Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B30—PRESSES
  • B30B—PRESSES IN GENERAL
  • B30B1/00—Presses, using a press ram, characterised by the features of the drive therefor, pressure being transmitted directly, or through simple thrust or tension members only, to the press ram or platen
  • B30B1/003—Presses, using a press ram, characterised by the features of the drive therefor, pressure being transmitted directly, or through simple thrust or tension members only, to the press ram or platen by an elastic bag or diaphragm expanded by fluid pressure
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B28—WORKING CEMENT, CLAY, OR STONE
  • B28B—SHAPING CLAY OR OTHER CERAMIC COMPOSITIONS; SHAPING SLAG; SHAPING MIXTURES CONTAINING CEMENTITIOUS MATERIAL, e.g. PLASTER
  • B28B3/00—Producing shaped articles from the material by using presses; Presses specially adapted therefor
  • B28B3/02—Producing shaped articles from the material by using presses; Presses specially adapted therefor wherein a ram exerts pressure on the material in a moulding space; Ram heads of special form
  • B28B3/022—Producing shaped articles from the material by using presses; Presses specially adapted therefor wherein a ram exerts pressure on the material in a moulding space; Ram heads of special form combined with vibrating or jolting

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an apparatus for compressing materials such, as molded building blocks, bricks or the like.
• Background Art ;
• a compression apparatus includes a first member, a second member and a frame for supporting the first and second members for movement relative to one another.
• a plurality of spaced apart platforms are defined in the first member and a plurality of spaced apart platforms are defined in the second member.
• the platforms of the first member are positioned to overlie the platforms of the second member to form a plurality of pairs of platforms arranged so that movement of the first member relative to the second member causes the platforms of each pair to simultaneously move toward or away from one another.
• a plurality of inflatable flexible members are disposed between the platforms with at least one flexible member between each of the pairs of platforms. Inflation of the inflatable members effects relative movement of the platforms on the first and second members away from one another, thereby moving the first and second members relative to one another with a force which is equal to the sum of forces provided between each of the pairs of platforms.
• a pallet is deposited upon a stationary bed and a mold box and core assembly, carried by a cradle, are lowered onto the pallet by the deflation of a fluid extended lift system.
• a laterally reciprocating feed drawer is moved to an unloading position above the mold where a predetermined amount of a mix is deposited into the mold.
• the feed drawer then returns laterally to a loading position.
• a head adapted to matingly engage the mold box and core assembly, is attached to the feed drawer to laterally reciprocate therewith, whereby the head is located over the mold . when the feed drawer is in the loading position.
• a compression system ccmprising a plurality of vertically arranged fluid-extendible chambers operate upon a unitary ram to compress the mixture contained within the mold between the pallet and the head.
• the mold box and core assembly are lifted by means of the fluid extendible lift system, to strip the mold box and cores from the green block.
• the head is then raised, from the green block by deflation of the compression system.
• the pallet, carrying the newly formed, green block is removed from the bed and a new pallet is deposited upon the bed.
• the apparatus operates at an extremely low noise level, uses a small amount of power and produces a stronger block having a reduced moisture and binder content.
• FIGURE 4 is an elevational view of a mold lifting system, in expanded and deflated conditions, embodying various of the features of the present invention.
• FIGURE 5 is a schematic diagram of an inflation system adapted for the apparatus depicted in FIGURES 1 and 2.
• FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a core assembly embodying various of the features of the present invention. Best Modes for Carrying Out the Invention:
• the depicted block machine 10 includes pallet advancing means 12, mold lifting means 14, mixture feeding means 16, and compressing means 18.
• the pallet advancing means 12 comprises a magazine
• the core assembly 42 which defines the large cavities in the finished blocks includes a rigid right side "member 52 and a rigid left side member 54 , each of which carries a onethird horsepower oscillatory vibrator 56 on the outer surface thereof.
• the members 52 and 54 are interconnected at each end by a pair of threaded rods 58 having a length greater than the width of the mold box 40.
• a pair of core members 60 are provided for each block to be formed in the mold box 40.
• Each pair of core members 60 is carried by an elongated core support bar 62 having a pair of spaced-apart apertures (not shown ) defined at each end .
• the apertures in the core support bar 62 are adapted to receive the rods 58 .
• Spacers 64 are coaxially mounted upon the rods 58 to maintain the core bars 62 in fixed relation to one another when nuts are mounted upon the threaded ends of the rods 58 after passage through the members 52 and
• the lift as sembly 74 comprises a primary filler tube 82 which connects a selectively pressurized tank. 84 of water with the extendible primary chamber 80 defined by a rigid upper plate member 86 , a rigid lower plate member 88 and a flexible air-impermeable bellows member 90 sealingly attached to the plates 86 and 88 by bolts seated in the bellows 90 and extending through holes defined in the plates 86 and 88. Rigid spacer means (not shown) are provided between the. upper plate 86 and lower plate 88 to prevent complete collapse of the chamber 80.
• the primary bellows 90 comprises an Airmount Airstroke No. 134-1.5, available from the Firestone Rubber Company.
• Rigid spacer means (not shown) are provided between the upper plate 94 and lower plate 96 to prevent complete collapse of the chamber 83.
• the secondary bellows 98 comprises an Airstroke No. 312 available from the Firestone Rubber Company.
• the lowermo st spring 110 rests directly upon the foot 108 and is retained in position by a ring 114 secured to the foot 108 .
• the uppermost spring 110 is prevented from rising by a cap 116 mounted upon the rod 104 .
• the cap 116 is adjustably retained in position by means of a nut 118 threaded onto the rod 104 below the fl ange 106.
• Vertical adjustment of the cap 116 varies the speed at which the corresponding corner of the cradle 5 0 is raised by expansion of the lift assemblies 74 . That is , by lowering the cap 116 on the rod 104 , the springs 110 are compressed to provide increased resistance to the lifting of the corresponding corner of the cradle 50.
• the chamber s 80 and 83 are expanded by the introduction of pressurized water from the tank 84 which is partially filled with water .
• the tank 84 resembles an inverted "A" , having a tubular cross-member 120.
• the tank 84 includes a primary water port 122 at the bo ttom of the tank 84 and a secondary water port 124 in the cross-member 120.
• the port 122 is connected to the filling tube 82.
• the port 124 is connected to the filler tube 92 by a two inch diameter flexible hose 126 to accomodate vertical motion of the filler tube 92 , induced by the extension of the primary chamber 80.
• An air port 130 is located at each upper end 132 of the tank. 84 .
• the valve 138 is opened to permit air flow from the air accumulator into the tank 84.
• the incoming air forces water from the tank 84 , through the ports 122 and 124 , and into the filling tubes 82 and 92 to simultaneously expand the chambers 80 and 83 , respectively.
• the bed 24 operates as an upper stop for the cradle 50.
• the air valve 138 is turned to the venting position to release the pressurized air in the tank 84.
• the extension of spring assemblies 102 causes the cradle 50 to compress the chambers 80 and 83 and force the water contained therein back into the tank 84 through the filler tubes 82 and 92 , respectively.
• the valve 138 is again closed.
• the •spacer means located within the chambers 80 and 83 operate as a lower stop for the cradle 50.
• the compressing means 18 are provided for compressing the mix to the size of the desired finished block after it has been deposited in the mold box 40 by the feed drawer 144 and settled around the cores 60.
• the compression system includes a head 140 and a vertically movable ram 142.
• the head 140 is carried upon a pair of horizontal roller tracks 146 secured to the ram 142.
• the head 140 is attached to the feed drawer 144 by an arm 148 , whereby reciprocating lateral movement of the feed drawer 144 causes the head 140 to reciprocate between a position over the mold box 40 and loading position laterally spaced from the ram 142 and mold box 40.
• the arm 148 is pivotally connected to both the feed drawer 144 and the head 140 to compensate for the vertical motion of the head 140. during compression.
• the head 140 is adapted to matingly receive the mold box 40 and core assembly 42 during compression and as they are vertically stripped from a green block.
• the head 140 comprises a plurality of members. 150 , each, member 150 being shaped in horizontal cross-section like one-half of a block.
• the core members 150 are spaced apart to define slots adapted to precisely fit around the core members 60 , core bars 62 and partition walls 47 as the mold box 40 and core assembly 42 are stripped .
• the head 140 has an overall lateral crosssection which is slightly smaller than the interior dimensions of the mold box 40 . The clo se sliding contact between the head members 150 and the mold box 40 and core assembly 42 provides complete compression of the mix by the ram 142 and prevents distortion of the green block as it is stripped.
• the head must be raised and lowered only a minimal distance of about an inch (2. 5 cm ) .
• the core bars 62 and partition walls 47 extend vertically above and laterally beyond the mold box 40. and core assembly 42. As a result , the core bars 62 and partition walls 47 never become completely disengaged from the slots defined between the head members 150 , despite the vertical and lateral motion of the head 140. Slots are defined in the feed drawer 144. to slidingly receive the upper portions of the core bars 62 and partition walls 47 as the feed drawer laterally reciprocates over the mold box 40 and core as sembly 42 .
• the bellows 170 is connected to the air accumulator 134 by a tube which includes a two-way safety valve 154 and a three-way control valve 156 . Expansion of the bellows 170 causes the downward motion of the arm 168 and , through the chain 166 , the counter-clockwise rotation of the sprockets 164 , as viewed in FIGURE 1 .
• the other sprocket 164 carries a chain 167 which is connected to a pivot arm 169.
• a coil-spring 171 is mounted between the stationary plate 172 and the pivot arm 169, whereby extension of the spring 171 causes the downward motion of the arm 169 and, through the chain 167, the clockwise rotation of the sprockets 164, as viewed in FIGURE 1.
• the chains 166 and 167 are wrapped around the sprockets 164 about 320° in opposing directions to rotate the axle 163 in opposing directions upon expansion of the bellows 170 and spring 171, respectively.
• the feed drawer 144 is slowly accelerated and decelerated, with rapid interim motion, through the translation of rotational motion to a reciprocating motion. Thus there are fewer shocks applied to newly formed green blocks.
• the vertically movable ram 142 is driven downwardly for compression by means of a plurality of air inflatable or extendible chambers 173 and returned to an upper or home position by extension of a plurality of resilient coil springs 175.
• Two stationary, horizontal platforms 177 and 179 are attached to the main frame 78 at spaced-apart locations above, and parallel to, the bed 24.
• Sixteen coil springs 175, substantially identical to the springs 110 of the spring assemblies 102, are vertically mounted upon the upper stationary plate 179, eight springs 175 along the front edge of the platform 179 and eight springs 175 along the rear edge of the platform 179.
• the springs 175 carry a unitary ram assembly 181 whereby extension of the springs 110 causes the ram assembly 181 to rise relative to the bed 24.
• the ram assembly 181 includes an upper frame 183 carried by the springs 110.
• Four legs 185 extend vertically downwardly from the frame 183 and are attached to the ram 142.
• a lower ram platform 187 is secured to the upper surface of the ram 142, parallel to the upper frame 183 and the bed 24.
• a cylindxical spacer sleeve 190 is coaxially mounted upon each of the posts 189, extending through an aperture 192 defined in the lower stationary platform 177.
• An upper ram platform 194 is mounted upon the posts 189, resting upon the spacer sleeves 190.
• the posts 189 are threaded at each end for securing the platforms 187 and 194 in fixed spaced relation to one another with nuts 196.
• the posts 189 and coaxial sleeves 190 extend through apertures 192 defined in the platform 177, thus, the platforms 187 and 194 move as a unit and totally independent of the platforms 177 and 179.
• the posts 189 located at the corners of the platforms 187 and 194 extend upwardly through apertures defined in the stationary platform
• Stop members 195 are threaded onto the posts 189 to provide lower stop means for the ram assembly 181.
• Each extendible chamber 173 includes a rigid base member 128, a rigid upper member 200 and a flexible, air-impermeable bellows member 202 sealingly secured around its periphery to the members
• Each of the extendible chambers 173 is capable of providing 50,000 pounds (22.7 metric tons) of pressure at 100 p.s.i. (7 kg per square centimeter) air pressure.
• the bellows members 202 in the depicted embodiment are available from the Firestone Rubber Company under the designation 134.15
• valve means may be provided within each of the filler tubes 204 for selecting the number of chambers for extension.
• the springs 175 extend between the platform 179 and the frame 183 to push the frame 183 upwardly away from the platform 179. In this manner, the unitary ram assembly 181 is lifted from the head 140, which is then picked up by the track 146.
• the total vertical motion of the ram 142 is only about three inches (eight centimeters).
• the chambers 173 are in a deflated condition and the springs 175 have pushed the unitary ram assembly 181 to an upper position.
• Suitable stop means are secured to the main frame 78 for engaging the ram assembly to prevent free upward motion.
• the chambers 80 and 83 are filled with, pressurized water, maintaining the cradle 50 in its uppermost position.
• the cradle 50 supports the mold box 40 and continuously vibrating core assembly 42 about nine inches (23 cm) above the bed 24, clear of a newly formed block.
• Rotation of the arm 34 causes the cart 26 to advance to the pallet magazine 20, where the arms 30 engage the uppermost pallet 22. Continued rotation of the arm 34 causes the cart 26 to reverse direction and the arms 30 to pull the uppermost pallet 22 off the pallet stack and into the channels 32. As a pallet 22 enters the channels 32, the preceding pallets 20 are advanced within the channels to discharge the pallet carrying the newly formed block and deposit an empty pallet 22 on the bed 24.
• the air valves 138 are vented to release the pressurized water in the chambers 80 and 83.
• the coil spring assemblies 102 extend to drive the cradle 50 down. As the cradle 50 is lowered, the mold box 40 and core assembly 42 are deposited upon the empty pallet 22. The pallet 22 is squeezed between the bed 24 and mold box 40 by the spring assemblies 102, thus preventing any "chatter" from pallet vibration.
• the mold box 40 and core assembly 42 As the mold box 40 and core assembly 42 are lowered the mold box becomes disengaged from their mating engagement with the head 140, so that the head 140 is then free to travel laterally along the tracks 146.
• the head 140 is pushed along the roller tracks 146, through the link arm 148 by the feed drawer 144, which has been previously loaded from a hopper 214.
• the bellows 170 is extended by opening the valve 156 to permit air flow from the accumulator 134. Expansion of the bellows 170 causes the arm 168 to pivot downwardly, pulling the chain 166 and rotating the axle 163 in a counter-clockwise direction.
• the rotational arm 160 urges the pivotal arm 162 to the left, pushing the feed drawer 144 over the mold box 40.
• the mix is deposited therein. Vibration of the core assembly 42 causes the mix to settle within the mold box 40 and around the core members 60.
• the valve 156 is vented, releasing the air pressure within the bellows 170.
• the spring 171 which was compressed between the pivot arm 169 and the plate 172 by the counter-clockwise rotation of the axle 163, is then free to extend.
• Extension of the spring 171 causes the clockwise rotation of the axle 163, returning the drawer 144 to a loading position directly under the hopper 214.
• the link arm 148 pulls the head 140 back into. a compressing position directly over the mold box 40.
• Horizontally adjustable stop means 216 are provided for ensuring correct positioning of the head 140 relative to the mold box 40.
• the chambers 173 are simultaneously expanded by the introduction of pressurized air from the accumulator 134 through the valves 210 and 212 at about 100 p.s.i. (7 kg per square centimeter) through the filler tubes 204.
• the unitary ram assembly 181 is driven downwardly away from the platforms 177 and 179 with a force which is essentially the sum of the force applied by each of the extendible chambers 173.
• the ram 142 engages the head 140 which is in turn forced into compressing engagement with the mix previously deposited within the mold box 40.
• the chambers 80 and 83 are expanded to strip the mold box 40 and core assembly 42 from the compressed block. Water is then forced into the chambers 80 and 83 by opening the valve 138 to pressurize the water tank 84. As the chambers 80 and 83 are filled, the cradle 50 is again raised, lifting the mold box 40 and core assembly 42. The head 140, under the force of the ram assembly 181 prevents the molded blocks from rising with the mold box 40 and core assembly 42. In consequence, the mold box 40 and cores 60 are stripped from the block and raised about nine inches (23 cm) in mating relation to the head 140. At this point, the machine has returned to the initial point in the cycle and is prepared to make another set of blocks.
• an improved block having greater strength can be produced with reduced void volume resulting in reduced water and cement consumption.
• the apparatus operates at reduced noise levels, thus improving the work environment, and the apparatus has a low sensitivity to the dust and grit which frequently circulate in the block-making environment.
• the vibration of the core assembly, used for settling the mix within the mold box, is isolated from the mold box, the pallet and the head, as well as the remainder of the apparatus, thus reducing the requirements for maintenance and parts replacement.
• the inflated chambers are not particularly sensitive to vibration.
• the disclosed system is fast because the distances of vertical travel by the stripping mechanism is limited to just slightly more than the height of the mold box and the compression mechanism travels only about three inches (7.8 cm).
• the compression system also permits the development of large compressive forces over a small area through the summation of a plurality of expandable chambers operating upon a plurality of pairs of interrelated platforms.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
• Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
• Press-Shaping Or Shaping Using Conveyers (AREA)
• Processing Of Solid Wastes (AREA)
• Superconductors And Manufacturing Methods Therefor (AREA)
• Moulds, Cores, Or Mandrels (AREA)
• Moulds For Moulding Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
• Press Drives And Press Lines (AREA)

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=22845858

Family Applications (2)

Family Applications After (1)

Country Status (5)

Cited By (3)

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Citations (8)

Family Cites Families (6)

• 1982
  • 1982-01-15 WO PCT/US1982/000037 patent/WO1982002509A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1982-01-15 WO PCT/US1982/000038 patent/WO1982002510A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1982-01-15 JP JP57500738A patent/JPS57502160A/ja active Pending
  • 1982-01-15 EP EP19820900708 patent/EP0069770A4/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 1982-01-15 EP EP19820900709 patent/EP0069771A4/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 1982-01-15 AU AU81467/82A patent/AU8146782A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1982-01-15 AU AU81466/82A patent/AU8146682A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1982-01-15 ES ES508770A patent/ES508770A0/es active Granted
  • 1982-01-15 JP JP57500737A patent/JPS57502255A/ja active Pending

Patent Citations (8)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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