Filling Chimney Shutter for Deep Vibrator Continuous Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing deep vibrator arrangements for producing compacted material columns in soil face challenges with time-consuming and expensive filling processes, as well as design complexities due to the movement of silo tubes during operation.
Innovation Solution
A deep vibrator arrangement that includes a filling chimney with a flexible shutter and a filling beak, allowing continuous filling of material without stopping the penetration unit's motion, using a double lock system to maintain pressure and prevent contamination, and a filling beak that can rotate and move laterally to accommodate the penetration unit's movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the silo tube is moved during operation, then the deep vibrator can penetrate and compact material columns, but the filling process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The filling chimney is designed as a movable component that follows the silo tube during penetration, allowing continuous filling operation without stopping the deep vibrator. The filling beak can rotate and move laterally to accommodate the penetration unit's movements, enabling dynamic adaptation to the moving silo tube position
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible shutter is introduced as an intermediary element in the filling opening to control material flow. The shutter can open to allow filling material to enter the filling chimney and close to prevent water or soil ingress, mediating between the filling material source and the moving silo tube
2Productivity
If the filling opening is always open, then filling material can be continuously fed, but water or soil may ingress into the filling chimney
Solution Approach 1:
The shutter is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically open during filling operations and close during non-filling periods. This dynamic control enables continuous operational capability while preventing contamination when the filling chimney is not being filled
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter changes its state between open and closed positions based on operational requirements. When the filling beak is in position and material needs to be fed, the shutter opens; when the filling chimney is not being filled, the shutter closes to prevent water or soil ingress
3Adaptability or versatility
If the filling beak is fixed, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate the penetration unit's movements
Solution Approach 1:
The filling beak is designed with rotational and lateral movement capabilities, allowing it to adapt to the penetration unit's movements during operation. This dynamic design enables the filling beak to maintain proper positioning relative to the moving silo tube while accommodating changes in position and orientation
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 faster, more efficient, and cost-effective filling of material columns by allowing continuous operation without stopping the penetration unit, reducing weight and operational complexity, and preventing water or soil ingress, thus enhancing the process's efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a deep vibrator (5) which is configured to produce vibratory compacted material columns (16) in a soil (171)
Implementation Method 2
The shutter (12) is configured to close in response to an external force F acting on the shutter (12) from an exterior of the filling chimney (11) so as to prevent water or soil from entering the filling chimney (11)
Implementation Method 3
During the extraction of the deep vibrator (5), the filling material (141) is brought down under pressure, such as air pressure, additive material conveying pressure or the like
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
One example relates to a filling chimney (11) configured to be coupled to a silo tube of a deep vibrator arrangement. The filling chimney (11) extends in a longitudinal direction (z) and includes an outer wall (111) surrounding an internal space (110), an elongated filling opening (112) formed in the outer wall (111) and extending in the longitudinal direction (z), and a shutter (12) arranged at the filling opening (112). The shutter (12) is configured to open in response to an external force (F) acting on the shutter (112) from an exterior of the filling chimney (11) so as to allow solid filling material to be fed into the internal space (110). Further, the shutter (12) is configured to close in response to the external force (F) being released.