Hinge Belt Filter With Drag Bars For Tank Bottom Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing belt-style filtering systems for contaminated liquids face issues with large particles accumulating on the bottom of the tank, leading to system jamming and requiring costly manual cleaning or complex mechanical solutions, which result in downtime and increased expenses.

Innovation Solution

A continuous loop belt system with pivotable plates and drag bars that move along the tank bottom to collect and discharge large particles, combined with a rotating drum filter for smaller particles, enhances particle separation and reduces the risk of jamming by allowing gravity-assisted opening and closing of live links to facilitate particle flow and collection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a belt-style filtering system is used to separate large particles from contaminated liquid, then particle separation is achieved, but large particles accumulate on the tank bottom causing system jamming and requiring manual cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem operation continuityVSAvoidparticle accumulation and jamming
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The drag bars are mechanically coupled to the hinge belt, allowing the belt's motion to automatically drive the drag bars along the tank bottom. This self-service mechanism continuously removes accumulated particles without external intervention, preventing jamming and eliminating the need for manual cleaning while maintaining reliable continuous operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The drag bar system is integrated with the hinge belt by mechanical coupling, combining the particle conveyance function of the belt with the particle scraping function of the drag bars. This merged system achieves comprehensive particle removal at the tank bottom, preventing accumulation and jamming while reducing system complexity compared to separate mechanical systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If manual cleaning is used to remove particles from the tank bottom, then particle removal is achieved, but system downtime increases and operational costs rise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle accumulationVSAvoiddowntime for manual cleaning
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The drag bars automatically remove particles from the tank bottom through mechanical coupling with the continuously moving hinge belt. This automated self-service system eliminates the need for periodic manual cleaning interventions, preventing particle accumulation and maintaining continuous operation without downtime

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanically coupled drag bars operate continuously as long as the hinge belt is moving, providing uninterrupted particle removal from the tank bottom. This continuous action prevents particle buildup and eliminates periodic shutdowns for manual cleaning, maintaining continuous productive operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Object-generated harmful factors

If separate mechanical systems are used to remove particles from the tank bottom, then particle removal is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparticle accumulationVSAvoidmechanical system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drag bar system is merged with the hinge belt through mechanical coupling, integrating particle scraping functionality into the existing belt drive system. This eliminates the need for separate independent mechanical systems, reducing device complexity and cost while effectively preventing particle accumulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge belt serves dual functions: conveying large particles through the filtering system and mechanically driving the drag bars to remove particles from the tank bottom. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated particle removal systems, simplifying the overall device while maintaining effective particle management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 effectively separates large and small particles, reducing the need for manual cleaning and minimizing downtime, while maintaining efficient operation and reducing system complexity and costs by integrating drag bars and a rotating drum filter for comprehensive particle removal.

Implementation Method 1

the contaminated liquid is directed to the belt by gravity wherein the fluid engages the belt from above and gravity urges the fluid through the belt

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

a rotating drum system with a filtering screen that is supported within the tank and is partially immersed in the partially cleaned fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

drag bars on the outward side, which drag bars move along the tank bottom in the bottom region toward the first end when in the lower section of the belt

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2222383B1Filtering apparatus with hinge belt
Publication Date: 2015.02.11 CORSARO DONALD F
  • EP2222383B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2222383B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2222383B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An endless belt filtering system for separating solid particles from a flow of contaminated liquid to produce a generally clean liquid, having a continuous loop belt extending between a first end and a second end and being formed by a plurality of plates pivotably joined to one another. The plurality of plates including pivot plates having pivoting flaps that are pivotable between an opened condition and a closed condition. The flaps fall open when the belt is upside-down in order to release trapped particles.