In-Line Rail Valve With Linear Motion for Flexible Conveyor Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tubular drag conveyor systems face challenges due to complex and expensive rotary and clamshell valves that require specific packaging arrangements and complex rotational mechanisms, limiting configuration flexibility and increasing manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
An in-line valve assembly with a translational tubular valve body and linear drive actuators, allowing for a simplified, cost-effective, and reduced-profile design that selectively adjusts between closed and open positions using a gap between tube segments, enabling efficient product discharge through linear motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If rotary valves or clamshell type valves are used for product discharge, then the valve can selectively discharge product through gravitational drop, but the valve requires complex rotational mechanisms and specific packaging arrangements that limit configuration flexibility and increase manufacturing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional valve design by replacing rotational motion with linear translational motion. Instead of rotating a valve body to open/close passages, the invention uses a linearly movable valve body that translates axially within the tubular structure. This inversion of the motion type eliminates complex rotational mechanisms while achieving the same selective discharge function through gravitational drop.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical rotational system with a simpler linear translational system. By replacing rotary actuators and rotational valve bodies with linear actuators and a linearly movable valve body, the design reduces mechanical complexity while maintaining the core function of selective product discharge.
2Adaptability or versatility
If rotary valves or clamshell type valves are used for product discharge, then the valve can selectively discharge product, but the radial disposition of mechanisms and actuators requires specific packaging arrangements that limit the configuration of adjacent components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional radial arrangement by using axial linear motion instead of radial rotational motion. The valve body translates linearly along the axial direction of the tubular structure, allowing mechanisms and actuators to be disposed axially rather than radially. This provides greater configuration flexibility for adjacent components and eliminates the need for specific packaging arrangements.
3Area of stationary object
If rotary valves are used for product discharge, then the valve can control product flow, but the radial profile and packaging space are increased due to the rotational mechanism disposition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the motion direction from radial rotation to axial translation. By moving the valve body linearly along the axial direction rather than rotating it radially, the design significantly reduces the radial profile and packaging space requirements while maintaining effective product flow control.
Data Source
AI summary
An in-line valve assembly for a tubular drag conveyer system includes a first tube segment having a first end and defining a first passageway, a second tube segment having a second end and defining a second passageway, and a tubular valve body translatably disposed relative to the second tube segment and defining a valve passageway. The first end of the first tube segment is spaced apart from the second end of the second tube segment by a gap. The valve body is selectively adjustable between a closed position wherein the valve passageway spans the gap and connects the first passageway to the second passageway and an open position wherein the valve passageway is spaced apart from the first passageway by at least a portion of the gap.