Contactless Grinding Device With Rotating Protective Casing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing grinding technologies face inefficiencies in achieving submicron particle sizes efficiently and economically, particularly in the liquid phase, with issues of pollution and wear leading to reduced grinding efficiency and increased processing times.

Innovation Solution

A cryogenic grinding and mixing device with an internal protective casing and permanent magnets, using solidified carbon dioxide as a coating, which rotates independently of the grinding media to minimize wear and enhance grinding efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the rotation speed of the grinding media is increased to improve grinding efficiency and reduce processing time, then the productivity increases, but the wear and pollution of the load to be ground is exacerbated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrinding efficiencyVSAvoidwear and pollution
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the grinding function into two independent rotating components: the grinding media and the protective casing. This segmentation allows each component to rotate at optimized speeds independently, enabling high-speed grinding while the protective casing prevents wear on the stationary tank walls.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A protective casing acts as an intermediary layer between the grinding media and the grinding tank walls. This intermediary absorbs the wear and prevents direct contact between the high-speed grinding media and the tank structure, eliminating pollution while maintaining high grinding efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If the aspect ratio of the mill is increased to improve the speed of grinding media, then the grinding efficiency improves, but the wear at the wall is exacerbated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed of grinding mediaVSAvoidwear at the wall
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective casing is segmented as a separate rotating component that can be optimized independently from the tank dimensions. This allows the mill to operate at optimal aspect ratios for speed while the protective casing prevents the associated increased wall wear.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protective casing serves as a mediator that decouples the relationship between mill aspect ratio and wall wear. High aspect ratios can be used to achieve higher grinding media speeds without directly increasing wear on the stationary tank walls, as the protective casing absorbs this effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If very hard materials are used for the grinder construction to avoid wear and pollution, then the reliability increases, but the manufacturing cost increases and compatibility with certain applications is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to wear and pollutionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The protective casing acts as a sacrificial intermediary layer that protects the main grinder structure from wear. This allows the use of standard, cost-effective materials for the grinder construction while maintaining high reliability, as the protective casing absorbs the wear and can be replaced independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective casing is designed as a consumable component that undergoes wear instead of the expensive grinder structure. By making this protective layer replaceable and less critical, the system achieves high reliability without requiring expensive hard materials throughout the entire grinder construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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

The device achieves high-energy grinding without significant wear, reducing processing times and minimizing impurities, enabling efficient production of submicron particles.

Implementation Method 1

drive magnets, for rotating the internal protective casing by interaction with the permanent magnets

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic interaction: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

using solidified carbon dioxide as a coating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCryogenic hardening: Cryogenics

Data Source

PatentEP4452504B1Device and method for the contactless grinding and mixing of powders, comprising a rotating inner casing
Publication Date: 2025.07.30 COMMISSARIAT A LENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
  • EP4452504B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP4452504B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The invention primarily relates to a device (1) for grinding and mixing powders (P), characterized in that it comprises: a grinding tank (2) containing the load of powders (P) to be ground, in particular in liquid phase; a protective inner casing (3), disposed inside the grinding tank (2), defining an inner volume (Vi); a grinding and mixing moving member (4), disposed inside the inner volume (Vi) of the protective inner casing (3); permanent magnets (7) located on the protective inner casing (3); and drive magnets (8a) for rotating the protective inner casing (3) by interacting with the permanent magnets (7), which drive magnets are located outside the grinding tank (2) opposite the permanent magnets (7).