Cascaded Buffer Containers for Blasting Agent Supply

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional blasting media reservoirs struggle to provide a continuous and reliable supply of blasting agent to all connected acceleration devices, leading to uneven blasting results due to potential interruptions and inefficiencies in distribution, especially in systems with multiple consumers.

Innovation Solution

A cascaded arrangement of buffer containers with offset heights, where overflowing blasting agent flows under gravity from one container to a lower-lying one, ensuring a consistent supply to all acceleration devices, and a compact design that reduces the overall height and extends hose line lifespan by optimizing hose line lengths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a simple volume body reservoir is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of continuous supply to all acceleration devices deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereservoir structureVSAvoidcontinuous supply reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The reservoir is divided into multiple buffer containers (first buffer container, second buffer container, etc.) arranged in a cascade structure. Each buffer container serves as an independent storage unit that can be filled and emptied sequentially, ensuring continuous supply to multiple acceleration devices without requiring a single complex distribution system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The buffer containers are arranged in a vertical cascade configuration rather than a horizontal layout. This vertical arrangement allows gravity to naturally flow the blasting agent from upper containers to lower containers, eliminating the need for complex mechanical distribution systems while maintaining reliable supply to all devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If multiple outlets are arranged next to one another, then the quantity of substance supplied to consumers is improved, but the device complexity increases due to complex distribution systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblasting agent supply to consumersVSAvoiddistribution system
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple outlets are arranged in a vertical cascade rather than horizontally. The blasting agent flows sequentially from upper buffer containers through gravity to lower containers, providing supply to multiple consumers without requiring complex horizontal distribution mechanisms like pivoting chutes or screw conveyors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The distribution system uses gravity as a free resource to automatically distribute blasting agent from upper to lower containers. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for powered distribution devices, reducing complexity while maintaining the ability to supply multiple consumers simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Length of moving object

If a compact design with offset buffer containers is used, then the length of hose lines is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to cascaded arrangement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehose line lengthVSAvoidbuffer container arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The buffer containers are arranged vertically in a cascade, which naturally shortens the horizontal distance and hose line lengths required to connect to acceleration devices. The vertical stacking creates a compact footprint while maintaining functional separation of storage units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The reservoir is segmented into multiple smaller buffer containers arranged vertically, creating a compact modular structure. This segmentation allows for shorter connection hoses to individual acceleration devices compared to a single large horizontal reservoir, while the modular design manages the complexity through standardization of container units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Ensures a reliable and continuous supply of blasting agent to all acceleration devices, reduces the risk of interruptions, and extends the service life of hose lines while allowing for a more compact and efficient blasting system design.

Implementation Method 1

at least one buffer tank has an overflow, overflowing during the filling of the buffer tank blasting agent flows under the influence of gravity into a lower-lying buffer tank

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2470329B1Blasting material storage device
Publication Date: 2014.03.19 ROSLER HLDG
  • EP2470329B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2470329B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a blasting material storage device, comprising a plurality of buffer containers for storing blasting material, each buffer container having at least one inlet for filling the buffer container with blasting agent and at least one outlet for supplying a blasting material accelerating device with stored blasting material, wherein the buffer containers are arranged at different heights, and at least one buffer container has an overflow, by means of which blasting material overflowing while the buffer container is being filled flows into a lower buffer container due to gravity.