Dewatering Device Inner Pipe Segmentation Wear Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dewatering devices for pourable or free-flowing feed materials face issues with high wear due to high pressure forces, leading to frequent replacements and downtime, and are not adaptable to varying feed material properties.

Innovation Solution

The device features a separable, slim inner pipe with passage openings designed for efficient drainage, allowing for adaptation to different materials and reducing wear by focusing maintenance on the most stressed areas, with the inner pipe being easily replaceable and made of high-strength materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high compression is applied to dewater feed material, then dewatering efficiency is improved, but wear on screw helix and jacket tube increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedewatering efficiencyVSAvoidwear resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into modular components: the jacket tube, inner pipe, and screw shaft are separate replaceable parts. This segmentation allows individual components to be replaced without replacing the entire device, addressing wear issues while maintaining high compression capability for effective dewatering.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inner pipe is designed with specific local properties (smooth surface, appropriate thickness) to reduce wear in high-stress areas. The jacket tube has reinforced sections at critical locations. This local optimization allows high compression forces to be applied effectively while managing wear at specific critical points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If fixed geometry elements are used for dewatering, then device structure is simplified, but adaptability to changing feed material is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidmaterial adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The device incorporates adjustable elements including variable pitch screw helices and replaceable inner pipes with different geometries. These dynamic features allow the device to adapt to different feed material characteristics while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The jacket tube serves multiple functions: structural support, compression force application, and wear resistance. The inner pipe provides both structural definition and a smooth surface for material flow. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, maintaining structural simplicity while enhancing adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If frequent replacement of worn components is performed, then device reliability is maintained, but downtime and operational cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent reliabilityVSAvoiddowntime
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The screw shaft, inner pipe, and jacket tube are designed as separable modular components that can be independently replaced. This segmentation enables quick replacement of only the worn component without disassembling the entire device, significantly reducing downtime while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inner pipe is designed as a relatively simple, replaceable component that can be economically replaced when worn. This approach is more cost-effective than attempting to repair or refurbish complex components, reducing both downtime and operational costs while maintaining device reliability.

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

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 design enhances economic efficiency by reducing wear and maintenance intervals, allowing for better adaptation to changing feed materials and preventing clogging, thus improving the overall operational efficiency and longevity of the device.

Implementation Method 1

a worm shaft with a rotating spiral rotates, which transports the still loose feed material in cooperation with axially aligned conveyor strips

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew conveyance: Screw

Implementation Method 2

As a result of the jacket tube tapering conically towards this end or the decreasing pitch of the screw helix, the feed material is strongly compressed and the residual water present in the feed material is squeezed out

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical compression: Compression

Implementation Method 3

The crushed water is discharged through openings in the casing pipe, which are adapted in shape and size to the type of feed material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure-driven flow: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP1992894B1Device for removing water from bulk or flowable feed material through its compaction
Publication Date: 2014.02.26 PALLMANN MASCHFAB GMBH & CO KG
  • EP1992894B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1992894B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1992894B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The device has a housing (3) arranged along a rotational axis (2), which includes a feed area (4) and a conveying and compaction area (10) extending axially within a casing tube (9, 9'). A coaxial drive shaft (8) with circumferentially rotating helixes (16) rotates within the housing (3), compacting the feed material as it is transported from the feed area (4) through the conveying and compaction area (10). Residual water (38) present in the feed material is discharged from the device through radial openings in the casing tube (9, 9').According to the invention, it is provided that at least in a partial area the outer casing (9,9',18) is provided with passages (29,29') and an inner tube (30,30',30") is arranged inside the outer casing (9,9',18), which at least partially abuts the inner circumference of the outer casing (9,9',18) with its outer circumference and which has passage openings (35,35') at least in the area of ​​the passages (29,29') that are many times smaller than the passages (29,29') in the outer casing (9,9',18).