EP2859963A1 - Method and device for sorting bulk material - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for sorting bulk material, in particular of pellets, comprising a vibratory conveyor and a feeder which supplies the vibratory conveyor bulk material, further comprising a first output and a second output, wherein the first output is arranged such that via one end The bulk material conveyed by the vibration conveyor falls into the first outlet, further comprising at least one detector device which is designed to examine the bulk material conveyed by the vibration conveyor for defects and a sorting device which is designed to be detected as defective by the detector device via the end The bulk material conveyed by the vibratory conveyor can be influenced in its trajectory in such a way that the bulk material recognized as defective falls into the second outlet, wherein a rotationally driven roller is attached to the end of the vibrating conveyor e adjoins, which reaches the conveyed through the end of the vibrating conveyor bulk material and promotes the bulk material with a predetermined by the rotation of the roller trajectory in the direction of the first output. The invention also relates to a corresponding method.

Description

The invention relates to a device for sorting bulk material, in particular of pellets, comprising a vibratory conveyor and a feeder which supplies the vibratory conveyor bulk material, further comprising a first output and a second output, wherein the first output is arranged such that via one end The bulk material conveyed by the vibration conveyor falls into the first outlet, further comprising at least one detector device which is designed to examine the bulk material conveyed by the vibration conveyor for defects and a sorting device which is designed to be detected as defective by the detector device via the end To influence the vibrating conveyor conveyed bulk material in its trajectory so that the bulk material recognized as defective falls into the second output.

Moreover, the invention relates to a method for sorting bulk material, in particular of pellets, in which a vibrating conveyor bulk material is supplied, wherein the bulk material is conveyed through one end of the vibrating conveyor and falls into a first output, in which further promoted by the vibrating conveyor bulk material Defects is examined and detected as defective promoted over the end of the vibrating conveyor bulk material in its trajectory is influenced so that the detected as defective bulk material falls into a second output.

Detecting and sorting out defective bulk material is very important. As an example, plastic pellets are called, which serve as a starting material for an extrusion process, in which a plastic insulation is applied to a metallic conductor. Impurities of these pellets can affect the Insulating function and are therefore to detect and sort out the defective pellets.

It is known to process a portion of a batch of plastic pellets in a thin plastic film and to examine this plastic film for impurities. If no impurities are detected, the entire batch is released. Naturally, only a small part of the pellets is examined, so that impurities can not be safely excluded.

Out EP 1 045 734 B1 For example, a device and a method for sorting pellets are known in which a 100% control is to take place. The pellets are examined for contamination by means of an optical detector device while they are still on a transport device. If the pellets are subsequently not influenced further, they fall over the end of the transport device into a first container. On the other hand, if defects are detected by the optical detector device, a blow-out device is activated, which deflects pellets falling over the end of the transport device out of their trajectory, so that they fall into a second container. In this case, the angle of the transport device relative to the horizontal should be selected so that the scattering of the pellet trajectories is as low as possible and as few good pellets fall into the second container. A multi-sensor arrangement for the optical inspection and sorting of bulk materials is also known DE 10 2010 024 784 A1 ,

A disadvantage of the prior art is, on the one hand, that only impurities on the pellet surface can be detected by means of the optical detector device, since the pellets are generally not transparent. As a result, the defect detection is limited. It also happens in the EP 1 045 734 B1 described arrangement of the transport device nor to a significant dispersion of the trajectories of the pellets. This makes it difficult, among other things, to examine the pellets while they are in free fall.

Based on the explained prior art, the present invention seeks to provide a device and a method of the type mentioned, with which a comprehensive 100% control of bulk material is reliably achieved.

The invention achieves this object by the subject matter of independent claims 1, 2 and 20 and 21. Advantageous embodiments can be found in the dependent claims, the description and the figures.

For a device of the type mentioned above, the invention solves the problem according to a first aspect in that adjoins the end of the vibratory conveyor a rotationally driven roller, which reaches the conveyed through the end of the vibrating conveyor bulk material and the bulk material with a through the Rotation of the roll promotes predetermined trajectory towards the first exit.

According to a second aspect, the invention solves the problem for a device of the type mentioned in that adjoins the end of the vibrating conveyor, a curved section on which passes through the end of the vibrating conveyor funded bulk material and the bulk material with a by its curvature predetermined trajectory towards the first output promotes.

For a method of the type mentioned, the invention solves the problem according to a first aspect, characterized in that the conveyed over the end of the vibrating conveyor bulk material is conveyed to a subsequent to the end of the vibrating conveyor rotating driven roller and the bulk material with a by the rotation of the Role predetermined trajectory is promoted towards the first exit.

According to a second aspect, the invention solves the problem for a method of the type mentioned in that the conveyed over the end of the vibrating conveyor bulk material is conveyed to a subsequent to the end of the vibrating conveyor curved portion and the bulk material with a through the curvature of the curved Section predetermined trajectory is promoted towards the first output.

The inventive device and the inventive method are each suitable for the inspection of virtually any bulk materials, such. Granules and other granular products, cereals, tablets, flakes, food chips, food or plastic flakes and the like. In particular, the invention is suitable for the inspection of plastic pellets. As explained above, plastic pellets are used as the starting material for extrusion processes in which a plastic conductor is extruded onto a metallic conductor. Such pellets often have a white color. For such bulk materials, a 100% inspection for any contaminants is crucial. In particular, the detection of metallic contaminants, which may affect the insulating function, is of utmost importance.

Also in the sorting process itself, care must be taken to ensure that there is no contamination of the bulk material. This problem is especially in the state The technology used conveyor belts, which can fray and thus lead to additional contamination in the bulk material. Against this background, the use of a vibration conveyor is particularly advantageous, since even after prolonged operation replace any components that could lead to contamination of the bulk materials to be inspected. In this context, it is of particular advantage if the vibration conveyor is made of metal. The risk of contamination due to abrasion or wear is minimized. The device according to the invention is thus structurally designed so that it does not itself contribute to the contamination of the bulk material.

The vibrating conveyor is the bulk material by means of a feeder, z. B. a feed hopper or reservoir supplied. Vibratory conveyors are known per se and convey bulk material reliably along a conveying direction. At least one detector device examines the bulk material conveyed via the vibratory conveyor while it is still on the vibratory conveyor and / or after it has already left the vibratory conveyor. A first output and a second output are arranged downstream of the vibratory conveyor in the conveying direction of the bulk material. If the bulk material remains uninfluenced by the still provided sorting device, it automatically falls into the first exit after leaving the vibrating conveyor. On the other hand, if the sorting device is activated, the bulk material is influenced in its trajectory so that it falls into the second exit. The first output correspondingly forms a good output for the quality requirements corresponding good bulk material, and the second output forms a bad output for the quality requirements not corresponding bad bulk material. The sorting device may be arranged downstream of the vibratory conveyor, so that it influences the bulk material in its orbit when it is already in free fall located. The first exit may comprise a first container and the second exit may comprise a second container. The bulk material is then conveyed into the respective container. But it is also possible that one or both outputs lead directly to further processing of the bulk material, for example in the context of a continuous process.

According to the invention, in particular directly adjoins the end of the vibratory conveyor to a rotationally driven roller or a curved portion. The bulk material can therefore be conveyed directly from the vibratory conveyor to the roller or the curved section. In particular, the roller rotates about an axis of rotation perpendicular to the conveying direction of the bulk material. The bulk material then undergoes no lateral change in direction by the role. Also by the curved portion, the bulk material preferably undergoes no lateral change in direction. The roller is in particular cylindrical and transfers the conveyed by the vibrating conveyor, isolated and compacted bulk materials in a defined and uniform trajectory. The trajectory transmitted to the bulk material by the roller is independent of any angle of one or more vibratory conveyors of the vibratory conveyor relative to the horizontal. Rather, the trajectory of the bulk material is determined solely by the dimensions and the rotational speed of the role. Decisive are the centripetal and centrifugal forces. By acting on these forces, the bulk material is brought very controlled to its predetermined trajectory. The scattering of the trajectories of the bulk material is considerably lower than in the prior art. Also, the bulk material is impressed by the inventively provided rotatably driven roller a very constant airspeed. This inventively clearer defined trajectory and speed of the bulk material improves the defect detection. So is for a very high resolution and thus measurement accuracy with regard to the size of impurities, a constant velocity of the bulk material through the measuring plane is of crucial importance. Also, a small scattering of the distance of the bulk material to the respective sensor devices is essential to always optimally focused to capture this with the highest resolution. As explained, both conditions for a highly accurate measurement are optimally satisfied by the provision of the rotary driven roller according to the invention. In the invention according to the second aspect, the trajectory of the bulk material is predetermined by a subsequent to the end of the vibrating conveyor curved portion. The curved portion may be formed, for example, parabolic or circular. It can also be a non-rotating role. The curved portion may also vibrate or be fixed. The curved section forms a ramp which supports the trajectory of the bulk material following the vibratory conveyor, in particular following a last vibratory conveyor of the vibratory conveyor. The dimension of this ramp may be similar to the dimension of the rotating driven roller.

Of course, the invention also provides a control and regulating device controls or regulates the entire sorting process. For evaluating the measurement results of the at least one detector device, an evaluation device is provided, which accordingly controls the sorting device. The evaluation device can be integrated in the control and regulating device.

According to one embodiment, the at least one vibration conveyor device may comprise a plurality of vibration conveyors arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction of the bulk material. Furthermore, it can be provided that at least two of the several vibration conveyors, preferably all of the several vibration conveyors, are arranged at different angles to the horizontal and / or that at least two of the plurality of vibratory conveyors, preferably all of the plurality of vibratory conveyors, have a vibration drive which is individually controllable in terms of amplitude and / or frequency. All vibratory conveyors can be driven vibrating. For the control of the movement of the bulk material, it is particularly advantageous if the vibrating conveyors can be adjusted independently of each other with regard to their vibration frequency and their vibration amplitude.

For example, three vibratory conveyors may be provided, via which the bulk material is transported starting from the feed device into the first or second outlet. The first vibratory conveyor can then convey the bulk material, the second vibratory conveyor singulate the bulk material and the third vibratory conveyor compact the bulk material. The bulk material can be fed by the feeder first a first vibratory conveyor. This serves to impart energy to the bulk material so that it begins to move in the conveying direction. A subsequent second vibratory conveyor is used to accelerate and separate the bulk material. For this purpose, for example, the second vibratory conveyor may be more inclined relative to the horizontal, as the first vibratory conveyor. To the second vibratory conveyor, for example, a third vibrating conveyor can connect, which again has a lower inclination relative to the horizontal. It serves to compact the bulk material and is particularly suitable for detecting the bulk material for defects. In principle, it is of course also possible that one or more of the vibratory conveyors are not inclined with respect to the horizontal. For conveying the bulk material, however, it is advantageous if all vibratory conveyors have at least a slight inclination relative to the horizontal.

According to a further embodiment, at least one vibrating conveyor of the vibrating conveyor, for example the first and / or second and / or third vibrating conveyor may have a ramp extending transversely to the conveyor of the bulk material, which is designed to retain the bulk material while stopping the vibration of this vibrating conveyor. As soon as the vibration conveyor equipped with the wall stops vibrating, the wall stops the further flow of the bulk material. As a result, no mechanical closure device in the region of the feed device is required in a simple manner. In addition, the wall ensures that the example emerging from a round opening of a feeder bulk material is distributed as evenly as possible on the vibratory conveyor.

Even after passing through such a wall, the constituents of the bulk material, for example the pellets, often overlap in several layers, which is undesirable for the further process. Therefore, it can further be provided that at least one vibrating conveyor of the vibrating conveyor, in particular one or more of the vibratory conveyors, has at least one, in particular a plurality, barrier (s) extending transversely to the conveying direction of the bulk material, preferably forming a wave profile or a triangular profile in cross section. The preferably wave-shaped or triangular barriers serve on the one hand to homogenize the speed of the constituents of the bulk material by repeatedly accelerating and decelerating them. On the other hand, the barriers serve to impart a vertical energy to the constituents of the bulk material, in particular on the second vibratory conveyor in the conveying direction. This serves to dissolve the multi-layered nature of the constituents of the bulk material, so that the bulk material is subsequently in a single-layer "stowage arrangement". The aim of this "stowage arrangement" is that the components of the bulk material can not move sideways, so similar to vehicles in a traffic jam no Can perform "lane change". As a result, there is a defined position of the constituents of the bulk material for a subsequent inspection in a detector device, which does not change any further on the way to the sorting device.

According to a further embodiment, a rotary drive of the roller can be controlled such that the roller is driven at such a rotational speed that the conveyed through the end of the vibrating conveyor bulk material is accelerated or decelerated by the roller in its conveying speed. So the roller rotates faster or slower than the speed imposed on the bulk material by the (last) vibratory conveyor. The bulk material is accelerated or decelerated as it passes from the (last) vibratory conveyor to the surface of the roller. As a result, the trajectory of the bulk material can be selectively influenced in the desired manner after leaving the roll.

According to a further embodiment it can be provided that the detector device comprises at least one visible in the (visible to the human eye) wavelength range and / or at least one operating in the infrared wavelength range optical detector device with at least one optical radiation source and at least one optical sensor and / or that the Detector device comprises at least one X-ray detector device with at least one X-ray source and at least one X-ray sensor. The X-ray detector device radiates through the bulk material to be examined. At least one optical detector device can furthermore be designed so that it does not penetrate the bulk material, ie the bulk material is intransparent for the wavelength range used. The combination of at least one such optical detector device with an X-ray detector device is of particular advantage, since both methods together are the disadvantages of each compensate for the other method. For example, such an optical detection device can distinguish a blue pellet from a red pellet, which an x-ray detector device generally can not, since the color additives cause no significant differences in attenuation. For this, however, the X-ray detecting device can detect contamination within pellets, which the optical detecting device can not do in this case. However, it is also possible to provide, in addition to or as an alternative to an X-ray detector device which radiates through the bulk material, one or more optical detector devices which penetrate the bulk material and which operate, for example, in the infrared wavelength range. It is also possible with correspondingly transparent bulk material to provide an optical device which penetrates the bulk material and works in the visible wavelength range. Of course, alternatively or additionally, other detector devices are conceivable, for example inductive sensors or the like. All mentioned detector devices can be combined with one another in any desired manner.

According to a further embodiment, it can be provided that at least one optical sensor of the at least one optical detector device comprises a high-speed sensor, in particular a high-speed sensor operated in TDI mode (Time Delay Integration Mode), and / or at least one X-ray sensor of the at least one X-ray detector device a high-speed sensor, in particular a high-speed sensor operated in the TDI (Time Delay Integration Mode) mode. The high-speed sensors used may in particular be high-speed cameras, e.g. B. line scan cameras. Of course, the type of image processing used in each case depends on the geometry of the material to be examined. The image processing takes place in particular in real time, for example on an FPGA board (Field Programmable Gate Array).

The advantage of operating the optical or X-ray sensors in TDI mode lies in the low required illumination and the high resolution. Comparable systems of the prior art operate with an optical resolution of 100 μm, while with this embodiment of the invention, optical resolutions in the range of 30 μm can be achieved. Especially when operating the sensors in TDI mode, a particularly high uniformity of the trajectory and speed of the bulk material is important due to the temporal integration. This is ensured by the role of the invention. In the case of the optical detector device, the illumination of the bulk material preferably does not take place with direct light, since this could lead to disturbing reflections on the bulk material surface, which in turn could conceal contamination. Instead, the bulk material is irradiated with diffused light. This can be realized for example by using a so-called light dome.

Furthermore, provision may be made for the detector device to comprise two optical detector devices, wherein a first optical detector device examines the bulk material from an upper side on the rotationally driven roller or on the curved section or after leaving the rotationally driven roller or the curved section a second optical detector device examines the bulk material from a lower side when the bulk material is in free fall after leaving the rotationally driven roller or the curved section. By using two optical detector devices, a particularly comprehensive optical inspection of the bulk material can take place. The measurement of the top of the bulk material can be done in particular immediately after leaving the roll or the curved portion.

According to a further embodiment, it can be provided that at least one optical detector device examines the bulk material in front of a non-illuminated dark background, preferably a non-illuminated black background, wherein the focal plane of the at least one optical sensor lies in the region of the bulk material to be investigated. In the prior art, however, an optical detection of, for example, dark impurities usually takes place in front of a background as white as possible with the idea of achieving the greatest possible contrast of the impurities in the background. However, it comes with a light or white background to an unavoidable and the result of measurement falsifying shadows by the bulk material. This is prevented by the dark or black design of the background. The background is not illuminated, so passive. An unlighted background means insofar as it is not illuminated with a separate light source or is self-illuminating. Of course, the background may experience low illumination by unavoidable incidence of ambient light or by scattering of the optical radiation emitted by the optical radiation source (s). The optical sensor and the optical radiation source face the background. The background is also defocused. The focal plane of the optical sensor (s) lies in the plane in which the bulk material is located. There is thus a well-defined background on which, due to the dark or black formation, there is no shadowing that distorts the measurement result. The dark or black background can be removed at the same time by a suitable standardization in the context of the evaluation of the measurement results, so that any optical defects, such as dark or black surface contamination in spite of the dark or black color of the background appear in high contrast and reliably detected. In particular, the optical radiation becomes susceptible to any surface contamination reflected, which can then be reliably identified in the course of the evaluation.

It can also be provided that in the bottom of a vibrating conveyor of the vibratory conveyor a transparent X-ray radiation window is formed, wherein the at least one X-ray source radiates the conveyed through the vibrating conveyor bulk material and the window and the at least one X-ray sensor which irradiates the bulk material and the window X-ray detected. Due to the material and the small dimensions of some bulk materials, such as plastic pellets, very soft X-ray radiation must be used for X-ray detection. As a result, can not be through the material of the vibratory conveyor, usually metal, are blasted through. According to this embodiment, for example, in the last vibratory conveyor in front of the roller or the curved portion, a transparent window for X-ray radiation is installed. It can be a so-called Mylar window. Mylar is made of polyethylene, is very thin and yet very stable and tear-resistant. The X-ray source may be located above or below the vibratory conveyor. The X-ray sensor is then arranged corresponding to below or above the vibrating conveyor. The window may vibrate with the vibration conveyor or be decoupled from the vibration of the vibration conveyor and thus be rigid. The latter is preferred for the measurement accuracy.

It can also be provided that the rotationally driven roller or the curved section consists at least in sections of a material transparent to X-ray radiation, and that the at least one X-ray sensor is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner in the rotating roller or below or above the upper side of the curved section, wherein the at least one X-ray source via the rotationally driven roller or the curved bulk transported through the curved portion and the bulk material radiating through the X-ray radiation is detected by the arranged in the rotationally driven roller or below or above the top of the curved portion arranged at least one X-ray sensor. The bulk material is fixed in position after being picked up on the surface of the rotating roller or the curved portion and before being detached from the roller or the curved portion. So this is a basically suitable moment to subject the bulk of a detection, in particular an X-ray detection. This idea is based on the aforementioned embodiment. In addition, the rotational speed of the roller is known, as well as a possibly in the course of the operation occurring change in the rotational speed. The X-ray evaluation, in particular a TDI scan, can then be synchronized in a simple manner with the speed of the bulk material on the surface of the roll. Of course, the X-ray sensor could also be located above or below the roller or at the lower end or in a stationary portion of the vibrating conveyor. The same applies in the case of the curved section. An arrangement between the vibration conveyor and the roller would be conceivable. Furthermore, with an arrangement of the X-ray sensor in the roller or below or above the upper side of the curved section, the entire roller or the entire curved section may, of course, also consist of a material transparent to X-ray radiation. The material is the same material as in the above-mentioned window.

According to a further embodiment, it may be provided that the sorting out device comprises a blow-out or suction device which deflects bulk material which has been identified as defective, out of its trajectory by blowing or sucking it in such a way that it falls into the second outlet. The blow-out or suction can a Comprise a plurality of blow-out or suction nozzles arranged along one row or along a two-dimensional array. As soon as contamination is detected by one of the detector devices, the sorting device arranged downstream of the detector devices is activated. When a plurality of blow-off or suction nozzles is provided, the bulk material, for example a pellet that has been detected to be defective, can be deliberately deflected out of its trajectory so that it falls into the second outlet. The sorting device can in principle be activated shortly before passing through the bulk material identified as defective and deactivated again shortly after it has passed. It is then sorted out for safety reasons, not only recognized as defective bulk, but also a small number of good-bulk material.

Alternatively, it is also possible that the sorting device comprises at least one mechanical ejector that deflects bulk material that has been identified as defective out of its trajectory in such a way that it falls into the second outlet. It is also possible according to a further embodiment, that a device for electrostatic charging of the rotationally driven roller or the curved portion is provided so that the bulk material is electrostatically held on the rotationally driven roller or the curved portion and in a defined position of the rotatably driven roller or the curved portion can be dropped. Furthermore, it is possible that the surface of the rotationally driven roller or the curved portion having a plurality of suction openings, held by the bulk material on the rotationally driven roller or the curved portion and in a defined position of the rotationally driven roller or the curved portion can be dropped. In this embodiment, a vacuum device is connected to the roller or the curved portion, which generates a suitable negative pressure at the intake openings. The device for electrostatic Charging the rotationally driven roller or the curved portion or the suction openings together with vacuum device may be part of the sorting device.

In principle, at least the vibration conveyor device can be surrounded by an airtight housing. By shielding the bulk material from the ambient air, contamination of the bulk material by, for example, dust from the ambient air is avoided. With the device according to the invention or the method according to the invention even very small contaminations can be detected from a size of 50 microns. This would lead to unwanted defect detections when dust from the ambient air occurs. In particular, the feed device, the rotationally driven roller or the curved section and the first and the second output can be tightly enclosed by the housing for further protection. Thus, the entire conveying path of the bulk material is shielded from the feed device or an optionally provided reservoir up to the first or second outlet relative to the ambient air.

The device according to the invention is particularly suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention. Accordingly, the method according to the invention can be carried out with the device according to the invention.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zum Sortieren von Schüttgut, und

Fig. 2

einen Teil der Vorrichtung aus Fig. 1 in einer vergrößerten perspektivischen Ansicht,

Fig. 3

den in Fig. 2 gezeigten Teil der Vorrichtung aus Fig. 1 nach einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel in einer vergrößerten perspektivischen Ansicht.

Embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to figures. They show schematically:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of an inventive device for sorting bulk material, and

Fig. 2

a part of the device Fig. 1 in an enlarged perspective view,

Fig. 3

the in Fig. 2 shown part of the device Fig. 1 according to a second embodiment in an enlarged perspective view.

Unless otherwise indicated, like reference characters designate like items throughout the figures. In Fig. 1 at 10, a feeder with a feed hopper for bulk material, in the example shown plastic pellets shown. Although the device according to the invention and the method according to the invention are explained below on the basis of the sorting of plastic pellets, the sorting of any other bulk goods is, of course, also possible. The apparatus further comprises a vibratory conveyor 12 having a first vibratory conveyor 14, a second vibratory conveyor 16 adjoining the first vibratory conveyor 14, and a third vibratory conveyor 18 adjoining the second vibratory conveyor 16. The feeder 10 feeds the plastic pellets to the first vibratory conveyor 14. All vibratory conveyors 14, 16, 18 can be driven in a vibrating manner, wherein the vibratory conveyors 14, 16, 18 are individually controllable with regard to their vibration frequency and vibration amplitude. For this purpose, a control and regulating device, not shown in the figure is provided, which controls the device of the invention as a whole. In Fig. 1 It can also be seen that the three vibratory conveyors 14, 16, 18 are arranged at different angles to the horizontal. The first vibratory conveyor 14 has a slight inclination to the horizontal, the third vibratory conveyor 18 also has a slight inclination relative to the horizontal and the second vibratory conveyor 16 has the strongest inclination relative to the horizontal. The vibratory conveyors 14, 16, 18 are ramp-like formed, wherein the movement of the plastic pellets by side walls of the vibrating conveyors 14, 16, 18 is laterally limited.

On the surface of the first vibratory conveyor 14, a transverse to the conveying direction of the bulk material wall 20 is further formed. On the one hand, it serves to uniformly distribute the plastic pellets emerging from the opening of the feed hopper 10 onto the first vibrating conveyor 14 in the illustrated example, onto the vibrating conveyor 14. In addition, the wall 20 retains the pellets from further movement once the vibration conveyor 14 is stopped, that is no longer vibrating. On the first vibratory conveyor 14, the movement of the pellets in the conveying direction begins. On the second vibratory conveyor 16, the pellets are supplied with an increased kinetic energy, so that they are accelerated and separated in the conveying direction. On the surface of at least one vibrating conveyor, for example the second and / or third vibrating conveyor 16, 18, preferably one or a plurality of transverse to the conveying direction of the bulk material, in cross-section preferably a wave profile or a triangular profile forming barriers formed. These serve on the one hand to homogenize the conveying speed of the pellets. On the other hand, they impart a vertical energy to the pellets, which leads to the dissolution of the pellets' multiple layers. Thus, after passing through the barrier (s), preferably the wave profile or triangular profile of the barrier (s), the pellets are in a single-ply "jam arrangement". In this arrangement, they can be examined by an X-ray detector device, of which in Fig. 1 an X-ray source is shown at reference numeral 22. In the bottom of the third vibrating conveyor 18 is a transparent X-ray window 24, in this case a Mylar window 24 is formed. The X-ray source 22 emits X-radiation, which radiates through the window 24 promoted pellets and the window 24. Below the window 24 is a schematically at the reference numeral 26th illustrated X-ray sensor which detects the X-ray radiation. In the present case, this is an X-ray camera operated in TDI mode. The X-ray detector device inspects the pellets for impurities in their interior. The measurement results are fed to an evaluation device integrated in the control and regulating device, which decides on this basis whether the investigated pellets are to be sorted out as defective. In the example shown, a cylindrical roller 28, which is driven in a rotating manner about the cylinder axis perpendicular to the conveying direction of the pellets, adjoins the end of the third vibrating conveyor 18 directly. The pellets pass from the third vibrating conveyor 18 to the rotating roller 28, are taken along by this a short path and then transferred at a defined speed in a defined trajectory. Unless they are influenced, they fall along the in Fig. 1 marked with A trajectory 31 in a first output for good pellets. In the example shown, the roller 28 is rotated slightly faster than the conveying speed of the pellets before impinging on the roller 28, so that the pellets are slightly accelerated.

In Fig. 1 At 30, a first optical detector device is also shown which inspects the pellets immediately after leaving the driven roller 28 from the top. At 32, a second optical detector device is shown, which inspects the pellets after exiting the roller 28 in its trajectory from the bottom. Both optical detector devices 30, 32 irradiate the pellets with diffused light against a black background and have as optical sensors high-speed cameras, which are operated in TDI mode. The optical detector devices 30, 32 examine the pellets for optical impurities, in particular in the region of their surface. Again, the measurement results of the integrated into the control and regulating device evaluation are supplied and the evaluation decides on the basis of the measurement results whether the investigated pellets are to be sorted out as defective. If the evaluation device recognizes pellets to be sorted out as defective on the basis of the measurement results of one of the detector devices 22, 26, 30, 32, an in Fig. 1 controlled at the reference 34, at the appropriate time, so that to be sorted out as defective pellets are deflected from their trajectory in the in Fig. 1 Trajectory 36 marked B and fall into a second exit for bad pellets.

In the enlarged partial view of the Fig. 2 At 38, the inclination angle α of the third vibrating conveyor 18 with respect to the horizontal is shown. Basically, any inclination angle α is conceivable according to the invention. It is essentially determined by the flow rate and the bulk material to be tested. At the same time, reference numeral 40 illustrates how the conveying speed v of the pellets on the vibrating conveyor 18 is influenced by the rotation of the roller to the new conveying speed v + Δv. It is also in Fig. 2 for illustrative purposes, instead of the window 24, a barrier, which runs transversely to the conveying direction of the pellets and preferably forms a corrugated profile or a triangular profile in cross-section, is shown by reference numeral 42.

Fig. 3 shows the partial view Fig. 2 according to a second embodiment. This embodiment corresponds largely to the embodiment of the Figures 1 and 2 , In contrast to the embodiment of the Figures 1 and 2 is in the embodiment after Fig. 3 instead of the rotationally driven roller 28, a curved section 44 adjoining the third vibrating conveyor 18 is provided. The curvature of the curved portion 44 may be, for example, parabolic or circular. The curved one Section 44 forms a ramp supporting the trajectory of the bulk material. It is understood that the way to the Figures 1 and 2 explained embodiments also for the embodiment of FIG. 3 are applicable.

Claims (35)

Apparatus for sorting bulk material, in particular pellets, comprising a vibratory conveyor (12) and a feed device (10) which supplies bulk material to the vibratory conveyor (12), further comprising a first output and a second output, the first output being arranged that the bulk material conveyed via an end of the vibration conveyor device (12) falls into the first outlet, further comprising at least one detector device (22, 26, 30, 32), which is designed to supply the bulk material conveyed by the vibration conveyor device (12) to defects investigate and a sorting device (34), which is designed by the detector device (22, 26, 30, 32) detected as defective, on the end of the vibrating conveyor (12) conveyed bulk material in such a way in its trajectory influence that that as a defect detected bulk material falls into the second exit, characterized in that is at the end the vibrating conveyor (12) is followed by a rotatably driven roller (28) onto which the bulk material conveyed via the end of the vibrating conveyor (12) passes and which conveys the bulk material with a trajectory predetermined by the rotation of the roller (28) in the direction of the first outlet , Apparatus for sorting bulk material, in particular pellets, comprising a vibratory conveyor (12) and a feed device (10) which supplies bulk material to the vibratory conveyor (12), further comprising a first output and a second output, the first output being arranged that the bulk material conveyed via an end of the vibrating conveyor (12) falls into the first outlet, further comprising at least one detector device (22, 26, 30, 32), which is adapted to be conveyed by the vibrating conveyor (12) to investigate conveyed bulk material for defects and a sorting device (34), which is adapted to, of the detector means (22, 26, 30, 32) detected as defective, on the end of the vibrating conveyor (12) conveyed bulk material so influenced in its trajectory in that the bulk material recognized as defective falls into the second outlet, characterized in that adjoining the end of the vibrating conveyor (12) is a curved section (44) onto which the bulk material conveyed via the end of the vibrating conveyor (12) passes and conveys the bulk material with a given by its curvature trajectory towards the first output. Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one vibration conveyor (12) comprises a plurality of in the conveying direction of the bulk material successively arranged vibrating conveyor (14, 16, 18), preferably three vibrating conveyors (14, 16, 18) for conveying, Separating and compacting the bulk material. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that at least two of the plurality of vibratory conveyors (14, 16, 18), preferably all of the plurality of vibratory conveyors (14, 16, 18) are arranged at different angles to the horizontal and / or that at least two of the a plurality of vibratory conveyors (14, 16, 18), preferably all of the plurality of vibratory conveyors (14, 16, 18), have a respect to amplitude and / or frequency individually controllable vibratory drive. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one vibrating conveyor (14, 16, 18) of the vibrating conveyor (12) transversely to the conveying direction of the bulk material extending wall (20) which is adapted to retain the bulk material at a stop of the vibration of the vibrating conveyor (14, 16, 18). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one vibrating conveyor (14, 16, 18) of the vibrating conveyor (12) has at least one transverse to the conveying direction of the bulk material extending, preferably a wave profile or a triangular profile forming barrier (42). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a rotary drive of the roller (28) is controllable such that the roller (28) is driven at such a rotational speed that the over the end of the vibrating conveyor (12) conveyed bulk material through the roller (28) is accelerated or decelerated in its conveying speed. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the detector device (22, 26, 30, 32) at least one in the visible wavelength range and / or at least one working in the infrared wavelength range optical detector means (30, 32) with at least one optical radiation source and comprising at least one optical sensor and / or that the detector device (22, 26, 30, 32) at least one X-ray detector means (22, 26) with at least one X-ray source (22) and at least one X-ray sensor (26). Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that at least one optical sensor of the at least one optical detector means (30, 32) comprises a high-speed sensor, in particular a TDI mode (Time Delay Integration Mode) operated high-speed sensor and / or that at least one X-ray sensor (26) of the at least one X-ray detector device (22, 26) comprises a high-speed sensor, in particular a TDI mode (Time Delay Integration Mode) operated high-speed sensor. Device according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the detector device comprises two optical detector means (30, 32), wherein a first optical detector means (30) the bulk material from an upper side on the rotatably driven roller (28) or the curved portion (44) or after exiting the rotatably driven roller (28) or the curved portion (44) is examined, and wherein a second optical detector means (32) examines the bulk material from a bottom, when the bulk material after leaving the rotationally driven roller (28 ) or the curved portion (44) is in free fall. Device according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that at least one optical detector means (30, 32) examines the bulk material in front of a non-illuminated dark background, preferably a non-illuminated black background, wherein the focal plane of the at least one optical sensor in the region of the bulk material to be examined is located. Device according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that in the bottom of a vibratory conveyor (14, 16, 18) of the Vibrating conveyor (12) is formed a transparent to X-ray radiation window (24), wherein the at least one X-ray source (22) through the vibrating conveyor (14, 16, 18) conveyed bulk material and the window (24) and radiates the at least one X-ray sensor (26 ) detects the bulk material and the window (24) radiating X-ray radiation. Device according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the rotationally driven roller (28) or the curved portion (44) at least partially consists of a transparent material for X-ray radiation, and that the at least one X-ray sensor (26) rotatably in the rotating roller (28) or below or above the top of the curved portion (44) is arranged, wherein the at least one X-ray source (22) radiates over the rotationally driven roller (28) or the curved portion (44) conveyed bulk material and the X-rays penetrating bulk material are detected by the at least one X-ray sensor (26) arranged in the rotationally driven roller (28) or below or above the upper side of the curved section (44). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sorting device (34) comprises a blow-out or suction device (34) which deflects bulk material that has been identified as defective by blowing or sucking it out of its trajectory in such a way that it falls into the second outlet. Apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that the blow-out or suction means (34) a plurality of along a line or comprising blow-out or suction nozzles arranged along a two-dimensional array. Device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the sorting device comprises at least one mechanical ejector that deflects bulk material that has been identified as defective out of its trajectory in such a way that it falls into the second outlet. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a device for electrostatically charging the rotationally driven roller (28) or the curved portion (44) is provided, so that the bulk material electrostatically on the rotatably driven roller (28) or the curved portion (44) and can be dropped in a defined position of the rotatably driven roller (28) or the curved portion (44). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the surface of the rotationally driven roller (28) or the curved portion (44) has a plurality of suction openings through which the bulk material on the rotatably driven roller (28) or the curved portion (28). 44) and in a defined position of the rotationally driven roller (28) or the curved portion (44) can be dropped. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the vibration conveyor (12) is surrounded by an airtight housing. A method for sorting bulk material, in particular pellets, in which bulk material is supplied to a vibrating conveyor (12), wherein the bulk material is conveyed via one end of the vibrating conveyor (12) and falls into a first outlet, in which the vibrating conveyor (12 ) conveyed bulk material is examined for defects and as defective detected on the end of the vibrating conveyor (12) conveyed bulk material in its trajectory is influenced so that the detected as defective bulk material falls into a second output, characterized in that the over the end of the vibrating conveyor (12) conveyed bulk material is conveyed to a rotationally driven roller (28) adjoining the end of the vibrating conveyor (12) and the bulk material is conveyed in the direction of the first outlet by a trajectory predetermined by the rotation of the roller (28). A method for sorting bulk material, in particular pellets, in which bulk material is supplied to a vibrating conveyor (12), wherein the bulk material is conveyed via one end of the vibrating conveyor (12) and falls into a first outlet, in which the vibrating conveyor (12 ) conveyed bulk material is examined for defects and as defective detected on the end of the vibrating conveyor (12) conveyed bulk material in its trajectory is influenced so that the detected as defective bulk material falls into a second output, characterized in that the over the end of the vibrating conveyor (12) conveyed bulk material to a to the end of the vibrating conveyor (12) subsequent curved portion (44) is conveyed and the bulk material is conveyed with a predetermined by the curvature of the curved portion (44) trajectory towards the first output. Method according to one of claims 20 or 21, characterized in that the bulk material is conveyed via a plurality of in the conveying direction of the bulk material successively arranged vibrating conveyor (14, 16, 18). A method according to claim 22, characterized in that at least two of the plurality of vibratory conveyors (14, 16, 18), preferably all of the plurality of vibratory conveyors (14, 16, 18), are arranged at different angles to the horizontal and / or that at least two of the plurality Vibratory conveyor (14, 16, 18), preferably all of the plurality of vibratory conveyors (14, 16, 18), individually controlled in terms of amplitude and / or frequency. Method according to one of claims 20 to 23, characterized in that the roller (28) is driven at such a rotational speed that the over the end of the vibrating conveyor (12) conveyed bulk material is accelerated or decelerated by the roller (28) in its conveying speed , Method according to one of claims 20 to 24, characterized in that the bulk material having at least one in the visible wavelength range and / or at least one operating in the infrared wavelength range optical detector means (30, 32) with at least one optical radiation source and at least one optical sensor for defects is examined and / or that the bulk material with at least one X-ray detector means (22, 26) with at least one X-ray source (22) and at least one X-ray sensor (26) is examined for defects. Method according to Claim 25, characterized in that at least one optical sensor of the at least one optical detector device (30, 32) is operated in TDI mode (Time Delay Integration Mode) and / or that at least one X-ray sensor (26) of at least an X-ray detector (22, 26) in the TDI mode (Time Delay Integration Mode) is operated. Method according to one of claims 25 or 26, characterized in that the bulk material by a first optical detector means (30) from an upper side on the rotationally driven roller (28) or the curved portion (44) or after leaving the rotationally driven roller (28 ) or the curved portion (44) is examined, and that the bulk material is examined by a second optical detector means (32) from a bottom, when the bulk material after leaving the rotationally driven roller (28) or the curved portion (44) in free fall is located. Method according to one of Claims 25 to 27, characterized in that at least one optical detector device (30, 32) examines the bulk material in front of a non-illuminated dark background, preferably a non-illuminated black background, wherein the focal plane of the at least one optical sensor is in the range of the bulk material to be examined is located. Method according to one of claims 25 to 28, characterized in that the at least one X-ray source (22) via the vibrating conveyor (14, 16, 18) conveyed bulk material by a in the ground a vibratory conveyor (14, 16, 18) of the vibration conveyor (12) radiates transparent window (24) and the at least one X-ray sensor (26) detects the bulk material and the window (24) radiating X-ray radiation. Method according to one of claims 25 to 28, characterized in that the rotationally driven roller (28) or the curved portion (44) at least partially made of a transparent material for X-ray radiation, and that the at least one X-ray sensor (26) rotatably in the rotating roller (28) or below or above the top of the curved portion (44) is arranged, wherein the at least one X-ray source (22) radiates through the rotationally driven roller (28) conveyed bulk material and the bulk material radiating through the X-ray radiation from that in the rotatably driven roller (28) or below or above the top of the curved portion (44) arranged at least one X-ray sensor (26) is detected. Method according to one of claims 20 to 30, characterized in that as defective detected bulk material is deflected by blowing or sucking from its trajectory, that it falls into the second output. Method according to one of claims 20 to 31, characterized in that as defective detected bulk material with at least one mechanical ejector is so deflected from its trajectory that it falls into the second output. Method according to one of claims 20 to 32, characterized in that the bulk material electrostatically on the rotatably driven roller (28) or held in the curved portion (44) and in a defined position of the rotationally driven roller (28) or the curved portion (44) is dropped. Method according to one of claims 20 to 33, characterized in that the bulk material by a plurality of suction openings on the surface of the rotationally driven roller (28) or the curved portion (44) on the rotationally driven roller (28) or the curved portion ( 44) and is dropped in a defined position by the rotationally driven roller (28) or the curved portion (44). Method according to one of claims 20 to 34, characterized in that it is carried out using a device according to one of claims 1 to 19.

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