Pneumatic Distribution Chamber Sector Sizing for Granular Solid Spreading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing agricultural machines with pneumatic conveying systems for granular solids fail to distribute solids evenly due to varying dynamic pressures in outlet openings, leading to unequal throughput quantities despite uniform outlet opening sizes.

Innovation Solution

The system adjusts dynamic pressures by varying sector sizes and using throttle elements, ensuring equal distribution through a distribution chamber with differently sized sectors and adjustable separating webs, and incorporates sensors for automated control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If outlet openings are arranged uniformly with identical size proportions, then the structural simplicity and ease of manufacture are improved, but the distribution uniformity of granular solids deteriorates due to varying dynamic pressures in different lines

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoiddistribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different sector sizes to different outlet openings based on their specific dynamic pressure conditions. Each outlet opening's sector size is locally optimized to compensate for its unique line characteristics (length, bends, elevation), transforming a uniform structure into a non-uniform one that achieves uniform distribution results.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the geometric parameter of sector sizes to compensate for varying dynamic pressures. By adjusting the sector size parameter for each outlet opening, the system compensates for differences in line length, bending radii, and elevation, thereby achieving uniform solid distribution despite identical outlet opening dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If different sector sizes are assigned to outlet openings to compensate for dynamic pressure differences, then the distribution uniformity is improved, but the device complexity increases due to varied sector configurations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistribution uniformityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the distribution chamber into multiple sectors, with each sector assigned to a specific outlet opening. This segmentation allows independent sizing of each sector to match the dynamic pressure characteristics of its associated line, enabling precise control over material distribution to each outlet.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces asymmetry by designing sectors with different sizes rather than uniform dimensions. This asymmetric configuration compensates for the asymmetric dynamic pressure conditions in different lines, where lines with higher dynamic pressure receive smaller sectors and lines with lower dynamic pressure receive larger sectors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Adaptability or versatility

If line lengths and routing configurations vary to adapt to different outlet positions, then the adaptability to different applications is improved, but the dynamic pressure uniformity deteriorates, causing unequal solid throughput

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddynamic pressure uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by pre-calculating and pre-configuring the sector sizes to counteract the expected dynamic pressure variations. Before the material flow occurs, the sectors are designed with sizes that will compensate for the known differences in line length, bends, and elevation, preventing unequal distribution before it happens.

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 ensures even distribution of granular solids across all outlet openings, compensating for dynamic pressure differences and maintaining consistent throughput, even with varying line lengths and bending radii, thereby improving the overall distribution efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

Agricultural machine for spreading granular solids with a pneumatic conveying system for conveying the granular solids from a storage tank (4) to a number of delivery units (52)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPneumatic conveying:

Implementation Method 2

the conveying system having a fan (6), a connecting line (8) from the tank to a distribution device (10) which has a distribution chamber (12) with a number of outlet openings (14) formed therein, and a number of ducts (16), each connected to an associated outlet opening and each directing airborne solids to a discharge unit (54)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir flow:

Data Source

PatentEP3662732B1Agricultural machine for spreading granular solids with a pneumatic conveying system
Publication Date: 2021.11.10 LEMKEN GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3662732B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3662732B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3662732B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to an agricultural machine for spreading granular solids, comprising a pneumatic conveying system for transporting the granular solids from a storage tank (4) to a number of dispensing units. The conveying system includes a blower (6), a connecting line (8) from the tank to a distribution device (10), which has a distribution chamber (10, 12) with a number of discharge openings (14C, 14D, 14) formed therein, and a number of lines (16), each connected to a corresponding discharge opening (14A, 14B, 14C, 14) and directing the solids conveyed by the airflow to a dispensing unit associated with the line. Each discharge opening (14A, 14B, 14C, 14) has a sector (18A, 18B, 18) of an outer wall of the distribution chamber (10, 12) with a respective sector size. is assigned and which are the outlet openings (14C, 14D,14) assigned sectors occupy different shares of the total of the sectors formed in the distribution chamber (10, 12),