Cam-Driven Impinger Vibration for Snow and Ice Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional cooling and freezing devices face inefficiencies due to the buildup of snow and ice on impingement plates, which reduces heat transfer efficiency and requires high-pressure gas to remove, while previous methods to address this have been ineffective.
Innovation Solution
An impingement apparatus with a rotatable non-circular cam and connector system that elevates and lowers the impingement plate, creating a mechanical vibration to dislodge and remove snow and ice without the need for high-pressure gas, utilizing a shell-supported impinger and coolant delivery apparatus with openings for directing impingement jets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high pressure gas is used to remove snow and ice from the impingement plate, then snow and ice removal efficiency is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a mechanical vibration system consisting of an eccentric cam and follower mechanism that generates vertical oscillating motion of the impingement plate. This vibration causes snow and ice buildup to loosen and detach from the plate surface, providing an effective removal method that replaces complex high-pressure gas systems with a simpler mechanical approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention substitutes a mechanical vibration-based snow and ice removal system for the previously used high-pressure gas system. By using mechanical means (cam-follower mechanism) to generate vibrations that detach ice buildup, the system eliminates the need for complex pneumatic components, pressure regulators, and high-energy gas supplies.
2Productivity
If the velocity of cooling vapor impingement stream is increased to improve heat transfer, then heat transfer coefficient increases, but item damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes dynamic vibration of the impingement plate through the cam-follower mechanism to control the interaction between cooling vapor and items. The oscillating motion creates varying flow patterns and prevents stagnant high-velocity jets from concentrating on single locations, thereby maintaining high heat transfer rates while distributing mechanical stress to prevent item damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The periodic oscillation of the impingement plate creates cyclic variations in coolant flow patterns and impact forces on items. This periodic action allows high heat transfer rates during certain phases of the cycle while providing relief phases that prevent cumulative damage, effectively decoupling the relationship between average velocity and damage risk.
3Device complexity
If snow and ice buildup is allowed on the impingement plate, then device simplicity is maintained, but heat transfer efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration-based snow and ice removal system is self-activating and requires no external control inputs. The eccentric cam automatically generates the necessary vibrations during normal operation, causing ice buildup to self-loosen and self-detach from the impingement plate. This self-service mechanism maintains heat transfer efficiency without adding complex control systems or requiring manual intervention.
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
Effectively removes snow and ice from the impingement plate, maintaining heat transfer efficiency and eliminating the need for high-pressure gas, while ensuring the impingement jets do not damage items by controlling the impingement stream.
Implementation Method 1
at least one non-circular cam in mechanical communication with the at least one conveyor and rotatable when the conveyor is in motion; and at least one connector in mechanical communication with the at least one cam and the impingement plate, the connector displaceable during rotation of the at least one cam to elevate and lower the impingement plate
Implementation Method 2
creating a mechanical vibration to dislodge and remove snow and ice
Implementation Method 3
an impingement plate comprising openings for directing impingement jets toward the conveyor; a gas circulation device for directing a coolant to the impinger
Data Source
AI summary
An impingement apparatus associated with a conveyor includes: (a) a shell supporting an impinger; and (b) a coolant delivery apparatus enclosed by the shell, the coolant delivery apparatus including a gas circulation device for directing a coolant to the impinger; the impinger including: (i) an impingement plate including openings for directing impingement jets toward the conveyor; (ii) at least one non-circular cam in mechanical communication with the at least one conveyor and rotatable when the conveyor is in motion; and (iii) at least one connector in mechanical communication with the at least one cam and the impingement plate, the connector displaceable during rotation of the at least one cam to elevate and lower the impingement plate.