Design Features of the Screw Unit for Processing Bulk Substances

Abstract

This article is devoted to the description of the multifunctional energy converter (MFEC) design of the screw type. MFEC is an induction motor with an external hollow solid rotor. On the surface of the rotor, which is a steel pipe, the turns of the screw conveyer are welded. When supplying power to the stator winding (which visually resembles the wound rotor of an induction motor), the magnetic field not only causes the rotor to rotate, but also, due to the formation of eddy currents, heats the latter. Thus, the idea of combining several functional components is realized in one device: mixing, heating and transportation along the turns of the screw of bulk material. The specified operations are implemented without the use of an external electric drive, heaters, but only due to the principle of operation of the MFEC. Previously, the two-module design of the MFEC was investigated, but experimental studies indicated certain shortcomings of the chosen approach. In this work, an attempt is made to show an alternative configuration of the MFEC, based on the execution of independent single modules that can be combined into a continuous screw thanks to transitional fasteners. In addition, the approach to the power supply and module management system has been revised. This article is one of a series of works devoted to a detailed description of the design of the MFEC.