Drill Sample Particle Distributor with Oscillating Nozzle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current drill sample distribution systems, particularly cone splitters, face challenges in achieving uniform distribution of particles due to varying flow rates and moisture content, leading to biased sample sizes and inaccuracies, especially in wet drilling conditions, where high rotational speeds introduce delimitation errors and centrifugal forces disrupt flow.
Innovation Solution
A particle distributor assembly with a stationary inlet tube and a rotatable distributor head having an offset inlet and a non-rotating distributor nozzle with an oscillating outlet, which accelerates particles radially and promotes even distribution over a stationary cone, avoiding centrifugal forces and material hang-up.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a rotary cone splitter is used to distribute particles, then sample distribution can be achieved, but centrifugal forces disrupt flow and introduce delimitation errors at high rotational speeds
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of rotating the cone splitter as in conventional designs, this invention inverts the approach by keeping the cone stationary and rotating only the distributor head. This inversion eliminates centrifugal forces acting on the cone structure while maintaining the ability to distribute samples uniformly through the rotating distributor's multiple outlets.
Solution Approach 2:
The distributor head is segmented into multiple outlets arranged in a circle, allowing the sample stream to be divided into multiple portions that are distributed at different positions around the cone. This segmentation enables uniform distribution without requiring the entire cone to rotate, thereby eliminating centrifugal disruption.
2Manufacturing precision
If the inlet size is reduced to improve distribution, then particle flow consistency improves, but the inlet blocks more easily due to varying particle size and moisture content
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet is segmented into multiple separate outlets arranged in a circular pattern around the cone. Each outlet receives a portion of the sample stream, allowing the system to handle variable particle sizes and moisture content without blocking, while still achieving uniform distribution through the multi-point arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The distribution problem is solved by adding a dimensional aspect - distributing particles radially outward from multiple outlets arranged in a circle rather than through a single central inlet. This dimensional change allows particles to be deposited uniformly around the cone base without requiring a large single inlet opening.
3Productivity
If wet sample flows directly from cyclone through drop box to splitter, then processing speed increases, but flow rate variations cause biased sampling
Solution Approach 1:
The distributor head performs preliminary distribution of the sample stream into multiple portions before the material reaches the cone. By pre-distributing the sample across multiple outlets in a circular arrangement, the system maintains fast processing speeds while ensuring uniform and representative sampling, preventing flow rate variations from causing bias.
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
Enables high-speed rotation of the distributor head up to 500 rpm with near-perfect sample distribution and prevents material hang-up, allowing for consistent and representative sampling without the limitations of rotary cone splitters.
Implementation Method 1
a rotatable distributor head having an upwardly directed inlet offset from a central axis of rotation of the distributor head and a transversely directed outlet wherein, in use, when the distributor head is rotated at high speed particles entering the distributor head inlet are accelerated outwardly in a radial direction through the distributor head outlet
Implementation Method 2
the distributor nozzle being supported between the inlet tube and the distributor head in such a manner that it is constrained from rotating whilst the nozzle outlet is forced to oscillate in a circular pattern by the rotation of the distributor head inlet whereby, in use, the oscillating motion of the nozzle outlet helps to promote particle flow and produce a more representative distribution of particles exiting from the distributor head outlet
Data Source
AI summary
A particle distributor assembly 10 for distributing the particles of a drill sample is described. The distributor assembly comprises a stationary inlet tube 14 through which particles enter the distributor assembly 10, and a rotatable distributor head 16. The rotatable distributor head 16 has an upwardly directed inlet 18 offset from a central axis of rotation of the distributor head 16 and a transversely directed outlet 22 wherein, in use, when the distributor head 16 is rotated at high speed particles entering the distributor head inlet are accelerated outwardly in a radial direction through the distributor head outlet. The particle distributor assembly 10 also has a distributor nozzle 24 having an inlet 26 and an outlet 28, the nozzle inlet 26 being aligned with the stationary inlet tube and the nozzle outlet 28 being aligned with the distributor head inlet. The distributor nozzle 24 is supported between the inlet tube 14 and the distributor head 16 in such a manner that it is constrained from rotating while the nozzle outlet 28 is able to oscillate in a circular motion with the distributor head inlet 18. In use, the oscillating motion of the nozzle outlet 28 helps to promote particle flow and produce a more representative distribution of particles exiting from the distributor head outlet 22.