Adjustable Screw-Coil Plug for Overpressure Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in maintaining a tight seal between process steps at different pressure levels, especially when dealing with inhomogeneous materials and worn components, which can lead to steam leakage and inefficient drainage, while also consuming excessive power.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves regulating the tightness of the plug by positioning the worm relative to the coil, with a ring-shaped or frustoconical coil in the outlet area, allowing for axial displacement to narrow or widen the gap between the coil and the worm, thereby controlling the sealing effect. This is achieved through a displaceable bearing unit and a stationary drive with a coupling mechanism, enabling the plug to form a gas-tight and liquid-tight seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the gap between the coil and screw is reduced to improve sealing, then steam leakage is minimized, but power consumption increases and drainage efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies dynamics by making the gap between the coil and screw adjustable during operation. The screw can be axially displaced relative to the coil to change the gap width, allowing the system to dynamically adapt between different operational states (sealing mode with small gap, drainage mode with large gap) rather than being fixed at one configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameter of the gap width between the coil and screw. By controlling the axial position of the screw relative to the coil, the gap parameter can be varied to optimize performance for different operational requirements, transitioning between sealing and drainage functions.
2Reliability
If the gap between the coil and screw is reduced to improve sealing, then steam leakage is minimized, but drainage efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the gap between coil and screw to switch between sealing and drainage modes. When drainage is needed, the gap is widened to allow efficient water removal; when sealing is needed, the gap is reduced to prevent steam leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The gap width parameter is changed to optimize different functional requirements. A larger gap improves drainage efficiency, while a smaller gap improves sealing effect, allowing the system to adapt to different operational priorities.
3Device complexity
If a fixed tightness design is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to inhomogeneous materials and worn components
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces dynamic adjustability to compensate for material variations and wear. The axial displacement mechanism allows operators to adapt the gap size to match different material characteristics and compensate for component wear, maintaining effective operation without replacing the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The gap parameter can be changed to adapt to different operational conditions, including variations in material properties and wear states of components. This provides versatility while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
4Reliability
If the screw is displaced axially to adjust the gap, then sealing and drainage can be optimized, but the control mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements a dynamic control mechanism that allows axial displacement of the screw relative to the coil. This dynamic adjustment capability enables optimization of both sealing and drainage functions through a controlled change in the gap dimension.
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
This approach effectively minimizes steam leakage, optimizes drainage, and reduces power consumption by allowing for adjustable tightness, even with inhomogeneous materials and worn components, while enabling quick startup and extended use by allowing for component replacement.
Implementation Method 1
the material is compressed between a coil and the screw to form a gas-tight and liquid-tight plug
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for conveying a material to be conveyed into an overpressure region (1) or out of an overpressure region (1), said material to be conveyed being supplied and/or discharged via a plug screw feeder (2) and being compressed to form a gas-tight and liquid-tight plug, the plug sealing the overpressure region (1). The invention is characterised in that the leak-tightness of the plug is controlled by a relative positioning of the screw (6) to the plug pipe (8). The invention also relates to a device for carrying out said method and allows an optimal control of the leak-tightness of the overpressure region (1).