Collapsible Bulk Material Container Gravity Feeding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bulk material handling systems for oil and gas well sites face issues with dust generation and material spillage during the transfer of dry bulk materials, as well as the need for auxiliary power sources for mechanical conveying systems.

Innovation Solution

A portable, collapsible support structure that elevates bulk material containers above the blender inlet, allowing for direct gravity-fed transfer of materials, eliminating the need for pneumatic or mechanical conveyance and reducing dust and spillage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If pneumatic or mechanical conveying systems are used to transfer bulk material, then material transfer is achieved, but dust generation and material spillage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial spillageVSAvoiddust generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the intermediate conveying system (pneumatic or mechanical) from the material transfer process. By elevating the container directly above the blender inlet, material flows directly via gravity without passing through conveying equipment that generates dust and spillage, thus extracting the harmful intermediary step.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The elevated container position acts as a gravitational mediator, enabling direct flow of material from container to blender inlet without mechanical intervention. This gravitational intermediary eliminates the need for pneumatic or mechanical conveyors that cause dust and spillage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If mechanical conveying systems are used to transfer bulk material, then material transfer is achieved, but auxiliary power sources are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial transfer efficiencyVSAvoidauxiliary power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses the material's own weight (gravity) to drive the transfer process. The container is positioned above the blender inlet, allowing material to flow downward automatically without requiring external power sources, motors, or pneumatic systems. The material serves its own transfer function through gravitational force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a gravitational potential difference by elevating the container above the blender inlet. This potential energy difference drives the material flow automatically, eliminating the need for auxiliary power sources while maintaining continuous material transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #12Equipotentiality

3Ease of operation

If portable containers are used instead of large supply tank trailers, then ease of manipulation is improved, but material transfer complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer manipulationVSAvoidtransfer system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the material handling into discrete segments: portable containers are used for storage and transport, and when needed, they are positioned on an elevated platform directly over the blender inlet. This segmentation allows easy manipulation of individual containers while simplifying the transfer mechanism to a straightforward gravitational flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of bringing the blender up to the material (as with large supply tanks), the material containers are brought to the well site and then elevated above the blender inlet. This inversion of the traditional approach simplifies the transfer system by using gravity rather than requiring complex lifting or conveying mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 solution improves energy efficiency, simplifies operations, reduces material spillage, and decreases dust generation by enabling direct, controlled gravity feeding of bulk materials into the blender, eliminating the need for auxiliary power and minimizing environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

A portable, collapsible support structure that elevates bulk material containers above the blender inlet, allowing for direct gravity-fed transfer of materials

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS10336533B2Collapsible particulate matter container

Publication Date: 2019.07.02 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, a collapsible and optionally stackable storage container for bulk material is provided. The disclosed storage container includes a collapsible frame defined by a rigid upper support structure, a rigid lower support structure and a support member coupled at one end to the upper support structure and coupled at another end to the lower support structure. An actuator is also provided which is coupled to the support member at one end. The disclosed storage container further includes a storage sack having an upper portion coupled to the upper support structure and a lower portion coupled to the lower support structure. The lower portion of the storage sack is generally taper-shaped and may be equipped with a discharge opening that enables release of the bulk material onto a conveyor, which may be employed when the collapsible storage container is integrated into a bulk storage system.