Integral Block Powder Pump Sealing and Speed

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Solution Overview

Problem

Sealing difficulties and operational delay times in dense phase powder pumps used in powder spray coating devices lead to reduced operational speed and efficiency, particularly due to sealing issues between blocks and control valves, and large volumes requiring selective air evacuation or pressurization.

Innovation Solution

An integral structural block design that integrates all necessary components, including powder intake and outlet valves and their control valves, directly connected to ducts within the block, with external pneumatic conduits for control valves, minimizing internal interfaces and using pinch valves with flexible hoses for valve operation, and incorporating a filter to prevent powder entry into the ducts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If separate blocks are used for feed chambers and control valves, then ease of manufacture is improved, but sealing reliability deteriorates due to multiple interfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidsealing reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the feed chamber block and control valve block into a single integrated housing structure. The control valves are mounted directly on the housing that contains the feed chambers, eliminating the need for separate sealing interfaces between blocks. This integration maintains manufacturing simplicity while ensuring reliable sealing by reducing the number of potential leak paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If separate blocks with large internal volumes are used, then ease of operation is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to operational delay times

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidoperational speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the control valves directly onto the housing containing the feed chambers, the patent minimizes the internal volume that requires selective air evacuation or pressurization. This reduction in internal volume decreases the time required for pressure equalization during operation, thereby increasing productivity while maintaining ease of operation through the unified structural design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple interfaces between blocks and valves are used, then adaptability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to sealing problems

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidsealing reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves adaptability through the integrated housing design that can accommodate different configurations of feed chambers and control valves within the same structure. By eliminating separate block interfaces, the design reduces sealing problems while maintaining versatility through flexible internal arrangement possibilities and standardized mounting interfaces for different valve types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This design reduces sealing problems and shortens operational delay times, enhancing the operational speed and efficiency of the powder feed apparatus by eliminating internal interfaces and allowing for rapid assembly and maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

The vacuum from said vacuum source aspirates powder through the open powder intake valve into the feed chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum aspiration: Suction

Implementation Method 2

The compressed conveying air from the source of compressed conveying air discharges powder from within the feed chamber through the open outlet valve

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompressed air conveyance: Pressurisation

Implementation Method 3

a filter permeable to air but not to coating powder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFilter permeation: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP2195118B1Feeding device for powder spray coating device
Publication Date: 2015.07.15 GEMA SWITZERLAND GMBH
  • EP2195118B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2195118B1 patent drawingFigure 2~5
  • EP2195118B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

A powder spraycoating equipment's powder feed apparatus containing a dense phase powder pump (10) fitted with at least one, preferably two feed chambers each of which comprises at one chamber end a powder intake valve (12, 14) and at the opposite chamber end a powder outlet valve (Q3, Q4) and further comprises at least one air exchange aperture (12.3, 14.3) to altematingly apply compressed conveying air or a partial vacuum to the feed chamber (12, 14), characterized by an integral structural block (60), by the feed chambers (12, 14) being constituted in the structural block 60, by all those first control valves (1.5, 1.6) that are connected in fluid communication to the minimum of one feed chamber (12, 14) for the purpose of applying compressed conveying air and a partial vacuum to it, being configured at the structural block (60) and being directly connected, in fluid communication and by means of ducts (66) constituted in the structural block (60), to the minimum of one feed chamber (12, 14).