Conveying Device Flushing for Supply-Line and Chamber Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing conveying devices fail to effectively clean the upstream material-guiding components, such as supply lines, during the flushing process, leading to inefficiencies and increased waste material disposal costs.

Innovation Solution

A conveying device with integrated flushing means, featuring a non-return valve and a disk valve, allows for simultaneous cleaning of the supply line and conveying chamber using a combination of flushing agent and compressed gas, minimizing backflow and optimizing the cleaning process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If compressed air is blown through the non-return valve to clean the pump chamber, then the pump chamber is cleaned, but the supply line is not cleaned

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidcleaning coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning process is segmented into two distinct phases: first cleaning the supply line by directing flushing agent through the valve inlet, then cleaning the pump chamber by directing compressed air through the same valve inlet. This segmentation allows each component to be cleaned effectively without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between cleaning the pump chamber and cleaning the supply line.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention inverts the traditional cleaning approach by introducing the flushing agent and compressed air through the valve inlet (upstream side) rather than through the non-return valve outlet (downstream side). This inversion allows the cleaning medium to flow through the supply line first, then into the pump chamber, thereby cleaning both components in sequence with a single operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Productivity

If the supply line is cleaned separately, then the pump chamber can be cleaned by the existing flushing system, but additional cleaning operations are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidcleaning time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the cleaning of the supply line and the pump chamber into a single integrated operation. By connecting both the flushing agent conveyor and compressed air source to the valve inlet, the system combines two cleaning functions into one unified process, eliminating the need for separate cleaning operations and thereby improving productivity while reducing time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The valve inlet is given multi-functionality, serving as a common entry point for both flushing agent delivery and compressed air delivery during the cleaning process. This universal access point allows the system to perform multiple cleaning functions through a single interface, reducing the number of separate cleaning operations required and improving overall cleaning efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If more flushing agent is used for each color change, then complete cleaning is achieved, but disposal costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning completenessVSAvoidflushing agent consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses compressed air (pneumatic cleaning) to remove coating material from the pump chamber, replacing the need to use large amounts of flushing agent for this purpose. The compressed air effectively blows out the coating material through the non-return valve, significantly reducing flushing agent consumption while maintaining complete cleaning, thereby reducing disposal costs without compromising cleaning completeness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 solution enables efficient, time-saving cleaning of the entire system, reducing the need for flushing agent and waste material, while minimizing the risk of contamination and manual intervention.

Implementation Method 1

The inlet valve (7) is formed as non-return valve. It is attained therewith that the fluid can flow unhindered in the one direction and the return flow (thus the flow in the opposite direction) is automatically prevented.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNon-return valve mechanism: Valve

Implementation Method 2

The conveying device furthermore comprises a flushing agent conveyor for conveying flushing agent, which is likewise connected to the valve inlet. The flushing medium can be, for example, flushing gas (e.g., compressed air or nitrogen).

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompressed air flushing: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS20250289018A1Conveying device with flushing device and method for operating the conveying device

Publication Date: 2025.09.18 WAGNER INT

AI summary

The conveying device according to the invention with flushing means comprises a material conveyor (1) for conveying coating material (31). The material conveyor (1), in turn, which has an inlet valve (7), which comprises a valve inlet (7.1) and a valve outlet (7.9). The material conveyor (1) additionally has a conveyor inlet (1.1) for coating material (31), which is connected or can be connected to the valve inlet (7.1). The conveying device furthermore comprises a flushing agent conveyor (3) for conveying flushing agent (30), which is likewise connected to the valve inlet (7.1).