Auger Robot Slope Adjustment for Granular Bulk Store Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bulk stored granular materials pose safety hazards such as falls, entrapments, explosions, and health risks due to their unstable slopes and dangerous working conditions, necessitating human intervention that can be dangerous or unnecessary.
Innovation Solution
A robotic device equipped with an auger-based drive system operates autonomously or remotely to manage granular materials, performing tasks like slope adjustment, inspection, and agitating to prevent spoilage, reducing the need for human entry and enhancing safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If human workers manually manage bulk stored granular materials, then operational flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but safety risks and harmful factors increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
A robotic device equipped with sensors and manipulation tools serves as an intermediary between human operators and bulk stored granular materials. The robot performs dangerous tasks such as slope adjustment, material agitation, and inspection, eliminating direct human exposure to hazards like avalanches, entrapments, and dust explosions while maintaining operational flexibility through remote or autonomous control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces human mechanical operations with an automated robotic system that uses sensors, motors, and control algorithms to perform tasks. The robotic device substitutes human physical intervention with automated mechanical and electronic systems, reducing safety risks while maintaining the ability to manipulate bulk materials effectively.
2Ease of operation
If human workers enter bulk stores to manage granular materials, then direct operational control is achieved, but exposure to harmful environmental conditions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic device acts as an intermediary that operates within the hazardous bulk store environment while human operators remain outside. The robot is equipped with sensors and communication systems that enable direct operational control through remote interfaces, allowing humans to maintain full control without exposure to dust, heat, confined spaces, and other environmental hazards.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic system creates a virtual copy of the bulk store environment through sensors and cameras, transmitting real-time data to remote operators. This allows operators to monitor and control operations as if present in the environment, maintaining direct operational control while staying in safe, controlled conditions outside the bulk store.
3Volume of stationary object
If steep slopes form in bulk stored granular materials, then storage capacity is maximized, but stability decreases and avalanche risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic device performs preliminary slope adjustment operations before avalanches can occur. By continuously monitoring slope angles and proactively redistributing material to maintain stable angles, the system prevents instability from developing while maximizing storage capacity. The robot agitates and redistributes granular material in advance to maintain preventive stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic slope inspection and adjustment operations. The robotic device regularly traverses the bulk material, measures slope angles using sensors, and performs agitation or redistribution when thresholds are approached. This periodic maintenance ensures stable slopes are maintained over time, balancing storage capacity with safety.
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 device effectively manages bulk stored granular materials, reducing safety risks and improving working conditions by stabilizing slopes, preventing avalanches, and ensuring safe handling of materials.
Implementation Method 1
traverses the portion of piled granular material to incite sediment gravity flow in the portion of piled granular material by disruption of viscosity of the portion of piled granular material
Implementation Method 2
incite sediment gravity flow in the portion of piled granular material by disruption of viscosity of the portion of piled granular material through agitation of the portion of piled granular material
Data Source
AI summary
A robot comprises an auger-based drive system, a memory, and a processor coupled with the memory and configured to control movement of the robot via the auger-based drive system. The processor obtains a first measurement of an angle of slope of a portion of piled granular material in a bulk store. In response to the first measurement satisfying a first condition, the robot traverses the portion of piled granular material to incite sediment gravity flow in the portion of piled granular material by disruption of viscosity of the portion of piled granular material through agitation of the portion of piled granular material by auger rotation of the auger-based drive system. The processor obtains a second measurement of the angle of slope of the portion of piled granular material. In response to the second measurement satisfying a second condition, the robot ceases traversal of the portion of piled granular material.