Bulk Material Discharge Tray with Segmented Openings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bulk material dispensing systems suffer from core flow issues, leading to non-uniform residence times and temperature distribution, and are prone to jamming, especially in temperature-critical applications like PET granules storage.
Innovation Solution
A bulk material dispensing system featuring a discharge tray with depressions and a cover plate having matching openings, arranged to prevent core flow by ensuring even discharge and secure closure, with the distance between the plates selected to allow for indirect closure and prevent jamming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conical reservoir is used for bulk material storage, then the bulk material can flow out through a central discharge opening, but core flow occurs causing non-uniform residence times and temperature distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge opening is segmented into multiple individual discharge openings arranged in a pattern on the discharge floor. This segmentation distributes the bulk material flow across multiple points, eliminating core flow and ensuring uniform residence times and temperature distribution throughout the storage container.
2Productivity
If the distance between discharge floor and cover plate is made small to prevent jamming, then discharge efficiency improves, but bulk material may become jammed when the system is closed
Solution Approach 1:
The cover plate is made slidable relative to the discharge floor, allowing dynamic adjustment of the distance between the cover plate and discharge floor. This enables the system to adapt to different bulk material conditions and prevent jamming while maintaining efficient discharge when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The distance parameter between the cover plate and discharge floor is made variable rather than fixed. By changing this parameter based on operational requirements and bulk material characteristics, the system prevents jamming while maintaining discharge efficiency.
3Manufacturing precision
If the discharge floor and cover plate are positioned close together, then manufacturing tolerances are easier to achieve, but core flow is not prevented and residence times become non-uniform
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple discharge openings are arranged in a pattern on the discharge floor, creating multiple discharge paths that prevent core flow. This segmentation ensures uniform residence times across the bulk material while maintaining precise manufacturing tolerances for the discharge openings.
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 even discharge of bulk material across the entire container cross-section, reducing dwell time and preventing jamming, thereby maintaining material homogeneity and temperature consistency.
Implementation Method 1
the cover plate... is slidably arranged with respect to the discharge floor
Implementation Method 2
bulk material flowing in defined quantities into the cells of the wheel and then being released by turning the wheel
Data Source
Figure 1~3B
AI summary
A system for releasing bulk material, in particular free-flowing bulk material, e.g. plastic granules, has a discharge base (7) with depressions (8), a discharge opening (9) being formed in each of the depressions (8), and a covering panel (11), which is arranged downstream of the discharge base (7), at a distance (h) therefrom, the covering panel (11) having openings (12) which are arranged essentially in the same pattern as the discharge openings (9) of the discharge base (7). The covering panel (11) and the discharge base (7) can be moved in relation to one another between an open state, in which the discharge openings (9) of the discharge base (7) and the openings (12) of the covering panel (11) overlap one another at least in part, and are preferably congruent, and a closed state, in which the discharge openings (9) of the discharge base (7) are offset axially from the openings (12) of the covering panel (11) to such an extent (s) that there is no overlap.