Rotating Barrel Stations for Dynamic Food Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spinning dryer systems for drying wet food articles are time and labor intensive due to the need for stationary barrel filling and settling, and lack flexibility in handling different food articles with varying drying times and speeds.
Innovation Solution
A system with multiple barrel stations independently controlled by motors and a turntable that rotates and positions them between loading, drying, and dumping positions, allowing for variable spinning speeds and eliminating the need for settling cycles by filling and spinning barrels while in motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If barrels are filled while stationary and then require settling period, then even distribution of food articles is achieved, but drying time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static barrel filling to dynamic filling during rotation. The turntable rotates the barrel through filling, drying, and dumping positions continuously, eliminating the need for stationary settling periods while maintaining even distribution through controlled rotational motion
Solution Approach 2:
The barrel remains in constant motion throughout the entire process - filling occurs during rotation, drying occurs during rotation, and dumping occurs during rotation. This continuous useful action eliminates idle settling time and waiting periods, significantly reducing total drying time
2Reliability
If barrels are dumped after becoming stationary, then complete emptying is achieved, but time is lost waiting for barrel to stop
Solution Approach 1:
The dumping operation is performed dynamically while the turntable is still rotating. The barrel is rotated to the dumping position and emptied during continuous rotation, eliminating the need to wait for the barrel to come to a complete stop before dumping
Solution Approach 2:
The barrel is rotated to the dumping position in advance while still rotating, and the dumping action is initiated during the rotational motion. This preliminary positioning and initiation of dumping while in motion eliminates the waiting time that would otherwise be required for the barrel to stop
3Device complexity
If conventional spinning dryer systems are used, then simple structure is maintained, but flexibility to handle different food articles is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The turntable-based system serves multiple functions: it rotates barrels during filling, drying, and dumping operations; it can handle different food articles by adjusting rotational speed and position; it provides flexible control over the entire drying process. This multi-functionality achieves versatility without requiring multiple separate machines
Solution Approach 2:
The system adjusts operational parameters including rotational speed, filling position, drying position, and dumping position to optimize performance for different food articles. By changing these parameters, the same basic system structure can adapt to various drying 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
This approach reduces overall drying time, increases efficiency, and allows for flexible handling of different food articles by optimizing the drying process through controlled speed and position changes of the barrel stations.
Implementation Method 1
a turntable surrounded by a plurality of outer positions and configured to rotate about a central axis
Implementation Method 2
the first hinge pivots the first barrel between an upright position and an inverted position
Implementation Method 3
the first motor spins the first barrel about a first spin axis
Data Source
AI summary
A system for drying wet food articles (such as produce) is disclosed herein. The system can comprise a turntable capable of rotating multiple barrel stations. The system can comprise various loading, drying, dumping, and cleaning positions, and the barrel stations can be rotated to each of these positions. The present disclosure also describes various methods for drying wet food articles utilizing such systems.