Low Profile Transfer Conveyor Auger Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transfer conveyors face challenges in efficiently handling granular materials like oilseeds and fertilizers due to their small size and slippery nature, which leads to leakage and accumulation issues, and the need for large auger diameters to maintain capacity, while also requiring a low profile for drive-over configurations.
Innovation Solution
A transfer conveyor apparatus with a horizontally oriented receiving hopper featuring multiple hopper augers with smaller diameters and a transition auger, where the augers are spaced closely to maximize capacity and allow for a low profile design suitable for drive-over applications, with a tapered transition auger and extension mechanisms to enhance material flow and prevent leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If large diameter augers are used to maintain conveying capacity, then the conveying capacity is improved, but the profile height increases making drive-over configuration difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The conveying mechanism is divided into multiple smaller diameter augers (typically three) arranged side-by-side within a single hopper body, replacing the conventional single large diameter auger. This segmentation allows the same or greater total conveying capacity while maintaining a lower profile height that enables drive-over configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing capacity by increasing the diameter of a single auger (one-dimensional solution), the invention distributes capacity across multiple augers arranged in a lateral arrangement within the hopper, utilizing the horizontal dimension to achieve the required capacity while keeping the vertical profile low.
2Length of stationary object
If belt conveyors are used for low profile design, then the profile height is reduced for drive-over capability, but oilseeds leak and fertilizers react with rubber belting
Solution Approach 1:
The auger flights are designed as replaceable wear components that can be easily removed and replaced when worn or contaminated. This is particularly important for handling abrasive fertilizers and sticky oilseeds, where the flights can be cleaned or replaced without replacing the entire conveyor system.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material contact surface from rubber (belt) to metal (auger flights), which has different friction and chemical resistance properties. This parameter change in material composition allows reliable handling of both oilseeds and fertilizers without the leakage and chemical reaction problems associated with rubber belting.
3Productivity
If multiple horizontal augers are used to increase capacity, then the conveying capacity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple augers are merged into a single integrated hopper structure with a unified drive mechanism. The augers share common support structures, a common drive shaft or synchronized drives, and integrated flight designs, reducing the overall complexity compared to having separate conveyor units while maintaining increased capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
A transfer conveyor apparatus has a horizontally oriented receiving hopper defined by walls and a floor. A transition auger slopes upward and rearward from a bottom end thereof located in a rear portion of the receiving hopper. A plurality of hopper augers extend from the front wall to the rear portion of the receiving hopper. A right hopper auger is in proximity to and parallel to the right side wall and a left hopper auger is in proximity to and parallel to the left side wall. The hopper auger shafts are parallel and spaced apart by a spacing distance substantially equal to or less than the hopper auger diameter, and an auger drive is operative to rotate the hopper augers and the transition auger.