Pulp Transportation System with Reversible Flow Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pulp transportation systems require division of space within the pulp-supply tank into working and overflow areas, leading to inefficient use of space and the need for multiple pumping power sources, increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
A pulp transportation system comprising a pump unit, first and second pipe units, and a valve unit that allows pulp to flow between a pulp-supply machine and forming machines, enabling conversion between pulp-supply and pulp-return states, reducing the need for multiple pumping sources and optimizing space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the pulp-supply tank is divided into working area and overflow area to retrieve overflow pulp, then the pulp can be reused in subsequent productions, but the space in the pulp-supply tank cannot be fully utilized and at least two pumping power sources are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the working area and overflow area into a single integrated pulp-supply tank structure. The valve unit integrates multiple functions (supply control, return control, overflow control) into one component, eliminating the need for separate extraction unit and injection unit. This reduces the number of pumping power sources from two to one while maintaining full tank space utilization and pulp reuse capability.
2Productivity
If the pulp-supply tank is divided into working area and overflow area to retrieve overflow pulp, then the pulp can be reused in subsequent productions, but at least two pumping power sources are required to transport pulp to and from the tank
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of extracting overflow pulp and injecting return pulp into a single pumping system controlled by a valve unit. This eliminates the need for separate extraction pump and injection pump, reducing the number of pumping power sources from two to one, thereby lowering transportation energy consumption and cost while maintaining pulp reuse functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional pulp tank structure with separate extraction and injection units is used, then pulp overflow can be retrieved and returned, but the space utilization is reduced and transportation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve unit in the patent serves multiple functions: controlling pulp supply to forming machines, controlling pulp return to the tank, and managing overflow. This single multi-functional component replaces the conventional separate extraction unit and injection unit, reducing system structural complexity while maintaining full adaptability for various pulp flow control requirements.
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 system enhances space utilization and reduces transportation costs by allowing flexible pulp flow directions and eliminating the need for multiple pumping sources, improving efficiency and productivity.
Implementation Method 1
a pump unit (5), adapted for urging the pulp to flow
Implementation Method 2
a valve unit (8), operable to control the flow of the pulp through each of the first pulp pipes (61) of the first pipe unit (6), the flow of the pulp through each of the second pulp pipes (62) of the first pipe unit (6), the flow of the pulp through the first pipe (71) of the second pipe unit (7), the flow of the pulp through the second pipe (72) of the second pipe unit (7), the flow of the pulp through the third pipe (73) of the second pipe unit (7), and the flow of the pulp through the fourth pipe (74) of the second pipe unit (7)
Data Source
AI summary
A pulp transportation system is adapted for transporting a pulp among a pulp-supply machine and a plurality of forming machines, and includes a pump unit, a first pipe unit, a second pipe unit and a valve unit. The pump unit is adapted for urging the pulp to flow. The valve unit is operable to control flow of the pulp through the first pipe unit and the second pipe unit, such that the flow of the pulp is convertible between a pulp-supply state, in which the pulp flows out from the pulp supply machine into at least one of the forming machines, and a pulp-return state, in which the pulp flows out from at least one of the forming machines into the pulp supply machine.