Rotary Clamshell Gate Actuator Decoupling for Bulk Material Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bulk material handling systems face challenges with high manufacturing costs and complexity due to the need for tight tolerances in knife gates and integral actuators in clamshell gates, which are not cost-effective for handling fine bulk materials like sand and proppant.
Innovation Solution
A rotary clamshell gate actuation system where the gate is separate from the actuators, using a support structure with rotary actuators to open and close the clamshell gate, eliminating the need for metal-to-metal seals and reducing manufacturing costs by decoupling the actuators from the container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If knife gates with tight tolerances are used for bulk material handling, then sealing performance is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive knife gates requiring tight tolerances with a rotary clamshell gate design that uses simpler, less precision-critical components. The clamshell gate can be manufactured with relaxed tolerances while still achieving reliable sealing, significantly reducing manufacturing costs for handling fine bulk materials like sand and proppant.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator is extracted from the container structure and mounted on a separate support structure. This separation eliminates the need for integral actuators that require precise alignment and integration with the container, simplifying both the container manufacturing and the actuator mounting while maintaining reliable operation.
2Reliability
If integral actuators are integrated into the container, then actuation reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into separate functional modules: the container, the rotary clamshell gate, and the actuator mounted on a support structure. This modular approach allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining actuation reliability through proper interface design.
Solution Approach 2:
A support structure acts as an intermediary between the actuator and the container. This intermediary provides a stable mounting platform for the actuator and facilitates reliable force transmission to the clamshell gate without requiring direct integration with the container structure, thereby reducing complexity.
3Measurement precision
If actuators are mounted on the container, then actuation precision is improved, but adaptability to misalignment decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator mounting system incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities that allow the actuator position and orientation to be adjusted to accommodate misalignment between the support structure and the container. This dynamic adaptability ensures precise actuation even when alignment is not perfect, maintaining reliability while improving versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, systems and methods for managing dry bulk material efficiently at a well site or other location are provided. Present embodiments are directed to a rotary clamshell gate actuation system and method, where the gate is separate from the one or more actuators used to open/close the gate. The disclosed system may include a portable bulk material container with a clamshell gate for easily dispensing material from the container. The system also includes a support structure equipped with one or more rotary actuators used to actuate the clamshell gate of the container between a closed and open position when the container is positioned on the support structure. The disclosed clamshell gate actuation system is easy to operate, low cost to manufacture, and reliable even when the portable container is not precisely aligned on the support structure.