US3433466A - Valve for semifluid material - Google Patents

Description

Sheet of 2 Filed Jan. 25, 1968 a n M f i a m. W1 0 w W W u o h m o o j v a a u m Wkllll n llll H y 51111 i :1 3 a; j u; w 1 2 M: F .L- M 2 H 9 n W 2 6 H .w

March 18, 1969 R. M. sour 3,433,466

VALVE FOR SEMIFLUID MATERIAL Filed Jan. 23, 1968 Sheet 2 of 2 INVENTO? 6a United States Patent 3,433,466 VALVE FOR SEMIFLUID MATERIAL Reggie M. Bolt, 342 Camillo St., Sierra Madre, Calif. 91024 Filed Jan. 23, 1968, Ser. No. 700,329 U.S. Cl. 259-153 Int. Cl. B28c N22 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This application relates to valving equipment and more particularly to an improved valve for handling semifluid materials such as concrete mix while in the process of being pumped from one point to another. It is well known to those in the trade that one of the difiiculties encountered in the valving of semifiuid materials is the resistance of these materials to a change in their flow pattern. Another difiiculty is the friction developed between the material and the pipes or ducts along which they are being conducted. It is common practice to slick up the pipes or ducting during the first stage of the pumping operation but with dry mixes this often disappears with increased energy required to pump or jamming of the material,

Therefore, to eliminate these and other difliculties, it is the general object of this invention to provide a unique and improved method of transferring the material from the hopper of any pumping apparatus into the cylinder of the pumping apparatus on its charging stroke and also to provide a direct and continuous opening without pattern change for the passage of the material being pumped from the discharge end of the pumping cylinder into the continuous ducting leading to the point of placement and to provide continuous lubrication between the material and the conducting pipes or ducts throughout the pumping process.

Further and more particularly, another object of the invention is to mechanically introduce into the material and thoroughly mix with it, small bubbles of air before it is forced into the pumping cylinder. This makes the material more workable and increases the speed with which it can be introduced into the pumping cylinder.

Further and more particularly, another object of the invention is to provide means for forcing the material to be pumped into the pumping cylinder.

Further and more particularly, another object of the invention is to provide means to place a thin film of lubricant around the material to be pumped as it passes through the valve on its way into the pumping cylinder on the charging stroke.

Further and more particularly, another object of the invention is to provide means to place a thin film of lubricant around the material being pumped as it is forced from the pumping cylinder through the valve on its way to the continuous ducting leading to the point of placement.

Further and more particularly, another object of the invention is to provide means to spray compressed air into the material before it enters the continuous ducting leading to the point of placement. The spraying of the compressed air in small particles evenly distributed into the material while it is under pressure and in form for passage into the continuous ducting, prevents the escape and displacement of the air particles and places forward energy throughout the whole material mass reducing the needed energy from the pumping piston and since the whole mass is under pressure, settling out of large particles is eliminated and added air lubrication is provided between the material and the ducting containing it while being pumped.

Further and more specifically, another object of this invention is to provide a valve with a drum revolvable back and forth enclosed within a shell and provided with an opening through the drum and shell. At the end of each discharge stroke of the pumping piston the drum is revolved to a point where the opening through the valve is lined up with the other pumping cylinder. The continuous ducting at the pump end must be of flexible hose and this is connected to the forward end of the valve opening which swings with the valve drum as it revolves into position between strokes.

Further and more specifically, another object of this invention is to provide a valve with a drum revolvable back and forth, enclosed within a shell and provided with two bent openings so positioned that when one cylinder of the pumping apparatus is discharging material through the valve, one of the bent openings will provide a passageway for material being introduced into the top of the drum and thence by way of the bent opening into the opposite cylinder which is being charged.

The accompanying drawings show four examples of the embodiments of this invention and the applications thereof. In the description of these drawings the term, Pump hole, will be taken in context to mean the opening through the valve connecting the pumping cylinder with the continuous ducting and the term Filler hole, will be taken in context to mean the bent opening or bent openings connecting the cylinder being charged with the material container located above the drum.

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the invention valving apparatus with a portion broken away to show the revolving drum, the two filler holes and the pumping hole through the drum.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the invention valving apparatus with a portion broken away to show the position of the filler holes and the pumping hole during a pumping stroke and the aerating apparatus above the drum.

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the invention valving apparatus with a portion broken away to show the pumping hole through the drum and extending outside to the end of the air spray injection portion of the apparatus. The drawing shows the lubrication portion of the apparatus inside the drum followed by the air spray injection apparatus outside the drum.

FIGURE 4 is a top elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the invention valving apparatus showing the position of the pumping hole and one filler hole during a pumping stroke.

Referring first more particularly to FIGURE 1, there is shown a preferred embodiment of the valving apparatus designated as follows; Number 2 shows the revolvable drum, mounted on shaft 8 and enclosed by easing 9. Number 10 shows the casing cut away to allow pump hole 3 to revolve to the position 'of filler hole 4 at the end of the pumping stroke. When this occurs, filler hole 4 with its opening 7 leading to the top of the drum, revolves to the position of filler hole 5 with opening 6. In the same movement filler hole 5 moves to the position vacated by the pump hole 3 with its opening 6 at the top of the drum vacated by opening 7. Numbers 11 and 12 show the left hand and right hand flappers mounted on hollow shafts 14 and 13. Flapper unit 11 revolves clockwise and flapper unit 12 revolves counter clockwise the two working together to force the material being pumped into openings 7 or 6 alternately as these openings appear at the top of the drum on alternate strokes of the pump. Hollow shafts 14 and 13 are drilled with small holes along their lengths to allow air forced into the hollow shafts to enter the material being pumped and to be mixed into it by the four flappers mounted on each shaft. Numbers 26 and 21 show the lubrication apparatus Within the filler holes. The apparatus is identical to that within the pump hole which is shown more particularly in FIGURE 3.

Also, referring more particularly to FIGURE 2 there is shown a preferred embodiment of the valving apparatus designated as follows; Numbers 4 and 7 and 5 and 6 show the filler holes in a side elevation. Number 3 shows a side elevational view of the pump hole through the drum and extending outside to the termination of the air spray injection apparatus; Number 18 shows the fitting for admission of air to the air spray injection apparatus; Number 17 shows the fitting for admission of lubricant to the lubrication apparatus; Number shows the air cup over the open end of the hollow shaft; Number 1-6 is the opening in the cup for the admission of air; Number 24 shows the small holes drilled in hollow shaft 14 for admission of air to the material.

Also, referring more particularly to FIGURE 3 there is shown a side elevational view of the pump hole with a portion broken away to show the construction of the lubrication apparatus and the air spray injection apparatus. Number 22 shows the lubrication apparatus which consists of a cylinder of smaller diameter than the pump hole. The opening between the lubrication cylinder and the pump hole cylinder is closed by welding at one end and left open at the other end. As the material is forced through the pump hole opening through the drum, the

lubricant is forced around it. Number 19 shows the air spray injection apparatus which is identical in construction to the lubrication apparatus with the exception that the opening between the inside air cylinder and the pump hole cylinder is closed at both ends, trapping the air and forcing it through the spray holes 23 into the material being pumped.

Also, referring more particularly to FIGURE 4, the drawing shows a top elevation of the Valving apparatus. Numbers 4 and 7 show the filler hole in pOSitiOn for charging one of the pumping cylinders.

While the particular valve for semifluid material herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of attaining the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Valving apparatus for semifiuid materials, as concrete mix, comprising a drum revolvable back and forth, supported on a revolvable shaft and enclosed within a hollow shell, said shell extending above the top half of the drum and containing within it, above the drum, mixing apparatus consisting of two revolvable hollow shafts with small holes drilled therein along their lengths with fiappers mounted on the shafts and positioned at right angles to the shafts; said drum containing two bent openings within the drum so positioned that one end of each opens on the flat face of the drum extending therein in a bent direction to the circular face of the drum, each bent opening containing in its upper part lubrication apparatus consisting of an open cylinder of smaller diameter than the opening and welded continuous on one end to the inside of the bent opening; said drum containing one straight opening consisting of a hollow cylinder extending through the drum from the flat back face of the drum to a distance beyond the fiat front face of the drum, said hollow cylinder containing lubrication apparatus consisting of an open cylinder of smaller diameter than the opening and welded continuous on one end to the inside of the straight cylinder opening, said straight cylinder opening having at the other end outside the drum, air spray injection apparatus consisting of a hollow cylinder of smaller diameter than the straight cylinder opening and drilled throughout its length with various small holes and welded continuous on each end to the inside of the straight open- 2. Valving apparatus as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said bent openings have each a hollow fitting tapped into the bent opening at a point near the closed end of the lubrication apparatus.

3. Valving apparatus as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said straight opening through the valve has a hollow fitting tapped into the straight opening at a point near the closed end of the lubrication apparatus.

4-. Valving apparatus as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said straight opening through the valve has a hollow fitting tapped into the straight opening at a point between the closed ends of the air spray injection apparatus.

5. Valving apparatus as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said mixing apparatus has a closed cup with a hollow fitting in the closed end welded continuously to the outside of the shell and over the end of the projecting hollow shaft.

6. Valving apparatus as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said bent openings where they end in the fiat back face of the drum are located on the same radius from the center of the drum as the end of the straight opening through the drum and equidistant from said straight opening.

7. Valving apparatus as defined in claim 1 characterized in that said shell has two openings cut through the shell congruent to the pumping cylinders and of the same radius as the straight opening through the drum.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,363,230 12/1920 Clark 259l53 3,048,377 8/1962 Braitsch 2591 61 3,227,426 1/ 1966 Williams 259-153 3,231,245 1/1966 Harvey 259-153 ROBERT W. JENKINS, Primary Examiner,

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