Suction Conveyor Device for Wood Pellets with Integrated Switching Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional suction conveyor systems for solid heating materials, such as wood pellets, are complex, prone to errors, and costly due to numerous components, requiring significant space and maintenance, making them unsuitable for many applications, especially in private homes.
Innovation Solution
A simplified suction conveyor system design that uses a circulatory fluid system with fewer lines, reducing the number of components and space requirements, and incorporating a switching unit with stationary connections to efficiently manage fluid flow and minimize mechanical wear, allowing for reliable and efficient operation with reduced maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional suction conveyor systems use separate lines for suction and return air at each removal device, then reliable material conveyance is achieved, but the system becomes complex with many components requiring significant space and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the suction line and return air line into a single integrated line that serves both functions. The line alternates between suction and return modes at different removal devices, eliminating the need for separate lines and reducing system complexity while maintaining reliable material conveyance through coordinated switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The single line is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as a suction line for some removal devices while simultaneously serving as a return air line for others. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components and simplifies the overall system architecture.
2Productivity
If conventional systems use numerous hoses and components for each removal device, then complete material removal is achieved, but maintenance costs and failure rates increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple separate lines into a single integrated line that serves multiple removal devices, the patent reduces the total number of components that require maintenance. Fewer hoses and connections mean lower maintenance costs and reduced failure rates while maintaining complete material removal capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers and reuses the air stream after it has performed its suction function. The return air is redirected back through the same line to assist material removal at other removal devices, maximizing the utility of each air stream and reducing the need for additional components.
3Productivity
If conventional suction conveyor systems are designed with separate lines for each function, then effective material conveyance is achieved, but the space requirement increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges separate suction and return air lines into a single line, significantly reducing the space required for line installation and system components. This consolidation maintains effective material conveyance while making the system suitable for installations with limited space, such as private homes.
4Productivity
If conventional systems use many components and lines, then comprehensive material removal is achieved, but the system requires frequent maintenance and has high failure rates
Solution Approach 1:
By combining multiple lines into a single integrated system with coordinated switching, the patent reduces the number of potential failure points. Fewer hoses, connections, and components mean lower failure rates and improved system reliability while maintaining comprehensive material removal capability.
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 system achieves a compact, reliable, and low-maintenance design that is suitable for a wider range of buildings, reducing space and material needs while enhancing operational efficiency and reducing the risk of errors and maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
Suction conveyor systems for pellets are known, which use a suction line to draw in pellets from a heating material store
Implementation Method 2
separate the sucked-in pellets from the air
Implementation Method 3
return the sucked-in air back to the heating material store at the removal point by means of a return air line
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The device (1) has a suction device connected with two removal devices (4, 6) by spacers (3, 5). One of the removal devices is arranged at a storage reservoir spaced by the other removal device. The spacers are designed as a fluid entrance spacer and a delivery line, respectively. The removal devices comprise controllable removal closures. A switching unit (8) is arranged between the suction device and the spacers, which are attached at stationary terminals (9) of the switching unit. The switching unit is connected with the suction device by two external spacers (10). USE : Suction conveyor device for conveying solid heating fuel with renewable raw materials such as wood pellets, to a boiler and for removing a solid, pourable heating material from a storage reservoir in a heating system in a building i.e. home. ADVANTAGE : The suction device is connected with the removal devices by the spacers, thus saving space, ensuring simple construction and reduced error-prone and easy maintenance, operating the device in a safe manner, reducing maintenance cost of the device while reducing utilization of number of used components, and realizing return air duct for multiple exit points with small number of spacers. The device utilizes pollution free pellet heaters in larger number of buildings and a smaller wall opening in a dividing wall between a storage room and a boiler room, thus simplifying installation of the device, and reducing negative influences on the statics of the building concerned to be exerted. The device achieves better loosening of the heating material, prevents mechanical wear of the spacers and mechanical stable and wear-poorer spacers, and reduces danger of injury by moving spacers. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS : The drawing shows a perspective view of a suction conveyor device. 1 : Suction conveyor device 3, 5 : Spacers 4, 6 : Removal devices 8 : Switching unit 9 : Stationary terminals 10 : External spacers.