Bulk Material Emptying With Staged Inflatable Ring Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing emptying devices for bulk materials lack efficient and reliable sealing mechanisms during the transfer process, leading to potential damage and operational inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the controlled activation and deactivation of inflatable sealing rings and a pressing web to ensure secure sealing and efficient emptying of bulk materials, utilizing a sequence that includes folding, positioning, and sealing the connecting part within the annular groove.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the inflatable sealing rings are fully activated with maximum pressure, then the sealing effect is maximized, but the connecting part may be damaged or the process time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectVSAvoidprocess time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial activation of inflatable sealing rings at different stages. During the transfer process, only the groove inflatable sealing ring is activated to seal the connecting part in the annular groove. The outer inflatable sealing ring is activated only when needed for final sealing. This partial activation achieves sufficient sealing effect without the need for continuous maximum pressure, thereby reducing process time and avoiding damage to the connecting part.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Reliability

If the connecting part is securely sealed between the sealing ring and flange connection, then operational safety is improved, but the complexity of the sealing mechanism increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational safetyVSAvoidsealing mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing mechanism is segmented into multiple independent inflatable sealing rings (groove inflatable sealing ring, outer inflatable sealing ring, inner inflatable sealing ring) that can be activated and deactivated independently at different stages. This segmentation allows each sealing ring to perform a specific sealing function at a specific time, ensuring operational safety while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing mechanism uses dynamically controllable inflatable sealing rings that can be activated and deactivated based on process requirements. This dynamic approach replaces static sealing mechanisms, allowing the system to adapt sealing pressure and location according to the specific stage of the emptying process, thereby improving operational safety without requiring overly complex fixed sealing structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the pressing web is used to press the connecting part into the annular groove, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the risk of damage to the connecting part increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoiddamage risk to connecting part

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing web applies pressure partially and selectively to fold and press the connecting part into the annular groove. The pressure is applied in a controlled manner during a specific stage of the process, rather than continuous or excessive pressure. This partial pressing action achieves reliable sealing in the groove while minimizing the risk of damaging the connecting part.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The pressing web performs preliminary folding and positioning of the connecting part into the annular groove before final sealing activation. This preliminary action prepares the connecting part for sealing without requiring excessive force during the sealing stage itself, thereby reducing damage risk while ensuring sealing reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Facilitates easy visual monitoring, reduces the risk of damage to connecting parts, ensures a dust-tight seal, and shortens the process time by optimizing the activation and deactivation of sealing rings, enhancing operational safety and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

an outer inflatable sealing ring is arranged on an outer annular web in such a way that the outer inflatable sealing ring can be inflated from an inner side of the outer annular web facing the flange connection in the direction of the flange connection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPneumatic pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP4635859A1Method for emptying bulk materials from a first container into a second container with an emptying device

Publication Date: 2025.10.22 J ENGELSMANN

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AI summary

The invention relates to a method for emptying bulk materials from a first container (20) into a second container (21) using an emptying device (1). The bulk materials are emptied in a filling direction from the first container (20) into the second container (21) through a tubular connecting part (22) made of a flexible material. The emptying device (1) has an annular flange (4) that can be displaced in and against the filling direction and can be brought into engagement with a flange connection (3) of the emptying device (1). The annular flange (4) surrounds the flange connection (3) in an emptying position with annular webs (5, 6) of the annular flange (4) arranged coaxially to one another.