GB2585362A

GB2585362A - Cabin

Info

Publication number: GB2585362A
Application number: GB1908309.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Wild Ian; Allan Tim
Original assignee: Boss Cabins Ltd
Current assignee: Boss Cabins Ltd
Priority date: 2019-06-11
Filing date: 2019-06-11
Publication date: 2021-01-13
Anticipated expiration: 2039-06-11
Also published as: GB2585362B; GB201908309D0

Abstract

Cabin 2 with bath 22 for curing cementitious product, the bath comprising a heater to control the temperature of a liquid in the bath, an air temperature control system 28 (fig. 6) to control temperature of air inside the cabin and a controller to control the bath heater and the air temperature control system 28 (fig. 6). The air temperature control system 28 (fig. 6) may be an air conditioning unit or an extractor fan. The controller may control the bath heater and the air temperature control system in concert. A sensor may measure the air temperature and/or the bath 22. The controller may determine whether the bath temperature and/or air temperature are within a predetermined range. The controller may communicate with a remote device. The controller may allow control of the bath heater and air temperature control system 28 (fig. 6) via the remote device. The controller may generate a failure condition if the temperature lies outside the predetermined range. Also claimed is a cabin for curing cementitious product comprising a curing bath with heater and an air temperature control system to control the temperature of the air in the cabin.

Description

During construction of concrete framed building there is a requirement to make concrete samples for testing to ensure compliance with the concrete required strength. This involves forming a plurality of cubes using the concrete samples and then curing the samples in a heated water bath. The cubes are then removed and mechanical testing is performed on the cubes. The water bath must be maintained within strict temperature ranges to ensure valid and repeatable results.

Typically, such baths are provided in an ad hoc fashion on a building site (e.g. within a partially complete structure). However, the ad hoc nature of this arrangement often means that the environment surrounding the bath is uncontrolled (e.g. exposed to weather). This can cause temperature variations within the bath, which may lead to inaccurate or invalid results.

It is the object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate one or more of the above problems.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided: a cabin comprising: a bath for curing a one or more cementitious products, the bath comprising a heater configured to control the temperature of a liquid therein; an air temperature control system configured to control the temperature of the air within the cabin; and a controller configured to control the bath heater and the air temperature control system.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided: a portable cabin comprising: a bath for curing a cementitious product, the bath comprising a heater for controlling the temperature of a liquid therein.

Preferably, the air temperature control system comprises an air conditioning unit or an extractor fan.

Preferably, the controller is configured to control the bath heater and the air temperature control system in concert.

Preferably, the cabin comprises a sensor to measure the temperature of the bath and/or the air temperature.

Preferably, the controller is configured to determine whether the bath temperature and/or the air temperature lie within a predetermine value/range, and if the temperature lies outside said predetermined value/range, control the bath heater and/or the air temperature control system to bring the bath temperature and/or the air temperature within said predetermined value/range.

Preferably, the controller is configured to communicate with a remote device.

Preferably, the controller is configured to allow control of the bath heater and/or the air temperature control system via the remote device.

Preferably, the controller is configured to generate a failure condition if the temperature lies outside a first predetermined value/range.

Preferably, the controller is configured to generate a warning condition if the temperature lies outside a second predetermined value/range. The second predetermined value/range may lie within the first predetermined value/range or may overlap with the first predetermined value/range.

Preferably, the controller is configured to alert the remote device in the event of the failure condition and/or the warning condition.

Preferably, the controller comprises a data logger configured to log the bath temperature and/or the air temperature at one or more set intervals.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided, a method of curing a cementitious product comprising: providing a cabin having a bath and placing one or more cementitious product therein; controlling the temperature of a liquid within the bath; and controlling the temperature of the air within the cabin.

Figure 1 shows a top view of a cabin according to a first embodiment. Figure 2 shows a first side view of a cabin according to a first embodiment.

Figure 3 shows a second side view of a cabin according to a first embodiment.

Figure 4 shows a top view of a cabin according to a second embodiment. Figure 5 shows a side view of a cabin according to a second embodiment. Figure 6 shows a controller arrangement.

The cabin 2 of the present invention will now be described according to the embodiment in figures 1-3, each of which show the interior of the cabin 2.

The cabin 2 comprises a freestanding and/or self-contained structure. The cabin 2 comprises a plurality of side walls 4, a base 6 and a roof 8 etc. such that an internal environment within the cabin 2 is not directly exposed to the external environment (i.e. provides an enclosed environment).

The cabin comprises a steel frame and/or side walls 4 to provide a rigid construction. One or more side walls comprises insulating material 10 (e.g. insulating foam panels) thereon. The internal side 12 of the sides walls 4 are clad with galvanised steel for ease of cleaning.

The cabin is supported by a plurality of legs (not shown). The legs are adjustable is length, such that the cabin may be placed on an uneven surface, and the legs can be adjusted accordingly to make sure the cabin is level.

The cabin comprises an electrical power connector 14 to allow an electrical connection (e.g. via a cable) to an external power source. The cabin comprises a secondary electrical power system 16 which may activate in the event the external power source fails (i.e. a backup system) and/or in locations where a fixed power source is not available. The backup system comprises one or more of: a solar panel; a wind turbine; a combustion generator (e.g. petrol or diesel); or a hydrogen fuel.

The cabin 2 is portable, such that it can be used on multiple sites. This mitigates the need to set up ad hoc testing areas at each site. The cabin 2 comprises a plurality of the fork-lift pockets 20 configured to allow the cabin to be lifted by a fork-lift. The fork-lift pockets 20 may comprise substantially rectangular channels attached or integrally formed with the base 6 of the cabin.

The cabin 2 comprises one or more lifting features (not shown) on an upper end thereof to allow lifting of the cabin by a crane or the like. The one or more lifting features comprise one or more eyelets. The eyelet(s) may be located on the corner and/or a central portion of the cabin 2.

The cabin 2 comprises a curing bath 22 configured to cure a plurality of cementitious (e.g. concrete) cubes as part of a mechanical strength test of the cubes. As part of the test, the curing bath 22 is filled with water (or other liquid as specified by the test procedure).

With reference to Figure 6, the bath 22 comprises a heater 24 (e.g. an electrical element or the like) configured to heat the water to specified temperature/temperature range. The bath 22 comprises a sensor 26 to measure the temperature of the water therein.

The bath 22 comprises a pump to recirculate the water in the bath 22, thereby maintaining an even temperature therethrough.

The cabin 2 comprises an air temperature control system configured 28 to control the temperature of the air within the cabin.

The air temperature control system comprises one or more heaters configured to heat the air within the cabin 2. The heater comprises a space heater (e.g. a radiator, a heat pump, a radiant heater (infrared heater), a fan heater, a gas heater, or other conventional heaters).

The air temperature control system comprises one or more coolers configured to cool the air within the cabin 2. As shown in Figures 1-3, the cooler comprises an air conditioning unit 30 and/or an extractor fan 32. An external portion 16 of the air conditioning unit (i.e. the compressor) is mounted on a side of the cabin 2 and comprises a guard 18 to prevent accidental damage thereof.

The air temperature control system, as illustrated in Figure 6, comprises a sensor 34 configured to measure the air temperature within the cabin. A plurality of sensors 34 may be provided at different locations, thereby allowing a more accurate measurement of the average air temperature and/or at different locations. A sensor 34 may additionally be provided outside the cabin to measure the external air temperature.

The cabin 22 comprises a number of other features configured to aid in operator in preparation/testing of the samples, including: a storage shelf 36, a cupboard 38; a desk 40; a worksurface 42; a sink 44; a plurality of whiteboards 46; tool storage 48; a plurality of electrical sockets 50; lights/smoke alarms 52; and or one or more chairs.

In a second embodiment shown in Figure 4, and 5, the cabin 102 comprises a plurality of baths 22. A plurality of shelves 36 are provided adjacent the baths.

Although three baths 22 are provided in this embodiment, it can be appreciated that any number of baths may be provided and/or the size of the/each bath may vary as required.

The cabin 102 comprises a controller 54, similar to the first embodiment, configured to ensure the temperature of the bath 22 and/or the cabin air is within desired parameters. The controller 54 may comprise dedicated hardware/software or may be provided by software on a conventional workstation.

As shown in figure 6, the controller 54 is operatively connected to the bath sensor 26 and receives the temperature therefrom. If the measured bath temperature is above or below the desired temperature value/range, then the controller activates or deactivates the bath heater 24 accordingly.

The controller 54 is operatively connected to the cabin air temperature sensor 34 and receives the temperature therefrom. If the measured air temperature is above or below the desired temperature value/range, then the controller activates or deactivates the air temperature control system accordingly (e.g. actives the extractor fan 32/air condition 30 if too hot, and activates heater if too cold).

The controller 54 therefore automatically maintains the desired temperature value/range of bath temperature via control of the bath temperature and the air temperature in concert. For example, if a drop in the outside temperature in detected an external air sensor 34, the heater may be activated to increase the inside air temperature to compensate.

The desired temperature range/value may be entered by the operator before the start of the test and/or may be selected from a number of predefined temperature 20 values/ranges.

The controller 54 may control/maintain for bath/air temperature for a set period of time (e.g. as specified by the test procedure). For example, the controller 54 may turn off the bath heater 24 and/or the air temperature control system 28 after a set period of time. The controller 54 may vary the bath/air temperature according to predetermined regime.

The controller 54 operatively communicates with a user computing device 56. The user device 56 comprises any conventional computing device, for example, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a mobile phone, a remote server or like.

The user device 56 is operatively connected to the controller 56 via a network interface 58 to allow remote communication therebetween. The network interface 56 may provide a wired (e.g. ethernet) or wireless (e.g. WiFi, GSM, 3G, 4G etc.) connection between the controller 54 and the network interface 58 and/or the network interface 58 and the user device 56. The network interface 58 is operatively connected to the internet 60, such that the user device 56 may communicate through the internet 60 rather than by a direct connection therebetween. The internet connection may be provided by a wired or wireless connection.

For example, the network interface 58 comprises a router located on/with the cabin 22. The router is connected to the controller 54 via a wired connection. If the user is located within or proximal to the cabin, the user device 56 can connect directly with the router (e.g. through WiFi). If the user leaves the range of the router, then the user device 56 can connect to the router via the internet 60 or GSM network (i.e. via a SIM card in the router).

The controller 54 provides real time data on the current temperate of the bath 22/cabin air to the user device 56.

The controllers 54 is configured to send an alert (e.g. email or SMS) to the user device 56 if the temperature of the bath/air falls outside a given value/range.

The controller 54 may generate a failure condition of the temperature falls outside a given value/range as specified by the testing procedure. This failure condition is reported to the user device 56, so that the user is aware of the failure and can reset the testing procedure etc. Additionally, or alternatively, the controller 54 generates a warning alert to the user device 56 if the temperature of the bath/air falls outside a given warning value/range. The warning value/range may be within the test procedure value/range, thereby affording a margin for error during the curing. The warning alert may prompt the user to provide remedial action to the test system (e.g. reduce/increase temperature etc.).

The failure/warning alerts may be sent to a plurality of the user devices 56, so that a plurality of users may be alerted.

The user device 56 is configured allow direct control of the bath heater 24 and/or the air temperature control system 28 (i.e. to allow the user to increase/decrease the temperature manually). For example, the user may control bath heater 24 and/or the air temperature control system in response to receiving a warning alert.

The user may deactivate the bath/air heaters, if a failure alert is generated or the test ends, and/or activate the bath/air heaters so that the system is warmed up before a test is performed.

A data logger 62 is operatively connected to the controller 54. The data logger 54 is configured to record the bath/air temperature sensor readings through the experiments. The data logger 62 may also record when the bath heater 24 and/or air temperature control system is activated. The data logger 62 therefore allows an audit of test procedure to make sure compliance with the test procedure is upheld.

The user device 56 may request data from the data loggers 62, such that historic temperature data may be viewed by the user.

A plurality of controllers 54 may be provided for each respective bath 22. Each bath 22 can then be monitored/controlled independently.

The present invention thereby provides a system in which both the water temperature of the curing bath and the environmental air temperature are both controlled and maintained. This ensures the temperature within the curing bath stays within the desired test parameters, and thereby reduces the chance of a failed/inaccurate test.

The present invention provides a self-contained unit in which the entire curing process can be performed. For example, the test samples may be created on the workbench 42, stored on the shelf 36 and then cured in the bath 22. This increase the ease in which the test can be perform and provides a stable and maintained environment, thus increasing the repeatability of each test.

Claims

Claims: 1. A cabin comprising: a bath for curing a one or more cementitious product, the bath comprising a heater configured to control the temperature of a liquid therein; an air temperature control system configured to control the temperature of the air within the cabin; and a controller configured to control the bath heater and the air temperature control system.
2. A cabin according to claim 1, where the air temperature control system comprises an air conditioning unit or an extractor fan.
3. A cabin according to any preceding claim, where the controller is configured to control the bath heater and the air temperature control system in concert.
4. A cabin according to any preceding claim comprising a sensor to measure the temperature of the bath and/or the air temperature.
5. A cabin according to any to any preceding claim, where the controller is configured to determine whether the bath temperature and/or the air temperature lie within a predetermine value/range, and if the temperature lies outside said predetermined value/range, control the bath heater and/or the air temperature control system to bring the bath temperature and/or the air temperature within said predetermined value/range.
6. A cabin according to any preceding claim, where the controller is configured to communicate with a remote device.
7. A cabin according to claim 6, where the controller is configured to allow control of the bath heater and/or the air temperature control system via the remote device.
8. A cabin according to any preceding claim where the controller is configured to generate a failure condition if the temperature lies outside a predetermined value/range.
9. A cabin according to any preceding claim where the controller is configured to generate a warning condition if the temperature lies outside a predetermined value/range.
10. A cabin according to any of claims 8 or 9, when dependent on any of claims 6 or 7, where controller is configured to alert the remote device in the event of the failure condition and/or the warning condition.
11. A cabin according to any preceding claim, comprising a data logger configured to log the bath temperature and/or the air temperature at one or more set intervals.
12. A method of curing a cementitious product comprising: providing a cabin having a bath and placing one or more cementitious product therein; controlling the temperature of a liquid within the bath; and controlling the temperature of the air within the cabin.
13. A portable cabin comprising: a bath for curing a cementitious product, the bath comprising a heater for controlling the temperature of a liquid therein.