Powder Feed Pump Negative Pressure Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing powder feed pump for dense phase powder conveying suffers from unsatisfactory metering accuracy due to fluctuations in negative pressure build-up in the transfer chamber, affecting the volume of powder sucked in and discharged.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves independently actuating the inlet and suction valves to build up negative pressure in the transfer chamber before opening the inlet, ensuring that the phase of generating negative pressure does not overlap with the suction phase, and allowing for precise control of the pressure conditions at the beginning of the suction phase, with the option of using a pressure sensor to measure and regulate the negative pressure. Additionally, the discharge of powder occurs directly into the transfer chamber, bypassing the filter element, and the purging fluid is introduced through the filter element to prevent hose bursting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the inlet valve is opened simultaneously with the suction valve, then the powder suction process starts immediately, but the negative pressure fluctuations cause poor metering accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepowder suction speedVSAvoidmetering accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The suction valve is opened before the inlet valve to pre-establish negative pressure in the transfer chamber. This preliminary action stabilizes the pressure conditions before powder entry, reducing fluctuations during the suction phase and improving metering accuracy without compromising productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the suction phase and negative pressure generation phase overlap in time, then the powder suction process is continuous, but powder may be sucked out through the filter element

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous powder suctionVSAvoidpowder loss through filter

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The negative pressure generation phase is completed before the suction phase begins. The suction valve opens first to establish stable negative pressure, then the inlet valve opens to start powder suction. This sequential timing prevents powder from being sucked through the filter element while maintaining continuous powder transfer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The operating cycle is divided into distinct phases: negative pressure generation phase and suction phase. By segmenting these phases and preventing their temporal overlap, the system avoids the harmful effect of powder passing through the filter while maintaining efficient powder transfer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-generated harmful factors

If a filter element is used to prevent powder suction during negative pressure generation, then powder loss is prevented, but the maximum achievable negative pressure is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepowder loss preventionVSAvoidnegative pressure magnitude

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The filter element is bypassed during the negative pressure generation phase by opening the suction valve first. This allows maximum negative pressure to be achieved without the flow resistance of the filter. The filter is then engaged during the suction phase when powder presence is expected, preventing powder loss while maintaining pressure efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary 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 significantly reduces fluctuations in metering accuracy, allows for precise control of powder volume, and enables faster emptying of the transfer chamber, reducing the risk of hose bursting during purging.

Implementation Method 1

a negative pressure is created in the transfer chamber by sucking air out of the transfer chamber through a filter element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Pressure Drop

Implementation Method 2

the filter element being permeable to air but impermeable to powder so that the powder in the transfer chamber is not sucked out

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

compressed air is blown into the transfer chamber through the filter element, discharging the powder from the transfer chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas flow: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS7465130B2Powder feed pump and appropriate operating system

Publication Date: 2008.12.16 DURR SYST INC

AI summary

An operating system for a power feed pump and a power feed pump having a transfer chamber with an inlet and an outlet. The outlet of the transfer chamber is closed, the inlet of the transfer chamber is opened, and a negative pressure is generated in the transfer chamber to suck a powder in through the inlet to the transfer chamber. The inlet of the transfer chamber is closed, the outlet of the transfer chamber is opened, and the powder in the transfer chamber is delivered through the outlet. The negative pressure in the transfer chamber is built up at least partially before the inlet of the transfer chamber is opened.