External Impactor for Bulk Storage Bridging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bulk storage container devices for preventing bridging of flowable materials at the outlet often require internal modifications, are difficult to install and maintain, and can be damaging to the container due to high energy frequencies used to break up bridges.
Innovation Solution
An external impactor device secured to the container, comprising a hammer, strike plate, and drive mechanism that delivers controlled, radial impact vibrations to break up bridging material without internal components, allowing for easy installation, maintenance, and operation without damaging the container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high frequency and high energy vibrations are used to break up bridging material, then the effectiveness of breaking up bridges is improved, but the container may be damaged due to resonance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the vibration parameters from high frequency/high energy to low frequency (5-50 Hz) and controlled energy levels. This parameter change maintains the ability to break up bridging material while avoiding the resonance frequencies that could damage the container structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The impactor delivers periodic impact loads through a hammer mechanism that strikes the container exterior at controlled intervals. This periodic action at low frequency effectively breaks up bridges without the continuous high-frequency vibration that causes resonant damage.
2Reliability
If internal devices are used to prevent bridging, then the effectiveness of preventing bridging is improved, but the complexity of installation and maintenance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the vibration source from the interior of the container and places it on the exterior. The impactor is mounted on the outside surface, delivering vibrations through the container wall. This eliminates the need for internal mounting structures and allows easy installation and maintenance without emptying the container.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of placing the vibration source inside the container as in conventional devices, the patent inverts the approach by positioning the impactor on the exterior surface. The hammer strikes the outside of the container, transmitting vibrations inward to break up bridging material at the outlet.
3Adaptability or versatility
If pneumatic pistons are used for agitation, then the ability to react to bridging is improved, but the requirement for compressed air supply and maintenance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pneumatic system with a purely mechanical impactor mechanism. The hammer is driven by a mechanical motor through a crank-slider or cam mechanism, eliminating the need for compressed air supply lines, pneumatic valves, and associated control systems while maintaining the ability to deliver controlled impact forces.
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
Effectively breaks up bridging material at the outlet of bulk storage containers without requiring internal modifications or additional energy sources, ensuring continuous operation and reducing maintenance costs by using a controlled, low-frequency impact mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
the hammer imparts repeated impact loads to the strike plate to thereby transmit impact vibrations to the container to break up the bridging material
Implementation Method 2
transmit impact vibrations to the container
Data Source
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AI summary
An impactor is externally securable to a container of flowable material to break up bridging or clumping of the material in the container. The impactor comprises a strike plate mountable to an outlet hopper or the like and a drive which axially reciprocally moves the hammer, such that operation of the drive causes the hammer to impact the strike plate to thereby pass vibrations into the container.