Oval Separation Disk for Transport Boat Sintering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for separating interconnected transport boats, such as sintering shoes, often lead to hazards due to lifting mechanisms that cause MOX pellets to slip or fall, and increase structural complexity with additional hold-down components.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring a substantially oval, non-circular separation disk connected to a rotary drive and lifting mechanism, which engages with recesses on the transport boats to apply forces horizontally, separating them without lifting, thus eliminating the need for additional hold-downs and reducing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a lifting mechanism is used to separate transport boats, then the transport boats can be separated from each other, but MOX pellets may slip or fall off the transport boats
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from vertical lifting (third dimension) to horizontal separation (first dimension). The separation disk operates in the horizontal plane, applying forces parallel to the direction of motion rather than perpendicular lifting, thus separating transport boats without causing cargo to slip or fall.
Solution Approach 2:
The separation disk acts as an intermediary element between the drive mechanism and the transport boats. It transfers separation forces through contact with the transport boats in the horizontal plane, enabling separation without direct lifting that would endanger cargo safety.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If hold-downs are added to limit lifting, then cargo safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for hold-down components by fundamentally changing the separation mechanism from vertical lifting to horizontal forces. The separation disk applied horizontal forces that directly separate the boats without requiring additional hold-downs to prevent lifting.
Solution Approach 2:
By operating in the horizontal dimension rather than vertical lifting, the system avoids the need for hold-downs. The separation forces are applied parallel to the direction of motion within the same plane, eliminating the lifting hazard that would require hold-downs to mitigate.
3Strength
If transport boats are tightly bonded during sintering, then structural integrity is maintained, but separation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The separation process uses periodic rotation of the separation disk to apply alternating forces that progressively separate the tightly bonded transport boats. The rotational motion creates cyclic loading that effectively breaks the sintering bonds without requiring excessive force in a single direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies separation forces in the horizontal plane parallel to the direction of motion, which effectively targets the bonding interfaces between transport boats. This horizontal force application is more effective for breaking sintering bonds than vertical lifting, maintaining cargo safety while achieving separation.
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 solution effectively separates interconnected transport boats without risking cargo loss, simplifying the device structure by applying forces within the same plane as the transport boats' motion, thereby enhancing safety and reducing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
by means of at least punctual or planar contact of the separation disk with the opposing boundary surfaces of the total recess, press the transport boats apart
Data Source
AI summary
A device for separating interconnected transport boats that are movable in a first plane in an intended direction of motion includes a substantially oval, non-circular separation disk aligned parallel to the first plane and connected to a rotary drive and a lifting device via a drive shaft. The separation disk is movable by means of the lifting device in the direction of the transport boats to be separated in order to engage with a corresponding total recess in the transport boats to be separated. In addition, the separation disk is rotatably movable in, and/or parallel to, the first plane by means of the rotary drive in order to separate the transport boats to be separated from each other by rotating the separation disk.