Magnetic Bar Barrier for Bulk Material Ducts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices inducts conveying fine bulk materials are ineffective in preventing the passage of a broad range of undesirable objects, such as ferrous bulk and particulate materials, and fail to accommodate their efficient removal, leading to contamination and equipment damage.
Innovation Solution
A device with a housing and conduits that include a magnetic bar and a porous overlying member, supported by non-magnetic materials, allowing for the separation and removal of ferrous items through magnetic attraction, while using air pressure to maintain flow and prevent blockages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional barrier devices are used in ducts conveying fine bulk material, then the duct structure remains simple, but the devices fail to effectively prevent the passage of ferrous bulk and particulate materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional elements into a single integrated barrier device: the housing structure, magnetic bar for ferrous material attraction, porous member for particulate filtration, and conduit system for fluid flow control. This merging of functions into one device achieves effective prevention of multiple types of undesirable objects while maintaining a unified, manageable structure rather than requiring separate barriers for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The barrier device employs composite construction using non-magnetic material for the housing and conduit, magnetic material for the bar, and porous material for the filtering member. This composite approach allows each material to perform its specific function optimally while working together as an integrated system that addresses multiple contamination risks simultaneously.
2Ease of operation
If conventional barrier devices are used, then the device structure remains simple, but removal of captured ferrous and particulate materials becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a movable magnetic bar that can be extracted from the housing through the conduit system. This dynamic element allows operators to easily remove captured ferrous materials by simply pulling the magnetic bar out, transforming a static barrier into an actively maintainable device. The porous member remains stationary but works in conjunction with the movable magnetic bar to handle both ferrous and particulate contaminants.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic bar is designed as a separate, extractable component that can be removed through the conduit opening. This extraction capability allows captured ferrous materials to be easily removed without dismantling the entire barrier device. The porous member and housing remain in place, maintaining the barrier function while the magnetic bar can be taken out for cleaning or replacement.
3Reliability
If barrier devices block the duct opening, then unwanted materials are prevented from passing through, but the flow of fine bulk material and air pressure is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier device uses localized filtering structures rather than complete blocking. The porous member provides filtration at specific locations within the duct, allowing controlled passage of material while preventing unwanted objects. The magnetic bar provides localized attraction for ferrous materials. This local quality approach maintains overall material flow continuity while effectively blocking harmful substances at specific points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a conduit system that manages air pressure and fluid flow through the barrier device. The conduit allows pressurized air or fluid to flow through the structure, maintaining pressure differential and continuous flow of bulk material. This pneumatic integration ensures that the barrier device does not create unwanted backpressure or interrupt the continuous operation of the conveying system.
4Reliability
If the conduit is blocked by captured materials, then ferrous and particulate materials are retained, but air pressure flow and material conveying is stopped
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit system is segmented into multiple openings and passages rather than a single blocked path. The magnetic bar and porous member are positioned to capture materials without creating a complete seal that would block all flow. This segmentation allows captured materials to be retained in localized areas while maintaining open pathways for air pressure flow and bulk material conveying, preventing total flow cessation.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic bar serves dual functions: it captures ferrous materials through magnetic attraction and simultaneously provides a flow pathway through its cylindrical structure. The porous member filters particulate materials while allowing fluid passage. These self-service characteristics ensure that the capturing mechanisms do not inadvertently block the conveying functions, as the same structures that capture materials also maintain flow pathways.
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
Effectively screens and removes ferrous tramp articles from fine bulk materials, preventing contamination and equipment damage by utilizing magnetic attraction and air pressure to ensure continuous flow and easy removal of captured items.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic bar disposed in such conduit, supported therein in a manner providing a fluid passageway between a fluid inlet and the openings in such conduit
Implementation Method 2
a member of porous material overlying a portion of such conduit, including end portions secured to side portions of such conduit and an intermediate portion spaced from such conduit
Implementation Method 3
connectable to a source of fluid under pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A device for conveying a fine bulk material including a housing with an opening therethrough for conducting such material; at least one conduit spanning such opening having a set of spaced openings along the length thereof, and connectable to a fluid pressure source; a member of porous material overlying a portion of such conduit, including end portions secured to such conduit and an intermediate portion spaced from such conduit, providing a chamber intercommunicating the openings in such conduit and the pores of such overlying member; and a magnetic bar disposed in such conduit provides a passageway between such fluid pressure source and such conduit openings.