Hoisting Accessory Guideway for Pulp Dryer Blower Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hoisting accessories for pulp dryers require significant dismantling of structures and limited access due to space constraints, making the removal and transfer of blowers cumbersome and time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

A hoisting accessory with a guideway and carriage system that allows for the suspension and transfer of blowers outside service platforms, supported by a telescopic support device for horizontal stability, enabling easier access and reduced dismantling requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional hoisting accessories are used to remove blowers, then the blower can be hoisted vertically, but significant dismantling of service platforms and structures is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of blower removalVSAvoidstructural dismantling requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a guideway as an intermediary structure that spans between support points above the blower. This guideway serves as a mediator that allows the blower to be transferred horizontally outside the service platform area, eliminating the need to dismantle service platforms, stairs, and ducts. The guideway creates a new transfer path that bypasses the obstructive structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the hoisting approach from purely vertical to include a horizontal dimension. By introducing the guideway and carriage system, the blower can first be lifted partially, then transferred horizontally along the guideway to a position outside the service platform, and finally lowered. This dimensional change allows avoidance of structural obstacles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If vertical hoisting is used for blower removal, then the process is straightforward, but space constraints on pulp dryer sides complicate access

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblower transfer easeVSAvoidavailable space on dryer sides
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the horizontal dimension by introducing a guideway that extends beyond the service platform area. The carriage moves the blower horizontally along this guideway to a location where it can be lowered without interfering with the limited side space of the pulp dryer. This dimensional approach bypasses the space constraints rather than competing with them.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The hoisting process is segmented into distinct phases: initial vertical lifting to clear obstacles, horizontal transfer along the guideway to an accessible location, and final vertical lowering. This segmentation allows each phase to be optimized independently, with the horizontal transfer phase specifically addressing the space constraint problem.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If service platforms are dismantled to accommodate hoisting accessory, then access is improved, but significant time and effort is required for dismantling and reinstallation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblower replacement speedVSAvoiddismantling and reinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The guideway acts as a fixed intermediary structure that can be installed once and reused for multiple blower replacements. Unlike service platforms that must be dismantled and reinstalled for each operation, the guideway remains in place, allowing rapid sequential replacement of blowers without repeated dismantling cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The guideway and support structures are installed in advance before any blower replacement operations begin. This preliminary installation creates a permanent or semi-permanent infrastructure that eliminates the need for repeated dismantling and reinstallation, significantly reducing the time loss associated with access preparation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of operation

If hoisting accessory is positioned close to floor, then access is easier, but all overhead structures must be dismantled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehoisting accessory accessibilityVSAvoidoverhead structure dismantling
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of bringing the hoisting accessory up to the blower from below (which would require dismantling overhead structures), the invention inverts the approach by installing support points and guideway above the blower. The carriage then descends along the guideway to position the blower for removal, eliminating the need to dismantle overhead service platforms, stairs, and ducts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP4375418B1Hoisting accessory and method for transferring blower of pulp dryer from pulp dryer by means of hoisting accessory
Publication Date: 2025.04.02 VALMET TECH OY
  • EP4375418B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4375418B1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP4375418B1 patent drawingFigure 2b

AI summary

The invention relates to a hoisting accessory (10) for a blower (12) of a pulp dryer (100), which hoisting accessory (10) includes: - a hoisting element (14) for fastening the hoisting accessory (10) to the blower (12) to be hoisted, and - first fastening devices (16) for locking the hoisting element (14) to the blower (12) for the duration of hoisting, - a guideway (18) comprising a first end (20) and second end (22), - a carriage (24) adapted on the guideway (18) for transferring a blower (12) on the guideway (18) while said hoisting element (14) is suspended from said carriage (24), - a support device (28) connected to said guideway (18) for suspending the hoisting accessory (10) from a second blower (13) so that said guideway (18) is supported essentially in the horizontal direction by means of the support device (28). The invention also relates to a method for transferring a blower (12) of a pulp dryer (100) from the pulp dryer (100) by means of the hoisting accessory (10).