Horizontal Suction Hood for Conveyor Particulate Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing particulate matter collection systems in manufacturing environments, such as those in ceramics and woodworking, face inefficiencies in particulate collection due to vertical hood designs that are distant from the product plane, leading to incomplete collection and high dispersion, and require complex, costly, and inflexible setups that struggle with varying conveyor widths and product sizes.
Innovation Solution
A collection system with a suction mouth parallel to the product plane, combined with a cyclone separator and a diffuser generating an air blade against the product's advancing direction, creates a closed suction chamber for efficient particulate matter collection, using a modular and adaptable design with reduced dimensions and polymeric materials for flexibility and cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If vertical hoods are used for particulate matter collection, then the collection system can be positioned above the conveyor system, but the collection efficiency is reduced due to the great distance from the advancing plane of the products
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of positioning the suction mouth vertically above the conveyor system (traditional vertical hood), the suction mouth is positioned horizontally adjacent to the conveyor system at the same level as the advancing plane of the products. This inversion of the traditional vertical arrangement to a horizontal arrangement eliminates the distance problem and achieves complete collection of particulate matter at the source.
2Ease of manufacture
If a single centralized separation system is used, then the operations of collecting particulate matter are simplified, but the pipe length increases significantly and separation capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single centralized separation system that would require long pipes, the invention segments the collection system into multiple distributed collection points positioned along the conveyor system. Each collection point has its own suction mouth and connection to the separation system, reducing pipe length and maintaining separation capacity while keeping operations simple.
3Productivity
If push-pull separation plants with transversal air flow are used, then the capacity of removing particulate matter increases, but the hood does not overhang the conveyor system causing high dispersion of uncollected particulate matter
Solution Approach 1:
The invention positions the suction mouth locally at the same level as the advancing plane of the products, creating a localized collection zone with high suction efficiency. This local positioning ensures that particulate matter is captured immediately at the source before it can disperse, while the air flow is directed parallel to the conveyor system to maintain high removal capacity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If custom-made hoods are manufactured according to total suction area, then the collection system can be adapted to specific requirements, but the manufacturing costs increase and flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a modular collection system where the suction mouth and hood components can be easily adjusted, repositioned, or reconfigured along the conveyor system. This dynamic design allows adaptation to different conveyor widths and product sizes without requiring complete custom manufacturing, reducing costs while maintaining flexibility.
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 achieves high suction efficiency exceeding 90-95% with reduced power requirements and flexible installation, capable of adapting to various conveyor widths and product sizes, while also sanitizing the environment by filtering out viruses and bacteria.
Implementation Method 1
a cyclone separator and a diffuser generating an air blade against the product's advancing direction
Implementation Method 2
in the case of use of separator cyclones
Implementation Method 3
a compressor (e.g., a fan) to which several vertical hoods are connected... The compressor is able to create a depression in correspondence of the suction mouth
Implementation Method 4
a diffuser generating an air blade against the product's advancing direction
Data Source
AI summary
A collection system for particulate matter along a conveyor system of products, which advance in an advancing direction, by means of a carrier gas flow; said collection system having a hood made by moulding of polymeric material; wherein the hood has a bent wall, which delimits a suction area, and a connection, which fluidly connects said suction area with a suction conduit through an opening of said bent wall; wherein said bent wall has a longitudinal axis, which in use is transversal, in particular perpendicular, to the advancing direction of the products.