Vacuum Transfer Weighing Hopper with Pivoted Rigid Pipe
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum transfer systems face challenges in accurately measuring and maintaining the target weight of products due to interference from forces exerted by rigid pipes on load cells, leading to inaccurate weight measurements and potential product sticking issues during release.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a weighing hopper mounted on load cells with a flexible and rigid pipe configuration, where the rigid pipe is pivotally mounted below the center of the flexible pipe to minimize force interference, and a sliding gate is used to ensure accurate weight measurement and smooth product release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid pipe section is used to connect the weighing hopper to the support frame, then structural stability is improved, but force interference on the load cells increases causing inaccurate weight measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe connection is segmented into a rigid pipe section and a flexible pipe section. The rigid section provides structural stability while the flexible section isolates the weighing hopper from forces caused by the rigid pipe, preventing force interference on the load cells and ensuring accurate weight measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible pipe section acts as an intermediary between the rigid pipe section and the weighing hopper. It transmits necessary mechanical connections while isolating the weighing hopper from adverse forces, thereby protecting the measurement accuracy without compromising structural stability.
2Ease of manufacture
If the rigid pipe section is mounted directly to the weighing hopper, then ease of installation is improved, but downward forces on the hopper increase affecting weight measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible pipe section serves as an intermediary connection between the rigid pipe section and the weighing hopper. This configuration maintains installation simplicity while preventing the rigid pipe from bearing against and exerting downward forces on the weighing hopper, thereby preserving measurement accuracy.
3Productivity
If vacuum is applied continuously to maximize product transfer rate, then productivity is improved, but product sticking to the hopper walls increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous vacuum application, the system uses periodic vacuum cycles. The controller applies vacuum to transfer product, then bleeds off the vacuum before the load cells weigh the product. This periodic action maintains high productivity while preventing product sticking to the hopper walls by periodically releasing the vacuum hold.
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 precise weight measurement and controlled product transfer at the target rate by isolating the weighing hopper from forces and ensuring a good vacuum seal, minimizing drift in weight measurements and product sticking.
Implementation Method 1
a weighing hopper (10) mounted via at least one load cell (11) to a frame (12)
Implementation Method 2
An actuator valve (17) is operatively connected to the weighing hopper (10) and to a vacuum source (18)
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum transfer system having a weighing hopper mounted via at least one load cell to a frame. The weighing hopper is provided with an inlet connected via a product line to a product inlet hopper and a sliding outlet gate. An actuator valve is operatively connected to the weighing hopper and to a vacuum source. A controller is operatively connected to the actuator valve and also controls the opening and closing of the sliding gate. The product line comprises a flexible pipe section and a rigid pipe section pivotally mounted to the frame at a pivot disposed substantially vertically below the center of the flexible pipe section. In operation, the operator keys into the controller a target rate of product transfer and a target weight of product in the weighing hopper. The actuator valve applies vacuum to the weighing hopper in order to transfer the product from the inlet hopper to the weighing hopper. When the preset target weight of product in the weighing hopper is reached, the actuator valve bleeds off the vacuum in the weighing hopper before the load cells weigh the product contained in the weighing hopper. Release of the product is delayed until the release of the product results in an actual rate of product transfer equal to the target rate of product transfer. The product is released by opening the sliding gate. The load cells are zeroed after each cycle in order to minimize any drift in the weight measurements.