Centrifugal Separator Disc Arrangement With Adjustable Wing Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing centrifugal separators face issues with top disc buckling when wing elements are welded, requiring costly machining for balance and limiting adjustability of wing height and number.
Innovation Solution
A disc arrangement featuring a truncated cone-shaped top disc with a neck device and releasably connected wing elements, allowing for adjustable wing height and number without welding, thereby reducing machining needs and increasing separator performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If wing elements are welded to the outer conical surface of the top disc, then the wing elements are securely attached, but the top disc becomes unbalanced and requires time-consuming machining to achieve balance
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is segmented into a neck device with threaded holes and separate wing elements with threaded rods, allowing independent adjustment of each component without affecting the entire disc structure. This segmentation enables precise positioning of wing elements to maintain disc balance while ensuring secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
A neck device acts as an intermediary component between the top disc and wing elements. The neck device includes threaded holes that receive threaded rods from the wing elements, providing a controlled interface that allows precise adjustment and secure attachment without directly welding to the disc surface, thereby maintaining balance.
2Strength
If the sheet thickness of the top disc is increased to prevent buckling, then the structural strength is improved, but the production cost increases and the number of discs in the stack decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The wing elements are made adjustable in height through threaded rods and nuts, allowing dynamic adaptation to different operational requirements. This adjustability eliminates the need for increased sheet thickness to prevent buckling, as the structural integrity is maintained through the adjustable mechanical connection system rather than increased material thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The height of wing elements can be changed by adjusting the threaded rods, transforming a fixed parameter into a variable one. This allows the same thin disc to accommodate different wing heights without buckling, eliminating the need to increase sheet thickness and thereby maintaining the number of discs in the stack.
3Ease of manufacture
If the height of wing elements is fixed due to welding joints, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the ability to adjust fluid flow distance is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The wing element height is transformed from a fixed welded dimension to a dynamic adjustable parameter using threaded rods and nuts. This allows the height to be changed during operation or maintenance to regulate fluid flow distance, while the manufacturing process remains simple as the components are assembled rather than welded.
Solution Approach 2:
The threaded holes are pre-drilled in the neck device and the threaded rods are pre-cut to standard lengths, allowing for easy assembly and adjustment. The preliminary preparation of standardized components enables simple manufacturing while maintaining future adjustability through the threaded connection system.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the number of wing elements is reduced to regulate fluid flow, then the flow characteristics change, but the welding process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The wing elements are segmented as separate adjustable components rather than integrated welded structures. This allows the number of active wing elements to be easily changed by simply removing or adding individual wing elements with threaded rods, without affecting the structural integrity or increasing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The configuration of wing elements is made dynamic and reconfigurable. The number of wing elements can be adjusted during operation to regulate fluid flow characteristics, and the threaded connection system allows for easy addition or removal of elements without complex welding procedures.
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 disc arrangement achieves improved balance and reduced production costs by eliminating the need for thick top discs and allows for adaptable fluid flow management through adjustable wing elements.
Implementation Method 1
During operation, fluid mixture that is about to be separated is introduced into a rotating bowl and due to the centrifugal forces, heavy particles or denser liquid, such as water, accumulates at the periphery of the rotating bowl whereas less dense liquid accumulates closer to the centre axis of rotation.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a disc arrangement (1) for a centrifugal separator, the disc arrangement (1) comprises: a truncated cone shaped top disc (4) comprising a top circumference (6), a base circumference, an outer conical surface (10) and an inner conical surface; a neck device (14) attached to the top circumference (6) of the top disc (4); and at least three wing elements (18) connected to the neck device (14). The wing elements (18) are configured to rest on and extend along the outer conical surface (10) of the top disc (4).