Auger Pan Splash Shield for Granular Material Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods fail to effectively prevent granular material spillage during loading and unloading operations from silos to trucks, leading to costly retrievals, moisture exposure, contamination, and potential spoilage or damage.
Innovation Solution
An auger pan/hopper splash shield and safety guard made of flexible, partially transparent material, secured by straps and elastic cords, with an overflow dam/curtain to contain granular materials and prevent spillage and contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If granular material is transferred using a turning auger or conveyor belt, then material transfer efficiency is improved, but granular material spillage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
A splash shield made of flexible, transparent material is positioned between the turning auger and the environment to intercept and redirect spilled granular material back into the hopper, preventing loss while maintaining auger rotation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The splash shield uses flexible transparent material that can conform to the hopper geometry and move with the auger rotation, creating an effective barrier against spillage without interfering with the mechanical operation
2Ease of operation
If granular material is contained in an uncovered hopper, then loading and unloading operations are simplified, but material is exposed to moisture and contaminants
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent flexible splash shield acts as a protective barrier that covers the hopper opening, preventing moisture and contaminant contact while allowing visual monitoring of material levels and flow
Solution Approach 2:
The splash shield simultaneously serves multiple functions: containing spilled material, protecting against environmental exposure, enabling visual inspection, and maintaining operational simplicity without requiring complex additional structures
3Loss of substance
If makeshift solutions like panels or drop cloths are used to reduce spillage, then some material containment is achieved, but spillage reduction is insufficient and contamination prevention is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible transparent splash shield provides a continuous, form-fitting barrier that effectively contains spilled material and prevents contamination, overcoming the limitations of rigid panels or loose drop cloths
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent material allows visual monitoring of material levels and splash patterns, enabling operators to assess containment effectiveness and material flow in real-time, unlike opaque makeshift solutions
Data Source
AI summary
A new and unique granular material-saving auger pan/hopper splash shield and safety guard is presented, being made of rigid, flexible, transparent or partially transparent material. The invention fits over the top of an auger pan/hopper, secured by a lower perimeter sleeve containing strap material and a locking or other securing device, and an upper perimeter sleeve containing elastic material and grommets where bungy cords (not part of the invention) can be hooked through and attached to the granular material source outlet. The auger pan/hopper splash shield and safety guard provides a containment shield to eliminate granular material spillage as well as preventing granular material loss due to moisture, outside contaminants, and damage. This invention may also be used as a safety device to prevent possible injury from the turning auger or conveyor belt and from flying granular materials.