Split Collar Hopper Tee With Offset Cam Bolt
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior hopper tees face issues with limited ground clearance, leading to difficulties in transporting long trailers, increased maintenance costs due to wear, and inefficient unloading processes, particularly when handling heat-sensitive materials and requiring frequent cleaning to prevent contamination.
Innovation Solution
A split collar mounting assembly with an offset hinge and cam bolt mechanism that allows for partial opening of the hopper tee without disengaging the cam bolt, featuring a two-piece collar design with locator pins and J/C-shaped hooks for securement, enabling easier valve body installation and removal, reduced friction through flute design, and improved accessibility for cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the hopper tee is designed as a complete one-piece assembly that pivots about an axis parallel to the horizontal section, then the valve body can be accessed for installation and removal, but the ground clearance below the hopper is significantly occupied, causing the hopper to get stuck on railroad rails or uneven surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The hopper tee is divided into a vertical section and a horizontal section that can pivot independently. The horizontal section pivots about an axis spaced from the central longitudinal axis, allowing the valve body to be accessed without requiring the entire assembly to swing through a large arc, thus preserving ground clearance while enabling maintenance operations.
2Quantity of substance
If the hopper tee is designed with a longer vertical section to increase capacity, then more bulk material can be transported, but the ground clearance is reduced, making it easier for the hopper to get stuck on railroad tracks or other surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The horizontal section is designed to pivot about an axis that is spaced from the central longitudinal axis of the hopper tee. This dynamic configuration allows the horizontal section to swing independently to access the valve body without requiring the vertical section to occupy excessive ground clearance, enabling both increased capacity and maintained clearance.
3Ease of operation
If the hopper tee is opened completely away from the footprint of the valve to install or remove a valve, then the valve body is accessible, but the hopper tee occupies significant ground clearance for most of the overall height of the vertical section
Solution Approach 1:
The horizontal section pivots about an axis spaced from the central longitudinal axis, allowing partial opening of the hopper tee to access the valve body. This partial action is sufficient for maintenance operations without requiring complete displacement of the hopper tee from its footprint, thus reducing ground clearance occupation and minimizing unloading delays.
4Ease of operation
If the hopper requires movement to a location of suitable ground clearance for valve repairs, then the valve can be accessed, but the unloading process is delayed and operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hopper tee is segmented into vertical and horizontal sections with independent pivot capabilities. The horizontal section can pivot about an offset axis to provide access to the valve body while the vertical section remains in position, eliminating the need to move the entire hopper to locations with suitable ground clearance and maintaining unloading efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A mounting assembly uses one hinge and one cam bolt mutually offset upon a two piece collar. A hopper tee has a member usually a vertical pipe and occasionally a horizontal pipe that connects to a hopper flange to receive bulk material. This assembly has two collars that mutually engage and surround a hopper flange. Pins pass through the collar pieces and the hopper flange then secure to tapped holes in the collar pieces to prevent rotation. A collar piece mounts a hook bolt and the other collar piece mounts a hinge in a spaced apart and offset manner. The other collar piece has a pivotal connection to a hinge arm and opposite the hinge arm, the hook bolt engages a cam. Opening the cam unfolds the tee downwardly while the hook bolt remains engaged. This partially open position allows for removal and installation of a valve. In opening and closing the assembly, the hinge arm spaces the flange below a hopper to admit a valve. The present invention fits standard hopper tee flanges, has a ground clearance below the horizontal member of at least 7 inches, and aids in the unloading of bulk materials.