Foamed Bitumen Apparatus Compressed-Air Nozzle Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing apparatuses for producing foamed bitumen in road construction machines face issues with clogging of inlet and outlet devices, leading to reduced foam quality and operational malfunctions due to complex cleaning processes that compromise the quality of the foamed bitumen.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a compressed-air device to test and clean the inlet and outlet devices by supplying a compressed-air stream, allowing for the detection of pressure curves to identify malfunctions and clogging, and using this method to preventively clean the components that come into contact with bitumen.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If complex cleaning processes are used to clean inlet and outlet devices, then clogging is removed, but foam quality deteriorates and operational malfunctions occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of cloggingVSAvoidfoam quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The compressed air device performs preliminary cleaning of the inlet and outlet devices before clogging occurs during normal operation. By introducing compressed air through the nozzles, bitumen residues are removed preventively, ensuring reliable operation without compromising foam quality during the actual foaming process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning function is extracted from the main foaming process by using a separate compressed air device. This allows the cleaning operation to be performed independently through the existing nozzle infrastructure, removing bitumen residues without interfering with the bitumen foaming process and thus maintaining foam quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If inlet and outlet devices are cleaned frequently, then operational malfunctions are reduced, but production time is lost and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoidproduction efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The compressed air cleaning can be performed continuously or intermittently during normal operation without stopping the foaming process. The cleaning action occurs through the nozzles while the system remains operational, eliminating downtime and maintaining continuous production while preventing clogging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-cleaning by using compressed air to remove bitumen residues from the nozzles and lines during operation. This automatic cleaning function eliminates the need for manual intervention and shutdowns, maintaining both reliability and productivity simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If compressed air is used to clean the inlet and outlet devices, then clogging is prevented and foam quality is maintained, but additional equipment complexity is introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The compressed air device serves multiple functions: it cleans the inlet and outlet devices to prevent clogging, and can also be used to test nozzle functionality by monitoring pressure curves. This multi-functionality justifies the added equipment by providing both cleaning and diagnostic capabilities within a single system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning function is merged with the existing nozzle infrastructure. The compressed air uses the same nozzle pathways as the bitumen flow, combining the cleaning action with the existing delivery system rather than requiring completely separate cleaning equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This solution ensures more reliable and cost-effective production of foamed bitumen by preventing clogging, maintaining the quality of the foamed bitumen, and simplifying the cleaning process, thus reducing operational issues and improving the overall performance of the road construction machine.

Implementation Method 1

at least one compressed-air device is provided, via which the inlet device and/or the outlet device can be subjected to a compressed-air stream for testing and/or cleaning purposes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompressed air: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

using this method to preventively clean the components that come into contact with bitumen

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPneumatic cleaning: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS9856611B2Apparatus for producing foamed bitumen and method for its maintenance

Publication Date: 2018.01.02 BOMAG GMBH

AI summary

The present invention relates to an apparatus for producing foamed bitumen for a road construction machine, comprising at least one mixing device having a reaction chamber, in which hot bitumen and at least one reaction fluid can be mixed together via an inlet device comprising at least one inlet nozzle and can be discharged from the mixing device via an outlet device, with at least one compressed-air device being provided, via which the inlet device and/or the outlet device can be subjected to a compressed-air stream for testing and/or cleaning purposes. The present invention further also relates to a method for maintaining such an apparatus.