WO2014202125A1

WO2014202125A1 - Separately controlled multi-part chute valve

Info

Publication number: WO2014202125A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/062631
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kent Norlenius
Original assignee: Envac Ab
Priority date: 2013-06-18
Filing date: 2013-06-18
Publication date: 2014-12-24

Abstract

In a material charging and discharging unit (1A) having a material discharge chute (6) forming a material inlet with inlet openings (6A, 6B) for different material fractions (3, 4), a material storage space (5A, 5B) and a discharge valve (2) controlling the discharge of the material fractions, the material fraction inlet openings (6A, 6B) each open into individual and fully separated fraction chute sections (5A, 5B) forming separate temporary storage spaces (5A, 5B) for introduced material fractions (3, 4) and guides for the material fractions to the discharge valve, and individually and independently controlled discharge valve parts (2A, 2B) are provided for controlling a separate discharge of respective material fractions from the material fraction chute sections and communicating with a transport pipe of a material transport system. A discharge valve (2) and a method of discharging material fractions are also provided.

Description

TITLE: SEPARATELY CONTROLLED MULTI-PART CHUTE VALVE TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure generally concerns the handling of material fractions in chutes having dis- charge valves for discharging material fractions into a material transport system.

BACKGROUND

In connection with the transporting and conveying of material in chutes and/or pipes it has lately become desirable to be able to separately discharge material fractions that for various reasons have been collected in separate and adjoining storage spaces. An example of this is the presently booming waste fraction separation for recycling and similar purposes. Various structures have been suggested to accomplish such separated discharge of different fractions, such as by means of rotating, divided or separate receptacles provided below a lower chute end. An alternative solution has been to employ sophisticated control systems, such as those used within vacuum operated material conveying, especially for waste handling.

Common requirements for such equipment for separately handling and discharging material fractions include that it must be cost effective, must provide secure separation of fractions and must be user-friendly. Inadvertent mixing of different handled fractions may cause problems in many areas where material fraction separation is important. Severe problems may occur not least in the field of waste recycling where unwanted mixing may contaminate and ultimately completely destroy a separated fraction, such as with glue being mixed with paper for recycling. In particular, problems may also appear in case the handling of fractions and/or of the equipment is not accepted by users. This may in turn lead to inappropriate or careless separation of fractions, with the same results as mentioned above. Altogether, this may cause serious problems to the recycling process.

As was mentioned, various attempts to solve the discussed types of problems have been noted in the prior art. However, none of these attempts have been successful in providing a solution that securely separates fractions at reasonable cost and with low demand of space.

RELATED ART

Documents US2003089404A1 , US2006179800A1 and DE19803364C1 all disclose flap type valves having a split flap/door. The disclosed valves are all designed to serve as check valves where oppositely rotating flap parts open against a spring bias when subjected to a force of an adjustable magnitude.

SUMMARY

It is a general object to provide a solution to the above discussed problems.

In particular it is an object to suggest an improved material charging and discharging unit for promoting separate guiding and discharge of material fractions. It is another object to suggest an improved valve for providing separate material fraction discharge from a material chute.

It is a further object to suggest an improved method of separating material fractions in a material chute.

These and other objects are met by embodiments defined by the accompanying claims.

In a first aspect the technology relates to a unit for charging and discharging material and including a material discharge chute forming a material inlet with material inlet openings for different material fractions, a material storage space and a discharge valve controlling the discharge of the material fractions. In a basic configuration the unit includes different individual material inlet openings each opening into individual and fully separated material fraction chute sections that form separate temporary storage spaces for the introduced waste fractions and guides for guiding the material fractions to the discharge valve. The valve has individu- ally and independently controlled valve parts controlling separate discharge of the respective material fractions from the material fraction chute sections and communicating with a transport pipe of a material transport system.

In another aspect the technology relates to a discharge valve for controlling the discharge of material fractions from a material chute in which fractions are guided to a material transport system, the material fractions having been collected in separate storage spaces. In a basic configuration the valve has valve parts supported for movement in a valve housing or in the material chute and means for individually and independently controlling movement of the valve parts between open and closed positions allowing and blocking, respectively, a passage of material fractions through the valve.

In yet another aspect the technology relates generally to the discharge of material fractions from a material chute. The material fractions having been collected upstream of a discharge valve that controls the discharge of the material fractions are guided to a material transport system. In a basic configuration material fractions are separately stored in adjoining storage spaces upstream of the discharge valve and material fractions are separately guided up to the discharge valve in individual material chute sections. The material fractions are separately discharged from the individual material chute sections by activating individually controlled valve parts of the discharge valve to discharge the respective material fractions from the material chute and into the material transport system.

Preferred further developments of the basic inventive idea as well as embodiments thereof are specified in the dependent subclaims.

The basic configurations present the advantages of

- effective individual material fraction guiding and discharge;

- secure material fraction separation;

- easy and quick installation; and

- minimum space requirement.

Advantages offered in addition to those described, will be readily appreciated upon reading the below detailed description of embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention and its further objects and advantages will be best understood by reference to the following description taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematical and partially cut-out perspective view of a waste charging and dis- charging unit;

Fig. 2 is a schematical and partial perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a suggested material fraction discharging unit with separating discharge valve; Fig. 3A is a schematical side view of a suggested waste charging and discharging unit in a longitudinal section along line A-A of Fig. 3B;

Fig. 3B is a schematical top view of a suggested waste charging and discharging unit in a cross-section along line B-B of Fig. 3 A;

Fig. 4 is a flow diagram of a method of individually discharging material fractions;

Fig. 5 A is a schematical side view like that of Fig. 3 A, of an alternative waste charging and discharging unit as seen in a longitudinal section along line C-C of Fig. 5B; and

Fig. 5B is a schematical top view like that of Fig. 3B, of the alternative waste charging and discharging unit of Fig. 5 A, as seen in a cross-section along line D-D of Fig. 3 A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present technology will be explained below with reference to exemplifying embodiments of a waste charging and discharging unit, a discharge valve for controlling discharge of material fractions from such a material charging and discharging unit as well as a method of discharging material fractions from a material chute. The embodiments relate to an appli- cation of the present technology to the discharge of waste fractions having been collected in separate adjoining storage spaces upstream of a discharge valve. The present technology may be applied in the general field of waste collection or in other fields where separated discharge of collected material fractions is required. It is emphasized that the material charging, storing and guiding assemblies are schematically illustrated in the attached drawing figures and that they are only given as examples of environments where the present technology may be applied. The described technology is equally well suited for application to other types of environments and for other types of material fraction handling. Thus, the illustrations are for the sole purpose of describing preferred embodiments of the present technology and are not intended to limit the technology to details or to any specific field of application. It shall be realized that the disclosure covers the incorporation of features related to other applications and any combination of features disclosed herein.

The prior art within the field of material handling that was discussed earlier presents no secure and simultaneously practical and cost-effective solution for enabling controlled, separated material fraction handling. Existing solutions intended for related areas are based on the use of rather complex and thus expensive control systems and/or space consuming carousel-type fraction separators. It is apparent that cost and space issues are vital in many areas of application for material handling units, such as for separated waste fraction handling, e.g. for material recycling purposes.

The presently suggested technology attempts to find a solution to the problems encountered when attempting to securely manage separate material fractions. A new approach is proposed to accomplish such separate material handling from fraction charging and up to fraction discharge and transport. A general object of the technology is to provide a fairly inexpensive solution that provides effective separation and that does in effect not add much to the space occupied by the standard material handling units. Specifically, the basic idea of the proposed solution is to accomplish the separated material fraction discharge by means of a conventional butterfly-type, flap type or slide type valve provided as a discharge valve at the bottom of a material fraction chute. As is clarified below and in the enclosed drawings the proposed chute valve has a split valve member with valve parts that are separately controlled, such as by means of generally indicated pneumatic actuators. Throughout this specification said valve member parts are for simplicity referred to only as valve parts.

The present technology will be explained below with reference to exemplifying schematical embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures 1-5B. In Fig. 1 is shown a very schematic view of a waste charging and discharging unit 1 A of a vacuum operated waste transport system 1. In such a system one or more transport pipes IB connect waste charging and discharging units 1A to a central waste collecting site (not shown) that may be a stationary waste collection central or a waste collection truck. Referring specifically to Figs. 3A and 3B, the waste charging and discharging unit 1A consists of a material/waste discharge chute 6. The chute 6 forms a waste fraction inlet with individual inlet openings 6 A, 6B for different waste fractions 3, 4 and each opening into individual and fully separated material fraction chute sections 5 A, 5B. The chute sections 5 A, 5B form separate temporary storage spaces for the introduced waste fractions 3, 4. They also form guides serving to guide the material fractions 3, 4 to a discharge valve 2 controlling the discharge of the material fractions 3, 4 into the transport pipe IB of the material transport system 1.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1-3B a flap-type discharge valve 2 serves to control the individual discharge of the material fractions 3, 4 from the material chute 6 sections 5A, 5B where the material fractions have been collected in the separate adjoining storage spaces 5 A, 5B. In a discharge phase the material fractions 3, 4 are then at different times individually guided from the respective chute 6 sections 5A, 5B to the material transport system 1. The discharge valve incorporates two flap parts 2A, 2B being supported for rotation in a valve housing 2C (Fig. 1 and 2) or alternatively directly in the material chute 6. Means 8, 9 are provided for individually and independently controlling movement of the flap parts between open OP and closed CP positions allowing and blocking, respectively, the passage of material fractions 3, 4 through the valve 2. It should be realized that in the closed position CP each individual flap part 2A, 2B completely closes off the lower end of its respective chute section 5 A, 5B. In their open position OP the flap parts 2 A, 2B fully open the respective chute part 5 A, 5B to allow discharge of the respective fraction 3, 4. The discharge valve 2 connects to a material chute 6 having a dividing wall 7 splitting the chute lengthwise. The dividing wall 7 extends uninterrupted all the way from a top wall 6C of the chute and to the discharge valve 2 flap parts 2 A, 2B, thereby separating the fractions 3, 4 all the way from the chute 6 insert openings 6 A, 6B and to the valve flap parts 2 A, 2B.

The separate actuating means 8, 9 for operating the individually controlled discharge valve 2 flap parts 2A, 2B may, as in this embodiment, include pneumatic cylinders or other appropriate actuating means, e.g. electric motors. The individually controlled flap parts 2A, 2B are supported for rotation around a common axis CL of rotation. In this embodiment the material chute 6 has a common generally circular cross-sectional shape and the discharge valve 2 flap parts 2A, 2B each have a generally semicircular shape. In combination with otherwise configured chutes, while functioning in the similar manner, the discharge valve 2 flap parts 2A, 2B may naturally be configured accordingly, as will be exemplified below. It should now be realized that the individually controlled discharge valve 2 flap parts 2A, 2B are pivotal in opposite directions about a common axis CL of rotation, through the operation of separate actuating means 8, 9.

In the alternative embodiment illustrated in Figs. 5A-5B a slide-type discharge valve 102 serves to control the individual discharge of the material fractions 3, 4 from the material chute 106 sections 105 A, 105B where the material fractions have been collected in the separate adjoining storage spaces 105A, 105B. In the discharge phase the material fractions 3, 4 are then likewise individually guided, at different times, from the respective chute 106 sections 105 A, 105B to the material transport system 1. In this case the discharge valve 102 incorporates two slide valve parts 102 A, 102B that are guided for sliding motion in a manner that is not specifically shown in the drawings but that would be obvious to a skilled practitioner. Specifically, the slide valve parts 102 A, 102B are supported and guided for rectilinear movement in a direction generally transversal to a lengthwise extension of the chute 106. Like before the appropriate sliding guides may be provided in a valve housing or alternatively directly in the material chute 106. Means 108, 109 are provided for individually and independently controlling movement of the slide valve parts between open OP and closed CP positions allowing and blocking, respectively, the passage of material fractions 3, 4 through the valve 102. It should be realized that in the closed position CP each individual slide valve part 102 A, 102B once more completely closes off the lower end of its respective chute section 105 A, 105B. In their open position OP the valve parts 102A, 102B fully open the respective chute part 105A, 105B to allow discharge of the respective fraction 3, 4. The discharge valve 102 connects to the material chute 106 that once more has the dividing wall 107 splitting the chute lengthwise. The dividing wall 107 once more extends uninterrupted all the way from a top wall of the chute and to the discharge valve 102 slide valve parts 102A, 102B, thereby separating the fractions 3, 4 all the way from the chute 106 insert openings 106 A, 106B and to the valve slide valve parts 102A, 102B.

The separate actuating means 108, 109 for operating the individually controlled discharge valve 102 slide valve parts 102 A, 102B may, also in this embodiment, include pneumatic cylinders or other appropriate actuating means, e.g. electric motors. In this embodiment the material chute 106 has a generally square cross-sectional shape and the discharge valve 102 slide valve parts 102 A, 102B each have a generally rectangular shape. The individually controlled discharge valve 102 slide valve parts 102 A, 102B are slidable in opposite directions through the operation of separate actuating means 108, 109.

It will be understood that this technology likewise concerns a method of discharging material fractions 3, 4 from a material chute 6, 106 in which the material fractions are guided to a waste collection/ transport system 1 , the material fractions having been collected in separate adjoining storage spaces upstream of a discharge valve 2, 102 of the flap-type, the slide valve type or of any other type mentioned above. The discharge valve 2, 102 controls the discharge of material fractions. In the illustrated waste collection system 1 different waste fractions 3, 4 are charged, step SI, into the chute 6, 106 serving as waste inlet with likewise separated waste inlet openings 6 A, 6B. In the chute 6, 106 the different waste fractions 3, 4 are separately stored, step S2, in storage spaces 5 A, 5B, 105 A, 105B. With reference to these basic embodiments, as schematically shown in Figs. 1-5B, the favorable effects of the suggested technology are especially achieved by separately guiding, in method step S3, the material fractions 3, 4 to the discharge valve 2, 102 in individual material chute sections 5 A, 5B, 105 A, 105B forming the storage spaces.

In step S4 individually and independently controlled valve parts 2A, 2B, 102 A, 102B of the discharge valve 2, 102 are opened one at a time. Activation of the selected valve part 2A, 2B, 102 A or 102B serves to separately and independently discharge, in step S5, a respective material fraction 3, 4 from the individual chute sections 5 A, 5B, 105 A, 105B of the waste material chute 6, 106 and, in step S6, into a transport pipe IB of the material transport system 1. Finally the respective valve parts 2 A, 2B, 102 A or 102B are fully closed again, in step S7, in order to set the equipment in a storage phase again. The discharge valve 2, 102 valve parts 2A, 2B, 102A, 102B are mechanically operated through separate actuating means 8, 9, 108, 109 that in many fields, such as in the waste handling field, may be a pneumatic cylinder or alternatively an electrical motor. It is important to split the material chute 6, 106 lengthwise all the way from the closed upper chute wall 6C and all the way down to the valve parts 2A, 2B, 102A, 102B. This splitting is done by means of a dividing wall 7, 107 and by extending said dividing wall all the way to the discharge valve 2, 102 valve parts 2 A, 2B, 102 A, 102B.

Preferably, the respective material fractions 3, 4 are discharged directly from the respective section 5 A, 5B; 105 A, 105B of the chute 6, 106 and into a main material/waste transport pipe IB of the material/waste transport system 1. This is done by operating the individually controlled discharge valve 2, 102 parts 2A, 2B, 102A, 102B in opposite directions, by rotation or by rectilinear sliding, through the separate actuating means 8, 9, 108, 109.

In alternative, but not specifically illustrated embodiments variations of different parts of the units may be employed without departing from the scope of the technology. An example of this is the use of a chute having another cross-section shape, e.g. a rectangular or oval cross- section. As was mentioned above, this would lead to modified valve part configurations adapted to the modified chute shape. Another example of a variation that falls within the scope of this technology is the provision of more than the disclosed two valve parts. Theoretically, with an appropriately dimensioned chute, any practically feasible number of valve parts may be provided. It is also emphasized that although the invention has been described and shown with specific reference to an application in a waste handling system, the invention is in no way restricted to such applications. The basic principles of the invention may be applied to other areas and applications. The present technology has been described in connection with an embodiment that is to be regarded as an illustrative example thereof. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present technology is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements. The present technology likewise covers any feasible combination of features described and illustrated herein. The scope of the present technology is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. A material charging and discharging unit (1 A; 101 A) including a material discharge chute (6; 106) forming a material inlet with inlet openings (6A, 6B; 106A, 106B) for different material fractions (3, 4), a material storage space (5 A, 5B; 105 A, 105B) and a discharge valve (2; 102) controlling the discharge of the material fractions, characterized by:

- different individual material fraction inlet openings (6 A, 6B; 106 A, 106B) each opening into individual and fully separated fraction chute sections (5 A, 5B; 105 A, 105B) that form;

- separate temporary storage spaces (5 A, 5B; 105 A, 105B) for introduced material fractions (3, 4);

- and guides for guiding the material fractions to the discharge valve; and

- individually and independently controlled valve parts (2 A, 2B; 102 A, 102B) of the discharge valve controlling separate discharge of respective material fractions from the material fraction chute sections and communicating with a transport pipe (IB) of a material transport system (1).

2. A material charging and discharging unit (1A; 101 A) according to claim 1, characterized in that the material chute (6; 106) has a dividing wall (7; 107) splitting the chute length- wise and extending up to the discharge valve (2; 102) valve parts (2A, 2B; 102 A, 102B).

3. A material charging and discharging unit (1A; 101 A) according to claims 1 or 2, characterized by a material chute (6; 106) having a generally circular or alternatively a generally square, rectangular, or oval cross-sectional shape and by individually controlled dis- charge valve (2; 102) parts (2A, 2B; 102A, 102B) each having a semicircular shape or alternatively shapes that together form a generally square, rectangular, or oval shape.

4. A discharge valve (2; 102) for controlling discharge of material fractions (3, 4) from a material charging and discharging unit (1A; 101 A) according to any of claims 1-3, characterized by valve parts (2 A, 2B; 102 A, 102B) being supported for rotation or alternatively for rectilinear movement in a valve housing or alternatively directly in the material chute (6; 106) and means (8, 9; 108, 109) for individually and independently controlling movement of the valve parts between open (OP) and closed (CP) positions allowing and blocking, respectively, a passage of material fractions (3, 4) through the valve.

5. A discharge valve (2; 102) according to claim 4, characterized by separate actuating means (8, 9; 108, 109) for operating the individually controlled discharge valve (2; 102) valve parts (2 A, 2B; 102 A, 102B).

6. A discharge valve (2) according to claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the individually controlled discharge valve (2; 102) valve parts are flap parts (2 A, 2B) being supported for rotation around a common axis (CL) of rotation or alternatively are slide valve parts (102 A, 102B) being supported and guided for rectilinear movement in a direction generally transversal to a lengthwise extension of the chute (106).

7. A discharge valve (2; 102) according to claim 6, characterized in that the individually controlled discharge valve parts are flap parts (2A, 2B) being pivotal in opposite directions about a common axis (CL) of rotation through the operation of separate actuating means (8, 9) or are alternatively slide valve parts (102 A, 102B) being slideable in opposite directions through the operation of separate actuating means (108, 109).

8. A method of discharging material fractions (3, 4) from a material chute (6; 106) in which the material fractions are guided to a material transport system (1), the material fractions having been collected upstream of a discharge valve (2; 102) controlling the discharge of the material fractions, characterized by:

- separately storing the material fractions (3, 4) in adjoining storage spaces (5A, 5B;

105A, 105B) upstream of the discharge valve (2; 102);

- separately guiding the material fractions (3, 4) to the discharge valve (2; 102) in individual material chute sections (5 A, 5B; 105 A, 105B) forming the storage spaces; - separately and independently discharging material fractions (3, 4) from the individual material chute sections; by

- activating individually and independently controlled valve parts (2 A, 2B; 102 A, 102B) of the discharge valve to discharge the respective material fractions from the material chute and into the material transport system.

9. A method according to claim 8, characterized by mechanically operating the discharge valve (2; 102) valve parts (2A, 2B; 102A, 102B) through separate actuating means (8, 9; 108, 109).

10. A method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by splitting the material chute (6; 106) lengthwise by means of a dividing wall (7; 107) and by extending said dividing wall up to the discharge valve (2; 102) valve parts (2A, 2B; 102A, 102B).

11. A method according to any of claims 8-10, characterized by discharging the respective material fractions (3, 4) directly from the material chute (6; 106) and into a main material transport pipe (IB) of the material transport system (1).

12. A method according to any of claims 8-11, for a flap-type (2) or alternatively a slide-type discharge valve (102), characterized by operating the individually controlled discharge valve (2; 102) parts (2 A, 2B; 102A, 102B) in opposite directions about a common axis (CL) of rotation or alternatively in a rectilinear movement, through the separate actuating means (8, 9; 108, 109).