Variable Vibration Damping for Centrifugal Drum Resonance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Centrifugal devices experience excessive vibrations and oscillations during resonance, leading to potential damage and interruptions in the centrifugation process, especially when processing products with imbalances, resulting in insufficiently centrifuged products.

Innovation Solution

The method involves a centrifugal device with variable speed rotation and vibration dampers, where the damping properties are modified to reduce the mechanical force required during acceleration and deceleration, effectively shifting the resonance range to minimize time spent in the critical speed zone, thereby preventing unacceptable deflections and interruptions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the drum is accelerated through the resonance speed range, then the centrifugal process can proceed, but excessive vibrations and oscillations occur causing potential damage and process interruptions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecentrifugal process continuityVSAvoiddevice stability during acceleration
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration dampers are designed with variable damping characteristics that automatically adjust during operation. The dampers transition from a first damping state during acceleration through resonance to a second damping state during steady-state operation, dynamically adapting to different operational phases to maintain stability and prevent interruptions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The damping parameters of the vibration dampers are changed between different operational states. By modifying the damping coefficient from a first value during acceleration to a second value during operation, the system optimizes performance across different speed ranges, reducing vibrations during resonance while maintaining effectiveness during steady operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the drum speed is increased to avoid staying in the resonance range, then vibrations are reduced, but the time to pass through the resonance range increases exposing the system to harmful vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration exposure durationVSAvoidacceleration time through resonance range
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration dampers are pre-configured with a first damping state specifically for the acceleration phase. This preliminary configuration ensures that maximum damping protection is available before the drum enters the resonance range, allowing the system to safely and quickly pass through the critical speed range without excessive vibration exposure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If conventional vibration dampers with fixed damping properties are used, then the device structure is simple, but the system cannot adapt to different operational phases and remains vulnerable to resonance vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration protection effectivenessVSAvoiddamping system configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration protection system transitions from static to dynamic by implementing dampers that automatically change their damping characteristics based on operational phase. This dynamic adaptation enhances reliability during both acceleration and steady-state operation without requiring complex external control systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The vibration dampers are designed to automatically transition between damping states based on operational conditions, eliminating the need for external control systems or manual intervention. The dampers self-regulate their damping properties to provide optimal protection during acceleration and operation phases

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

This approach significantly reduces the risk of interruptions due to vibrations, ensuring a stable and efficient centrifugation process by minimizing the time spent in the resonance range, thus preventing damage and ensuring proper processing of products.

Implementation Method 1

vibration dampers arranged between the frame and the drum

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

Centrifugal processes are also used for many other separation processes of solid and liquid substances, and even for separating two liquid substances having different physical properties

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCentrifugal separation: Centrifugal Separation

Data Source

PatentEP3745885B1Method for operating a centrifugal device
Publication Date: 2022.03.16 SORMAC
  • EP3745885B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3745885B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for operating a centrifugal device. The invention furthermore relates to a centrifugal device. The centrifugal device is provided with a drum which can be driven at a variable speed of rotation, with a frame and with vibration dampers arranged between the frame and the drum. The invention furthermore relates to a computer program product.