Pneumatic Motor Auger Torque for Dry Ice Compaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dry ice blasting apparatuses face issues with augers freezing and losing torque, leading to operational stoppages due to insufficient initial torque in the motor driving the auger, especially when dry ice compacts.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic motor with multiple pistons and a drive system that converts linear motion into rotary motion, utilizing high-pressure fluid to generate sufficient torque for the auger, including features like one-way clutches and chains to ensure continuous operation even when the auger is stuck.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a standard motor driven by pressurized fluid is used to drive the auger, then the motor is simple and easy to operate, but the motor has insufficient initial torque to re-start the auger when dry ice compacts or freezes
Solution Approach 1:
The motor is divided into multiple independent pistons (at least two pistons per cylinder arrangement) that can operate independently. This segmentation allows one piston to provide initial torque to re-start the auger while another piston maintains continuous operation, resolving the contradiction between needing high initial torque and maintaining simple motor structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor transitions from a static single-piston design to a dynamic multi-piston system where pistons can be selectively activated. The system dynamically adjusts which pistons are active based on operational needs - using one piston for normal operation and engaging additional pistons when high initial torque is required to break through compacted dry ice.
2Reliability
If the auger rotates continuously to feed dry ice, then material flow is maintained, but the auger may compact or freeze and stop, leading to operational interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The motor system prepares for potential stoppages by having additional pistons ready to be activated. When the auger slows or stops due to compacted material, the system preliminarily engages backup pistons to provide the necessary torque to re-start rotation, ensuring continuous operation and preventing productivity loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor auger rotation and material flow conditions. When sensors detect that the auger has stopped or slowed due to compaction, this feedback triggers the activation of additional pistons to restore rotation, thereby maintaining reliable continuous operation and consistent productivity.
3Force
If a single piston drives the auger, then the motor structure is simple, but the motor cannot generate sufficient torque when the auger is stuck due to compacted dry ice
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple pistons are merged into a single motor system that drives one auger. The pistons work cooperatively, with their combined force providing sufficient torque to overcome compacted dry ice. This merging allows the system to generate high torque when needed while maintaining a relatively compact motor structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor employs a composite piston arrangement combining different piston configurations (e.g., pistons in series and pistons in parallel) within the same cylinder system. This composite structure allows flexible torque generation - using fewer pistons for normal operation and engaging all pistons when high torque is required to break through compaction.
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 system ensures reliable and continuous feeding of dry ice by maintaining sufficient torque to overcome compacted material, allowing the auger to rotate effectively and prevent stoppages, ensuring consistent operation down to low temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
A pneumatic motor with multiple pistons and a drive system that converts linear motion into rotary motion, utilizing high-pressure fluid to generate sufficient torque for the auger
Implementation Method 2
a drive system that converts linear motion into rotary motion
Data Source
Figure 1~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An apparatus for outputting a solid material entrained in a fluid, the apparatus comprising a recepticle for receiving the solid material, an input for the fluid, an output for solid material, an auger for transporting the solid material from the recepticle to the output, a motor for driving the auger, wherein the motor comprises one or more cylinders each comprising a piston, a second input connected to the input so as to feed part of the fluid to the cylinders, where a cross section of a piston is at least 700mm2 or wherein a drive transforming the reciprocating movement of each piston, relative to the cylinder, to rotation of the auger around the first axis, is configured to rotate the auger at least 20 degrees when a cylinder completes a cycle.