Non-Collinear Agitators for Concrete Pump Dead Zone Elimination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thick matter conveying devices, such as concrete pumps, face inefficiencies due to collinearly aligned agitators that obstruct the delivery line, lead to increased wear and energy consumption, and fail to effectively guide material to suction openings, resulting in dead zones and suboptimal operation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of non-collinearly arranged rotatable stirring devices within the thick matter collection container, with drives mounted in a space-saving and protected manner, allows for improved sludge flow and reduced energy consumption by synchronizing stirring device operation with delivery cylinder strokes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If collinearly arranged agitators are used, then the agitators can be mounted on the side of the collection container, but the drives block space for the delivery line and make access to the collection container opening more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional side mounting arrangement to a three-dimensional configuration by mounting drives on the top surface of the collection container. This dimensional change allows the drives to be positioned above the container rather than alongside it, freeing up lateral space for the delivery line while maintaining access to the container opening.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of mounting the drives on the side of the container as in conventional designs, the patent inverts the mounting location to the top surface. This inversion fundamentally changes the spatial relationship between the drives, container, and delivery line, eliminating the conflict between drive placement and delivery line routing.
2Device complexity
If collinearly arranged agitators are used, then the structure is simple, but the agitators cannot optimally transport the thick matter out of dead zones nor effectively guide it to the delivery cylinders
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric agitator arrangements where the stirring elements are positioned at different locations and orientations within the container rather than symmetrically. This asymmetry allows the agitators to reach into and effectively stir material in dead zones that would be inaccessible to symmetrically arranged agitators, thereby improving overall material transport effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The agitators are designed with locally optimized stirring elements positioned at specific locations within the container to address particular flow patterns and dead zones. Each agitator's configuration is tailored to the local requirements of its position, enabling effective material movement in areas that would otherwise be stagnant.
3Reliability
If agitators are permanently in operation to prevent thick matter from sticking, then the material flow is maintained, but this leads to increased wear and tear and energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic operation of the agitators rather than continuous operation. The control system activates agitators only during suction strokes when material flow is required, and deactivates them during delivery strokes. This periodic action maintains reliable material flow when needed while significantly reducing energy consumption and wear during periods when the pump is delivering material.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts agitator operation based on the pump's operational phase. The control system monitors the pump cycle and dynamically switches agitators between active and inactive states, optimizing the balance between maintaining material flow reliability and minimizing energy consumption and wear.
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 configuration enhances the effectiveness of thick matter conveyance by eliminating dead zones, reducing wear and energy use, and ensuring continuous material flow to suction openings, while protecting drives from contamination and damage.
Implementation Method 1
two rotatable stirring devices arranged inside the thick matter collecting container for stirring or mixing the thick matter
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3d
AI summary
The invention relates to a viscous material conveying device (10), particularly for conveying concrete, comprising two conveying cylinders by means of which viscous material can be conveyed from a viscous material collection container (12) into a conveying line, and two rotatable agitators arranged within the viscous material collection container for stirring the viscous material. The conveying cylinders are connected to the interior of the viscous material collection container via two suction openings (18) and can be driven such that one of the conveying cylinders performs a pumping stroke while the other conveying cylinder simultaneously performs a suction stroke. According to the invention, the axes of rotation of the agitators are not collinear with each other. The invention further relates to a method for operating the agitators of a viscous material conveying device according to the invention.