Rotating Annular Extrusion Nozzle for Protein Fibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing extrusion machines struggle with efficiently processing materials rich in proteins and water, as they tend to be bulky and inefficient in controlling the shear rate and fibration of the extruded product, particularly due to the structural limitations of conventional nozzles that do not accommodate the gelling and fiber development of such materials during extrusion.
Innovation Solution
A novel nozzle design featuring a tubular outer casing with a rotatable internal component, forming an annular channel, allows for adjustable shear rate control through thermoregulation and rotational shear, ensuring efficient fibration of materials rich in proteins and water, while maintaining a compact size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a long channel with rectangular cross-section is used for cooling and fibration, then the fibration control is improved, but the device becomes bulky and the processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the inner component rotatable about the central axis, transforming a static channel into a dynamic structure. The rotation of the inner component creates adjustable shear rates and enhances fibration control without requiring a long channel, thus reducing the nozzle volume while maintaining or improving fibration quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional rectangular cross-section to a three-dimensional annular cross-section with rotational capability. This dimensional change allows the material to experience shear forces in multiple directions through rotation, achieving effective fibration control in a more compact space.
2Manufacturing precision
If a long channel is used to process protein-rich material, then the fibration is improved, but the processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotational movement of the inner component dynamically enhances shear forces acting on the material, achieving effective fibration in a shorter residence time. The rotation creates varying shear rates that accelerate the fibration process without requiring the material to travel through a long channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The periodic rotation of the inner component creates cyclic shear forces that enhance fibration efficiency. This periodic action intensifies the mechanical treatment of the material, achieving desired fibration quality in a shorter time compared to steady linear flow through a long channel.
3Device complexity
If conventional nozzles are used for extrusion, then the structure is simple, but the shear rate control is insufficient for protein-rich materials
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable inner component introduces a dynamic element that enables adjustable shear rate control. By varying the rotation speed, the system can adapt to different material properties and desired fibration levels, significantly enhancing versatility while maintaining relatively simple construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle design combines cooling, shaping, and fibration control functions in a single device. The rotatable inner component serves multiple purposes: creating shear forces for fibration, controlling flow patterns, and potentially adjusting cooling distribution, making the nozzle universally applicable to various protein-rich materials.
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 nozzle achieves controlled fibration of the extruded product with adjustable shear rates, enabling the production of textured food products with varying textures efficiently and reproducibly, despite the compact design.
Implementation Method 1
The material in contact with the cooled wall of the channel tends to adhere to said wall
Implementation Method 2
The shearing contributes to the development of current lines within the material paste and tends to align denatured macromolecules along the direction of flow
Data Source
AI summary
A nozzle includes a tubular, temperature-controlled outer casing, centered on an axis. For a more compact and efficient design, the nozzle also includes an inner member coaxially arranged inside the outer casing and mounted rotatably about the axis relative to the outer casing, such that a downstream portion of the inner member extends outside the outer casing and engages with a drive motor to rotate about the axis, and such that a channel having an annular cross section and centered on the axis is defined between the outer casing and the inner member. The channel has an upstream end and a downstream end between which the material flows into the channel when it is pushed through the nozzle such that, when the material is pushed through the nozzle, the material moves through the channel from the upstream end to the downstream end whereby the material axially exits the channel.