Centrifugal Scroll Screen Axial Vane Clearance Adjustment

Solution Overview

Problem

Prior art fine coal centrifuges require complex and time-consuming adjustments of scroll vane clearance, leading to inefficiencies and increased downtime due to the need for disassembly and reassembly, which results in excess material pickup and maintenance challenges.

Innovation Solution

The centrifugal scroll screen apparatus features an axial adjuster with camming surfaces on the scroll and shaft portions, allowing for stepwise or stepless adjustment of scroll vane proximity to the screening surface without disassembly, along with a tangentially aligned material supply conduit to enhance throughput and reduce wear, and includes a labyrinth or slinger to prevent cross-contamination and improve maintenance accessibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If scroll vane clearance is adjusted by disassembly and reassembly with shims, then clearance precision can be improved, but maintenance time and device complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescroll vane clearanceVSAvoidmaintenance time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces static shim-based adjustment with a dynamic threaded rod mechanism that allows continuous adjustment of scroll vane clearance. The threaded rod engages with a nut and allows the scroll assembly to be positioned axially along the drive shaft, enabling precise clearance control without disassembly and reassembly operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the complex mechanical process of disassembly, shim insertion, and reassembly with a simpler threaded adjustment mechanism. The threaded rod and nut system provides a direct, tool-free adjustment method that eliminates the need for crane operations and multiple disassembly steps while achieving the same clearance precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If scroll vane clearance is adjusted by disassembly and reassembly, then clearance precision can be improved, but device complexity and maintenance difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescroll vane clearanceVSAvoidmaintenance ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces static shim-based adjustment with a dynamic threaded rod mechanism that allows continuous adjustment of scroll vane clearance. The threaded rod engages with a nut and allows the scroll assembly to be positioned axially along the drive shaft, enabling precise clearance control without disassembly and reassembly operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the complex mechanical process of disassembly, shim insertion, and reassembly with a simpler threaded adjustment mechanism. The threaded rod and nut system provides a direct, tool-free adjustment method that eliminates the need for crane operations and multiple disassembly steps while achieving the same clearance precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If material supply conduit is tangentially aligned, then throughput and wear resistance improve, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovethroughputVSAvoidconduit alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs asymmetric alignment of the material supply conduit with the screening surface, positioning it tangentially rather than radially or axially. This asymmetric configuration allows material to be fed in the direction of screen rotation, improving throughput by reducing material pickup and minimizing wear on the screening surface while the conduit structure itself remains simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

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 solution enables dynamic adjustment of scroll vane clearance in situ, increasing throughput, reducing wear, and simplifying maintenance, while preventing cross-contamination and eliminating the need for external cranes for component replacement, thereby improving operational efficiency and reducing downtime.

Implementation Method 1

an axial adjuster comprising a shaft portion and a scroll portion each having a respective camming surface whereby relative rotation of said scroll portion and said shaft portion axially adjusts said selected proximity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCam mechanism: Cam

Implementation Method 2

fine coal centrifugal scroll screen machine... dewatering the slurry by passage through a fine coal centrifugal scroll screen machine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentUS10293348B2Centrifugal scroll screen apparatus

Publication Date: 2019.05.21 WEIR MINERALS AUSTRALIA LTD

AI summary

In a centrifugal scroll screen apparatus there is provided a scroll assembly (20) driven by a scroll assembly drive shaft (25) and being connected to the scroll assembly by an axial adjuster comprising a shaft cam portion (92) and a scroll portion (96) each having a respective camming surface (94) whereby relative rotation of the scroll portion (96) and the shaft portion (92) axially adjusts the proximity of the vanes to a coaxial conical screening surface, and a locking ring (97) selectively operable to rotationally secure the scroll portion (96) and the shaft portion (92).