EP2502855B1 - Silo for dry concrete - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a dry concrete silo device.

This invention relates to the field of building, particularly that of the manufacture of devices designed to ensure the storage and distribution of dry concrete.

Such dry concrete silo devices, which include a frame, a dry concrete tank, and means for discharging the tank, are already known.

In fact such a frame comprises an annular support, through which is engaged the lower part of said reservoir, and a plurality of feet, extending from the annular support, and resting on the ground.

The lower part of the tank comprises a conical hopper below which is implanted the means for discharging the tank.

In fact, such a silo device has many disadvantages.

Thus, such a silo device is designed to be, first of all, filled with dry concrete and then to be routed and installed on a construction site. This allows, when the reservoir of such a device is empty, to substitute such a device by another identical or similar. To carry out such routing, implantation and / or substitution, it is customary to use a specially designed transport truck provided with means for loading and unloading such a silo device. Since the loading / unloading capacities of such means are limited by the weight of the object to be loaded / unloaded, it is necessary to limit the weight of the silo device and, consequently, the amount of concrete contained therein the tank of this silo device. Such a limitation implies a greater rotation of the transport trucks which can travel considerable distances between the building site and the filling plant of these silo devices.

It will be observed, furthermore, that the dimensions (length, width, height) of the load likely to be transported by these transport trucks is limited, which consequently also limits the dimensions of the silo devices which are transported in a recumbent manner by these trucks. Moreover, and since it is advisable to optimize the quantity of concrete transported with respect to the dimensions of such a silo device, the lower end of the tank of this device is situated at a low height relative to the ground level on the silo device. which device is implanted. This low height complicates the operations of unloading the tank and conveying the dry concrete to the place of its use.

The document DE 202004020198U discloses a silo according to the preamble of claim 1.

The present invention aims to overcome the disadvantages of silo devices of the state of the art.

To this end, the invention relates to a dry concrete silo device comprising a reservoir for containing dry concrete, a means for discharging the reservoir, and a structure, intended to rest on the ground, and receiving, internally, the reservoir and at least a portion of the means for discharging this reservoir. This device is characterized by the fact that it comprises means for the displacement mounting of the means for discharging the tank relative to the structure, this between a retracted position inside the structure and a deployed position at least in part outside the structure.

According to another characteristic of the invention the reservoir has, on at least part of its height, a recess inside which is positioned the means for unloading in the retracted position.

Yet another feature is that the means for discharging the dry concrete, on the one hand, has an inlet through which the dry concrete enters the interior of this means to discharge as well as an outlet through which this dry concrete comes out of this means for discharging and, on the other hand, has an inclination with respect to the defined horizontal so that the output of this means for discharging is, with respect to a even horizontal, at a height greater than that of the entrance of this means to unload.

An additional feature relates to the fact that the structure has a shape and / or dimensions of a transport container, including maritime type.

Thus, the dry concrete silo device comprises means for moving mounting the means for discharging the reservoir between an extended position and a retracted position. Such means advantageously make it possible to deploy this unloading means when it comes to unloading the tank, more particularly in order to supply a dry concrete site, but also to retract this means of unloading inside. the volume of the device when it is necessary to transport this device.

The inclination of the conveying means that comprises the unloading means advantageously makes it possible, on the one hand, to lower the outlet of the dry concrete tank and, therefore, to increase the capacity of this tank and, on the other hand , to deliver dry concrete at a height above the ground (especially at man's height) facilitating the supply of concrete (dry or wet and ready to use), including the feeding of a craft designed to transport this concrete between the silo device and the place of use of this concrete.

This silo device has a shape and / or dimensions of a transport container, in particular of the maritime type. These characteristics make it possible, advantageously, to handle and transport such a device using conventional equipment (trucks, wagons, boats, barges, cranes ...) and usually used to handle / transport such a container.

In addition, these features advantageously allow the silo device to incorporate a dry concrete tank whose capacity is considerably greater than that of the devices of the state of the art.

Finally, such a device comprises means for introducing the dry concrete into the tank which advantageously makes it possible to transport the silo device empty and to fill the reservoir of this device only after implantation of this device on site.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description relating to embodiments which are given by way of indicative and non-limiting examples.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématisée et en perspective d'un dispositif de silo conforme à la présente invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue schématisée et de trois quart du dispositif illustré figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est une vue schématisée, en coupe longitudinale, et de côté du dispositif illustré figures 1 et 2.

The understanding of this description will be facilitated by reference to the appended drawings in which:

• the figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a silo device according to the present invention;
• the figure 2 is a schematic view and three quarter of the illustrated device figure 1 ;
• the figure 3 is a schematic view, in longitudinal section, and from the side of the illustrated device figures 1 and 2 .

The present invention relates to the field of the building and, more particularly, that of the manufacture of devices designed to ensure the storage and distribution of dry concrete on a building site.

The invention relates, then, to a dry concrete silo device 1 comprising a reservoir 2 intended to contain such dry concrete as well as a means 3 for discharging this reservoir 2.

This silo device 1 comprises, again, a structure 4 intended to rest on the ground and receiving, internally, the tank 2 and at least a part of the means 3 for discharging the tank 2.

According to the invention, this silo device 1 comprises means 5 for the displacement assembly of the means 3 for discharging the tank 2 with respect to the structure 4. These means 5 for the displacement mounting are designed to allow such a movement between on the one hand, a retracted position of the means 3 for unloading, this inside the structure 4 and, on the other hand, an extended position of this means for unloading 3, this at least partly outside of this structure 4. Such mounting means 5 allow, then, advantageously, to give the means 3 to unload the tank 2 a deployable and retractable character.

According to a preferred embodiment, these means 5 for the displacement assembly of the means 3 for discharging the tank 2 are constituted by a hinge means pivoting about a horizontal axis of this means 3 for discharging the tank 2, this compared to structure 4.

Such hinge means may be constituted by a hinge having an axis, in particular of removable type.

An additional feature is that the device 1 comprises a means 6 for controlling the passage of the means 3 for discharging the tank 2, this from a retracted position to an extended position and / or vice versa.

In fact, such a control means 6 comprises, on the one hand, at least one winch 60 (more particularly of motorized type) and, on the other hand, at least one cable 61 for connecting the means 3 to unload the reservoir 2 to such a winch 60.

By actuation of this winch 60, either the lifting of this unloading means 3 and thus its retraction within the structure 4, or the lowering of the unloading means 3 and, thus, its deployment out of the structure 4, in particular under the effect of its own weight.

As mentioned above, the means 3 for discharging the tank 2 adopts a retracted position inside the structure 4 of the silo device 1.

Also and according to a feature of the invention, the dry concrete tank 2, implanted inside this structure 4, has, on at least part of its height, a recess 20 inside which is positioned means 3 for discharging the tank 2, this in the retracted position of this unloading means 3.

In this regard, it will be observed that this reservoir 2 has, in fact, on at least part of its height, a section in the form of "U" delimiting such a recess 20 inside which is positioned the means 3 unloading in retracted position.

According to another characteristic, this tank 2 has a capacity of between 30 and 50 m 3, preferably of the order of 40 m 3.

As regards, more particularly, this means 3 for discharging the tank 2, the latter comprises at least one means 30 for conveying the dry concrete from the tank 2, this outside the structure 4.

Such a means 30 for conveying the dry concrete comprises, on the one hand, a conveying screw and, on the other hand, a motor (more particularly of the electric type) for driving in rotation of said conveying screw.

Another feature is that this means 3 for discharging the tank 2 further comprises a means 31 for mixing at least the dry concrete, or to mix such dry concrete with water.

Such means 31 for mixing is implanted at the outlet of the conveying means 30 which is, then, designed to supply dry concrete this means 31 for mixing.

It will be observed that this means 31 for mixing comprises, on the one hand, a mixing screw and, on the other hand, a motor (more particularly of the electric type) for driving in rotation of said mixing screw.

As can be seen in the appended figures, the means 3 for discharging the dry concrete comprises, on the one hand, an inlet 32, which in fact comprises the means 30 for conveying the dry concrete (more particularly at its inlet), located at close to the dry concrete tank 2, and through which this dry concrete enters the interior of this unloading means 3. It is, more particularly, at this inlet 32 that this means 3 for discharging the dry concrete is mounted. in displacement (more particularly in pivoting as described above) with respect to the structure 4.

On the other hand, this means 3 for discharging the dry concrete comprises an outlet 33 (which comprises, in fact, the means 31 for mixing the dry concrete, more particularly at its outlet), and by which this dry concrete comes out of this means unloading 3.

In fact, this means 3 for discharging the dry concrete has an inclination relative to the defined horizontal so that the outlet 33 of this unloading means 3 is, with respect to the same horizontal, a height greater than that of the inlet 32 of this unloading means 3, this at least in the deployed position of this means for unloading 3.

It will be observed that the silo device 1 is designed so that the outlet 33 of this means 3 for discharging the dry concrete is preferably located at a height of between 1.50m and 2m, this with respect to the soil on which is implanted this device 1.

An additional feature of the invention relates to the fact that the silo device 1 further comprises a means 7 for extracting the dry concrete out of the tank 2 and for supplying dry concrete the means 3 for discharging the tank 2.

Such a means 7 for extracting dry concrete comprises, on the one hand, an extraction screw and, on the other hand, a motor (more particularly of the electric type) for driving in rotation of said extraction screw.

In fact and as visible in the appended figures, such a means 7 for extracting dry concrete is implanted below said dry concrete tank 2, this directly at the outlet of this tank 2.

This means 7 for extracting the dry concrete is then interposed between this reservoir 2 and the means 3 for discharging the reservoir 2, more particularly between the reservoir 2 and the means 30 for conveying the dry concrete outside the structure 4 and that includes this means 3 to unload.

As mentioned above, the silo device 1 comprises means 5 for moving assembly of the means 3 to unload the reservoir 2, this with respect to the structure 4.

In this connection, it will be observed that such displacement mounting means 5 are, more particularly, constituted by means of pivoting articulation about a horizontal axis of this means 3 for discharging the reservoir 2, this with respect to the means 7 to extract the dry concrete out of this tank 2.

Such articulation means is preferably constituted by a hinge comprising, on the one hand, a first part equipping the means 3 for unloading (more particularly the means 30 for conveying that comprises means 3 for unloading), secondly, a second part equipping the means 7 to extract the dry concrete and, secondly, an axis (preferably removable type) cooperating with these first and second hinge parts, this for an articulated mounting.

An additional feature is that the silo device 1 comprises means for securing the means 30 for conveying the dry concrete to the medium 31 for mixing and / or the means 7 for extracting the dry concrete.

According to a preferred embodiment, the means for securing the means 30 for conveying the dry concrete to the means 31 for mixing and the means for securing the means 30 for conveying the dry concrete by means 7 to extract the dry concrete are designed to ensure a reversible type of joining and are similar, even (and preferably) identical.

Such an embodiment makes it possible, advantageously and in case of need, to directly secure the means 31 for mixing with the means 7 to extract the dry concrete, this in the absence of the means 30 for conveying.

A preferred embodiment consists in that these means for securing are constituted by at least one hinge (preferably two hinges) comprising, on the one hand, a first part equipping the means 30 for conveying, on the other hand, a second part equipping, as the case, the means 31 for mixing or the means 7 for extracting the dry concrete and, secondly, a removable type of axis cooperating with these first and second hinge parts, this for a reversible connection.

As mentioned above, the means 30 for conveying, the means 31 for mixing and the means 7 for extracting each comprise a screw, respectively conveying, mixing and extraction, and a motor for the driving such a screw.

In this regard, it will be observed that it is, more particularly, the engine of the extraction screw which will define the flow rate of the material (dry concrete or wet concrete) delivered by the silo device 1. This engine has a maximum flow rate of between 10 and 30m3 per hour, in particular of the order of 20m3 per hour.

As mentioned above, the means 3 for unloading comprises means 31 for mixing at least the dry concrete, or even for mixing the dry concrete with water.

In this regard, it will be observed that the silo device 1 according to the invention can, then again, comprise a means 8 for supplying water to the means 3 for discharging the tank 2 (more particularly the means 31 for mixing that comprises this means 3 to unload).

As can be seen in the appended figures, such a means 8 for supplying water to the means 3 for discharging the tank 2 comprises a tank 80, intended to contain water, implanted inside the structure 4, and located above the tank 2 of dry concrete.

Such a supply means 8 may further comprise means (in the form of a pipe or the like) for connecting such a tank 80 to said means 3 for discharging (more particularly to means 31 for mixing).

Finally, said tank 80 can advantageously be connected to the water distribution network.

An additional feature is that the silo device 1 comprises means 9 for introducing the dry concrete into the tank 2, this from the top of the tank 2.

Such means 9 for introducing this dry concrete into the tank 2 is designed to inject such dry concrete into the interior of said tank 2 with the aid of a fluid under pressure, in particular from a tank.

As can be seen in the appended figures, such a means 9 for introducing this dry concrete is constituted by a tube extending inside the tank 2, this on at least a part of the height of this tank 2. Such a tube debouches, from preferably close to the upper end of said tank 2.

Another feature is that the silo device 1 comprises a means 10 for allowing the evacuation, out of the tank 2 of dry concrete, a fluid (particularly air) under pressure used to introduce the dry concrete inside the tank 2.

In fact, such a means 10 for discharging this fluid comprises a tube extending inside the tank 2, this over at least a portion of the height of the tank 2. Again, such a tube opens, preferably, near the upper end of said tank 2.

Another feature is that this means 10 for discharging said pressurized fluid comprises means for filtering said fluid under pressure.

As mentioned above, the silo device 1 comprises a structure 4 intended to rest on the ground and receiving, internally, the reservoir 2 and at least a portion of the means 3 for discharging the reservoir 2, or even a means 7 to extract the dry concrete out of the tank 1.

In this regard, it will be observed that such a structure 4 comprises, on the one hand, a frame 40 more particularly constituted by an assembly of tubes and / or profiles and, on the other hand, a covering 41 (preferably external) of this framework 4 more particularly constituted by a plurality of plates (in particular metal, for example sheet metal) reported on said framework 40.

An additional feature is that this structure 4 has a shape and / or dimensions of a transport container, including maritime type.

In this regard, it will be observed that this structure 4 preferably has a parallelepipedal shape and adopts, more particularly, the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped.

Yet another feature is that the silo device 1 (more particularly the structure 4 that comprises this device 1) comprises means 11 for stabilizing said structure 4. Such stabilizing means 11 are preferably retractable type inside the structure 4 and may be constituted by retractable feet.

Finally, the silo device 1 comprises means for managing its operation.

Such means are designed to allow the management of the amount of material delivered by the silo device 1, the flow rate of this material and / or the consistency of this material (dry concrete, firm, plastic, very plastic, fluid).

It will be observed that these management means comprise at least one automatism which integrates, then in particular, curves of consistency defined as a function of the water to be incorporated for the different types of concrete.

Such management means also include control means in the form of an interface, at least one selector or the like.

Claims (14)

1. Silo device (1) for dry concrete including, on the one hand, a tank (2) aimed at containing dry concrete, on the other hand, means (3) for discharging this tank (2), yet on the other hand, a structure (4) aimed at resting on the ground and receiving, inside, the tank (2) as well as at least part of the means (3) for discharging this tank (2) and, also on the other hand, means (5) for movably mounting the means (3) for discharging the tank (2) relative to the structure (4), between a position retracted inside the structure (4) and a position protruding at least partly outside the structure (4), wherein the tank (2) has, on at least part of its height, a recess (20) inside which is positioned the means (3) for discharging in the retracted position.
2. Silo device (1) for dry concrete according to claim 1, wherein the means (5) for movably mounting the means (3) for discharging the tank (2) are formed by a means for pivotally hinging about a horizontal axis of this means (3) for discharging, with respect to the structure (4).
3. Silo device (1) for dry concrete according to any of the preceding claims, wherein it includes a means (6) for controlling the passing of the means (3) for discharging the tank (2) from the retracted position to the protruding position and/or vice versa.
4. Silo device (1) for dry concrete according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the means (3) for discharging the dry concrete, on the one hand, includes an inlet (32), through which the dry concrete penetrates inside this means (3) for discharging, and an outlet (33), through which the dry concrete exits this means (3) for discharging, and, on the other hand, has an inclination relative to the horizontal line defined so that the outlet (33) of this means (3) for discharging is located, relative to the same horizontal line, at a height higher than that of the inlet (32) of this means for discharging (3).
5. Silo device (1) for dry concrete according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the means (3) for discharging includes a means (30) for conveying the dry concrete outside the structure (4).
6. Silo device (1) for dry concrete according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the means (3) for discharging includes a means (31) for mixing at least the dry concrete, even for mixing the dry concrete with water.
7. Silo device (1) for dry concrete according to any of the preceding claims, wherein it includes a means (7) for extracting the dry concrete out of the tank (2) and for supplying dry concrete to the means (3) for discharging this tank (2).
8. Silo device (1) for dry concrete according to claims 5, 6 and 7, wherein it includes means for making the means (30) for conveying the dry concrete reversibly integral with the means (31) for mixing and/or the means (7) for extracting this dry concrete.
9. Silo device (1) for dry concrete according to any of the preceding claims, wherein it includes a means (8) for supplying water to the means (3) for discharging the tank (2).
10. Silo device (1) for dry concrete according to claim 9, wherein the means (8) for supplying water to the means (3) for discharging the tank (2) includes a basin (80), aimed at containing water, located inside the structure (4) and above the tank (2) for dry concrete.
11. Silo device (1) for dry concrete according to any of the preceding claims, wherein it includes a means (9) for introducing the dry concrete inside the tank (2), this through the top of this tank (2), namely by injection of this dry concrete into the tank (2) by means of a pressurized fluid.
12. Silo device (1) for dry concrete according to any of the preceding claims, wherein it includes a means (10) for permitting the evacuation from the tank (2) for dry concrete of a pressurized fluid used to introduce the dry concrete into this tank (2).
13. Silo device (1) for dry concrete according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the structure (4) has a shape and/or dimensions of a transport container, namely a sea-going container.
14. Silo device (1) for dry concrete according to any of the preceding claims, wherein it includes means (11), retractable inside the structure (4), for stabilizing this structure (4).

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