Gravity Feed Bulk Material Transfer System for Dust and Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bulk material handling systems at job sites generate significant dust, noise, and engine emissions due to pneumatic transfer methods, which are costly and inefficient to control.
Innovation Solution
A containerized bulk material handling system that uses portable containers and a gravity feed mechanism to transfer materials directly from these containers to a blender inlet, eliminating the need for pneumatic conveyance and reducing dust, noise, and engine emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If pneumatic transfer is used to convey bulk material from tank truck to storage silo, then material transfer is achieved, but dust, noise, and engine emissions are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the pneumatic transfer system from the material handling process. Instead of using pneumatic conveyance from tank truck to silo, the invention uses direct gravity feed chutes that allow material to flow directly from the truck through enclosed chutes into the blender, removing the source of dust and noise generation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces enclosed gravity feed chutes as an intermediary mechanism between the tank truck and blender. These chutes serve as a dust-containing structure that guides material flow without requiring pneumatic pressure, thereby eliminating dust emission while maintaining efficient transfer
2Ease of manufacture
If pneumatic transfer system is used, then bulk material can be conveyed, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex pneumatic transfer infrastructure (compressors, hoses, pressure control systems) and replaces it with simple gravity-fed enclosed chutes. This extraction of the pneumatic system dramatically simplifies the equipment while eliminating dust and noise generation
Solution Approach 2:
The gravity feed system utilizes the natural force of gravity to move material from the tank truck through enclosed chutes to the blender without requiring external power sources or complex control systems. The system serves itself using gravitational potential energy, eliminating the need for pneumatic equipment
3Loss of time
If conventional handling system with conveyor is used, then material transfer is achieved, but idling time and emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous material transfer from the tank truck directly to the blender through gravity feed chutes without interruption for conveyor loading/unloading cycles. The system maintains continuous flow of material, eliminating idle time and associated engine emissions from conveyor operations
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 system significantly reduces dust, noise, and engine emissions by allowing quick and efficient unloading of bulk materials without pneumatic transfer, minimizing idling times and conveyor usage, thus enhancing operational efficiency and environmental compliance.
Implementation Method 1
The bulk material is usually transferred from the tank truck pneumatically. More specifically, the bulk material is blown pneumatically from the tank truck into an on-location storage/delivery system
Implementation Method 2
When the container is in position, the container is opened to release the bulk material directly into the blender inlet or through a gravity feed outlet into the blender inlet
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for handling bulk material in a manner that reduces dust, noise, and emissions are provided. The presently disclosed techniques use portable containers to transfer bulk material from a transportation unit to a blender inlet. The containers may be carried to the location on the transportation unit, where a hoisting mechanism is used to remove the container from the transportation unit and place it in a desired location. When bulk material is needed at the blender inlet, the hoisting mechanism may position the container of bulk material onto an elevated support structure. Once on the support structure, the container may be opened to release bulk material to a gravity feed outlet, which routes the bulk material from the container directly into the blender inlet. The disclosed containerized bulk material transfer system and method allows for reduced dust, noise, and emissions on location.