Curved Web Blade Element for Mill Fluid Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mills for grinding materials, such as grain or scrap, face inefficiencies in grinding performance and hygiene due to limited fluid flow and potential deposits within the grinding unit.
Innovation Solution
A mill design featuring a rotatable blade element with a hub and outer ring connected by curved webs, which accelerates fluid flow similar to a radial fan, increasing fluid velocity and volume flow, and incorporating spacer elements with projections to optimize fluid guidance and prevent deposits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional blade sets with disc-like blades and spacer discs are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the fluid flow velocity and volume flow are limited, resulting in lower grinding performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curved webs instead of straight connections between hub and outer ring. The curved shape of the webs optimizes fluid guidance and acceleration, creating a radial fan effect that increases flow velocity and volume flow, thereby improving grinding performance while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The blade element is segmented into multiple functional components: hub portion, outer ring portion, curved webs, and through-passages. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while enabling modular manufacturing and assembly
2Productivity
If the blade element design does not include through-passages, then the structure is simpler, but fluid flow and grinding stock conveyance are less effective
Solution Approach 1:
The blade element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a cutting tool for grinding, a fluid accelerator like a radial fan, and a conveyance system through its through-passages. This multi-functionality increases volume flow and grinding performance without requiring separate components
3Speed
If low rotational speeds are used, then energy consumption is reduced, but fluid flow velocity and grinding fineness decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The curved webs are specifically designed to optimize fluid acceleration efficiency. The curvature allows the blade element to generate higher flow velocities even at lower rotational speeds, reducing the energy required while maintaining effective grinding performance
4Productivity
If the webs are curved backward in direction of rotation, then fluid guidance and pressure build-up are optimized, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The backward-curved web design optimizes fluid dynamics by guiding flow efficiently and building pressure. While curved surfaces are more complex to manufacture than straight edges, modern manufacturing techniques can produce these curves efficiently, and the performance benefits justify the additional manufacturing complexity
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 design enhances grinding performance by achieving finer grinding and improved hygiene through increased fluid flow, preventing deposits, and reducing maintenance, while maintaining balance and minimizing bearing load.
Implementation Method 1
when the blade element rotates, a fluid flowing through the grinding unit is accelerated by an effect similar to that of a radial fan, which results in a higher flow velocity and an increased volume flow of the fluid
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a mill comprising a grinding unit, wherein a rotatable blade element (9) drivable by a motor (2) is arranged in the grinding unit. The blade element (9) has a hub portion and an outer ring portion concentric with an axis of rotation of the blade element (9), which are connected by at least one curved web, the blade element (9) having at least one through-passage at its outer circumference in connection with a space between the hub portion and the outer ring portion.