Adjustable Rotating Weight for Vibratory Separator Force Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Adjusting the three-dimensional vibration profile of vibratory separators is difficult and imprecise due to the location of the motor, requiring operators to reach into a dark space and deal with non-linear force adjustments, leading to longer down times and potential operator injury.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable weight set with a rotatable base plate and weights that can slide along the plate, coupled by a mechanism allowing for linear and predictable force adjustments via a weight locking tab that prevents further movement, enabling easier and more precise adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the motor is located below the separator stack with weights in a dark space, then the structural compactness is improved, but the ease of adjustment deteriorates as operators must reach into dark spaces making adjustments difficult and imprecise
Solution Approach 1:
A transparent or translucent guard is introduced as an intermediary element between the operator and the weight adjustment mechanism. This guard allows visual contact with the weights and adjustment slots while maintaining safety enclosures, enabling operators to see and adjust weights without reaching into dark spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanism is redesigned to provide access from a different spatial dimension or angle. By repositioning the weight adjustment slots or providing access through the guard structure, operators can adjust weights from a more accessible position rather than reaching into confined dark spaces below the separator stack.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional equal spacing of slots is used around the circular base plate, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the precision of force adjustment deteriorates due to non-linear force changes between slots
Solution Approach 1:
The spacing parameters of the adjustment slots are changed from equal spacing to non-uniform spacing. The slots are positioned at calculated intervals that compensate for the non-linear force relationship, ensuring that each slot transition produces a substantially equal change in vibratory force. This maintains manufacturing feasibility while achieving precise, predictable force adjustment.
3Device complexity
If manual adjustment of weights in dark spaces is required, then the device complexity is reduced, but the safety deteriorates due to operator frustration and risk of injury
Solution Approach 1:
A transparent or translucent guard serves as a protective intermediary that allows visual access to the weight adjustment mechanism while preventing operators from reaching into hazardous areas. This maintains safety enclosures while enabling safe adjustment operations without increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The guard structure incorporates transparent or translucent materials that change from opaque barriers to visible windows, allowing operators to visually locate and adjust weights without physical contact with dangerous moving parts. This visual transparency reduces operator frustration and injury risk while maintaining protective enclosures.
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 allows for easier, more precise adjustments of the vibratory force, reducing operator frustration and risk of injury while ensuring predictable and linear changes in force output, thus minimizing down times and improving operational safety.
Implementation Method 1
The motor may include unbalanced, rotating weight sets disposed on the top and bottom of the motor. The weight set(s) may include a manual force adjustment mechanism and angle adjustment mechanism to adjust one weight or weight set relative to another weight or weight set. These adjustments enable adjustment of the three-dimensional vibration profiles of the vibratory separators.
Implementation Method 2
The motor may include unbalanced, rotating weight sets disposed on the top and bottom of the motor. The weight set(s) may include a manual force adjustment mechanism and angle adjustment mechanism to adjust one weight or weight set relative to another weight or weight set. These adjustments enable adjustment of the three-dimensional vibration profiles of the vibratory separators.
Data Source
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AI summary
This disclosure is drawn systems, devices, apparatus, and/or methods related to the separation of a mixture of solids according to size and the separation of solids from liquid. Specifically, this disclosure is drawn to an adjustable weight set for use on vibratory separators. In some examples, the adjustable weight set may include a base plate rotatable about an axis and extending radially outward from the axis; a plurality of slots extending through the base plate and being disposed between a radially outward periphery of the base plate and the axis; a plurality of weights coupled to each other about the base plate; and a weight locking tab that partially surrounds the base plate that may include one or more hooks extending through a portion of a slot.