Cascadable Silo Auger Motor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for improved mobile storage systems capable of storing and delivering large quantities of granular materials, such as sand and proppant, efficiently and reliably, especially in remote locations where temporary storage is required.
Innovation Solution
A mobile and cascadable storage silo system that includes a container supported by a skid base, equipped with a conveyor system allowing granular material to be conveyed across the base, with a receive port and discharge port positioned on opposite sides, enabling cascading of silos for continuous material flow and blending capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the silo is designed for stable storage and operation, then storage reliability is improved, but mobility and ease of transport deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The silo base is designed with extendable stabilizing legs that can be dynamically deployed during storage operations and retracted during transport. This allows the structure to transition between a stable stationary configuration and a mobile configuration, resolving the contradiction between storage reliability and mobility.
2Productivity
If multiple silos are cascaded for continuous material flow, then productivity is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple silos are designed with standardized discharge ports and conveyor hoppers that can be directly connected to form a cascaded system. The conveyor systems of adjacent silos are merged into a continuous material flow path, enabling productivity improvement through cascadability while controlling complexity through standardization.
Solution Approach 2:
The silo design incorporates universal discharge ports and conveyor interfaces that can function independently or be connected to form cascaded systems. This multi-functionality allows the same basic unit to serve both standalone and integrated roles, enabling flexible system configuration without proportionally increasing complexity.
3Productivity
If the conveyor hopper is positioned for optimal material reception, then material handling efficiency is improved, but transport dimension constraints worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor hopper is designed to be pivotably mounted on the silo, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position between a retracted configuration for compact transport and an extended configuration for optimal material reception during operation. This resolves the contradiction between material handling efficiency and transport dimension constraints.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage silo for storing granular material has a container supported by a base, the container having a roof and at least one side wall for defining a storage space beneath the roof. The storage silo includes: (a) a feed port for receiving the granular material at a feed-port height lower than the roof; (b) an auger for moving the granular material toward the roof within the storage space, the auger receiving the granular material via the feed port; and (c) first and second auger motors for cooperatively driving the auger, the first and second auger motors being disposed at opposing ends of the auger. A processor determines power levels for the first and second auger motors to minimize torsional strain on the auger. Granular material can be discharged from a first storage silo into a second storage silo positioned for cascading with the first storage silo.