Pneumatic Transporter with Reverse Mechanism for Fibrous Product Blockages

Solution Overview

Problem

Pneumatic conveyors are ineffective for transporting fibrous products like straw due to jamming issues, which lead to blockages and require human intervention, causing damage to conveyor components and disrupting operations.

Innovation Solution

A conveyor system with a mechanical design that includes a transfer box with two orifices for pressurized air and a flexible distribution pipe, a movable transport element with partitioned cells, and a control system to detect blockages and reverse direction to clear jams autonomously, reducing energy expenditure and eliminating the need for human intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the transport chain operates with high tensile force to prevent jamming, then the reliability of fibrous product transport is improved, but the friction forces at the chamber entrance increase substantially causing chain blockage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of fibrous product transportVSAvoidfriction forces at chamber entrance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of the fibrous product from compressed to swollen/bulked state before pneumatic transport. This parameter change reduces the product's density and friction characteristics, allowing the transport chain to move the material with lower tensile force while preventing jamming at the chamber entrance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of repair

If human intervention is used to clear blockages, then the conveyor can be repaired, but the productivity is reduced due to stopping distribution and long repair times

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to clear blockagesVSAvoidcontinuity of product distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a reverse movement mechanism that allows the transport chain to automatically clear blockages without human intervention. When a blockage is detected, the chain reverses direction to push the obstruction back toward the hopper, then resumes normal operation. This self-service capability eliminates production stoppages and maintains continuous productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Use of energy by moving object

If the product is transported in a compressed state, then the energy expenditure is reduced, but the product causes plug formation in the pneumatic conveying line

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy expenditure for transportVSAvoidplug formation in pneumatic line

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of the fibrous product from compressed to swollen/bulked state before pneumatic transport. This parameter change reduces the product's density and friction characteristics, allowing the transport chain to move the material with lower tensile force while preventing jamming at the chamber entrance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Strength

If the chain moves slowly to reduce friction, then the wear on components is reduced, but the transport efficiency decreases and jamming occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedurability of chain and sealsVSAvoidtransport efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of the fibrous product from compressed to swollen/bulked state before pneumatic transport. This parameter change reduces the product's density and friction characteristics, allowing the transport chain to move the material with lower tensile force while preventing jamming at the chamber entrance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effectively reduces jamming risks, maintains conveyor operation without staff, and ensures continuous operation by autonomously clearing blockages and managing energy usage.

Implementation Method 1

a flow of pressurized air capable of generating a flow of pressurized air and the other which is designed to communicate with a flexible distribution pipe into which the products previously discharged by the conveyor into the transfer chamber are transported there by the pressurized air flow

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPneumatic transport: Fluidisation

Data Source

PatentEP2121490B1Pneumatic transporter for distributing fibrous and other products by pipes

Publication Date: 2011.08.10 DUSSAU DISTRIBUTION

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AI summary

The invention relates to a transporter for pneumatically delivering products, said transporter comprising a mechanical conveyor (2) formed from a mobile element (9) moving in a sleeve comprising a supply opening. The mobile element (9) passes through a transfer box (3) comprising a transfer chamber (4) and pours its products into same, said transfer chamber (4) comprising two continuous openings (5, 6), one of said openings communicating with a pressurised air source (7) which transports the products into the distribution line (8). Said transporter also comprises a means (100) which is used to detect conditions of potential blockage of the mobile element (9) and can emit a signal if these conditions are detected. Said signal triggers a control means (110) for initiating the reverse movement of the mobile element (9) for a determined period of time. At the end of said period, the control means inititates the advancement of the mobile element (9) in the normal direction thereof.