Cellular Wheel Sluice Air Leakage Fluidization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional systems for emptying bulk material containers require complex designs and additional devices to ensure complete emptying, especially for dusty and free-flowing materials, which can be inefficient and costly.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing a cellular wheel sluice and a pneumatic pressure conveyor system, where the cellular wheel sluice is designed with a specific running clearance and operational parameters to utilize secondary air throughput for fluidization of bulk materials, allowing for almost complete gravitational emptying without the need for additional devices like compressed air nozzles or vibrators.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional systems use additional devices like compressed air nozzles or vibrators to ensure complete emptying, then the emptying completeness is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemptying completenessVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of air leakage (which was traditionally considered unwanted in cellular wheel sluices) into a beneficial fluidizing agent. By allowing controlled air leakage through the cellular wheel structure, the system creates sufficient air flow to fluidize bulk materials in the discharge hopper, eliminating the need for additional pressurization devices while achieving complete emptying.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own operational byproduct (air leakage through the cellular wheel) to serve the function of fluidizing bulk material. The air that leaks through the cellular wheel structure during normal operation is redirected to serve as the fluidizing medium, making the system self-sufficient without requiring external compressed air supplies or vibration generators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Loss of energy

If the cellular wheel sluice is designed with tight sealing to prevent air leakage, then the energy efficiency is improved, but the bulk material fluidization capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair leakageVSAvoidbulk material bridging

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the cellular wheel sluice by intentionally allowing controlled air leakage rather than preventing it. By adjusting the clearance between the cellular wheel and housing, the system optimizes the air flow rate to achieve sufficient bulk material fluidization while maintaining acceptable energy efficiency. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between sealing tightness and fluidization capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the bulk material container is tilted quickly into vertical position, then the emptying speed is improved, but the bulk material compression increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemptying speedVSAvoidbulk material compression

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical tilting action with a pneumatic fluidization system. Instead of relying on gravitational force from tilting to move bulk material, the system uses air flow through the cellular wheel to fluidize and convey the material. This substitution allows rapid emptying without the need for gradual tilting, as the pneumatic system can handle compressed bulk material effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Achieves almost complete emptying (>99%) of bulk material containers with a structurally simple design, optimizing the use of secondary air to fluidize materials and prevent material compression, thus eliminating the need for active pressurization or additional discharge aids.

Implementation Method 1

the cellular wheel sluice is designed with a specific running clearance and operational parameters to utilize secondary air throughput for fluidization of bulk materials

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluidisation: Fluidisation

Implementation Method 2

a pneumatic pressure conveyor system arranged downstream of the cellular wheel sluice

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPneumatic conveying:

Implementation Method 3

the bulk material container is emptied under the effect of gravity via an outlet funnel provided on the bulk material container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2607275B1System for emptying a bulk material container using gravity

Publication Date: 2018.01.31 DIRNHOFER RAINER

Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A~2C

AI summary

The system has rotary feeder (40) whose speed and pressure delivery system whose delivery pressure are coordinated such that in dependence on the flow properties of the discharged bulk material, flow rate of air passing through the feeder is obtained. The bulk material is fluidized corresponding to the obtained air flow rate in the front of the rotary feeder. The bulk material container (10) is tilted from horizontal transport position into defined angular or vertical position, which is aligned vertical to center axis of hopper of bulk material container. An independent claim is included for method for gravitational emptying of bulk goods container.