Compact Dedusting Apparatus with Remote Discharge and Vacuum Induction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dedusting apparatuses face issues with dust carryover and inability to remotely discharge collected dust and debris, leading to contamination and inefficiencies, especially in clean room environments.

Innovation Solution

A compact dedusting apparatus utilizing a vacuum generator within the housing to induce airflow, featuring a stainless steel metering device and enlarged discharge transition to prevent carryover, with remote dust collection capability and negative pressure conduit for dust discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional dedusting apparatuses are used, then dust and debris can be collected, but dust carryover occurs and remote discharge is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust collection effectivenessVSAvoiddust carryover and contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus is divided into separate functional zones: a cleaning chamber where dust is separated from particulate material, and a discharge system with conduits that can extend to remote locations. This segmentation allows the collection function to be isolated from the discharge function, preventing dust carryover into the clean room environment while enabling remote dust disposal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A vacuum system acts as an intermediary mechanism to create negative pressure within the cleaning chamber and discharge conduits. This negative pressure field prevents dust from escaping into the surrounding clean room environment while efficiently transporting collected dust to remote discharge points, resolving the contradiction between effective dust collection and prevention of dust carryover.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of moving object

If compact configuration is used, then space is saved, but air flow induction and remote discharge capability are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapparatus sizeVSAvoidair flow induction and discharge capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum system and discharge conduits are integrated within the compact housing structure. The conduits can be routed through the housing walls to external remote locations, allowing the apparatus to maintain a small footprint while still providing full air flow induction and remote discharge capabilities. The nested arrangement of components maximizes space utilization without compromising operational effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If stainless steel metering device and enlarged discharge transition are used, then dust carryover is prevented, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedust carryoverVSAvoidapparatus structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stainless steel metering device and enlarged discharge transition are applied specifically at critical locations where dust carryover is most likely to occur. Rather than redesigning the entire apparatus, these targeted modifications at key points (the metering section and discharge transition zone) effectively prevent dust carryover while minimizing overall device complexity. The local quality changes address the problem precisely where needed without unnecessary complexity elsewhere in the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Effectively prevents dust carryover and allows remote discharge of dust and debris, maintaining cleanliness in clean rooms while reducing maintenance and operational costs.

Implementation Method 1

a vacuum generator mounted within the housing to induce airflow therethrough

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

induce airflow therethrough to clean the particulate materials from dust and debris carried therewith

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAirflow: Convection

Implementation Method 3

the particulate material passes through a Venturi zone, which combined with the passage of air through the particulate material on the wash decks, discharges dust and other contaminates upwardly with the air flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Implementation Method 4

a magnetic flux field is applied to the infeed of particulate material to neutralize the static charges attracting the contaminates to the particulate pellets

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic flux: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS9962741B2Compact dedusting apparatus with remote discharge
Publication Date: 2018.05.08 PELLETRON CORP

AI summary

A compact dedusting apparatus induces air flow through the housing by a vacuum generator mounted within the housing. The discharge of dust and debris can be passed through a conduit to a remote location without losing air flow velocity to facilitate the use of the compact dedusting apparatus within a clean room. The metering device is formed from stainless steel and mounted on a spring-loaded mounting plate to permit vertical movement of the metering device when a jam of the particulate material is encountered. The metering device can be driven by a low torque stepper motor operable at selectively variable speeds to control the flow rate of the particulate material. The discharge transition is formed with an enlarged cross-sectional area compared to the shape of the Venturi zone so that carryover pellets can be returned to the product flow instead of being lost with the dirty air discharge.