Dense Phase Powder Pump Valve Actuating Pressure Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing powder conveying devices face challenges in efficiently operating between powder conveying and flushing modes, particularly in ensuring thorough cleaning to prevent cross-contamination of powders, which can lead to coating defects when changing between different types of powders.

Innovation Solution

The dense phase powder pump is designed to operate in both powder conveying and flushing modes, with adjustable pressure settings for the actuating valves and controlled introduction of compressed gas, ensuring effective flushing without contamination, and optimized for different powder delivery rates and types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the pressure value for closing the powder inlet valve and/or powder outlet valve is increased to prevent powder leakage during flushing, then powder contamination is prevented, but flushing gas cannot be introduced into the conveying chamber because the valves remain closed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of powder contaminationVSAvoidflushing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The actuating pressure for the powder inlet valve and powder outlet valve is made dynamically adjustable based on the operating mode. During flushing operation, the actuating pressure is set to a first value that allows flushing gas to pass through the closed valves. During powder conveying, the actuating pressure is increased to a second value (higher than the first) to ensure reliable valve closure and prevent powder leakage. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting the valve closure force to the specific operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the pressure parameter of the actuating gas for the powder inlet valve and powder outlet valve depending on the operating mode. By switching between two distinct pressure levels (first value for flushing, second value for conveying), the system achieves both reliable powder containment during conveying and effective flushing gas flow during cleaning operations, thus resolving the contradiction between contamination prevention and flushing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the actuating pressure for valve closure is optimized for powder conveying, then powder leakage is prevented, but the flushing gas pressure is insufficient to clean the conveying chamber thoroughly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve sealing performanceVSAvoidflushing effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the actuating pressure for the powder inlet valve and powder outlet valve based on the operating mode. During flushing, a lower actuating pressure (first value) is applied that allows flushing gas to effectively penetrate and clean the conveying chamber. During powder conveying, the actuating pressure is increased to a higher value to ensure tight valve sealing and prevent powder leakage. This dynamic pressure adjustment resolves the contradiction between valve sealing performance and flushing effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention implements parameter changes by switching the actuating pressure between two distinct levels: a first pressure value during flushing that enables thorough cleaning, and a second pressure value during conveying that ensures reliable valve closure. This parameter switching allows the system to optimize for either flushing effectiveness or valve sealing performance depending on the operational phase, thereby resolving the contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the powder pump operates in flushing mode with high gas pressure, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but the risk of powder escape through closed valves increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidpowder escape risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The actuating pressure for the powder inlet valve and powder outlet valve is dynamically adjusted based on the operating mode. During flushing operation with high gas pressure, the actuating pressure is set to a first value that maintains sufficient valve closure to prevent powder escape while allowing the high-pressure flushing gas to effectively clean the conveying chamber. During powder conveying, the actuating pressure is increased to a second value to ensure absolute prevention of powder leakage. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between cleaning efficiency and powder escape prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the actuating pressure parameter for the powder inlet valve and powder outlet valve depending on the operating mode. By switching between a first pressure value during flushing (which prevents powder escape while allowing effective cleaning) and a second pressure value during conveying (which provides maximum sealing), the system resolves the contradiction between cleaning efficiency and powder escape risk.

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 design enhances the efficiency and simplicity of the powder conveying device, ensuring thorough cleaning and preventing powder contamination, thus maintaining coating quality during mode changes.

Implementation Method 1

the dense phase powder pump and the powder lines connected to the dense phase powder pump are flushed with flushing gas, in particular compressed air

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompressed gas flow: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

the pressure value of the actuating pressure selected for closing the powder inlet valve and/or powder outlet valve is lower than the pressure value of the corresponding actuating pressure in the flushing operating mode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure actuation: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP3010645B1Powder conveyor for coating powder
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 GEMA SWITZERLAND GMBH
  • EP3010645B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3010645B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3010645B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a powder feeding device (100), in particular for coating powder. The powder feeding device (100) comprises a dense phase powder pump (1) which has at least one conveying chamber (4) with a powder inlet valve (7) and a powder outlet valve (8). Furthermore, a control device (90) is provided for selectively operating the dense phase powder pump (1) in a powder conveying operating mode or a flushing operating mode. The powder inlet valve (7) and the powder outlet valve (8) of the dense phase powder pump (1) are configured in each case as a pneumatically actuable compression valve which can be closed when an actuating pressure is applied. It is provided according to the invention that the control device (90) is configured to set the pressure value of the actuating pressure which is selected for closing the powder inlet valve (7) and/or powder outlet valve (8) preferably automatically and more preferably selectively automatically depending on the respective operating mode of the dense phase powder pump (1) and/or depending on a pressure which prevails in the conveying chamber (4).