Double-Acting Hydraulic Homogenizer Eliminates Crank Vibration
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing homogenizers experience high wear and vibration due to crank drive mechanisms, leading to pulsating effects and hygienic issues from pulsation dampers, which are not effectively reduced and can cause bacterial growth.
Innovation Solution
A device utilizing a double-acting synchronous cylinder for smooth, vibration-free movement, eliminating the need for pulsation dampers and ensuring hygienic homogenization by using a hydraulic drive cylinder with pistons moving in opposite directions to maintain continuous product flow and pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If a crank drive mechanism is used in homogenizers, then high pressure homogenization can be achieved, but high wear and vibrations occur leading to pulsating effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional crank drive mechanism with a hydraulic piston drive system. The hydraulic cylinder with piston directly generates the required high pressure without converting rotational motion, eliminating the crank mechanism's inherent vibrations and pulsations while maintaining the necessary homogenization pressure levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a hydraulic drive system where a hydraulic piston in a hydraulic cylinder generates the driving force for product conveyance and pressure buildup. This hydraulic mechanism provides smooth, vibration-free pressure application compared to mechanical crank drives, resolving the contradiction between achieving high pressure and avoiding vibrations.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If pulsation dampers are used to reduce vibrations, then vibrations are reduced, but hygienic problems arise due to bacterial growth on the dampers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for pulsation dampers entirely by using a hydraulic piston drive system that inherently produces vibration-free operation. By removing the harmful source (crank mechanism) rather than adding a dampener, the solution avoids creating new hygienic problems while still achieving vibration reduction.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a crank drive mechanism is used, then homogenization function is achieved, but the device becomes complex and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies the device by replacing the complex crank mechanism with a straightforward hydraulic piston system. The hydraulic cylinder with piston provides direct linear motion and pressure generation without requiring connecting rods, crankshafts, or other complex mechanical components, thereby reducing overall device complexity and weight.
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 solution achieves a vibration-free and hygienically perfect homogenization process with reduced dynamic loads, eliminating the need for pulsation dampers and ensuring a continuous, smooth product flow with high pressure, resulting in a smaller, lighter device.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic drive cylinder with at least one piston rod... by a movement of the respective product piston by means of the at least one piston rod, the product is pushed out of the one product tube via its outlet
Implementation Method 2
the cavitation device has a vacuum device, so that at the outlet a Expansion chamber of the cavitation device by means of the vacuum device, a vacuum can be attached when pumping out the homogenized product
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for homogenizing a product, wherein the device comprises a hydraulic drive cylinder with at least one piston rod and a homogenization device, wherein a product tube (111, 113) is arranged on both sides of the hydraulic drive cylinder and a product piston movable in the respective product tube (111, 113) is arranged at both ends of the at least one piston rod, each product tube (111, 113) has an inlet (115) and an outlet (117) for the product and the homogenization device is arranged behind the two outlets, wherein the hydraulic drive cylinder is designed as a double-acting synchronous cylinder, such that the at least one piston rod can be moved in two opposite directions in the same manner, wherein a movement of the respective product piston by means of the at least one piston rod causes the product to be pushed out of one product tube (111, 113).113) via its outlet (117) and the product is drawn into the other product tube (111, 113) via its inlet (115), and as it is pushed out via the outlet (117), the product is pressed against a counter-pressure of the homogenizing device such that homogenization of the product occurs. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of the device for homogenizing a product.