Rotatable Deflector Drying Control for Swaying Seafood Conveyors
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Solution Overview
Problem
On-board seafood drying technologies face challenges due to space limitations and hull sway, leading to uneven drying and quality issues, as existing solutions are not optimized for marine conditions and ignore the specificities of on-board processing.
Innovation Solution
A location correction system and anti-accumulation drying method using CFD-DEM coupled technology to simulate airflow and material motion, optimizing deflector rotation angles and wind speeds to ensure uniform drying, implemented through a PLC control system for automatic adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If hot-air drying technology is used on board, then drying capability is achieved, but uneven drying occurs due to hull sway causing material accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the deflector rotatable to dynamically adjust its angle based on hull sway conditions. The deflector rotation angle is controlled to change position during operation, allowing the system to adapt to varying sea conditions and maintain uniform material distribution despite hull movement, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining drying capability and achieving drying uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters by adjusting the deflector rotation angle and wind speed according to hull sway amplitude. When hull sway increases, the deflector angle and wind speed are modified to counteract material accumulation. This parameter adjustment strategy maintains both drying effectiveness and material distribution uniformity under varying operating conditions.
2Productivity
If complex drying systems with multiple components are deployed, then drying efficiency improves, but device space requirements exceed available hull space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a drying system where the deflector serves multiple functions: it guides airflow, controls material distribution, and compensates for hull sway. This multi-functional component replaces what would otherwise require separate systems, achieving high drying efficiency while minimizing equipment volume to fit within constrained hull space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the airflow guidance function and material distribution control function into a single deflector component. By combining these functions that would traditionally require separate devices, the system achieves efficient drying performance while reducing the overall equipment volume to accommodate limited space on the vessel.
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
Achieves high-efficiency, uniform, and continuous drying of seafood products by optimizing the distribution of material particles and airflow, reducing moisture content variations across the conveyor belt, thus improving the quality and consistency of marine products.
Implementation Method 1
the airflow field and rotatable deflector set above conveyor belt can effectively prevent materials accumulation and correct location displacement of materials caused by hull sway
Implementation Method 2
optimizing deflector rotation angles and wind speeds to ensure uniform drying
Implementation Method 3
The CFD-DEM coupled method can accurately simulate the interaction and motion of material particles imposed by airflow field
Implementation Method 4
Hot-air drying is one of the widely used marine on-board dry processing technologies
Implementation Method 5
Hot-air drying is one of the widely used marine on-board dry processing technologies
Data Source
AI summary
Aiming at insufficient drying seafood on-board caused by hull swings, the present invention involves the establishment of location correction system for processing seafood transportation displaced by wind waves and anti-accumulation drying processing method. This invention employs CFD-DEM method to simulate the state and distribution of the material particles modulated by the deflector angle and wind speed. Finally, the optimized rotation angle of deflector and wind speed are obtained where material particles are equally distributed. Meanwhile, the uniform and fast drying of the marine products in the swinging hull are achieved. This invention shows the great advantages of high efficiency, automation and continuity.