Granules Conditioner Elastic Curtain Deflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing granular material conditioners are ineffective in processing granular materials with a moisture content of 10-15% produced by growth agglomeration, as they tend to form lumps and clog due to moisture, leading to poor quality output.
Innovation Solution
A granular material conditioner with two rotatable discs and an elastic curtain in the catch container, where the granular material impacts the curtain instead of the rigid wall, reducing adhesion and clogging, and adjustable gap width for optimal processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If granular material conditioners with rigid housing walls are used to process moist granular materials (10-15% moisture content), then the granular material can be comminuted and grain sizes reduced, but large agglomerates and lumps adhere to the housing wall and re-form, severely adversely affecting quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a flexible liner made of elastomeric material (such as polyurethane or natural rubber) inside the stationary housing, replacing the rigid wall surface. This flexible liner prevents moisture-induced adhesion and lump formation while allowing the granular material to be effectively comminuted between the rotating element and the liner, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving fine grain size distribution and preventing adhesion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the surface properties of the housing interior from rigid and non-compliant to flexible and compliant by introducing the elastomeric liner. This parameter change in surface flexibility and moisture interaction characteristics prevents the harmful adhesion effect while maintaining the comminution function, thus resolving the technical contradiction.
2Productivity
If disc mills with tooth arrangements are used to ground granular materials, then grinding capability is provided, but the spaces between teeth are gummed up by moisture and particles causing the mill to clog
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the tooth arrangement from the rotating element, eliminating the spaces between teeth where moisture and particles cause clogging. Instead, the rotating element features a smooth peripheral surface that contacts the granular material, providing grinding capability through friction and compression without creating pockets that trap moisture and lead to clogging.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than using protruding teeth to grind the material (which creates clogging-prone spaces), the patent inverts the approach by using a smooth rotating surface that compresses and frictionally grinds the material against the flexible liner, eliminating the clogging mechanism while maintaining productivity.
3Productivity
If rigid housing walls are used to receive comminuted granular material by centrifugal force, then material collection is efficient, but granular material grains form lumps on the rigid wall
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible elastomeric liner replaces the rigid housing wall in the material collection zone. The flexible surface prevents granular material grains from forming lumps upon impact while still allowing efficient collection through centrifugal force, as the liner can deform to accommodate particle impact and release particles effectively.
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 conditioner effectively processes granular materials with reduced adhesion and clogging, maintaining granular material quality by using an elastic curtain to deflect particles and adjustable features for optimal size distribution.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic curtain, which is spaced at least portion-wise from the catch container wall and is so arranged that it limits the trajectory of the granular material issuing from the gap
Implementation Method 2
a catch container for receiving the granular material which issues from the gap between the two discs by virtue of centrifugal force
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention concerns a granular material conditioner for optimising grain sizes of granular materials comprising two discs which are rotatable relative to each other and which are arranged in substantially mutually parallel relationship, a granular material inlet through which granular material can be passed into the conditioner into an annular gap between the two discs, and a catch container for receiving the granular material which issues from the gap between the two discs by virtue of centrifugal force. According to the invention it is proposed that the catch container has an elastic curtain, wherein the curtain is spaced at least portion-wise from the catch container wall and limits the trajectory of the granular material issuing from the gap.