Pneumatic Waste Compressor Partial Control System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pneumatic waste compressors consume excessive energy as the piston often reaches its bottom position before the resistance from compressed waste can counteract the 8-bar pressure, leading to inefficient compression cycles and high energy usage.

Innovation Solution

A partial control system that stops air supply to the compressor when the piston is in its bottom position, using a non-return valve and a closing valve activated by the piston's position to limit pressure to a maximum of 8 bars, reducing energy consumption and noise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the compressor maintains constant pressure of 8 bars throughout the compression cycle, then the waste is adequately compressed, but the energy consumption increases significantly when the piston reaches bottom position before full compression is needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidcompression effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the air supply control adaptive rather than static. The closing valve dynamically adjusts the air supply based on real-time piston position and waste compression state, transitioning from a constant pressure system to a variable pressure system that optimizes energy consumption while maintaining compression effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback control through the closing valve that responds to piston position signals. When the piston approaches bottom position, the system receives feedback and automatically closes the air supply, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents energy waste while ensuring adequate compression.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the compressor operates continuously to maintain 8 bar pressure, then compression is ensured, but the noise level and energy consumption increase unnecessarily

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise levelVSAvoidcompression cycle speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by interrupting the air supply in a controlled manner. Instead of continuous operation, the compressor delivers air in periodic bursts that correspond to the actual compression needs, reducing noise during idle periods while maintaining productivity through efficient timed delivery cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements skipping by rapidly closing the air supply valve when the piston approaches bottom position, effectively skipping the unnecessary continued compression phase. This allows the system to rush through the essential compression phase quickly and transition to the return phase, reducing overall cycle time and noise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

3Reliability

If a high-capacity compressor is used to ensure adequate compression, then compression effectiveness is maintained, but the device complexity and maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompression effectivenessVSAvoidcompressor capacity requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by delivering air supply only during the necessary compression phase rather than continuously at full capacity. The closing valve restricts air supply to the precise moment when compression is needed, allowing a lower-capacity compressor to achieve the same effectiveness as a higher-capacity continuous compressor would provide.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by varying the air supply pressure and flow rate based on piston position. The system transitions from a fixed high-capacity operation to a variable parameter operation, adjusting air supply characteristics to match the instantaneous compression requirements, thereby reducing the needed compressor capacity.

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

This solution reduces energy consumption, allows for faster operation with a lower-capacity compressor, decreases maintenance costs, and extends the compressor's lifespan while minimizing noise.

Implementation Method 1

a non-return valve (17) which closes for compressed air to the cylinder (1)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNon-return valve mechanism: Valve

Implementation Method 2

a closing valve (18) whose admission side is coupled to the pipe (11) in front of the non-return valve (17) by means of a pipe (19), and whose discharge side is coupled to the pipe (11) after the non-return valve (17) at the pipe (20)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure control through valve closure: Valve

Implementation Method 3

The compressor cylinder (1) can be activated in the direction from the top of the cylinder to the bottom by compressed air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas pressure to mechanical force conversion: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 4

activated in the direction from the top of the cylinder to the bottom by compressed air and in the opposite direction by springs

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic potential energy storage and release: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP2134537B1Pneumatic waste compressor with a partial control system
Publication Date: 2012.10.31 MIL TEK BALERS
  • EP2134537B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2134537B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2134537B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a pneumatic compressor for the compression of waste, for example waste paper comprising a cylinder (1) with a piston (2), which via a piston rod (4) activates a compression plate (3), which is slidably mounted in a compression chamber (5) which has a top door (6) through which waste paper is thrown into the compressor, and a bottom door (7) through which a finished bale can be taken out, which compression takes place in a series of compression cycles, which each time is charged with a new portion of waste, until the waste can offer a counter pressure corresponding to the pressure which the piston (2) can exert at a pressure of 8 bars. In 80 - 90% of the compression cycles necessary for the compression of a bale, the piston (2) reaches its bottom position in the cylinder, and each time the pressure reaches a pressure of 8 bars in the cylinder (1). According to the invention a partial control system is incorporated a control system which comprises a closing valve (18), which closed for admission of compressed air to the cylinder (1), when the piston reaches it bottom position. Consequently, the pressure developed in the cylinder (1) will in 80-90% of the compression cycles be reduced considerably. There will thus be a corresponding reduction of the energy consumption and the noise level.