Bulk Cargo Blending Hopper Vacuum Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bulk cargo hoppers often receive batches of bulk cargo with slightly different colors, leading to inconsistent coloration in manufactured products when these batches are mixed during unloading, resulting in products with varying shades of the same color.
Innovation Solution
A bulk cargo blending hopper that uses vacuum pressure to draw and mix different colored batches of bulk cargo within its interior volume by switching the vacuum pressure communication to a secondary conduit, allowing the first batch to be cycled and blended with the second batch, ensuring uniform mixing before dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If batches of bulk cargo with slightly different colors are stored in layers in the hopper, then the hopper can store larger quantities of bulk cargo, but the dispensed bulk cargo will have varying colors leading to inconsistent product coloration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by blending the bulk cargo batches together before dispensing. The blending hopper mixes the different colored batches in advance, so that when the cargo is dispensed, it has uniform color throughout. This prevents the color inconsistency problem that would occur if layered batches were dispensed separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of mixing by adding a blending mechanism that operates within the hopper. Instead of simply storing batches in vertical layers, the system adds horizontal mixing action through the blending mechanism, creating uniform color distribution throughout the stored cargo before dispensing.
2Productivity
If the outlet valve is opened to dispense bulk cargo, then the bulk cargo can be loaded into containers, but batches with different colors will be mixed during unloading resulting in varying product shades
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary blending of different colored batches before the dispensing operation begins. By mixing the cargo in advance within the hopper, the system ensures that when high-speed dispensing occurs, the color uniformity is already established and will not be compromised by the mixing that occurs during unloading.
3Use of energy by stationary object
If multiple batches of bulk cargo are fed to the hopper, then the hopper can continuously supply bulk cargo to manufacturers, but the slight color variations between batches will result in inconsistent product coloration
Solution Approach 1:
The blending hopper performs preliminary mixing of multiple batches as they are fed in, combining them into a uniformly colored mixture before dispensing. This preliminary action ensures that continuous operation with multiple batches does not lead to color inconsistency in the final product.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges multiple batches of different colored bulk cargo into a single uniformly colored mixture through the blending mechanism. By combining the batches thoroughly before dispensing, the system eliminates the color variation problem that would result from dispensing separate batches.
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 that the blended bulk cargo is uniformly mixed, preventing the issue of varying shades in the final product, thereby maintaining consistent coloration across all manufactured items.
Implementation Method 1
The hopper has a housing that is constructed in a conventional manner. The housing has an interior volume that is continuous through the housing. A source of vacuum pressure communicates with the interior volume of the housing.
Implementation Method 2
the source of vacuum pressure communicated to the interior volume of the housing is switched to the second conduit. The vacuum pressure in the interior volume of the housing is communicated through the second conduit to the lower portion of the interior volume of the housing. This causes the bulk cargo in the lower portion of the interior volume of the housing to be drawn into the second conduit and drawn up to the upper portion of the interior volume of the housing where it is delivered on top of the second batch of bulk cargo.
Data Source
AI summary
A bulk cargo blending hopper has a hollow interior volume that is selectively communicated with a source of vacuum pressure. A first conduit has a first end that is connected to the housing of the hopper and communicates with the interior volume of the housing of the hopper. An opposite second end of the first conduit is configured for communication with a source of bulk cargo that is separate from the hopper. A second conduit has a first end that is also connected to a portion of the housing of the hopper and communicates with the interior portion of the housing. A second end of the second conduit is also connected to a portion of the housing of the hopper and communicates with the interior volume of the housing of the hopper.