SEPARATION DEVICE AND METHOD OF OPERATION

Abstract

A device, which serves to separate particles of a bulk material, which is deliverable at an input location and is removable processed in different or at least approximately unitary particle sizes at an output location, includes at least one separating element, which has a metal separating plate with through-openings provided therein, which separating element can be provided with ultrasonic energy and for this purpose is connected to an ultrasonic transducer and which is held by a holding device. The holding device is a mounting shaft, which is held at one end or at both ends fixedly or movably, in particular rotatably and/or axially displaceable, and which at one end or at both ends is connected to an ultrasonic transducer, by means of which ultrasonic energy is couplable via the mounting shaft into the separating element, which is designed to be dimensionally stable.

Claims

1. Device for separating particles of a bulk material which is deliverable to an input location and is removable processed in different or at least approximately unitary particle sizes at an output location, with at least one separating element which comprises a metal separating plate that is provided with through-openings therein, which separating element can be provided with ultrasonic energy and for this purpose is connected to an ultrasonic transducer and is held by a holding device, wherein the holding device is a mounting shaft, which at one end or at both ends is held fixedly or movably and which at one end or at both ends is connected to the ultrasonic transducer by which ultrasonic energy is couplable via the mounting shaft into the separating element, which is dimensionally stable, wherein the mounting shaft is rotatably held or that the mounting shaft is displaceable along its longitudinal axis or that the mounting shaft is rotatably held and displaceable along its longitudinal axis.

2. Separation device according to claim 1, wherein the separating plate has a flat or curved surface or that the separating plate has a constant thickness or a thickness that reduces towards the outside or that the separating plate has a flat or curved surface and a constant thickness or a thickness that reduces towards the outside.

3. Separation device according to claim 1, wherein the separating plate has a grid structure or a wire mesh structure, which is connected to the mounting shaft by at least one mounting element, such as a connecting sleeve or by at least two connecting rods, which have the same or different diameters.

4. Separation device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one separating element has a central axis and is rotationally symmetrical with respect to this central axis and that the mounting shaft is aligned at least approximately coaxially to the central axis.

5. Separation device according to claim 1, wherein the separating plate of the at least one separating element has a basic structure, which is provided for mechanical interaction with the bulk material.

6. Separation device according to claim 1, wherein the separating plate is connected to the mounting shaft by at least one mounting element or by at least two connecting rods having the same or different diameters.

7. Separation device according to claim 6, wherein the mounting shaft comprises several shaft elements, each of which is fixedly or detachably connected to one of the separation elements and wherein the shaft elements are positively connected to each other, rotatably connected to each other, screwed together, or welded together.

8. Separation device according to claim 1, wherein the mounting shaft is connected at one end to a drive motor or at both ends to a drive motor by which the mounting shaft or two shaft elements of the mounting shaft can be driven individually in one or the other direction or alternately in one and the other direction about its longitudinal axis.

9. Separation device according to claim 1, wherein the mounting shaft is provided with a contacting device with collector rings and sliding contacts, via which alternating voltage signals and/or direct voltage signals, optionally control signals are transferable to the ultrasonic transducer, to which alternating voltage signals with a constant or variable frequency is suppliable from the ultrasonic generator.

10. Separation device according to claim 9, wherein the ring-shaped piezoelectric elements are clamped between two metal elements or metal plates, which are connected to the mounting shaft in a form-fitting manner, screwable manner, force-fitting manner or in one piece, and are connected to the ultrasonic generator by means of connection contacts and the contacting device.

11. Separation device according to claim 1, wherein the mounting shaft with the at least one separating element connected thereto is arranged in a conveying container having an open or closable through channel through which the bulk material can be transported from the input location to the output location.

12. Separation device according to claim 11, wherein the conveying container has an outlet opening for at least one of the separation elements.

13. Separation device according to claim 8, wherein a power supply device, which is connected to the drive motor or the drive motors, and a control unit with a control program, by means of which the process for separating the particles of the bulk material is controllable, are provided.

14. Method of operation for controlling the separation device according to claim 1, wherein in a mixing phase the drive motor or the drive motors are controllable in such a way that the mounting shaft is rotated at a mixing speed by a fraction of a revolution corresponding to a switching frequency in one direction and again in the other direction, or in a discharge phase the mounting shaft is rotated at a discharge speed by a multiple of a revolution in one or the other direction, wherein the mixing speed and the switching frequency are selected such that the bulk material is mixed, and that the discharge speed is selected such that remaining bulk material is removed by centrifugal force from the at least one separating element.

15. Method of operation for controlling the separation device according to claim 14, wherein in the mixing phase bulk material is removed from at least one of the separation elements or wherein in the mixing phase supplementary materials are added to at least one of the separation elements.

Description

[0073] Below, the invention is explained in more detail with reference to drawings. Thereby shows:

[0074] FIG. 1a an inventive separation device 1 with optional drive devices 8, 80 in a basic embodiment with only one separating element 3, which has a conically shaped separating plate 31 with through-openings 30 and which is held by a fixed or rotatably mounted mounting shaft 2, to which an ultrasonic transducer 6 is connected, which is fed by an ultrasonic generator 70;

[0075] FIG. 1b the separation device 1 of FIG. 1a with an exemplary device for supplying the rotatably mounted separating element 3 with ultrasonic energy;

[0076] FIG. 2 an inventive separation device 1 in a quarter section with three separation elements 3A, 3B, 3C, which are held by a fixed or rotatably mounted multi-part mounting shaft 2, to which an ultrasonic transducer 6 is connected;

[0077] FIG. 3 an inventive separation device 1 with six separation elements 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, 3F arranged in a conveying container 5, which are rotatably held by a multi-part mounting shaft 2 into which ultrasonic energy can be coupled;

[0078] FIG. 4a an inventive separation device 1 with six separation elements 3A, 3B, . . . , rotatably supported by a mounting shaft 2, which additionally allows supplying material or gases to the processed bulk material and removing processed bulk material at different points;

[0079] FIG. 4b a part of the separation device 1 of FIG. 4a;

[0080] FIG. 5a an inventive separation device 1 with helical separating elements 3A, . . . , 3L, which are rotatably mounted by means of the associated mounting shaft 2 and to which ultrasonic energy can be applied;

[0081] FIG. 5b a part of the separation device 1 of FIG. 5a;

[0082] FIG. 6 the separation device of FIG. 2a in a preferred design of the separating element 3 with four connecting rods 321, 322, 323, 324 of different thicknesses, by means of which the metal plate 31 is connected to the mounting shaft 2;

[0083] FIG. 7 a separating element. 3 with a separating plate 31 in the shape of a spherical wave, as used in the device of FIG. 4; and

[0084] FIG. 8 a separating element 3 with a separating plate 31, which comprises a grid structure or a wire mesh 319 and which is enclosed by a ring 320, which is connected by connecting rods 321, 322, 323, 324 to the mounting shaft 2 or a mounting element 32, which encloses the mounting shaft 2.

[0085] FIG. 1 shows a device 1 according to the invention for separating particles of a process material or bulk material S, which can be supplied at an input location A and, after processing in the separation device 1, can be removed at an output location B in different or similar particle sizes or in an at least approximately uniform particle size.

[0086] In this embodiment, the separation device 1 comprises only one separating element 3 with a metal separating plate 31, which forms a body of rotation or a cone, which has through-openings 30 preferably of the same size. The separating element 3 or the conical separating plate 31 has a central mounting element 32, which is held fixed or rotatable and/or axially displaceable by a mounting shaft 2. The mounting shaft 2 is aligned with its longitudinal axis x coaxial to the axis of rotation of the separating element 3, preferably parallel to the axis of gravity. Bulk material is therefore preferably conveyed through the separation device 1 by gravitational force.

[0087] This conveying process is preferably supported and accelerated by measures described below. During processing, the separating element 3 is subjected at least intermittently to ultrasonic waves, typically in the frequency range from 15 kHz to 40 kHz. For this purpose, the mounting shaft 2 is connected on the underside to an ultrasonic transducer 6 to which electrical signals 71A from an ultrasonic generator 70 can be fed. The ultrasonic generator 70 is preferably controllable by a control device 9 or the control program 99 implemented therein, so that ultrasonic frequencies can be set and changed as desired.

[0088] Furthermore, the separating element 3 can be subjected to mechanical vibrations in a frequency range from a few Hz to for example 1 kHz. As a first option, a drive motor 8 is provided, by means of which the mounting shaft 2 can be rotated in one and/or the other direction. The rotation range, the acceleration and the rotation speed as well as the switching frequency for changing the direction of rotation are again controllable by the control device 9 or the control program 99 implemented therein. A high-frequency vibration motor that can be used in the separation device according to the invention is known, for example, from CN105827059A.

[0089] The separation device 1 can further be subjected to a vibratory motion with force effects along the longitudinal axis x of the mounting shaft 2. Such vibrations can easily be generated by motors whose motor shafts are eccentrically loaded. The mounting shaft 2 can be coupled to such a motor 80, which in turn can be controlled by the control device 9 or the control program 99 implemented therein. In turn, any frequencies of vibration can be set in accordance with the speed of the motor 80.

[0090] Alternatively, the mounting shaft 2 can be connected to a preferably cylindrical magnet 28, which is arranged within a coil 88, to which an alternating current can be supplied by a frequency generator 800.

[0091] The switching and disconnection as well as the frequency of the alternating current are in turn controllable by the control device 9 or the control program 99 implemented therein.

[0092] In preferred embodiments, the control of the separation device 1 in the mixing phase and/or the working phase and/or the discharging phase is performed taking into account sensor signals emitted by sensors 95. For example, the bulk material lying on the separating element 3 is monitored optically.

[0093] The options described for vertical or rotational vibration and for coupling ultrasonic energy from the separating element 3 can be used individually or optionally in combination. The vibration frequencies and/or the vibration amplitudes can be the same or different.

[0094] The mounting shaft 2, which serves as a holding device for the separating element 3, is held fixed or rotatable and/or axially displaceable by a mounting device 52 and a bearing device 58 to the extent required by the amplitudes during axial displacement or vibration. In this embodiment, the mounting shaft 2 is held on one side only. Furthermore, the ultrasonic transducer is mounted on the underside of the mounting shaft 2 preferably in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner, preferably screwed, for example clamped by a press fit or welded.

[0095] FIG. 1b shows the separation device 1 of FIG. 1a with an exemplary device for supplying the rotatably mounted separating element 3 with ultrasonic energy. Electrical energy is supplied to the ultrasonic transducer 6 from the ultrasonic generator 70 via a multi-core cable 71B and a contacting device 4, which has sliding contacts 41, 43, which bear against collector rings 42, 44, which are rotatably connected to the mounting shaft 2. The multicore cable 71B is connected to the sliding contacts 41, 43. Via the sliding contacts 41, alternating voltages are transmitted in the frequency range of the ultrasonic waves. The corresponding slip rings 42 are connected to connecting cables 77, via which the AC voltages are transmitted to piezo elements 631 or, optionally, to a control unit 60, in which the AC voltages are delivered to the piezo elements 631 via switches.

[0096] The ultrasonic transducer 6 preferably comprises several piezo elements 631 separated from each other by contact elements 64 (only one shown), each having a transfer opening through which the mounting shaft 2 is guided. The piezo elements 631 are pressed together by two locking elements 632 connected to the mounting shaft 2, via which ultrasonic vibrations are transmitted to the mounting shaft 2. The locking elements 632 are, for example, screw nuts, each of which is rotatably held by a thread machined into the mounting shaft 2. The piezo elements 631 can therefore be fixed in a simple manner and supplied with electrical voltages via the intermediate contact elements 64.

[0097] In preferred embodiments, a control unit 60 is arranged in the ultrasonic transducer 6, which is connected to the central control device 9. Control signals are transmitted via the cable 71B to the further sliding contacts 43, which are connected to the further collector rings 44. The control signals are transmitted via control lines 78 to the control unit 60, which subsequently controls the output of AC voltages to the piezo elements 631 and the terminal contacts 64, respectively. The control unit 60 can also comprise an ultrasonic generator to which a supply voltage can be fed via the contacting device 4 and which is provided for outputting the ultrasonic signals. In this case, the ultrasonic generator 70 shown is integrated in the control unit 60.

[0098] FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b illustrate the significant advantages of the separation device 1 according to the invention. It can be seen that with minimal constructional effort, the mounting shaft 2 can be used to act on the separating element 3 in various ways mechanically and/or with ultrasonic energy. Mechanical and acoustic vibrations, rotations as well as axial displacements can be transmitted by simple means to the mounting shaft 2, which in turn can be mounted in a simple manner so that it can be rotated and/or displaced. The mechanical movements and/or ultrasonic waves acting on the mounting shaft 2 can be transmitted centrally from the mounting shaft 2 to the at least one separating element 3.

[0099] It is also particularly advantageous that the separation device of FIGS. 1a and 1b shown in a simple embodiment can be constructed in a simple manner.

[0100] FIG. 2 shows a separation device 1 according to the invention with a mounting shaft 2, which comprises three shaft elements 2A, 2B, 2C, each of which is connected to a separating element 3A; 3B; 3C. The shaft elements 2A, 2B, 2C comprise coupling elements 21, 22 on both sides, which can be inserted into each other or screwed together. The mounting shaft 2 can thus be extended as desired, resulting in a separation device 1 with the desired number of separation elements 3A, 3B, 3C. The shaft elements 2A, 2B, 2C are preferably of identical design, but can also differ in their dimensions, in particular in length, for example in order to be able to hold separation elements 3 of different sizes. An ultrasonic transducer 6 is positively connected, possibly screwed, to the lowest shaft element 2C. Mounting shafts 2 of all separating devices 1 according to the invention can thus either be designed in one piece or consist of several shaft elements.

[0101] The separating elements 3A, 3B, 3C have openings of different sizes so that individual particles can be separated not only from each other but also in size or grouped on each of the separating elements 3A, 3B, 3C. After the working phase, the particles of the bulk material are separated in different sizes from each other and are ready for removal on the separating elements 3A, 3B, 3C. In a discharge phase, the separating elements 3A, 3B, 3C can be rotated in order to guide away the bulk material particles separated from each other by means of centrifugal force through outlet channels 5A, 5B and 5C.

[0102] The individual separating elements 3A, 3B, 3C have through-openings 30 of different sizes. This is typically provided if particles of different sizes are to be separated from each other. However, through-openings 30 of different sizes can also be provided if clumps of a bulk material are crushed in upper separating elements 3A, 3B and only finally the individual particles of the same size are separated from each other.

[0103] FIG. 3 shows a separation device 1 according to the invention with six separation elements 3A, . . . , 3F arranged in a conveying container 5, which are held by a multi-part mounting shaft 2, which is aligned with its longitudinal axis x parallel to the conveying axis of the separation device 1. In this preferred embodiment, the mounting shaft 2 has a lower shaft element 2A and an upper shaft element. 2B, which are coaxially aligned with one another and rotatably connected to one another at the ends facing one another by a coupling element 26, optionally a coupling sleeve, and which are rotatably mounted in bearing devices 58A; 58B at the ends facing away from one another. The ultrasonic transducers 6A, 6B held by the shaft elements 2A, 2B are integrated in the bearing devices 58A, 58B. Downstream of the bearing devices 58A, 58B, the contacting devices 4A, 4B, which are connected to at least one ultrasonic generator 70, are connected to the shaft elements 2A, 2B, which are further connected via an associated coupling 85A and 85B, respectively, to an associated drive motor 8A and 8B, respectively.

[0104] The lower three separating elements 3A, 3B, 3C can therefore be rotated by the lower drive motor 8A, controlled by the control program 99, while the upper three separating elements 3D, 3E, 3F can be rotated by the upper drive motor 8B, controlled by the control program 99.

[0105] Likewise, control signals and AC voltage signals can be transmitted individually via the lower and upper contacting device 4A and 4B, respectively, to the lower and upper ultrasonic transducer 6A, 6B.

[0106] The separation device 1 shown therefore comprises two smaller separation devices 1′, 1″ each with three separation elements 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D, 3E, 3F respectively. The lower separation device 1′ with the three separation elements 3A, 3B, 3C and the upper separation device 1″ with the three separation elements 3D, 3E, 3F can be operated autonomously in the same or in different process phases.

[0107] During a first process phase, a working phase program can be applied in the upper separation device 1″, while a mixing phase program is applied in the lower separation device 1′. In a second process phase, a program of the working phase can be applied in the lower and the upper separation device 1′, 1″. In a third process phase, a program of the discharging phase can be applied in the upper separation device 1″, while the lower separation device 1′ is still operated in the working phase.

[0108] The mounting shaft 2 with the six separating elements 3A, . . . , 3F is arranged in a conveying container 5 which is open at the top and bottom and has a conveying channel 50 through which the bulk material S is transported by gravity. The conveying container 5 additionally has outlet openings or outlet channels 50A, . . . , 50F in the side wall, through each of which an overflow or an intermediate product Sa, Sb, Sc, Sd, Se, Sf of the bulk material S can be conveyed outwards and away from the associated separating elements 3A, . . . , 3F, as shown symbolically. In the discharge phase, the rotation speed of the separating elements 3A, . . . , 3F is increased in such a way that the intermediate products Sa, Sb, Sc, Sd, Se, Sf are carried away by centrifugal force.

[0109] The power supply device 90 shown is controlled by the control unit 9 to supply power to the motors 8A, 8B and, optionally, to the ultrasonic generator 70, which can also be integrated into the power supply device 90.

[0110] FIG. 4a shows an inventive separation device 1 with six separation elements 3A, . . . , 3F which are rotatably held by a mounting shaft 2 and have a flat spherical-wave form. A spherical-wave form is a waveform that results in water after a stone is thrown into it. The spherical-wave form promotes an optimal distribution of the ultrasonic waves, so that the separation of the bulk material is particularly efficient. The partitioning elements 3A, 3B, . . . preferably have one or more resonant frequencies at which maximum vibrations are generated with minimum ultrasonic energy. Especially in the working phase, the frequency of the ultrasonic waves is preferably scanned between the resonance frequencies, so that the most intensive and changing influences on the bulk material result to quickly separate it into its particles.

[0111] The separating elements 3A, . . . , 3F are connected to each other by a mounting shaft 2, which is formed in one piece or can also have several shaft elements, which are firmly connected to each other. The mounting shaft 2 is connected via a coupling 85B to an upper drive motor 8B, which can be supplied with control signals 81B from the control unit 9 or a power supply device 90 connected thereto. The mounting shaft 2 is rotatably supported and practically suspended with the upper ultrasonic transducer 6b in an upper bearing device 58. The conveying container 5 is for example fixed to the floor, wall or ceiling of a building by means of a bracket.

[0112] At the bottom of the separation device 1, below the lowest separating element 3F, a closing cone 55 is provided, in which the particles of the bulk material processed up to the end are collected.

[0113] The conveying container 5 has for each of the separating elements 3A, . . . , 3F a tubular inlet channel 500A, . . . , 500F and an outlet channel 501A, . . . , 501F. Through the inlet channels 500A, . . . , 500F preferably at least one powdery solid material, at least one liquid or at least one gaseous medium can be supplied to the bulk material. Through the output channels 501A, . . . , 501F material can be removed from the individual separating elements 3A, . . . , 3F or from the end cone 55.

[0114] The conveying container 5 in the present form is preferably tightly sealed so that the processing of the bulk material can be carried out under positive or negative pressure. Bulk material or bulk material components can be fed through inlet tubes 5S1, 5S2. The processed bulk material can be removed through one or two outlet tubes 5X, 5Y.

[0115] The shown embodiment of the separation device 1 thus allows to carry out various intermediate treatments of the bulk material and to aerate or deaerate it in a simple way.

[0116] At the level of each separating element 3A, . . . , 3F, any mixing process can be performed to achieve a specific mixed product or to accelerate the separation process at this level.

[0117] FIG. 4b shows an enlarged view of part of the separation device 1 of FIG. 4a. The output channels 501A, . . . , 501F are, like the input channels 500A, . . . , 500F, obliquely cut at the front. Advantageously, other shapes can also be used, for example blade shapes directed to the side, in which material can be easily collected and transported away, possibly sucked off.

[0118] FIG. 5a shows a separation device 1 according to the invention with helical separating elements 3A, . . . , 3L, which are rotatably mounted by means of the associated mounting shaft 2 and to which ultrasonic energy can be applied. The separating elements 3A, . . . , 3L are directed against each other in pairs and are vertically displaced against each other. An arrangement is also possible in which the separating elements 3A, . . . , 3L run continuously in the same direction in a helical or spiral shape.

[0119] With this separation device 1 all particles of the bulk material pass through the entire conveying container 5 and are completely separated from each other. This separation device 1 is preferably used when the particles of the bulk material should be separated from each other but not grouped in size.

[0120] FIG. 5b shows an enlarged view of part of the separation device 1 of FIG. 5a.

[0121] FIG. 6 shows the separation device of FIG. 2a in a preferred configuration with four connecting rods 321, 322, 323, 324 of different thicknesses by means of which the metal plate 31 is connected to the mounting shaft 2. The change of the diameters of the connecting rods 321, 322, 323, 324 is done according to an arithmetic or according to a geometric series. In this way, the coupling of the ultrasonic energy can be advantageously influenced. In particular, wave images can be generated in which wave nodes are reduced. Symbolically, a surface structure in the form of radial waves is shown by dashes, by means of which an interaction with the bulk material shall take place in order to move and distribute it.

[0122] FIG. 7 shows a separating element 3 as used in the device of FIG. 4. The separating element 3 or the separating plate 31 has spherical-wave form.

[0123] FIG. 8 shows a separating element 3 with a separating plate 31, which comprises a grid structure or a wire mesh 319 and which is enclosed by a ring 320, which is connected by connecting rods 321, 322, 323, 324 to the mounting shaft 2 or a mounting shaft 32, which encloses the mounting shaft 2. This separating element 3 can also be used in all devices 1 according to the invention. The separating plate 31 can be conical, as in FIG. 6, or flat or corrugated, as in FIG. 7.

[0124] It is essential that the separating elements 3 are dimensionally stable in such a way that their function is maintained under load and the bulk material is held securely.