Press Ram Fastening With Misalignment Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solid waste presses face issues with wear and misalignment due to abrasive grit and high pressures, leading to leaks and premature failure of connections between the actuator and ram, particularly at the piston rod fasteners.
Innovation Solution
A fastening system with a pin extending from the actuator through a clearance hole in the ram, allowing direct force transfer and accommodating axial misalignment via non-planar plates, prevents force transfer through traditional fixed piston rod fasteners like flanges or ball joints, thus reducing wear and maintaining alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fixed piston rod fasteners (flanges, ball joints, clevis) are used to connect the actuator to the ram, then the connection structure is simple and rigid, but the fasteners suffer from wear and misalignment under high pressures and abrasive grit, leading to leaks and premature failure
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system is divided into separate functional components: a pin extending through a clearance hole, and non-planar bearing surfaces on the actuator and ram. This segmentation allows each component to handle specific aspects of the connection (alignment, force transfer, wear accommodation) independently, improving overall reliability without requiring a single complex fastener assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The pin acting through a clearance hole serves as an intermediary element that mediates the connection between the actuator and ram. It allows relative movement and misalignment while maintaining force transfer, preventing direct contact and wear between the main structural components
2Ease of operation
If traditional fixed piston rod fasteners are used, then the structure is rigid and straightforward, but misalignment and wear occur under high pressure and abrasive conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system transitions from a rigid fixed connection to a dynamic arrangement where the pin moves within the clearance hole and the non-planar surfaces accommodate relative movement. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to misalignment and wear during operation, maintaining reliability under varying pressure and abrasive conditions
3Reliability
If a pin through a clearance hole is used instead of fixed fasteners, then wear and misalignment are reduced, but the fastening system structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The non-planar bearing surfaces are applied locally at specific contact points on the actuator and ram, rather than requiring a complete redesign of the entire fastening system. This localized application of specialized geometry provides the necessary wear and misalignment accommodation without adding complexity throughout the entire mechanism
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 solution effectively minimizes wear and prevents damage to the actuator and fastening system by allowing for axial misalignment compensation, enhancing the durability and reliability of the press under high pressures.
Implementation Method 1
A hydraulic ram compresses the waste, which causes liquids and soft materials (i.e. food waste) to be squeezed through the porous wall
Implementation Method 2
The solid waste is loaded into a chamber having a porous wall. A hydraulic ram compresses the waste
Implementation Method 3
the pin bears on an inside surface of the ram through a pair of plates. The adjacent surfaces or the plates have corresponding non-planar shapes
Implementation Method 4
the actuator pulls on the ram through a pin that bears on an inside surface of the ram
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A press for waste has an actuator (42) that moves a ram (40) in a chamber (30). The actuator and the ram are connected by a fastening system (100). The fastening system allows the ram to be displaced in a direction perpendicular to the length and direction of travel of the actuator. In this way, as inner surfaces of the chamber wear the ram may adjust to the worn surfaces without applying large forces perpendicular to the length of the actuator. When the actuator moves forward, it pushes directly against the back of the ram. When the actuator moves backwards, it pulls a pin (102) that pushes on an inner surface (108) of the ram.