Frangible Gate Flange for Air Cannon Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of air cannons on bulk material processing equipment often disrupts the operation and poses safety risks due to the need to expose passageways for bulk material and gases, especially when done on hot equipment, requiring drilling or cutting through walls.
Innovation Solution
A flange assembly with an annular mounting ring and a frangible gate that temporarily blocks fluid flow, allowing for safe and uninterrupted installation of air cannons by preventing gas and material flow during the installation process, using a gate that can be securely attached to the mounting ring after the blocking portion is disconnected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a hole is drilled or cut through the wall of bulk material processing equipment to install an air cannon, then the air cannon can be mounted to the equipment, but the operation of the equipment is disrupted and safety risks increase due to exposure to hot gas and material
Solution Approach 1:
The flange assembly is prepared in advance with a pre-formed opening and integrated gate mechanism before installation on the equipment. The gate is designed to be in place during installation, allowing workers to install the air cannon without drilling or cutting through the equipment wall during operation, thereby preventing exposure to hot gas and material.
2Productivity
If the equipment operates continuously without interruption, then productivity is maintained, but installation of air cannons becomes dangerous due to hot gas and material flow
Solution Approach 1:
The gate serves as an intermediary component that can be inserted into the flange assembly opening to block the flow of hot gas and bulk material. This allows installation workers to safely install the air cannon while the equipment remains operational, as the gate mediates between the operational equipment and the installation process by preventing harmful substances from reaching the workers.
Data Source
AI summary
A flange assembly comprises an annular mounting ring and a gate. The annular mounting ring is configured to be welded to the equipment and to connect an air cannon thereto. The mounting ring comprises threaded bolt holes and a slot and encircles a fluid passageway. The gate comprises a blocking portion that is frangibly connected to a flange portion. The gate is at least partially insertable through the slot such that the blocking portion is able to at least partially prevent fluid flow through the fluid passageway. The flange portion is configured to be securely attached to the annular mounting ring after the blocking portion of the gate has been frangibly disconnected from the flange portion.