating materials on the burn plate in a controlled manner before combustion occurs. By advancing materials gradually from the hopper through the auger flighting and depositing them at a controlled rate, the system prepares the burn chamber for steady combustion without sudden material additions that would cause temperature spikes
Solution Approach 2:
The auger mechanism automatically regulates its own feed rate through the interaction between the flighting geometry and material flow. The spiral flighting structure naturally controls the discharge rate of materials as the auger rotates, creating a self-regulating system that maintains consistent material delivery to the burn chamber without external intervention
2Quantity of substance
If smoke generating materials are fed continuously, then smoke output is maintained, but material distribution becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The auger flighting structure creates different functional zones along the material flow path. The spiral geometry provides varying material handling characteristics at different locations - conveying, metering, and depositing - ensuring that materials are distributed evenly across the burn plate surface rather than clumping in one area
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating auger dynamically adjusts material delivery through its rotational motion. The continuous rotation creates a rhythmic feed pattern that distributes materials uniformly over time and space on the burn plate, preventing both clumping and gaps in material distribution while maintaining steady smoke generation
3Productivity
If auger speed is increased, then material feed rate is improved, but material distribution uniformity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system optimizes the relationship between auger rotational speed and flighting geometry parameters. By carefully selecting the pitch, depth, and angle of the spiral flighting, the mechanism ensures that even at higher rotation speeds, materials are metered and deposited at a controlled rate that maintains distribution uniformity while increasing overall feed rate
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 eliminates the need for constant raking of the burn plate, prevents flooding, and maintains constant low temperatures, ensuring superior smoking conditions by ensuring even distribution and sufficient airflow within the burn chamber.
Implementation Method 1
An auger is adjustably received within the tube to advance material from the bin to a hole in the tube at the opposite end of the auger
Implementation Method 2
Bearings are provided for allowing the height of the auger within the tube to be adjusted to accommodate smoking materials of a selected size
Implementation Method 3
the auger has a shaft with a coil or other structure that terminates short of the opening in the delivery tube. Advantageously, the materials being fed through the delivery tube fall to the bottom of the tube before falling out of the tube opening onto a burn plate
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an improved feed mechanism of a smoke generating device, and in particular to a feed mechanism having an adjustable auger that allows smoke generating materials of selected sizes to fall from a deposit tube in an improved manner. According to one advantage of the present invention, the feed mechanism has a bin with opposed sides, the first of which having a smokehouse mount with an air hole therein and the second side having a motor mount thereon. A tube extends from the smokehouse mount. An auger is adjustably received within the tube to advance material from the bin to a hole in the tube at the opposite end of the auger. Bearings are provided for allowing the height of the auger within the tube to be adjusted to accommodate smoking materials of a selected size.