Pressure Sealed Elevating Conveyor for Non-Ambient Temperatures

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional conveyor mechanisms are not suitable for conveying materials in a pressure sealed environment or at non-ambient temperatures, as they are open to atmospheric pressure and can experience issues with expansion or contraction due to temperature changes.

Innovation Solution

A pressure sealed elevating conveyor mechanism featuring a rotatable lift tube and a stationary screw shaft, where the lift tube surrounds the screw shaft and is driven to rotate, creating a frictional engagement that moves flowable materials along an upward helical path, while maintaining a stable layer to manage temperature-related expansions and contractions through a gas-tight seal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional conveyor mechanisms are used, then the structure is simple and open to atmosphere, but the conveyor cannot operate in pressure sealed environments or at non-ambient temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to operate in pressure sealed environments and at non-ambient temperaturesVSAvoidstructural complexity of sealed conveyor system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The screw shaft is nested within the rotatable lift tube, creating a compact sealed conveyor system. The screw shaft rotates inside the lift tube, allowing the entire mechanism to be enclosed in a pressure-sealed environment while maintaining functional operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs flexible sealing elements including O-rings, gaskets, and bellows that can accommodate thermal expansion and contraction while maintaining pressure seals. These flexible components allow the conveyor to operate at non-ambient temperatures without compromising the sealed environment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Temperature

If conventional open conveyors are used, then the design is straightforward, but the conveyor experiences problems with expansion or contraction at extremely elevated temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation at non-ambient temperaturesVSAvoiddimensional stability under thermal conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent explicitly accounts for thermal expansion by designing the screw shaft and lift tube with clearances and flexible sealing elements that can accommodate dimensional changes. The bellows and expansion joints are specifically incorporated to handle thermal expansion at elevated temperatures while maintaining the sealed environment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #37Thermal expansion

Solution Approach 2:

The conveyor system incorporates dynamic elements including the rotatable lift tube that can rotate with the screw shaft, and flexible seals that dynamically adjust to thermal expansion and contraction. This dynamic design allows the system to maintain functionality and sealing across a wide temperature range

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If a sealed conveyor system is implemented, then pressure sealed operation is achieved, but the system complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure sealed operation reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing ease of sealed conveyor components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyor is divided into modular segments including the screw shaft, lift tube, and interchangeable sealing elements. This segmentation allows for easier manufacturing of individual components and simplifies assembly while maintaining reliable pressure sealing through standardized interfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 allows for the efficient and reliable conveyance of materials at extreme temperatures and in different gas environments, maintaining a stable and sealed system that prevents material leakage and accommodates thermal expansion, ensuring consistent operation and material handling.

Implementation Method 1

a stable layer of flowable material is formed against the inner surface of said rotatable lift tube, said stable layer urging a mass of flowable material within said rotatable lift tube along an upward helical path by frictional engagement between the stable layer and the mass of flowable material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS10370194B2Pressure sealed high temperature elevating conveyor

Publication Date: 2019.08.06 OLDS ELEVATOR LLC

AI summary

A pressure sealed elevating conveyor for non-ambient temperatures having a pressure sealed shroud allowing lifting of a material while in a pressure sealed environment. In some embodiments, the pressure sealed elevating conveyor has structural details that allow the pressure sealed elevating conveyor to be used at very high or very low temperatures.