Rotating Anvil Regulates Feed in Gravity-Comminuting Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gravity-fed comminuting machines experience feed rate irregularity and material ejection issues due to friction, cohesion, and adhesion, leading to operational inefficiencies and increased maintenance, limiting their use to specific applications with constant flows.
Innovation Solution
A rotating anvil positioned offset above the rotor, rotating in the opposite direction and at a slower speed, agitates the feed material and forces it into contact with the rotor teeth, improving feed regulation and reducing ejection, while the novel tooth design enhances fragmentation efficacy and extends anvil wear life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If gravity feed is used to deliver feedstock to the rotor, then the power-driven feed components are not subjected to impact stress and require less maintenance, but feed rate irregularity occurs due to friction, cohesion, and adhesion causing material flow to cease or slow down
Solution Approach 1:
The anvil is made rotatable instead of stationary, allowing it to be dynamically adjusted between contacting and non-contacting positions relative to the rotor. This dynamic positioning enables the system to maintain consistent feed rates by preventing material buildup while minimizing interference with the rotor during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The anvil serves as an intermediary component between the gravity feed chute and the rotor. It mediates the material flow by providing a surface that prevents cohesion and adhesion issues, ensuring consistent feed delivery to the rotor without requiring power-driven feed components.
2Productivity
If the anvil is stationary and positioned close to the rotor, then fragmentation efficacy is improved, but the anvil experiences high wear and requires frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The anvil is made rotatable on its axis, allowing it to be dynamically positioned. During fragmentation operations, it can be rotated to contact the rotor for effective material breakdown. During maintenance periods, it can be rotated away from the rotor to facilitate easy access and inspection without disassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The anvil undergoes periodic rotation to alternate between operational position (contacting rotor for fragmentation) and maintenance position (away from rotor for inspection). This periodic action allows the system to achieve both high fragmentation efficacy and reduced maintenance requirements.
3Reliability
If the anvil is positioned offset above the rotor, then material ejection is prevented and feed regulation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anvil is positioned offset above the rotor and made rotatable, creating a dynamic configuration that prevents material ejection while maintaining simple machine architecture. The rotational capability allows the anvil to naturally regulate feed material flow without requiring additional complex control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The offset rotatable anvil performs multiple functions: it prevents material ejection, regulates feed rate, and facilitates its own maintenance access. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby maintaining device simplicity while achieving reliable feed regulation.
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 ensures consistent feed and sizing rates, reduces anvil maintenance, and prevents material ejection, enhancing production efficiency and wear resistance without increasing machine complexity or cost.
Implementation Method 1
friction, cohesion, and adhesion often cause the material flow to cease, slow down, or become irregular
Implementation Method 2
friction, cohesion, and adhesion often cause the material flow to cease, slow down, or become irregular
Implementation Method 3
friction, cohesion, and adhesion often cause the material flow to cease, slow down, or become irregular
Implementation Method 4
the feedstock enters the fragmentation zone by gravitational force
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention regulates the delivery of feedstock to the fragmentation zone in a gravity-fed comminuting machine and reduces the ejection of feed materials by means of a rotating cylinder located at an offset position above the rotor. Rotationally mounted on an axis parallel to and above, but offset from, the axis of the rotor, this cylinder serves primarily as a striking surface, or anvil. The continual rotation of the anvil, in the opposite rotational direction as the rotor and with much slower rotational speed, assists in agitating the feed material, alleviating the problems of feed chute obstructions and feed aggregation. The cylinder forces the feed materials into contact with the rotor teeth through continuous rotation and provides a novel tooth design to improve efficacy and reduce wear.