Wind Deflection for Trough Conveyors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Trough belt conveyors face issues with material loss due to wind and other elements, as existing solutions like complete enclosures or skirtboards lead to operational complications and increased costs, while pipe conveyors have significant disadvantages.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a trough conveyor with a belt featuring a horizontal segment and angled segments supported by rolls, along with a hood cover and fairings or baffles that deflect wind, forming a stilling space to prevent material dispersion, and adjustable components for terrain adaptation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If complete enclosure is used to protect material from wind, then material loss is reduced, but visual inspection of wing rolls is prevented or complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial lossVSAvoidvisual inspection access

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The enclosure is segmented into a hood cover that covers only the material-carrying portion of the belt, leaving the wing rolls and other mechanical components exposed and accessible for inspection and maintenance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hood cover is positioned to provide protection only where material loss occurs (over the belt), while leaving other areas (wing rolls, frame) uncovered to maintain operational accessibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of substance

If skirtboards are positioned along the conveyor to protect material, then material loss is reduced, but belt wear increases due to friction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial lossVSAvoidbelt lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The skirtboards are removed from the system entirely, replacing them with a hood cover that protects material without contacting the belt, thereby eliminating the friction-induced wear problem

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The hood cover acts as an intermediary structure that provides wind protection without requiring direct contact with the belt, unlike skirtboards that must physically contact the belt to be effective

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of substance

If pipe conveyors are used to contain material, then material loss is reduced, but capital cost and maintenance cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial lossVSAvoidcapital cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The hood cover uses a simple, lightweight structure made of basic materials to provide protection, avoiding the expensive and complex pipe conveyor system while achieving the same material containment goal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Loss of substance

If fairings extend beneath the belt to deflect crosswind, then material loss is reduced, but access to wing rolls is blocked

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial lossVSAvoidaccess to wing rolls

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fairing structure is segmented with openings that align with the wing rolls, allowing workers to access and maintain these components without removing the entire fairing structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fairing design incorporates asymmetric openings positioned specifically where wing rolls are located, providing both wind deflection and maintenance access in a non-uniform configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

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

This configuration effectively protects material from wind and other elements, allowing access to components like wing rolls while minimizing wear and maintenance costs, and is more cost-effective than pipe conveyors.

Implementation Method 1

crosswind may be deflected either above the belt by the hood cover or below the belt by the fairing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWind deflection: Drag

Data Source

PatentUS11383933B2Wind deflection apparatuses for trough conveyors

Publication Date: 2022.07.12 F L SMIDTH & CO AS

AI summary

A trough conveyor that transports fine bulk material and is exposed to windy conditions may include a belt for transporting bulk material, a center roll for supporting the belt, first and second wing rolls that support angled segments of the belt, a frame that supports the center roll and the first and second wing rolls, and a hood cover disposed above the belt. The trough conveyor may also include first and second baffles that form labyrinths that help attenuate wind velocity over the fine bulk material. The baffles may also help contain fine bulk material that is stirred up within a stilling space formed between the hood cover, the belt, and the baffles. In addition or in the alternative, the trough conveyor may include fairings that deflect crosswind beneath the belt.