Self-Supporting Flotation Drive Module for Integral Hoisting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drive modules for flotation plants are not self-supporting and require separate transportation and maintenance, leading to inefficiencies and increased complexity.

Innovation Solution

A self-supporting drive module with a rectangular parallelepiped framework that houses drive units and equipment, allowing for integral transfer and hoisting, with a gas feed pipeline and measurement equipment protected within, facilitating easy maintenance and installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If drive units and equipment are transported separately, then transportation flexibility is improved, but device complexity and installation time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransportation flexibilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines drive units, gas feed pipelines, measurement equipment, and other furnishings into a single integrated drive module housed within a self-supporting framework. This merging eliminates the need for separate transportation and installation of individual components, reducing installation complexity while maintaining transportation flexibility through the modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If drive units are housed within a self-supporting framework, then protection during transportation is improved, but weight of the moving object increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection during transportationVSAvoidweight of drive module
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The drive module is designed as a segmented self-supporting framework structure that provides protection while maintaining a manageable weight profile. The framework acts as a protective delivery package during transportation, and the modular segmented design allows for optimized material usage and weight distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of repair

If drive module is transferred as integral entity, then maintenance access is improved, but loss of time during assembly increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance accessVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The drive units and equipment are pre-assembled and furnished within the drive module framework at the manufacturing site before transportation. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming on-site assembly of individual components, allowing the drive module to be quickly installed as an integral entity while maintaining excellent maintenance access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If gas feed pipeline and equipment are protected within framework, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveequipment protectionVSAvoidframework structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The self-supporting framework serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the drive units, acts as a protective enclosure during transportation, serves as a mounting structure for gas feed pipelines and measurement equipment, and facilitates easy maintenance access. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate protective structures, thereby reducing overall device complexity while improving reliability.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3295071B1A drive module and its uses in a flotation plant
Publication Date: 2020.10.07 OUTOTEC FINDLAND OY
  • EP3295071B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3295071B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3295071B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A drive module (1) which is a self-supporting structure being transferable and hoistable as an integral entity. The drive module (1) comprises a self- supporting framework (2) having a shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. The self-supporting framework (2) defines an inner space (3) within the self-supporting framework. The drive module also comprises at least two drive units (4). The drive units are supported to the self-supporting framework (2) in the inner space (3) of the self-supporting framework. The drive units (4) are connectable to an external rotatable shaft (5) for the rotation of the rotatable shaft located out- side the drive module (1).