Perforated Conveyor Tine Raking Device for Sand-Debris Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current beach cleaning technologies are limited by the rate of sand-debris separation, often removing residual sand along with debris, leading to inefficient cleaning and increased costs, especially in high-moisture conditions, and struggle to distinguish between sand and small debris.
Innovation Solution
A perforated conveyor mechanism with no cross bars on the outer surface allows for the free flow of debris and impacts to dislodge sand, enabling sand to be returned to the ground while elevating debris, and increased tine penetration for deeper cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional screening or mechanical sand-debris separation is used, then debris can be separated from sand, but the separation rate is severely limited and residual sand is removed along with debris
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical screening systems with a pneumatic air stream system. Compressed air is directed through nozzles to lift and transport debris-laden sand, separating debris from sand based on aerodynamic properties rather than mechanical screening. This substitution enables much higher processing rates while maintaining precise debris separation and minimizing residual sand removal.
2Length of moving object
If tine penetration is increased to clean deeper, then cleaning depth is improved, but more sand and smaller debris are removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and parameters of the sand-debris mixture by introducing compressed air. The air stream creates a fluidized state that allows selective entrainment of debris particles while leaving sand grains behind. This parameter change enables deep cleaning through increased tine penetration without the harmful side effect of excessive sand removal, as the separation mechanism is no longer dependent on mechanical force alone.
3Speed
If conventional conveyors with cross bars are used, then debris can be transported, but sand flow is impeded and sand cannot be returned to the ground
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the cross bars from the conveyor system. Without cross bars impeding the flow, sand can move freely along the conveyor belt and be returned to the ground through chutes or openings in the conveyor structure. This extraction eliminates the barrier that prevented sand return while maintaining efficient debris transport capabilities.
4Productivity
If high-powered towing units are used to increase cleaning rate, then productivity is improved, but equipment complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pneumatic system using compressed air to enhance the cleaning and separation process. The air stream provides additional energy and force for debris lift and transport, reducing the mechanical burden on the towing unit. This pneumatic assistance enables high cleaning rates without requiring proportionally high-powered towing equipment, thereby reducing overall system complexity and cost.
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 design enhances separation efficiency, reduces sand transfer to the receptacle, allows for deeper cleaning, and reduces operator fatigue and equipment damage, while minimizing the need for high-powered towing units and reducing disposal costs.
Implementation Method 1
The conveyor belt is perforated to allow passage of sand and small debris
Implementation Method 2
impacts to dislodge sand, enabling sand to be returned to the ground while elevating debris
Data Source
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AI summary
A tine raking device includes a frame and a conveyor assembly supported on the frame. The conveyor assembly has a conveyor belt defining perforations sized to allow passage therethrough of granules of sand and to prevent passage therethrough of larger sized debris to be removed from a ground surface. Flexible tines extending outwardly from the conveyor belt. The tines are arranged in rows across a width of the conveyor belt. The rows each are longitudinally spaced from adjacent rows along the conveyor belt such that a generally unimpeded path is defined along an outer surface of the conveyor belt for debris to flow between adjacent tines along an associated row. The conveyor assembly includes a lower section for permitting the tines to contact and remove debris from a ground surface being cleaned, and an inclined section for lifting debris on the conveyor belt away from the ground surface being cleaned.