Kinematics analysis and experimental investigation of an inclined feeder with horizontal vibration

Abstract

This paper presents a novel design of an inclined feeder with a chute that vibrates like a simple pendulum. It is designed with a horizontal vibration and an inclined chute for feeding steel scraps in electric furnace steelmaking. The simplified model of the feeder and the governing equations of kinematics analysis are introduced. Numerical integration programs were developed to investigate the kinematics characteristics of the feeder. The inclination angle of the chute and the vibration frequency, two vital impact factors affecting the motion of the fed block, were analyzed. Compared with the traditional horizontal chute feeder, this novel feeder has proved to be more efficient and speed-controllable. An experimental prototype was fabricated and feeding tests were performed. Results indicate that good agreement between calculation and experiment was achieved on the motion of the fed block. A stepped chute was proposed to solve the problem of block intertwining and uneven dropping during the feeding. The simulation of the multi-block feeding showed that the feeding with the stepped chute was steadier than that with the smooth chute. This research indicates that the mathematical model is able to predict the motions of the system and the new feeder will be capable and effective in performing the steel scrap feeding task.