Lateral Access Collection Head for Filtration Tank Powder Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filtration and drying tanks face challenges in efficiently recovering residual powdery products due to manual scraping operations, which are labor-intensive, risky, and inefficient, especially for high-value powders, and existing mechanical methods are limited by the need for disassembly and confined access.

Innovation Solution

A collection system with a collection head, handling arm, collection tube, and suction system is used to recover residual powders via a lateral access, utilizing a glove box and a suction system with a balancing Venturi to manage gas flow, allowing efficient and ergonomic recovery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual scraping is used to recover residual powdery products, then the operator can access the tank through a glove box, but the operation is time-consuming and carries risks of musculoskeletal disorders

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator safety and ergonomicsVSAvoidtime for heel recovery operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical scraping with a pneumatic suction system. A collection head connected to a vacuum source draws residual powdery products through a collection tube into a collection container, eliminating the need for manual scraping operations and associated ergonomic risks while significantly reducing operation time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses pneumatic principles to create a vacuum-driven suction system. The vacuum source generates negative pressure that draws residual products through the collection head and tube, providing a rapid and contactless method for heel recovery that avoids manual labor while maintaining operational efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Quantity of substance

If a porous recovery bag is used in the glove box, then waste and deposits can be recovered, but high-value powdery products cannot be effectively recovered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamount of residual product recoveredVSAvoidloss of high-value powder product
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible collection bag as part of the collection container system. This flexible membrane structure allows the collection head to effectively reach and suction residual products from difficult-to-access areas of the tank bottom while maintaining product integrity, enabling complete recovery of high-value powders without the limitations of rigid or porous structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the inadequate porous bag approach with a vacuum-driven pneumatic transport system that actively draws products through sealed pathways, preventing product loss and enabling complete recovery of high-value materials while maintaining quantitative accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If the tank bottom is disassembled for access, then complete scraping can be performed, but the device complexity and operation time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of product recoveryVSAvoidtank disassembly requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a lateral access opening that provides a new dimensional approach to reaching the tank bottom. Instead of disassembling the bottom vertically, the collection head accesses the bottom area through a side opening, enabling complete heel recovery without tank disassembly and reducing operational complexity while maintaining productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Ease of operation

If a lateral access opening is created near the bottom, then the collection head can access residual products without disassembly, but the tank structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility for heel collectionVSAvoidtank structure modification
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the access function by creating a dedicated lateral opening specifically for heel collection purposes. This separate access point is integrated into the existing tank structure and allows the collection head to reach the bottom area independently, improving operational ease while maintaining overall tank structural integrity with minimal modification complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 enables rapid and complete recovery of residual powders with improved ergonomics and containment, reducing the risk of musculoskeletal disorders and ensuring high recovery efficiency without damaging high-value products.

Implementation Method 1

a suction system associated with the collection tube for sucking up the residual powdery products via the collection head and for conveying said residual powdery products to the collection container via the collection tube

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

a balancing Venturi mounted in the outlet pipe and powered by the gas device, to suck the gas into the collection container and thus balance the gas flow rates entering and leaving the collection container

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4575364A1Collection system for filtration and drying tank
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 DE DIETRICH PROCESS SYSTEMS SEMUR
  • EP4575364A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4575364A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4575364A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a collection system for removing residual powdery products from the bottom (2) of a filtration and drying tank (1), the tank (1) comprising a lateral access opening (3) in the vicinity of the bottom (2). According to the invention, the collection system comprises a collection head (4) mounted at one end of a handling arm (5), which makes it possible to introduce the collection head (4) into the tank (1) via the lateral access opening (3) and to move said collection head (4) on the bottom (2), a hose (6) of which a first end (6a) is in fluid communication with the collection head (4) and of which a second end (6b) opens into a collection container (7) arranged outside the tank (1) and an associated suction for sucking up the powdery products via the collection head (3) and for conveying them to the collection container (7) via the hose (6).