Cutting Device for Pasty Materials Using Annular Gap Nozzle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for comminuting pasty substances into uniform pellets are inefficient due to high energy consumption, material stress, and clogging issues, especially when dealing with substances containing fibers or impurities, as they require high pressure and can result in non-uniform particle formation and sticking together.
Innovation Solution
A cutting device with a nozzle housing featuring an interrupted annular gap outlet flow cross-section, where the central body increases in cross-section along the conveying direction, rearranging the material flow without division, and a rotating cutting tool, reducing pressure and wear while allowing for uniform pellet formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If high pressure is used to press pasty substance through die openings, then uniform particles are produced, but energy consumption increases and material stress increases
Solution Approach 1:
The die opening is segmented into multiple individual openings arranged in a circular pattern, allowing the material flow to be divided into separate streams that are easier to cut and less prone to clogging, while maintaining uniform particle formation through controlled extrusion
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting device is positioned immediately downstream of the die to perform cutting action before the material can cool and stick together, preventing adhesion issues and reducing the need for high pressure to maintain flow
2Productivity
If high pressure is used to press pasty substance through die openings, then material flow is maintained, but material stress and temperature increase
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous material flow is segmented into multiple discrete streams through the multiple die openings, reducing the pressure required for each individual stream while maintaining overall productivity through parallel flow paths
Solution Approach 2:
The die openings are arranged in a circular pattern rather than a linear arrangement, distributing the material flow in multiple spatial dimensions and reducing localized pressure peaks and material stress
3Manufacturing precision
If cutting device moves to adjust for material throughput changes, then constant pellet length is achieved, but separation problems occur with product fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting device incorporates adjustable cutting elements that can be dynamically positioned to accommodate variations in material throughput and composition, maintaining consistent pellet length while adapting to different material conditions without compromising separation reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting device allows for adjustment of cutting parameters such as cutting speed, position, and angle in response to material throughput changes, enabling constant pellet length to be maintained across varying operating conditions while preserving reliable separation
4Shape
If pasty substances are pressed through die openings, then shaped bodies are formed, but clogging occurs with fibrous materials
Solution Approach 1:
The die is designed with multiple small circular openings instead of a single large opening, allowing fibrous materials to pass through more easily without clogging, while still forming properly shaped bodies through the circular geometry of the individual openings
Solution Approach 2:
The die openings are designed with circular cross-sections and smooth curved surfaces, preventing fiber entanglement and clogging while maintaining consistent shaped body formation through the spherical symmetry of the openings
5Manufacturing precision
If cutting tool rotates to cut exiting material, then uniform pellets are produced, but material sticking together occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting action is performed immediately as the material exits the die, before the material has time to cool and become adhesive, preventing sticking together while maintaining uniform pellet formation through precise timing of the cutting operation
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating cutting tool provides continuous motion through the material stream, preventing the cut surfaces from adhering to each other or to the tool, while maintaining uniform pellet dimensions through consistent rotational speed and cutting geometry
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 enables reliable comminution of pasty substances with low energy consumption, reducing material stress and clogging, and producing uniform pellets without sticking, by rearranging the material flow and using a rotating cutting tool to create uniform, shaped bodies that can be processed further without adhesion.
Implementation Method 1
a rotating cutting tool arranged at the outlet for cutting the exiting pasty substance
Implementation Method 2
the exit flow cross-section has the shape of an in particular interrupted annular gap which is formed by a central body, which increases in cross-section in the conveying direction of the pasty substance
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a cutting device (10) for comminuting pasty materials, comprising (a) a nozzle (20) with a nozzle housing (21) having at least one inlet (22) with an inlet flow cross-section (23) through which the pasty material enters the nozzle (20), and an outlet (24) with an outlet flow cross-section (25) through which the pasty material exits the nozzle (20), as well as a flow channel (26) leading from the inlet (22) to the outlet (24), and (b) a rotating cutting tool (30) arranged at the outlet (24) for cutting the exiting pasty material, wherein the outlet flow cross-section (25) has the form of a closed or interrupted annular gap (27) formed by a central body (28) within the nozzle which increases in cross-section in the conveying direction of the pasty material. (20) and an inner wall (29) of the flow channel (26).