Swing Auger Conveyor Layout for Bottom-Discharge Trailer Unloading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional swing augers face challenges in efficiently unloading particulate material from bottom discharge chutes due to limited reach, precise maneuvering requirements, and potential hazards during the transfer process from trailers to silos, necessitating improved apparatuses and methods for more efficient and safer unloading.
Innovation Solution
The development of an apparatus comprising a wheeled frame with conveyors that can be attached to a tractor or operate independently, featuring adjustable and movable conveyor hoppers to align with multiple discharge chutes, allowing for efficient unloading of particulate material from trailers or hopper bins to a swing auger, which includes a main auger and a pivotable feed auger with a hopper, enhancing reach and maneuverability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a conventional swing auger with a feed auger hopper is used, then the apparatus can transfer particulate material from a discharge chute to a silo, but the reach is limited to about 10 feet and precise maneuvering is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two independent components: a conveyor apparatus with conveyor hopper for receiving material from the discharge chute, and a swing auger with feed auger hopper for transferring material to the silo. The conveyor can be positioned independently to extend reach beyond the 10-foot limitation of the feed auger alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor apparatus acts as an intermediary between the discharge chute and the swing auger. It receives particulate material from the discharge chute and delivers it to the feed auger hopper, which then transfers it to the silo. This intermediary extends the overall reach and reduces maneuvering precision requirements.
2Reliability
If the feed auger hopper is positioned directly beneath the discharge chute, then spillage is prevented, but the large trailer must be precisely maneuvered near the swing auger, tractor, and silo
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor hopper is positioned in advance to receive material from the discharge chute before the swing auger needs to be precisely maneuvered. The conveyor can be independently positioned and stabilized, allowing the swing auger to then operate without requiring the entire trailer to be precisely maneuvered into a complex position.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor apparatus provides dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to be adjusted and repositioned independently of the swing auger and trailer. This dynamic adjustment simplifies the overall maneuvering process while maintaining reliable material transfer and spillage prevention.
3Productivity
If a conventional swing auger is used, then the system can unload trailers, but a substantial amount of time is required due to limited reach and maneuvering requirements
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the system into a conveyor apparatus and a swing auger, each component can operate independently and simultaneously. The conveyor can be quickly positioned to receive material while the swing auger operates, eliminating the sequential positioning time required by conventional systems and substantially increasing unloading speed.
Data Source
AI summary
A swing auger towable by a tractor features a main auger, and a feed auger pivotally coupled to the main auger and reaching transversely outward therefrom. One or more additional conveyors each are positioned alongside the tractor with the discharge of the conveyor(s) feeding into the feed auger, and with the conveyor hopper positioned longitudinally forward of the tractor under the bottom discharge of the trailer or other source receptacle. A stabilizing device for the main auger doubles as a lift arm for elevating the conveyor in a transport position, and may be installed with a tandem axle that compensates for angular frame variation in the working position of the main auger. Alternatively, a novel auger frame is pivotally coupled to the inlet end of the man auger, remains parallel to the ground regardless of the main auger's position, and is equipped with a hitch connector and rear stabilizer arms.