Wind Permeation Dryer with Rotating Scraping Assembly

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for drying coal samples are inefficient, labor-intensive, and lead to non-homogeneous drying, high energy consumption, and equipment degradation due to low automation and poor air exchange in conventional ventilation systems.

Innovation Solution

A wind permeation-type dryer with a rotating scraping assembly and elevator system that automates the scraping and flattening of samples, allowing for simultaneous up-and-down movement and rotation, enhancing air exchange and reducing moisture evaporation time while maintaining controlled temperature below 50°C.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If natural air drying method is used, then the quality characteristics of coal samples are preserved, but the drying efficiency is too low and time consumption is too much (24-48 hours)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying efficiencyVSAvoiddrying time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies pneumatic principles by using forced air circulation through the drying chamber. A fan drives air flow through channels that pass over the coal samples, creating efficient convective drying. This pneumatic system replaces natural diffusion-based air drying with forced convection, achieving rapid moisture removal while maintaining sample quality through controlled air flow and temperature below 50°C.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Productivity

If hot air drying with high power heating lamp or oven is used, then the moisture reduction speed is improved, but the energy consumption is high and the drying is non-homogeneous

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture reduction speedVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes drying parameters by controlling air temperature to remain below 50°C, preventing overheating and energy waste. The system uses a fan-driven air circulation system that maintains optimal temperature and humidity parameters throughout the drying chamber, ensuring homogeneous drying. This parameter control approach achieves efficient moisture removal without the high energy consumption associated with high-power heating lamps or ovens.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If conventional fan ventilation is used, then the structure is simple, but the air exchange rate is low and drying efficiency is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair exchange efficiencyVSAvoidventilation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the ventilation system into organized air flow channels that distribute air uniformly across multiple drying layers. Instead of a single fan creating chaotic air movement, the system divides air flow into directed paths through the sample stacks, maximizing air exchange efficiency. This segmented approach achieves high air turnover rates while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure with standardized channel designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Extent of automation

If manual sample preparation is used, then the equipment cost is low, but the labor intensity is high and automation level is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomation levelVSAvoidequipment structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple functions into a single drying chamber system: sample placement, air circulation, temperature control, and moisture removal all occur within one unified structure. The standardized stacking design allows the same chamber to handle multiple samples simultaneously, achieving automation in sample processing without requiring complex separate equipment for each function. This multi-functional approach raises automation levels while controlling overall equipment complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution significantly improves drying efficiency, reduces labor intensity, lowers energy consumption, and extends equipment lifespan by ensuring even drying and maintaining sample integrity and accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

Another method to reduce moisture is based on ventilation, wherein the method uses hot air to blow through the materials to reduce the moisture of the materials. However, conventional equipment always have the following problems: (2) Prolonging the process of reducing the moisture of the samples for the coal samples piled on the bottom layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 2

The samples may also be dried by a way of heating, but temperature of the heating should be controlled under 50° C

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

A heating assembly communicated with the experiment cavity or the dropping cavity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS9970707B2Wind permeation-type dryer capable of scraping material
Publication Date: 2018.05.15 HUNAN SUNDY SCI & TECH DEV
  • US9970707B2 patent drawing
  • US9970707B2 patent drawing
  • US9970707B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A wind permeation-type dryer capable of scraping material has a cavity and includes a heating assembly. The experiment cavity and a dropping cavity; the experiment cavity is located above the dropping cavity. The heating assembly communicates with the experiment cavity or the dropping cavity. The cavity is provided with a sieve tray assembly therein for placing materials. The assembly is provided with a rotating scraping assembly provided thereabove for scraping and flattening the materials on the sieve tray assembly. The rotating scraping assembly includes a rotating drive piece, a scraping sheet, and a rotating rod, wherein one end of the rotating rod is connected to the rotating drive piece and the other end of the rotating rod is connected to the scraping sheet adjacent to the sieve tray assembly. The rotating drive piece drives the rotating rod to rotate so as to drive the scraping sheet to rotate together therewith, such that the materials contacting the scraping sheet is scraped and flattened. The device has an automatic sample flattening function, ensuring the uniformity of sample drying and increasing a working efficiency.