Auger Shaft Pneumatic Fluidization for Fine Bulk Material Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveying fine bulk materials using an auger shaft often results in unsteady and uneven flow due to particle accumulation and settlement between helical flights, leading to reduced capacity and uniformity of material flow.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus featuring a gas-impermeable inner tubular conduit with a radial outlet, a gas-permeable intermediate conduit, and a gas-impermeable outer conduit with a helical member, where air under pressure is injected through the inner conduit's axial passageway and between the conduits to prevent material accumulation and enhance flow by fluidizing the material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If air is injected through conventional rotary connections or packed joints, then material accumulation is prevented, but the device complexity increases due to complex rotary sealing mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the air injection function from the rotary connection mechanism by providing separate air supply conduits that connect to the auger shaft without requiring complex rotary seals. This allows air to be injected into the material stream independently of the rotary coupling complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces air as an intermediary substance that fluidizes the material and prevents accumulation. The air supply system acts as a mediator between the material flow and the auger shaft, eliminating the need for complex rotary sealing arrangements while achieving reliable material flow control.
2Productivity
If the spacing between helical flights is increased to convey material, then the capacity is improved, but material accumulation and settlement increase leading to clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pneumatic principles by injecting air through the auger shaft and between helical flights to fluidize the material. This pneumatic action prevents material settlement and accumulation in larger spacings, maintaining uniform flow while allowing increased conveying capacity through optimized flight spacing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the material by introducing air pressure and velocity parameters. By controlling air injection parameters, the material transitions from a settled state to a fluidized state, preventing accumulation while maintaining larger spacing between flights for improved capacity.
3Productivity
If the auger shaft operates at higher rotational speeds to compensate for material accumulation, then the feed rate is maintained, but the uniformity of material discharge is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by injecting air before material accumulation occurs. The air injection system proactively fluidizes the material and prevents settlement, eliminating the need for compensatory speed increases and maintaining both high feed rate and uniform discharge characteristics.
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
Ensures a continuous and uniform flow of fine bulk materials by preventing settlement between helical flights, maintaining capacity, and ensuring consistent discharge.
Implementation Method 1
injecting air under pressure through the inner tubular conduit and between the tubular conduits to prevent material accumulation and enhance flow by fluidizing the material
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus including a support; first tubular conduit of gas impermeable material having open and closed ends providing an axially disposed passageway with at least one radial outlet; a second tubular conduit of gas permeable material encompassing and spaced from such first tubular conduit, having closed ends, providing a first annular passageway communicating with the radial outlet; a third tubular conduit of gas impermeable material mounted on such support, encompassing and spaced from such second tubular conduit, providing a second annular passageway having open and closed ends and having an inlet at such closed end, a helical member mounted coaxially on such second tubular member, and a device for rotating the first tubular conduit and method using same wherein air under pressure travels from the axially disposed passageway, through the radial outlet into the first annular passageway and through the gas permeable material into the second annular passageway.