Flexible Elastomer Discharge Duct for Silo Pressure Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pressure relief valves in containers, such as silos, face issues with powder settlement and scaling in the discharge duct, requiring periodic maintenance, and alternatives like rigid plastic materials lead to wear and scaling problems.
Innovation Solution
A pressure relief valve with a flexible elastomer discharge duct that deforms under pressure, vibrating to remove settled powder and prevent obstruction, activated at lower pressures than standard settings, ensuring continuous operation without maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metal discharge duct is used, then the valve works excellently in the short term, but powder settles and scales on the discharge curve and membrane requiring periodic cleaning and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge duct is made flexible instead of rigid, allowing it to dynamically change shape during operation. The duct deforms under pressure differential and vibrates during material flow, preventing powder accumulation and scaling that would occur with a static metal duct
Solution Approach 2:
The material property of the discharge duct is changed from rigid (metal) to flexible (elastomer), fundamentally altering how the duct responds to pressure changes and material flow, thereby eliminating the scaling problem through elastic deformation and vibration
2Ease of manufacture
If rigid plastic materials are used instead of metal, then plant costs are reduced, but wear problems and scaling of the discharge duct occur
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge duct is constructed from flexible elastomeric material that can deform and vibrate, combining the cost advantage of non-metallic materials with the wear resistance and scaling prevention properties of flexible structures
Solution Approach 2:
The valve combines a rigid valve body (metal or rigid plastic) with a flexible discharge duct (elastomer), creating a composite structure that leverages the strengths of both material types - structural integrity from the rigid body and wear resistance from the flexible duct
3Loss of time
If a flexible elastomer discharge duct is used, then maintenance is eliminated through vibration-based powder removal, but the duct must withstand repeated elastic deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible duct performs self-cleaning through its own elastic deformation and vibration during normal operation, eliminating the need for external maintenance and cleaning operations
Solution Approach 2:
The duct undergoes periodic elastic deformation synchronized with the pressure cycles and material flow, creating repeated vibration that continuously prevents powder accumulation and maintains duct cleanliness
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
The solution prevents air pollution and extends the valve's operational life by eliminating the need for frequent maintenance, ensuring safety and efficient powder discharge without scaling issues.
Implementation Method 1
a powder discharge duct made of a flexible material, for example an elastomer, in particular a polymer that is suited to be elastically deformed. The powder discharge duct is constrained at its ends, so that the increase in pressure, due to the loading of the silo, causes it to be squashed and deformed, while, during the opening of the discharge, it resumes its original shape. This original shape squashing/resuming movement allows the powder discharge duct to vibrate, thus eliminating possible scaling.
Data Source
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AI summary
A pressure relief valve (1) for containers (3) suited for the pneumatic loading of loose solid products, in particular silos. The valve (1) comprises a valve body (2) having a first end, which pneumatically communicates with the inside of the container (3), and a second end, which is associated to a flow control organ (7), which is subject to the action of corresponding closing membrane (8). The flow control organ (7) periodically establishes. a fluid communication between said valve body (2) and a duct (22) that communicates with the outside. The valve (1) is characterised in that at least one portion of the duct (22) that communicates with the outside is suited to be elastically deformed by the pressure difference existing between the inside of said container (3) and the inside of the duct (22) itself.