Cyclone Separator Drain Line Hydrostatic Seal for Glue Aerosol

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for separating glue particles from a Leimaerosol face challenges in efficiently discharging captured glue particles with minimal technical effort while maintaining continuous cyclone operation, leading to contamination and complex cleaning processes.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a cyclone separator with a drain line that hydrostatically seals the cyclone separator using a solvent in the collecting container, allowing gravity-driven catching of glue particles and their absorption by the solvent, thereby maintaining a functional cyclone flow without interruption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a cyclone separator is airtightly sealed to maintain functioning cyclone flow, then separation efficiency is improved, but particle discharge becomes difficult and requires complex rotary valves or operational interruptions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecyclone flow functionalityVSAvoidparticle discharge
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The drain line acts as an intermediary element that allows particle discharge while maintaining the airtight seal of the cyclone separator. It provides a dedicated pathway for particles to exit through the solvent without compromising the cyclone flow integrity or requiring complex sealing mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The drain line utilizes hydrostatic pressure from the solvent to enable particle discharge. The liquid medium in the drain line allows particles to be discharged through the sealed system without breaking the vacuum or pressure balance required for cyclone operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Productivity

If rotary valves are used to discharge particles during cyclone operation, then continuous operation is maintained, but device complexity and cleaning requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous operationVSAvoidvalve mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex rotary valve mechanism is completely removed from the system. Instead, a simple drain line is used to discharge particles, extracting the problematic sealing and moving parts from the cyclone separator while maintaining continuous operation capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The drain line with solvent provides a simple, easily replaceable discharge mechanism. Rather than maintaining complex rotary valves that require precise sealing and frequent cleaning, the system uses a straightforward liquid-filled line that can be easily replaced if needed

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

3Device complexity

If collection containers are replaced without rotary valves, then device complexity is reduced, but cyclone flow cannot be maintained and operational interruption is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve mechanismVSAvoidcontinuous operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The drain line filled with solvent serves as an intermediary that allows the collection container to be replaced without interrupting cyclone operation. The liquid seal in the drain line maintains the pressure balance during the replacement process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The drain line is pre-filled with solvent to create a liquid seal before container replacement begins. This preliminary preparation ensures that the cyclone flow can be maintained throughout the replacement process without operational interruption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If glue particles are discharged via rotary valve during operation, then continuous separation is maintained, but cleaning of the valve becomes difficult and frequent

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous separationVSAvoidvalve cleaning
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The rotary valve is completely removed from the system, eliminating the cleaning problem associated with it. The drain line provides a simple, valve-free discharge mechanism that does not accumulate glue particles in hard-to-reach areas

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The solvent in the drain line continuously flows through the discharge path, providing self-cleaning action. The moving liquid prevents glue particles from adhering to the drain line walls, eliminating the need for manual cleaning interventions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 and continuous separation of glue particles from Leimaerosol, reducing contamination and simplifying the cleaning process by allowing for regular solvent replacement without interrupting cyclone operation.

Implementation Method 1

a cyclone separator 4 with a funnel-shaped separation area 4b, in particular tapering downwards, for guiding a cyclone flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCyclone flow: Cyclone Separation

Implementation Method 2

which extends downwards into the collection container 5 in order to hydrostatically seal the cyclone separator 4 on the drain side by means of a solvent 7 held in the collection container 5

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrostatic seal: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 3

particles are separated by the cyclone flow of the raw gas at the essentially funnel-shaped side wall and can then migrate from there, driven by gravity and/or the cyclone flow, to the so-called expansion chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 4

allowing gravity-driven catching of glue particles and their absorption by the solvent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP4247516B1Device and method of separating glue particles from aerosols
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 KRONES AG
  • EP4247516B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4247516B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4247516B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device and a method for separating glue particles from a glue aerosol. The device comprises a cyclone separator and a collection container arranged therebeneath for collecting glue particles running down from the cyclone separator. The fact that the device further comprises a discharge line, which adjoins the cyclone separator in a gas-tight manner and protrudes downwards into the collection container for hydrostatically sealing the cyclone separator on the discharge side by means of a solvent stored in the collection container, separated particles can be continuously dissolved in the solvent and can be discharged by exchange of the solvent without interruption of the cyclonic flow present in the cyclone separator.