Particle Gluing Nozzle Atomization and Anti-Clogging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for gluing particles in transport pipes face issues with uneven binder distribution, nozzle clogging due to binder hardening, and particle ingress, leading to frequent cleaning cycles and potential flow disruptions.

Innovation Solution

A method and device utilizing a primary nozzle that injects a binder and a secondary nozzle for compressed air, steam, or water to atomize and distribute the binder evenly, with a cooling system to prevent hardening, and a design that keeps the primary nozzle outside the transport pipe to prevent particle ingress and wear.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the nozzle is positioned inside the transport pipe to improve binder distribution, then the binder can reach all particles effectively, but the nozzle becomes susceptible to particle ingress and wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebinder distribution uniformityVSAvoidnozzle durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device separates the primary nozzle (for binder injection) from the secondary nozzle (for atomization assistance), with the primary nozzle positioned outside the transport pipe. This segmentation allows the primary nozzle to remain protected from particles while still achieving effective binder distribution through the secondary nozzle's atomization function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The secondary nozzle acts as an intermediary that receives the binder from the primary nozzle and assists in atomizing and distributing it into the particle stream. This intermediary mechanism enables the primary nozzle to stay outside the pipe while achieving the desired binder distribution effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If the binder is injected at high velocity to improve distribution, then the binder disperses better, but the nozzle becomes prone to clogging due to binder hardening

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebinder distribution uniformityVSAvoidnozzle maintenance frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The secondary nozzle is positioned to receive and atomize the binder immediately after it exits the primary nozzle, before the binder can harden. This preliminary atomization action prevents binder hardening in the primary nozzle while achieving good distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Compressed air or steam is introduced through the secondary nozzle to assist in atomizing the binder and maintaining it in a dispersed state. This pneumatic/hydraulic action prevents binder hardening and clogging while improving distribution uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Reliability

If the primary nozzle is cooled to prevent binder hardening, then the nozzle remains clear longer, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenozzle cleaning intervalVSAvoidcooling system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The secondary nozzle's atomization function itself serves to prevent binder hardening in the primary nozzle by immediately dispersing the binder into fine droplets. This self-service mechanism reduces binder residence time in the primary nozzle without requiring separate cooling systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the physical state of the binder from a continuous stream to atomized droplets through the secondary nozzle. This parameter change (from stream to droplets) prevents hardening without requiring active cooling, thereby maintaining system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Manufacturing precision

If the secondary nozzle is positioned close to the primary nozzle to improve atomization, then the binder distributes more evenly, but the risk of binder hardening between nozzles increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebinder atomization qualityVSAvoidbinder hardening risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The secondary nozzle is positioned to receive the binder continuously immediately after it exits the primary nozzle, ensuring uninterrupted atomization. This continuous action prevents binder hardening in the gap between nozzles while maintaining high atomization quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The secondary nozzle applies preliminary anti-action by introducing compressed air or steam that counteracts the binder's tendency to harden between the nozzles. This preliminary protection prevents hardening before it can occur, allowing close positioning for better atomization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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 approach significantly increases the interval between cleaning cycles, ensures uniform binder distribution, prevents nozzle clogging, and maintains flow stability by using a secondary nozzle to atomize the binder and a cooling system to prevent hardening, while minimizing particle entry and wear on the nozzle.

Implementation Method 1

a spray jet from the primary nozzle is deflected by the particle flow and its carrier medium... With the help of the jet from the spaced-apart secondary nozzle, however, it is possible to distribute the binder jet evenly over the entire cross-section of the transport pipe and in this way to reach and wet all the particles flowing in the transport pipe. In addition, a desired even finer atomization of the binding agent can be achieved.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAtomization:

Implementation Method 2

This is possible if a coolant, for example, to which the heat in the nozzle can be dissipated, flows through at least one channel that is separate from the nozzle but is located in the immediate vicinity. This prevents incrustation and hardening of the binder.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Data Source

PatentEP3323501B1Device and method for glueing particles
Publication Date: 2019.08.21 SIEMPELKAMP MASCHINEN UND ANLAGENBAU GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3323501B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3323501B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3323501B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method and a device for coating particles with adhesive, wherein the particles are transported in a transport tube (3) in a flow direction (F) by means of a carrier medium, wherein a binding agent is injected into the transport tube (3) by means of at least one primary nozzle (4), and wherein a flow direction is determined and/or the injected binding agent is atomized by means of at least one second nozzle for the injection of compressed air and/or water and/or steam. In order to significantly increase the interval between cleaning cycles while ensuring a uniform distribution of the binding agent on the particles, it is provided that the binding agent spray jet (14) flowing in the direction of flow (F) is struck and deflected by a compressed air and/or steam and/or water jet (13) from the secondary nozzle (5), which is spaced apart from the primary nozzle (4), downstream of the primary nozzle (4).