Modular Vibratory Screen Segmentation for Transport and Power

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Solution Overview

Problem

The mining industry faces challenges in processing increased material volumes with existing vibratory screening units, which require higher power and larger sizes, and on-site fabrication and transportation of these units are impractical due to their size and geographical distances between fabrication and installation sites.

Innovation Solution

A vibratory apparatus is designed with a two-mass, sub-resonant frequency configuration, divided into three sections for transportation, including a first and second sidewall, mated interior walls, and an exciter, allowing for assembly at the installation site, reducing power requirements and facilitating easier transportation and assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the size of vibratory screening units is increased to handle larger material volumes, then processing capacity is improved, but power requirements and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing capacityVSAvoidpower requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The vibratory screening unit is divided into multiple modular sections that can be connected in series. Each section processes a portion of the material flow, allowing the system to handle larger volumes without requiring a single oversized unit with proportionally higher power demands. The modular approach enables scalable processing capacity while maintaining efficient power utilization in each individual section.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of time

If vibratory screening units are fabricated on site, then assembly time is reduced, but fabrication complexity and resource requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly timeVSAvoidfabrication complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The screening unit is designed as an assembly of pre-fabricated modular sections that can be transported to the site and quickly assembled. This segmentation allows manufacturing to occur in controlled factory environments while minimizing on-site assembly requirements, effectively reducing both fabrication complexity and assembly time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Critical assembly components and modular sections are pre-prepared and pre-assembled at fabrication facilities before transportation. This preliminary action ensures that complex manufacturing operations are completed off-site under optimal conditions, while on-site activities are limited to simpler assembly tasks, thereby reducing both fabrication complexity and assembly time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If vibratory screening units are transported over long distances, then installation flexibility is improved, but transportation cost and logistical complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoidlogistical complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The screening unit is divided into transportable modular sections that can be moved separately and reassembled at the destination. This segmentation enables transportation over long distances using standard logistics infrastructure, improving installation flexibility while managing logistical complexity through standardized modular units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular design allows the screening unit to be disassembled into compact sections that can be transported in three-dimensional space using conventional shipping methods. This dimensional breakdown enables long-distance transportation without requiring specialized logistics, thereby improving installation flexibility while keeping logistical complexity manageable.

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

4Productivity

If direct drive units are used to increase processing rates, then productivity is improved, but power consumption and mechanical stress increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing rateVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The processing system is divided into multiple modular sections, each operating at optimized processing rates. This segmentation allows the overall system to achieve high productivity through parallel processing in multiple sections, rather than requiring a single direct drive unit to operate at excessively high power consumption levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3104984B1Transport and assembly method for a vibratory apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.08.21 GENERAL KINEMATICS CORP
  • EP3104984B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3104984B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3104984B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A vibratory apparatus includes a first sidewall 162), a second sidewall (164) and at least one pair of mated interior walls (126), the first sidewall, the second sidewall and the at least one pair of mated interior walls depending longitudinally between an inlet end (152) and an outlet end (154). The at least one pair of mated interior walls is disposed laterally between the first and second sidewalls. At least one deck depends between the first and second sidewalls, and is divided into longitudinally depending sections by the at least one pair of mated interior walls. The apparatus also includes an exciter (124) coupled to the at least one deck.