Powder Supply Device Pneumatic Valve Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing powder supply devices for laser cladding processing face issues with powder supply variations due to valve performance changes over time, leading to inconsistent product quality and requiring regular component replacement.
Innovation Solution
A powder supply device design that uses a first piping to guide powder downward and intersects with a second piping, forming an angle of repose, with a pressure-feeding unit using carrier gas to prevent powder contact and ensure stable supply from a main hopper to a sub-hopper without requiring component replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a replenish valve contacts the powder to control replenishment amount, then the powder supply can be controlled, but the valve performance changes over time causing variations in supply amount and requiring regular replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful contact between the replenish valve and powder is eliminated by extracting the valve from the powder flow path. The valve is positioned upstream to control carrier gas flow, while the powder flows separately through the piping, thus removing the source of performance degradation while maintaining control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Carrier gas serves as an intermediary medium to transmit the control action from the replenish valve to the powder flow. The valve controls the carrier gas, which in turn transports the powder, allowing indirect control without direct contact between the valve and powder particles.
2Device complexity
If the replenish valve is disposed adjacent to the main hopper in vertical direction, then the structure is compact, but the valve seizures powder over time requiring replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The replenish valve is extracted from the vertical arrangement adjacent to the main hopper and repositioned upstream in the carrier gas flow path. This spatial extraction eliminates the powder contact issue while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through strategic component placement.
3Ease of operation
If powder contacts the replenish valve during replenishment, then the valve can control the powder flow, but the contact causes performance degradation and supply variations
Solution Approach 1:
Carrier gas acts as an intermediary that carries the powder through the system controlled by the replenish valve. The valve regulates the carrier gas flow, which indirectly controls powder flow, eliminating direct contact while maintaining operational control and supply consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pneumatic transport where carrier gas flows through the piping system to transport powder particles. The replenish valve controls this pneumatic flow, leveraging gas dynamics to achieve powder flow control without mechanical contact between the valve and powder.
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 configuration allows for precise and stable powder supply to the sub-hopper, reducing variations and extending the device's operational period without needing component replacement, thereby enhancing product quality and productivity in laser cladding processing.
Implementation Method 1
a first piping (26) guiding powder accumulated in the main hopper (20) downward
Implementation Method 2
a pressure-feeding unit (29) pressure-feeding the powder temporarily deposited while forming an angle of repose at an intersecting portion (28) of the first piping (26) and the second piping (27), to the sub-hopper (11)
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a powder supply device that can stably supply powder from a main hopper to a powder supply means including a sub-hopper without requiring component replacement and the like. The powder supply device is provided with: a first piping that guides powder accumulated in a main hopper downward; a second piping that is connected to the first piping at a lower end portion thereof while intersecting with the first piping, and that guides the powder guided by the first piping to a sub-hopper; and a switching valve that pressure-feeds the powder temporarily deposited while forming an angle of repose at an intersecting portion of the first piping and the second piping, to the sub-hopper.