Butt Flare Reducing Apparatus with Dynamic Rotor Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing butt flare reducing apparatuses lack efficient and reliable mechanisms for adjusting log processing diameters during the butt flare reduction process, leading to inconsistent cross-sectional profiles and potential waste of usable log diameter.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a rotor assembly with mechanical power transmission components, including racks and gears, and a control system to dynamically adjust the position of flare reducing tools radially, using actuators and force resisting members to counterbalance centrifugal forces, allowing for precise adjustment of log processing diameters based on log measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical power transmission components (racks and gears) are added to adjust tool position, then log processing diameter adjustment capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the flare reducing tools movable rather than fixed. The tools can be adjusted radially along the rotor frame to adapt to different log diameters. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the same device to process logs of varying sizes, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity by implementing a relatively simple mechanical adjustment mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotor frame serves multiple functions: it supports the flare reducing tools, provides the rotational motion for processing, and acts as the structural framework for mounting adjustment mechanisms. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving diameter adjustment capability.
2Reliability
If force resisting members are added to counterbalance centrifugal force, then reliability of tool positioning is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies anti-weight by using force resisting members (such as springs or counterbalancing mechanisms) to counteract the centrifugal force generated during rotor rotation. This ensures that the flare reducing tools maintain their adjusted positions reliably without being displaced by rotational forces, thereby improving tool positioning reliability while adding only necessary counterbalancing components.
3Loss of substance
If dynamic adjustment mechanism is implemented, then log waste is minimized, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system automatically measures log dimensions and adjusts the flare reducing tool positions without requiring manual intervention. This self-service capability minimizes log waste by precisely matching tool positions to actual log dimensions while avoiding the complexity of manual adjustment operations, thus maintaining ease of operation.
4Manufacturing precision
If control system with measurement and automatic adjustment is implemented, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system implements feedback by measuring the actual log dimensions, comparing them with target specifications, and automatically adjusting the flare reducing tool positions accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures consistent cross-sectional profiles by continuously adapting to variations in log dimensions, achieving high manufacturing precision through intelligent control rather than complex mechanical mechanisms.
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
This solution enables efficient, robust, and reliable adjustment of log processing diameters, ensuring consistent cross-sectional profiles and minimizing log waste by dynamically adjusting the flare reducing tools to match the usable diameter of each log, thereby optimizing the butt flare reduction process.
Implementation Method 1
at least one force resisting member (e.g., a coil or helical spring, pneumatic bladder, damper, dashpot, hydraulic cylinder with accumulator) coupled between the flare reducing tool and the rotor frame to counterbalance centrifugal force applied to the flare reducing tool as the rotor assembly rotates during operation
Data Source
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AI summary
A butt flare reducing apparatus for logs is provided. The apparatus includes a machine frame, a stator ring assembly fixedly coupled to the machine frame, and a flare reducing tool adjustment assembly movably coupled to the stator ring assembly. The apparatus further includes an actuator coupled on one end to the machine frame and on the other end to the flare reducing tool adjustment assembly to move the flare reducing tool adjustment assembly between the opposing end positions, and a rotor assembly rotatably coupled to the stator ring assembly. The rotor assembly includes a rotor frame and at least one flare reducing tool movably coupled to the rotor frame to translate linearly toward and away from a longitudinal axis of rotation in direct correlation to movement of the actuator and flare reducing tool adjustment assembly to adjust a log processing diameter. Related methods are also provided.