Magnetic Scraper for Viscous Bulk Material Drainage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Viscous materials in bulk transport tanks drain slowly due to the inefficiency of existing methods, which are costly, difficult to maintain, and pose safety risks, and lack effective agitation capabilities during transportation.

Innovation Solution

A container system utilizing magnetic coupling between external and internal assemblies to move a scraper assembly within the tank, allowing for efficient extraction and agitation of bulk materials without electrical or mechanical components penetrating the tank, using rare earth magnets for enhanced magnetic fields and minimizing maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a piston mechanism is used to assist drainage of viscous materials, then drainage efficiency is improved, but fabrication cost, operation cost, maintenance cost increase and cleaning difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrainage efficiencyVSAvoidmechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical piston mechanism with a magnetic field-based system. Magnets are embedded in the tank wall and interact with magnetically attractable material on the scraper assembly, enabling remote actuation of the scraper without mechanical penetrations or complex drive trains inside the tank.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary between the external control system and the internal scraper assembly. The magnetic field penetrates the tank wall and acts on the magnetically attractable material, transmitting force without direct mechanical contact or electrical connections inside the tank.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If a piston mechanism is used to assist drainage of viscous materials, then drainage efficiency is improved, but cleaning difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrainage efficiencyVSAvoidcleaning ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic-actuated scraper system eliminates the need for complex mechanical drive trains and seals inside the tank, reducing crevices and hard-to-reach areas where debris accumulates. The simpler construction with fewer moving parts inside the tank makes cleaning more accessible and easier.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If manual scraping by worker is used, then drainage assistance is achieved, but cost increases, safety risks increase and sanitation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrainage assistanceVSAvoidsafety risks and sanitation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automated operation where the magnetic field actuates the scraper assembly without requiring human entry into the tank. The system serves itself by using the magnetic interaction to move the scraper, eliminating the need for manual intervention and associated safety and sanitation problems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Productivity

If piston mechanism is used, then drainage is assisted, but agitation capability during transportation is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrainage assistanceVSAvoidagitation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic-actuated scraper assembly serves multiple functions: it can scrape material from the tank wall during drainage operations and can also be used to agitate the viscous material during transportation by moving along the tank interior surface. The same magnetic actuation mechanism enables both functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 effectively and efficiently extracts and agitates viscous materials, reducing maintenance needs and operational costs while ensuring safety and sanitation, without compromising on performance.

Implementation Method 1

Each of the driver assembly and driven assembly includes one of a magnet and a magnetically attractable material with a magnetic coupling established between the driver and driven assemblies

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic coupling: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

Movement of the driver assembly outside the shell causes a corresponding movement of the driven assembly and coupled scraper assembly inside the shell to extract the bulk material inside the shell

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic force transmission: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS9067728B2Container including a magnetically operated scraper

Publication Date: 2015.06.30 CLASEN QUALITY COATINGS

AI summary

There is provided a container for a bulk material. The container includes an elongated shell. A scraper assembly is configured to move within the shell. The scraper assembly further is configured to contact at least one interior wall of the shell. A driver assembly is located outside the shell and is configured to move along an outer surface of the shell. A driven assembly is located inside the shell and is coupled to the scraper assembly. Each of the driver assembly and driven assembly includes one of a magnet and a magnetically attractable material. Movement of the driver assembly, by a motion appliance, outside the shell causes a corresponding movement of the driven assembly and coupled scraper assembly inside the shell to move the bulk material inside the shell.