Conveying Tube Discharge Opening Elevation for Even Material Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for distributing material along a conveying path face delays due to sequential filling of drop tubes, leading to uneven and slow delivery of material to feeding stations, requiring closure and simultaneous release of drop tubes once filled.
Innovation Solution
The method involves supporting an elongate conveying tube with discharge elements having varying elevations along its length, allowing for unrestricted discharge by positioning discharge openings higher at one end than the other, enabling faster and even distribution of material without relying on sequential filling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If sequential filling of drop tubes is used to distribute material, then material is delivered to feeding stations, but significant wait time occurs between delivery to first and last drop tubes
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-fills all drop tubes simultaneously before discharge, so that when discharge begins, all tubes are ready to deliver material at the same time. This eliminates the sequential wait time where the first tube delivers immediately but the last tube must wait for all previous tubes to fill.
Solution Approach 2:
The system operates in periodic cycles: first filling all drop tubes simultaneously, then discharging all tubes simultaneously. This periodic alternation between filling and discharge phases ensures that within each cycle, all drop tubes deliver material at the same time, eliminating inter-tube wait time.
2Productivity
If drop tubes are closed until all are filled, then simultaneous delivery to all feeding stations is achieved, but system complexity increases with closable drop tubes and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
All drop tubes are pre-filled to their discharge level before the discharge cycle begins. This preliminary simultaneous filling eliminates the need for complex closing mechanisms, as all tubes are naturally ready to discharge at the same time without requiring active control to keep them closed.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention removes the closing mechanism entirely from the system. Instead of using closable drop tubes with actuators and control systems, the design uses always-open drop tubes that are simply pre-filled to the correct level, eliminating the complex control system while maintaining simultaneous delivery capability.
3Ease of manufacture
If uniform discharge openings are used at all positions, then discharge structure is simplified, but material distribution becomes uneven due to varying discharge distances
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge opening size is varied locally according to the specific requirements of each position. Drop tubes closer to the material source receive smaller openings, while those farther away receive larger openings. This local adaptation ensures that each tube delivers the appropriate amount of material to achieve even distribution across all feeding stations.
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge opening parameter (size/area) is changed systematically based on the position of each drop tube along the conveyor. By adjusting this critical parameter, the system compensates for varying discharge distances and achieves uniform material distribution despite the non-uniform positioning of drop tubes.
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 reduces lag time between material discharge at different points, ensuring similar amounts are distributed quickly and efficiently, eliminating the need for closable drop tubes and simplifying the system with less material and user intervention.
Implementation Method 1
providing a conveying mechanism to move material along the conveying tube
Implementation Method 2
at least one discharge opening proximate a first end of the conveying tube being greater in elevation relative to said conveying tube than at least one discharge opening proximate a second end of said conveying tube
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for discharging material at spaced intervals each provide a conveying tube and a conveying mechanism for moving material from a first end of the tube toward a second opposite end. Discharge openings are provided spaced along the tube at different heights thereon. Openings near the first end are at a higher elevation on the tube than those near the second end, corresponding to downward slope of material upon initial entry and conveyance within the tube. The decreasing elevation of discharge openings and corresponding slope of material act to delay discharge near the first end, by requiring a build up of material height to reach the opening, and hasten discharge near the second end, by eliminating the need to fill drop tubes or metering devices before conveying material further along the tube. This reduces lag time between progressive discharge openings thereby providing more even material distribution therefrom.