Particle Aggregator for Air Stream Dust Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for removing dust and particulate matter from air streams, such as those generated by agricultural machinery, are inefficient, particularly in high humidity conditions and often result in uneven distribution of collected particles, leading to air pollution and health issues.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a housing with an air stream inlet and outlet, featuring an aggregator such as a scrubber, cyclone separator, or air stream mixer, where particles are moistened by liquid introduction jets before being captured by a rotating drum or chain accumulator, allowing them to fall by gravity rather than being cast off centrifugally, facilitating precise collection and reducing particle dispersion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a rotating brush is used to remove particles from air stream through centrifugal force, then particles can be separated from air, but particles are cast off uniformly throughout the device rather than deposited in a precise location

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle deposition location precisionVSAvoidparticle collection control

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using centrifugal force to cast particles off uniformly (as in prior art), the patent inverts the approach by using gravity to allow particles to fall to a specific location. The aggregator surface is positioned horizontally at the bottom of the housing, causing particles to deposit in a defined area rather than being dispersed throughout the device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If electrostatic filters are used to remove particles, then particle removal can be achieved, but the system fails to function well when humidity is high and suffers from non-homogeneous air flow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle removal effectivenessVSAvoidperformance under varying humidity conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electrostatic field-based particle removal mechanism with a mechanical aggregation system. Liquid introduction jets moisten particles, which then aggregate on a horizontal surface and fall by gravity. This mechanical approach is not affected by humidity conditions that disrupt electrostatic filters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If mechanical filters are used to remove particles, then effective filtration can be achieved, but significant head loss occurs and filters become clogged by particles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltration effectivenessVSAvoidhead loss and clogging

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts particles from the air stream through aggregation on a horizontal surface rather than forcing air through a filter medium. Liquid jets moisten particles, causing them to clump together and fall to the aggregator, bypassing the need for traditional filtration that causes head loss and clogging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Productivity

If high volume fans are used to separate crops from foreign material, then separation can be achieved, but a large volume of foreign material is blown out through fan discharge creating dust pollution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrop separation efficiencyVSAvoiddust pollution from foreign material

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful dust-laden air stream discharged by high volume fans into a beneficial process by introducing liquid jets that moisten and aggregate particles. The foreign material that would otherwise be blown out as pollution is instead captured on the horizontal aggregator surface and removed, transforming a pollution problem into an effective particle collection opportunity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 removes dust and particulate matter from air streams, improving air quality and reducing health hazards by ensuring particles are collected in a defined area, rather than being dispersed uniformly, and operates effectively across various conditions including high humidity.

Implementation Method 1

particles are moistened by liquid introduction jets before being captured

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMoistening: Wetting

Implementation Method 2

The aggregated particles fall from the aggregator by force of gravity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 3

The aggregator facilitates the aggregation of particles within the air stream

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAggregation: Coagulation

Data Source

PatentUS9795913B1System for removing particles from an air stream

Publication Date: 2017.10.24 EX OPCO LLC

AI summary

A system for removing particles from an air stream includes a housing having an air stream inlet at a first end, and an air stream outlet at a second end. The housing defines a flow path between the air stream inlet and air stream outlet. An agricultural device generating an air stream containing particles is in fluid communication with the housing, the air stream from the agricultural device being directed into the air stream inlet of the housing. An aggregator is disposed between the air stream inlet and the air stream outlet. The aggregator facilitates the aggregation of particles within the air stream. The aggregated particles fall from the aggregator by force of gravity.