US3578885A

US3578885A - Pumping apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3578885A
Application number: US804512A
Authority: US
Inventors: Kelly F Alton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-03-05
Filing date: 1969-03-05
Publication date: 1971-05-18
Anticipated expiration: 1988-05-18

Abstract

A valve mechanism useful in a pump for pumping concrete comprising a valve member which alternately squeezes closed each of two flexible hoses leading from a hopper which holds concrete to be pumped, and which alternately squeezes closed a pair of flexible hoses leading to two outlets which discharge concrete under pressure. The valve member squeezes the hoses against anvils that are supported on springs, so that a hose is not damaged when a large rock is present therein at the point where the hose is being squeezed.

Description

UnitedStates Patent Kelly F. Alton Malibu, Calif.

[21] AppLNo. 804,512

[22] Filed Mar. 5, 1969 [45] Patented May 18,1971

[73] Assignee James D. Earle Los Angeles, Calif. fractional part interest [72] Inventor [54] PUMPING APPARATUS 7 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 417/454, 417/479, 417/539, 417/900 [51] Int. Cl. ..F04b 21/00, F04b 43/00, F04b 11/00 [50] Field of Search 103/170, 153, 227; 417/454, 479, 510, 539, 900

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,017,974 10/1935 Kastner 103/153 2,985,192 5/1961 Taylor et a1 251/7 3,320,901 5/1967 Koy 103/153(X) 3,321,172 5/1967 Buss 251/7 3,327,634 6/1967 Whiteman 103/49 OTHER REFERENCES IBM. Technical Disclosure Bulletin entitled Dispensing Viscous Curable Liquids in Measured Amounts by Bromberg, Vol. 10, No. 4, Sept. 1967, Copy in class 251 subclass 7.

Primary Examiner-William L. Freeh Att0meysSamuel Lindenberg and Arthur Freilich &

Wasserman ABSTRACT: A valve mechanism useful in a pump for pumping concrete comprising a valve member which alternately squeezes closed each of two flexible hoses leading from a hopper which holds concrete to be pumped, and which alternately squeezes closed a pair of flexible hoses leading to two outlets which discharge concrete under pressure. The valve member squeezes the hoses against anvils that are supported on springs, so that a hose is not damaged when a large rock is present therein at the point where the hose is being squeezed.

PUMPING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to valve mechanisms, and more particularly. to a valve mechanism for a pump which pumps concrete and like materials.

2. Description of the Prior Art Modern building construction often utilizes machinery for pumping concrete to high levels where it is poured into forms. A common type of concrete pump utilizes rams whose ram cylinders are filled with concrete from a hopper during the backstroke. During the forward stroke, the rams push the concrete into the pipeline which leads to the form. Generally, a pair of rams is utilized, one moving back and drawing concrete from the hopper while the other moves forward to pump concrete into the pipeline.

Each ram requires a pair of valves for its operation. One is the hopper valve which leads to the hopper. It closes during the forward stroke to prevent concrete from being pumped back into the hopper. The other is the pipeline valve, which closes during the backstroke to prevent concrete from returning through the pipeline to the ram. Where concrete is pumped to high levels, large pressures are encountered. The high pressures plus the abrasive nature of concrete results in heavy wear on the valve.

A typical prior art valve included a T pipe section with a cross part in series with the pipeline or hopper and a leg part which served as a valve cylinder. A rubber valve piston with packing thereabout moved through the leg part to block and unblock the cross part so as to control the flow of concrete. Such valves often failed to work properly after a brief period of difficult pumping conditions. Typically, after a few hundred cubic yards of concrete had been pumped, the piston would hand on the cylinder walls, that is, the piston would not move. The pump would have to be stopped and the piston freed. Hanging and erratic performance would continue for the remaining life of the piston packing which was only about l,000 cubic yards of pumped concrete. The valve assembly would then have to be disassembled and new packing installed to prevent excessive leakage of the liquid portion of the concrete, generally referred to as sap, past the piston. After several thousand cubic yards, the rubber piston was worn excessively and had to be replaced.

The disassembly of the valve, either to correct a piston hanging or to change piston packing or the piston, was time consuming. The cost of such stoppages was high particularly in that it halted production and wasted the time of large construction crews. In addition, the cost of the valves was considerable and the limited life of the pistons, of only several thousand cubic yards of pumped concrete, resulted in considerable maintenance costs just for parts.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a valve mechanism of great simplicity, low cost, and substantial life.

Another object is to provide a valve mechanism for a concrete pump, which can be rapidly repaired.

In accordance with the present invention, a valve mechanism is provided which is suitable for use in a concrete pump, which is of simple construction, and which is easy to repair. The valve mechanism includes a flexible section of hose which is squeezed closed by a valve member that presses the hose against an anvil member. The anvil member can be mounted on-springs or provided with a deformable surface, so that it deflects away if a large rock is located within the hose portion which is being squeezed. This reduces the likelihood of damaging the hose. When the hose wears out or is damaged, it can be easily and rapidly replaced.

In one embodiment of the invention, two generally elevated inlet pipes lead from the concrete-holding hopper to the rams, and two lower outlet pipes lead from the rams to the pump outlet. The rams operate 180 out of phase with each other so that one ram is filling with concrete while the other is pumping out concrete. Each of the four pipes has a flexible hose section, and a single moving valve member performs the squeezing operation on all four hose sections at the proper time during the cycles.

In this embodiment the valve member moves up and down, and has two sides, one side alternately squeezing the inlet and outlet pipes connected to one ram and the other side alternately squeezing the inlet and outlet pipes connected to the other ram. A first side of the valve member has a single closing portion which is positioned between the two hoses it controls. When this closing portion moves up it pushes the upper hose against an anvil located above the hose, and when it moves down, it pushes the lower hose down against an anvil located below the lower hose. A second side of the valve member has two closing portions, with the upper and lower hoses located between them, and a two-sided anvil located between the hoses. When these two closing portions move up, the lower closing portion pushes up the lower hose against the anvil to squeeze it closed, and when they move down the upper closing portion pushes down the upper hose against the anvil tosqueeze it closed. This arrangement allows a single moving valve member to control concrete flow through all four pipes.

The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention will be best understood from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a concrete pump with a valve mechanism constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view ofthe pump of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the valve mechanism of the pump ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front sectional view of the valve mechanism of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of an anvil of the valve mechanism of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a sectional side view of the anvil of FIG. 5, with the hose which it operates in an open position;

FIG. 7 is a sectional side view of the anvil of FIG. 6, with the hose in a closed position; and

FIG. 8 is a partially sectional view taken on the line 8-3 of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a pump for moving concrete received in a hopper 10 through an outlet 12, so the concrete can thereafter flow through a nozzle 13 to the location where it is poured into forms. Concrete dumped into the hopper 10 passes down through a pair of feed lines or

pipes

14 and 16 to a pair of

rams

18 and 20, respectively. The

rams

18, 20 push out this concrete which flows through a pair of out lines or

pipes

22, 24 that merge into the single outlet 12. The two rams operate alternately to provide a relatively continuous flow of concrete through the outlet.

A valve assembly 26 controls the flow of concrete through the four

lines

14, 16, 22 and 24. As a piston 18? of ram 18 moves to its rearward position, the feed line 14 is opened by the valve assembly to allow concrete to fall into the area in front of the piston. During this time, the out line 22 is closed to prevent the backflow of concrete into the hopper. The concrete may be pumped to large heights such as several stories, and unless the feed line 14 were closed, concrete would rush back through it. When the area in front of the piston 18? is filled and the piston begins its forward stroke, the feed line I4 is closed while the out line 12 is opened. The other ram 20, its piston 20?, feed line 16, and out line 24 operate in a similar manner but at different times.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show details of construction of the valve assembly 26 and of the portions of the lines l4, 16, 22 and 24.

Each line has a

flexible hose section

14H, 16H, 22H and 24H, at the position where the line passes through the valve assembly. Each of the hoses can be squeezed or pinched off so that no concrete can flow through them. The assembly includes four

anvils

28, 30, 32 and 34 and a valve member 36 with four closing

portions

38, 40, 42, 44. The valve member 36 is reciprocated up and down by a hydraulic cylinder 46. When the valve member is moved to its upward position, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, valve closing portion 38 is away from anvil 28 so that hose 14H is fully opened to allow concrete to flow from the hopper to ram 18. In addition, the closing portion 40 is adjacent to the anvil 30 so that hose 16H, which is between them, is pinched off to prevent the backflow of concrete from the ram 20 to the hopper. Further, hose 22H leading from the ram 18 to the outlet is pinched closed between valve closing portion 42 and anvil 32, while hose 24H is fully opened by reason of the separation of closing portion 44 and anvil 34.

When the cylinder 46 moves the valve member 36 down, hoses MH and 24H are fully closed, while

hoses

16H and 22H are fully opened. When the valve member is moved up, the reverse occurs. Thus, all four hoses are opened and closed at the proper time using only one moving valve member. This is accomplished with the

feed lines

14 and 16 maintained higher than the

out lines

22 and 24, which is desirable to facilitate the flow of concrete from the hopper to the rams by gravity while using a simple pipeline arrangement.

FIG. illustrates anvil 34 which is constructed similarly to the other anvils. It includes an upper base member 47 with a knife portion 48. The hose is squeezed between the knife portion and the valve closing portion. The knife portion 48 is shown as a pyramidlike portion to concentrate the squeezing to substantially a line that extends across the hose. However, a flat upper surface of the upper base member 47 can be used as a knife portion instead of a tapered part. The upper base member 47 is held a predetermined distance from a lower base member 50 by four bolts 52, one bolt positioned at each corner of the base. The lower base member 50 is supported by four springs 54, one at each comer portion that are held on a mount 56. Four additional bolts 58 with nuts 70 at their lower ends extend through the middle ofthe springs and through the lower base portion and mount, the bolts holding the springs in compression.

The springs 54 are useful in reducing wear and damage to the hose. They are provided largely because the concrete to be pumped generally contains gravel of appreciable size. If a piece of gravel is caught at a position within the hose where the knife portion 48 presses on the hose, the hose may tear. However, the springs allow the knife portion 48 to deflect away from the hose ifa large resistance is encountered to fully closing the hose. This deflection increases the width of minimum constriction of the hose (the distance between the valve member and knife portion when they are moved closest together) in accordance with the resistance of the hose to squeezing. The hoses may be constructed of an elastic materi al, such as latex rubber, which can be indented slightly by small pieces of gravel without tearing, or of a flexible but nonelastic material.

The degree to which the hose is squeezed closed can be adjusted by adjusting the bolts 52 that connect the upper and lower base members. Normally, the distance between the mount 56 and knife portion 48 is set so that the hose is squeezed to a degree that prevents more than a trickle of concrete sap to pass through the hose. Lowering the upper base number 47 makes the pump less efficient because of backflow, while raising it may increase wear on the hose. The distance may be adjusted for different types of concrete. Bolt adjustments can also be made to maintain alignment so the hose is squeezed evenly.

The force required to overcome the preloading of the springs 54, to allow for deflection of the knife portion 48 can also be adjusted. This is accomplished by turning the nuts 70 to vary the distance between the mount 56 and lower base portion 50, and therefore the amount of preloading of the springs. Of course, any change in spring preloading must be accompanied by a counteracting change in the separation of

base portions

47, 50 if the same squeezing space is to be maintained between the valve closing portions and the anvil. It should be noted that other means can be provided to enable deflection of the anvil, such as by constructing the knife portion 48 of rubber.

The valve mechanism is constructed so that the

flexible hoses

14H, 16H, 22H and 24H can be easily and rapidly replaced when they wear out or are damaged. As shown in FIG. 3, the hose 24H has opposite ends 25H attached to a rigid pipeline at opposite ends of the valve mechanism. The hose section can be readily installed by inserting it through :he space in the valve mechanism between the anvil 34 and closing portion 44 when the latter is raised, and attaching the ends of the hose to the pipeline. As shown in FIG. 8, the end 25H of the flexible hose section has a fitting 62 attached to the flexible hose by a plurality of bolts 64 with wide heads. The fitting 62 is attached to a fitting 66 on the end of the rigid pipeline by a clamp mechanism 68. The clamp 68 includes a pair ofmembers hinged at one end 70 and having an overcenter latch and arm 72 at the other end for holding the clamp members together. When the flexible hose is worn, the clamp members at both ends are loosened, and a new hose with fittings thereon is installed. Removal and installation do not require disassembly oi the valve mechanism, and can be accomplished in only a couple of minutes.

Difficulty sometimes can be encountered in inserting one end of thc flexible hose, with a fitting 62 thereon, through the valve mechanism between the anvil and valve closing portion, because of the greater diameter and the rigidity of the fitting. To facilitate such installation, the hydraulic cylinder and valve member 36 thereon are mounted for pivoting about a substantially vertical axis. A handle 74 is attached to the cylinder to facilitate rotation. The handle is pivotally mounted at joint 76, and is biased downwardly so a latch 78 thereon normally engages a recess in the machine frame to lock it and the cylinder in place. However, the handle 74 can be lifted up and rotated to position 74A, to thereby pivot the valve member 36 so as to open up the space where a hose is to be inserted. After hose installation, the handle is pivoted back to its original position.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated herein, it is recognized that modifications and variations may readily occur to those skilled in the art, and consequently, it is intended that the claims be interpreted to cover such modifications and equivalents.

lclaim:

l. A valve mechanism for use with a concrete pump wherein concrete flows from a hopper downwardly through two feed lines into two rams which operate about out of phase and then into two out lines that merge into an outlet, comprising:

four flexible sections of hose, one in series with each of said feed lines and outlines;

four anvil means, each positioned on one side of each of said hoses;

a valve member having four closing portions for squeezing said hoses against said anvil means to close off the flow of concrete through said hoses; and

means for reciprocating said valve member;

a first of said feed lines and a first of said out lines disposed on one side of said valve member, and a second of said feed lines and second of said out lines positioned on another side of said member, said hoses of said feed lines lying above said hoses of said out lines at said anvil means;

a first pair of said anvil means positioned between said first feed line and first out line, and a second pair of said anvil means positioned above and below said second feed line and second out line, reswctively; and

a first pair of said closing portions positioned above and below said first feed line and first out line, respectively, and a second pair of said closing portions positioned between said second feed line and second out line, whereby to control the flow of concrete for operation of said rams about 180 out of phase.

2. The valve mechanism described in claim 1 wherein:

each of said anvil means includes knife means for supporting one side of a hose squeezed thereagainst, support means positioned on a side of said knife means opposite the hose squeezed against said knife means, and spring means disposed between said knife and supportmeans to permit limited movement of said knife means away from said hose.

3. The valve mechanism described in claim 1 wherein:

each of said anvil means includes a first member having a knife portion for contacting said hose, a second member spaced from said first member, a third member spaced from said second member, first coupling means for coupling said first and second members, and second coupling means for coupling said second and third members; and

one of said coupling means includes spring means for biasing a pair of said members apart, and both of said coupling means includes means for varying the separation of the pair of members it couples prior to hose squeezing.

4. The valve mechanism described in claim 1 wherein:

said feed lines and outlines have fittings on either side of said valve mechanism for the rapid installation and removal of the ends of said sections of hose, and said valve mechanism is open at the sides facing said fittings to permit the rapid insertion of said hoses through the valve mechanism.

5. A concrete pump comprising:

a hopper for receiving concrete;

a ram for pushing concrete;

a feed line leading from said hopper to said ram, including a flexible hose section;

an out line leading from said ram for discharging concrete under pressure, said out line including a flexible hose section;

a pair of anvils, each disposed on a side of one of said flexible hose sections;

a valve member mounted for oscillation, said valve member having closing portions which alternately move toward said anvils as said valve member oscillates; and

means for oscillating said valve member in synchronism with the operation of said ram, to alternately squeeze closed said feed and outlines.

6. A concrete pump comprising:

a hopper for receiving concrete;

a ram for pushing concrete;

a feed line leading from said hopper to said ram, including'a flexible hose section;

an out line leading from said ram for discharging concrete under pressure, said out line including a fle xible hose section; and

valve apparatus for alternately squeezing closed said flexible hose sections of said feed line and out line in synchronism with the operation of said ram, said valve apparatus including a pair of anvils, each disposed on a side of a flexible hose section, valve closing means, and means for moving said valve closing means altemately toward said anvils, to move said valve closing means between first positions close to said anvils and second positions furthest therefrom, said valve closing means mounted for movement to third positions that increase the space over said anvils when said pump is not operating to facilitate the insertion of a flexible hose through the space between said anvils and valve closing means.

7. A concrete pump comprising:

a hopper for receiving concrete;

a ram for pushing concrete;

a feed line leading from said hopper to said ram, including a flexible hose section; an out line leading from said ram for discharging concrete under pressure, said out line including a flexible hose section;

valve means for alternately squeezing closed said flexible hose sections of said feed line and out line in synchronism with the operation of said ram, said valve means including an anvil member positioned on one side of each flexible hose section and a valve closing member movable against Y the opposite side of each flexible hose section;

at least one of said members at each hose section being mounted to deflect away from said hose section upon encountering more than a predetermined resistance to squeezing, to prevent damage when a large piece of gravel is in position to prevent complete closing.

Claims

1. A valve mechanism for use with a concrete pump wherein concrete flows from a hopper downwardly through two feed lines into two rams which operate about 180* out of phase and then into two out lines that merge into an outlet, comprising: four flexible sections of hose, one in series with each of said feed lines and outlines; four anvil means, each positioned on one side of each of said hoses; a valve member having four closing portions for squeezing said hoses against said anvil means to close off the flow of concrete through said hoses; and means for reciprocating said valve member; a first of said feed lines and a first of said out lines disposed on one side of said valve member, and a second of said feed lines and second of said out lines positioned on another side of said member, said hoses of said feed lines lying above said hoses of said out lines at said anvil means; a first pair of said anvil means positioned between said first feed line and first out line, and a second pair of said anvil means positioned above and below said second feed line and second out line, respectively; and a first pair of said closing portions positioned above and below said first feed line and first out line, respectively, and a second pair of said closing portions positioned between said second feed line and second out line, whereby to control the flow of concrete for operation of said rams about 180* out of phase.

2. The valve mechanism described in claim 1 wherein: each of said anvil means includes knife means for supporting one side of a hose squeezed thereagainst, support means positioned on a side of said knife means opposite the hose squeezed against said knife means, and spring means disposed between said knife and support means to permit limited movement of said knife means away from said hose.

3. The valve mechanism described in claim 1 wherein: each of said anvil means includes a first member having a knife portion for contacting said hose, a second member spaced from said first member, a third member spaced from said second member, first coupling means for coupling said first and second members, and second coupling means for coupling said second and third members; and one of said coupling means includes spring means for biasing a pair of said members apart, and both of said coupling means includes means for varying the separation of the pair of members it couples prior to hose squeezing.

4. The valve mechanism described in claim 1 wherein: said feed lines and outlines have fittings on either side of said valve mechanism for the rapid installation and removal of the ends of said sections of hose, and said valve mechanism is open at the sides facing said fittings to permit the rapid insertion of said hoses through the valve mechanism.

5. A concrete pump comprising: a hopper for receiving concrete; a ram for pushing concrete; a feed line leading from said hopper to said ram, including a flexible hose section; an out line leading from said ram for discharging concrete under pressure, said out line including a flexible hose section; a pair of anvils, each disposed on a side of one of said flexible hose sections; a valve member mounted for oscillation, said valve member having closing portions which alternately move toward said anvils as said valve member oscillates; and means for oscillating said valve member in synchronism with the operation of said ram, to alternately squeeze closed said feed and out lines.

6. A concrete pump comprising: a hopper for receiving concrete; a ram for pushing concrete; a feed line leading from said hopper to said ram, inCluding a flexible hose section; an out line leading from said ram for discharging concrete under pressure, said out line including a flexible hose section; and valve apparatus for alternately squeezing closed said flexible hose sections of said feed line and out line in synchronism with the operation of said ram, said valve apparatus including a pair of anvils, each disposed on a side of a flexible hose section, valve closing means, and means for moving said valve closing means alternately toward said anvils, to move said valve closing means between first positions close to said anvils and second positions furthest therefrom, said valve closing means mounted for movement to third positions that increase the space over said anvils when said pump is not operating to facilitate the insertion of a flexible hose through the space between said anvils and valve closing means.

7. A concrete pump comprising: a hopper for receiving concrete; a ram for pushing concrete; a feed line leading from said hopper to said ram, including a flexible hose section; an out line leading from said ram for discharging concrete under pressure, said out line including a flexible hose section; valve means for alternately squeezing closed said flexible hose sections of said feed line and out line in synchronism with the operation of said ram, said valve means including an anvil member positioned on one side of each flexible hose section and a valve closing member movable against the opposite side of each flexible hose section; at least one of said members at each hose section being mounted to deflect away from said hose section upon encountering more than a predetermined resistance to squeezing, to prevent damage when a large piece of gravel is in position to prevent complete closing.