Cardan Suspension Spout for Bulk Material Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cardan-type distribution devices for metallurgical reactors have high moment of inertia due to heavy fork-type supports and rely on linear actuators, leading to reduced reliability and increased maintenance due to constant reciprocating motion for achieving charging patterns.
Innovation Solution
A cardan-type spout suspension with a supplementary cardan joint and rotary motor-driven drive arrangement, allowing for independent actuation of the spout with reduced moment of inertia and eliminating the need for continuous linear actuator motion by using a rotary motor for concentric ring charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fork-type support is used to carry the spout and transmission mechanism, then the spout can be supported with both pivotal degrees of freedom, but the moment of inertia on the main suspension axis increases due to the large size and heavy weight of the support
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the support function from the transmission function by using two distinct gimbal members. The first gimbal member provides support and pivotal motion about the first axis, while the second gimbal member provides pivotal motion about the second axis. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing the overall moment of inertia while maintaining both degrees of freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a supplementary cardan joint with a third and fourth axis that operates in a different dimensional space from the main suspension axes. This additional dimension allows the drive arrangement to actuate the spout without requiring the main support structure to carry transmission mechanisms, thereby reducing the moment of inertia on the main suspension axis.
2Adaptability or versatility
If linear actuators are used to actuate the cardan suspension for achieving charging patterns, then circular or spiral motion of the spout outlet can be achieved, but the actuators are permanently oscillating leading to increased maintenance and reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using linear actuators that reciprocate to achieve circular motion, the invention inverts the approach by using a rotary motor that rotates continuously. The cardan suspension mechanisms transform this rotary motion into the required circular or spiral charging patterns, eliminating the permanent oscillation and reciprocating motion that caused reliability issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the linear actuator mechanism with a rotary motor-driven cardan suspension system. This substitution eliminates the need for linear actuators to permanently oscillate, as the rotary motor provides continuous rotation that is mechanically transformed into the desired charging patterns through the cardan joints and transmission mechanisms.
3Weight of moving object
If a conventional cardan construction with two ring-shaped gimbal members is used, then the moment of inertia on the main suspension axis is reduced compared to fork-type designs, but the complexity of the drive arrangement increases due to requiring two transmission mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the drive functions into a single supplementary cardan joint that drives both gimbal members through coordinated transmission mechanisms. Rather than having separate drive systems for each gimbal, the supplementary cardan joint with its rotary motor provides a unified drive arrangement that reduces overall system complexity while maintaining the low moment of inertia benefits.
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
The solution provides a more reliable and efficient distribution system with reduced actuator outage and maintenance, enabling reliable ring-shaped and spiral charging patterns without constant linear actuator operation.
Implementation Method 1
a first gimbal member (112) pivotable about a first axis (A) and a second gimbal member (114) pivotable about a second axis (B), the second axis (B) being perpendicular to the first axis (A)
Implementation Method 2
a rotary motor (142) which includes and drives a rotary drive shaft (140)
Data Source
AI summary
A distribution device for distributing bulk material with a distribution spout on a cardan suspension that has a first and a second gimbal member pivotable about two perpendicular suspension axes where a drive arrangement has a first and a second transmission mechanism for controlling pivotal motion of the distribution spout about the suspension axes, and the drive arrangement has a further cardan joint, with a first part pivotable about a third axis and a second part pivotable about a fourth axis, and a rotary motor for driving a rotary drive shaft that is connected to the cardan joint by means of an articulated connecting arm such that the rotational position and the axial position of the drive shaft determine the pivotal position of the second part about the third and fourth axes respectively, where the transmission mechanisms transmit torque about the third and fourth axes from the cardan joint to the cardan suspension for pivoting the distribution spout about the first and second axes respectively.