Jigging Machine Air Chamber Differential Pressure Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for controlling the liquid stroke of pneumatically operated jigs used for separating mineral mixtures face challenges in precision due to measurement artifacts from resonant and non-resonant water level oscillations, external vibrations, and changes in material composition or particle size distribution, leading to suboptimal separation performance.

Innovation Solution

Measuring the differential pressure between the air chamber and the liquid column in the jigging chamber allows for precise control of the liquid stroke, enabling automatic detection of malfunctions and adjustments to maintain optimal operating parameters, thereby improving separation efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If water level measurement is performed in the jigging chamber using floats or capacitive elements, then the liquid stroke can be monitored, but measurement precision deteriorates due to resonant and non-resonant water level oscillations, external vibrations, and material interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater level measurement precisionVSAvoidmeasurement artifacts from oscillations and vibrations
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary measurement location - the air chamber - which serves as a mediator to indirectly monitor the liquid stroke in the jigging chamber. By measuring water level changes in the air chamber instead of directly in the jigging chamber, the system avoids measurement artifacts caused by material interference, resonant oscillations, and external vibrations while still obtaining accurate stroke information through hydraulic coupling between the two chambers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If the jig is parameterized for a specific mixture composition, then separation performance is optimized for that composition, but adaptability deteriorates when material composition or particle size distribution changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation performanceVSAvoidadjustment to material composition changes
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the water level measurement in the air chamber continuously monitors the liquid stroke during operation. This real-time information enables automatic or operator-guided readjustment of air inlet and outlet valve timing, allowing the system to adapt to changes in material composition or particle size distribution while maintaining optimal separation performance. The feedback loop closes the control system, transforming a static parameterization into a dynamic, self-adjusting process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 approach provides high-precision control, reducing measurement artifacts and enhancing the cutting performance of the jig by accurately tracking imbalances and adjusting for changes in the separation process, ensuring consistent separation results.

Implementation Method 1

pneumatically operated jig for separating mineral mixtures, the jig having an air chamber and a jig chamber with a jig bed arranged above it

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompressed air pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

Because the water level in the air chamber, which has a smaller volume than the jigging chamber, varies with a greater stroke than the water level in the jigging chamber due to the hydraulic principle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic principle: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 3

When the water level varies rapidly, particles with a lower density than the average density of the material are more easily washed up with the water when the water level rises, and particles with a higher density follow the falling water level more quickly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDensity-based separation: Density Gradient

Implementation Method 4

particles with a lower density than the average density of the material are more easily washed up with the water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 5

Measuring the differential pressure between the air chamber and the liquid column in the jigging chamber allows for precise control of the liquid stroke

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDifferential pressure measurement: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP2383038B1Method for operating a jigging machine
Publication Date: 2014.04.30 MBE COAL & MINERALS TECH GMBH
  • EP2383038B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2383038B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for controlling the liquid stroke of a pneumatically operated jigging machine (10) for separating mineral mixtures, wherein the jigging machine (10) has an air chamber (20) and a jigging chamber (15) with a jigging bed (152) arranged above it, and wherein the stroke of the liquid used in the jigging machine (10) depends on the air inlet time into the air chamber (20). According to the invention, it is proposed to use the differential pressure between the air chamber (20) and the jigging chamber (15) as a parameter for controlling the jigging machine (10). This results in a significantly improved control of the air inlet times, enabling the detection and correction of disturbances in the jigging bed (152).