Passive Flip Agitator for Dry Particulate Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dry particulates in storage vessels, such as fire suppression systems, tend to pack and settle due to gravity and contaminants, leading to reduced mobility and the need for frequent inspection and maintenance, with existing agitators being inadequate for effective mixing and fluidization.
Innovation Solution
A novel agitator design featuring a rod member, tine member, and flip member with a weighted ball portion, which flips end-over-end to mix dry particulates within the storage vessel, utilizing metastable support and vibrational forces to prevent packing and facilitate efficient mixing during charging, discharging, and vessel movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dry particulates are stored in confined storage vessels, then the particulates remain contained and available for use, but the particulates tend to pack and settle due to gravity and contaminants, reducing mobility and requiring frequent inspection and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The agitator is designed to be passively actuated by the charging gas flow itself, without requiring external power sources or control systems. The gas flow that serves the primary function of charging the vessel simultaneously activates the agitator to prevent packing, making the system self-servicing and eliminating the need for external agitation systems that would require maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The agitator employs a metastable support arrangement with a weighted ball portion that allows the agitator to flip end-over-end in response to applied force. This dynamic design enables the agitator to transition from a static to an active mixing state automatically when charging gas is introduced, preventing particulate settling without requiring continuous external intervention
2Reliability
If existing agitators are used to mix dry particulates, then some mixing action is provided, but the agitators are inadequate for effective mixing and fluidization of packed particulates
Solution Approach 1:
The flip member design creates a dynamic flipping motion that effectively mixes and fluidizes packed particulates. This mechanical vibration approach using the weighted ball portion provides superior mixing effectiveness compared to static or simple rotating agitators, while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure that integrates with the existing vessel
3Productivity
If motive gas is used to convey dry particulate from the storage vessel, then the particulate is carried out and into the external environment, but packed dry particulates resist fluidization by the motive gas requiring more gas to achieve fluidization
Solution Approach 1:
The agitator performs preliminary mixing and fluidization of the particulates during the charging process, before discharge is required. By preventing packing in advance through passive agitation during charging, the system ensures that when discharge occurs, the particulates are already in a loose, fluidized state ready for efficient conveyal by the motive gas, thereby reducing the gas consumption required for discharge
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 agitator effectively prevents packing and settling of dry particulates, ensuring reliable operation by passively mixing the contents within sealed storage vessels, reducing the need for external power and improving the discharge efficiency of fire suppressant chemicals.
Implementation Method 1
The flip member has a rod portion and a weighted ball portion, the rod portion connecting the weighted ball portion with the rod member at a location radially offset from the tip portion of the tine member to flip the agitator end over end responsive to force applied to the weighted ball portion of the flip member
Implementation Method 2
utilizing metastable support and vibrational forces to prevent packing and facilitate efficient mixing during charging, discharging, and vessel movement
Data Source
AI summary
An agitator for disposition within a cavity of a vessel body containing a particulate includes a weighted portion and a stirring portion. The agitator is positioned and disposed relative to the vessel body to move the stirring portion through the particulate in response to movement of the weighted portion in response to gravitational and/or inertial forces acting on the weighted portion due to movement of the vessel body. Particulate storage vessel arrangements and methods of particulate mixing are also described.