Rotating Dry Ice Container with Feeding Screw
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Solution Overview
Problem
The transportation of dry ice pellets is hindered by bridging or binding issues during storage and transportation, leading to inefficiencies, increased costs, and product losses due to sublimation, as existing methods fail to handle large quantities efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A transport device comprising a cylindrical container with internal feeding screws and rotatable bearing arrangements at both ends, allowing for efficient loading and unloading of dry ice pellets, reducing bridging through controlled rotation and conical design of the container, which facilitates easy handling and distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If dry ice pellets are transported in insulated containers using forklifts, then general cargo handling is achieved, but bridging and binding of pellets occurs making emptying difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The container is designed to rotate about its longitudinal axis, transforming from a static to a dynamic structure. This rotation prevents pellet bridging by continuously changing the pellet distribution and contact points, ensuring reliable emptying without manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The container performs preliminary rotation before the unloading process begins. This preliminary action breaks any existing pellet bridges or bindings, preparing the pellet mass for smooth flow through the outlet opening
2Quantity of substance
If standard insulated containers are used for dry ice transportation, then cargo transport is achieved, but efficient handling and distribution of large quantities is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating container enables continuous, controlled discharge of large quantities of pellets. By combining rotation with the feeding screw mechanism, the system maintains high productivity while handling bulk quantities efficiently
Solution Approach 2:
The manual forklift handling is replaced by an automated rotation mechanism with controlled outlet discharge. This mechanical substitution enables efficient handling of large quantities without manual intervention
3Quantity of substance
If dry ice pellets are stored and transported in conventional containers, then transportation is achieved, but product losses due to sublimation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The container maintains continuous rotation during storage and transportation, creating continuous useful action that prevents pellet bridging. This ensures the container can be completely and uniformly emptied, minimizing residual pellets that would continue to sublime
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation mechanism enables self-service emptying of the container. The pellets automatically flow to the outlet under gravity and controlled rotation, ensuring complete evacuation without manual intervention that could leave residual sublimating pellets
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 device enables efficient handling and distribution of larger dry ice quantities, reducing costs and fuel consumption while minimizing product loss by preventing bridging and optimizing the unloading process.
Implementation Method 1
an internal feeding screw for moving the pellets inside the container
Implementation Method 2
a first bearing arrangement for rotatably supporting a first end of the container device and a second bearing arrangement for rotatably supporting a second end of the container device
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a transport device for transportation of pellets, the transport device (1) comprising a supporting device (2) and a container device (3), wherein: - the container device (3) comprises a substantially cylindrical container (33) with at least one opening for filling and unloading the container (33) and an internal feeding screw (34) for moving the pellets inside the container (33); - the supporting device (2) comprises a first bearing arrangement (22) for rotatably supporting a first end (31) of the container device (3) and a second bearing arrangement (24) for rotatably supporting a second end (33) of the container device (3); - the second bearing arrangement (24) comprises a driving means (50) for rotating the container device (3) in relation to the supporting device (2).