Front-Mounted Vacuum Collector for Non-Compacting Manure Pickup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vacuum systems are inadequate for efficiently collecting and removing liquid or semi-liquid animal manure from large animal husbandry facilities, as they often compact the manure, making it difficult to separate and convey, and existing solutions suffer from mechanical complexity and manual cleaning requirements.
Innovation Solution
A mobile vacuum apparatus with a frame, wheels, a vacuum tank, a scraping element for collection, and a blower vac capable of creating a vacuum or expelling material, featuring multiple vacuum outlets, a secondary trap to prevent debris entry, and a valve system for safe operation, allowing for efficient collection and discharge of manure without compaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a rear-mounted scraper blade is used to collect liquid or semi-liquid manure, then the manure is compacted prior to collection, but this makes it difficult to separate from the barn floor and difficult to convey pneumatically
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional rear-mounted scraper configuration by placing the scraping element at the front of the vacuum apparatus. This allows the scraper to guide material toward the suction inlet without compacting it beforehand, enabling easier pneumatic conveyance while maintaining collection efficiency
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate blower and vacuum pumps are used in the vacuum apparatus, then the system can handle both vacuum and pressure operations, but this creates mechanical complexity and increases down time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a single blower vacuum device that can operate in both vacuum and pressure modes. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate blower and vacuum pump systems, reducing mechanical complexity and maintenance requirements while maintaining operational versatility for different collection scenarios
3Productivity
If the collected manure enters the back of the vacuum tank and is discharged from the back, then the system operates continuously, but this leads to accumulation of manure in the front of the tank that diminishes tank capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a flushing system that periodically clears accumulated material from the front of the tank before it can significantly reduce effective capacity. This preliminary action maintains optimal tank capacity while allowing continuous operation, as the flushing mechanism prevents buildup without requiring system shutdown
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 apparatus effectively collects and discharges liquid or semi-liquid manure without compaction, reduces mechanical complexity, and improves operator safety by allowing for complete flushing of the tank, minimizing manual cleaning needs and enhancing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a blower vac capable of drawing air from the vacuum tank through the vacuum outlet to thereby create a vacuum in the tank
Data Source
AI summary
The apparatus comprises a front-mounted collection means for a vacuum tank for the collection of liquid or semi-liquid materials. The collection means comprises a substantially V-shaped housing with a scraper at the bottom thereof, a height adjustable suction inlet at the apex thereof, and a pair of laterally adjustable pivoting wings for varying its width to correspond to that of an alley or gutter. A plurality of rotary feeders, each having a vertical axis of rotation, are mounted to the housing adjacent the scraper to prevent accumulation of the materials on the scraper. The feeders do not contact either the surface upon which the scraper is operated, nor the scraper itself, but serve to mix thick consistency materials with thinner consistency materials and also to dislodge any accumulation that does occur.