Adjustable Trough Reclaimer for Dynamic Overflow Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current reclaimer systems lack effective means to detect and control the reclaim rate of materials, leading to overloading and increased costs due to inconsistent material characteristics and lack of regulation, resulting in inefficient material handling and environmental impact.

Innovation Solution

A reclaimer system with a selectively travelling bridge and a rotatable screw, equipped with a trough that allows adjustable overflow detection and control, using sensors and actuators to maintain a consistent reclaim rate by adjusting the screw's rotation speed and advance rate, and the trough's operative height.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the reclaimer system operates without overflow detection and control, then the structure is simpler and easier to operate, but the reclaim rate cannot be regulated causing overloading and material surges

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereclaim rate regulationVSAvoidtrough structure with adjustable portions

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The trough incorporates an adjustable upper portion that can be selectively positioned relative to a vertical axis to define different operative heights, enabling dynamic regulation of the overflow threshold height to control reclaim rate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

An overflow detection device is positioned to detect the presence of material above the overflow threshold height, providing feedback to control the reclaim rate by adjusting trough height or screw rotation speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If the trough operative height is fixed, then the device is simpler and more reliable, but the system cannot adapt to varying material characteristics and reclaim rate requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment to material characteristicsVSAvoidselectively moveable trough portion

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The upper portion of the trough is made selectively moveable relative to a vertical axis, allowing the operative height to be dynamically adjusted to adapt to varying material characteristics and reclaim rate requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the physical parameter of trough height to regulate the overflow threshold, enabling adaptation to different material characteristics and reclaim rate requirements through parameter adjustment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If overflow detection is implemented, then the reclaim rate can be controlled to prevent overloading, but the device complexity and potential failure points increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of overloadingVSAvoidoverflow detection device and control mechanisms

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The overflow detection device provides feedback on material level above the threshold, enabling control mechanisms to adjust screw rotation speed or trough height to prevent overloading and maintain reliable operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces complex mechanical flow control mechanisms with a simpler approach using overflow detection and adjustment of trough height or screw speed to regulate material flow

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 system enables real-time adjustment of reclaim rates, preventing overloading and material surges, reducing equipment costs, and minimizing environmental impact by allowing excess material to overflow and be collected on subsequent passes, thus ensuring consistent and efficient material handling.

Implementation Method 1

a rotatable screw positioned along the length of the reclaimer bridge... the rotatable screw being configured to collect material from a pile contacting at least a portion of the selectively travelling reclaimer bridge

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Implementation Method 2

at least one overflow detection device configured to detect the presence of material above the selectively moveable portion of the upper portion of the trough

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSensor detection:

Implementation Method 3

the trough being configured to permit overflow of reclaimed material above the overflow threshold height

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS11434083B2Reclaimers, reclaimer systems, and methods of using same

Publication Date: 2022.09.06 BRUKS ROCKWOOD

AI summary

Disclosed herein are reclaimer systems, troughs, and methods for selectively positioning at least a portion of an upper portion of a trough relative to a vertical axis to adjust an operative height of the trough and thereby set an overflow threshold height for the reclaimed material, wherein reclaimed material below the overflow threshold height contributes to a target reclaim rate for the reclaimer system, and wherein the trough is configured to permit overflow of reclaimed material above the overflow threshold height.