JET NOZZLE FOR SPRAYING FAST-DRYING CONCRETE
1) Technical Field
This innovation is related to jet nozzles for spraying fast-draying concrete, which are used for building of the tunnels, bridges, underground passage ways and foundations.
Throughout many years the biggest problems we come across while spraying fast- setting concrete are: the capacity of the jet nozzle, its short life cycle, its hard to repair nature and replacing of the parts and its fast blocking nature.
2) Background
There were many suggested solutions to these problems. However, they only solved some of the segments, but did not provide needed results. In general, all solutions had a multitude of channels on the casing, so that the repair could not be done without destroying of the jet nozzle. Other solutions directed a spurt of water opposite to the circulation of concrete. However, this caused a decrease in the capacity of the jet nozzle and fast blockage of it.
Jet nozzles were made of many parts and the consequence of this was an uncertain behaviour in their use.
With some solutions the water was only brought through the oblique channels so that the mixing was not even.
No jet nozzle to present was made with the function of automatic regulation of the flow of water and pressure.
3) Disclosure of the Invention
The primary aim of the innovation is the improvement of the jet nozzle for spraying fast-drying concrete to achieve: improved mixing of the concrete and smaller losses in pressure, an increase in flow through quantities and automatic regulation of the flow and pressure of water in the jet nozzle.
The secondary aim of this innovation is a decrease in the number of parts used, in terms of increasing reliability and effectiveness, as well as to make the product lighter and the production simpler.
The further aim of this innovation is to ensure an easy maintenance-to achieve various usages of the casing.
The further aim is the replacement of the water rings directly at the location of work, so that the jet nozzle is always functioning.
Additional aims and advantages of the innovation will partly be evident in the description which follows and partly through the application of the innovation.
The jet nozzle for spraying of the concrete on the basis of this innovation has the following parts:
Casing, threaded lid, water ring, cover ring, plugs and "O" rings.
The water is sprayed through the water ring into the dry concrete in two ways: - primarily, directly through the openings such defined as to prevent the contraction of the spurt and at the same time that is the shortest way to wet dry concrete evenly.
- secondarily, from the other side the water is applied to concrete under the angle.
The angle is such so that the flow direction of the flow direction of the water are collinear, and there is hence no loss in pressure.
The casing is made from one piece and the place where the rings are situated is smooth-without any gaps, which enables simple and easy mounting and demounting of the rings even after many days of work.
The ring for the water and its lid are made of highly valuable manganese steel and they have many tasks:
- deep mixing
- shallow mixing
- self-cleaning
- plugging
- regulation of the inflow of water and pressure
- applying force on the concrete
The ring used for dosage of water is made with openings on the edge and with channels on the cone and the dimensions of the openings are such as to ensure the needed inflow of water. During the working times depositing occurs on these openings and the channels get worn out and this results in the blockage. In order to prevent this, the channels which supplies water is made in the ring and with depositing under the influence of the pressure on the surface, the rubber plug leads to increase in the gaps and hence an increase in flow of water, whose consequence is a decrease in the pressure and this again decrease gaps so that an automatic regulation of the pressure and flow of water is achieved in the system, see fig.3 and fig.4.
In this way, simultaneously, the effect of self-cleaning of the water ring is achieved. This is because the solidified concrete breaks down and is hence easily removed by the water and the blockage is prevented.
Fastening of the jet nozzle on the inlet pipe for concrete for done directly over the casing with the support of the brass screws, so that there are no inter parts. The consequence of this is a more compact performance and safer work.
Threaded lid has four drilled openings on it. These are located in the zone without pressure and the purpose of them is so that the threaded lid can be undone with an ordinary screw driver. There is no need for a big and heavy spanner.
The cover ring is made of a high quality manganese steel and has very long life cycle and a very important function of regulating the flow and the pressure.
4) A brief description of the drawing
Fig.l A drawing of the jet nozzle in accordance with the described innovation
Fig.2 The flow of concrete and water through the jet nozzle
Fig.3 The way of functioning of automatic regulation of the pressure and the flow in the jet nozzle in the event of working without blockages
Fig.4 The way of functioning of automatic regulation of the pressure and the flow in the jet nozzle in the event of working with blockages
5) A detailed description of at least one of the ways of realising the innovation
Looking at fig.l and fιg.2 it can be seen that the jet nozzle includes the following: The casing of the jet nozzle, made of a highly valuable alloy of aluminium and copper for high pressures, position 1, is constructed so that the water ring is located at the front side-position 3, lid of the ring-position 4, flat plug-position 10 and spraying pipe (nozzle)-position 7, and the inlet pipe for the concrete is located at the rear.The inflow of water is accomplished through the nut-position 5, located at the side. In the bearing of the water ring casing-position 1, there are no channels so that while mounting and demounting there is no damage to the water rings. This makes it possible to repair them while functioning, so that a special workshop is not needed.
Threaded lid-position 2, has the task to hold the spraying pipe-position 7, ring- position 3, the ring's lid-position 4 and the plug-position 10 all in one assembly. On the threaded lid-position 7, witch is made from polyamids, 4 holes are perforated on its edge for the purpose of undoing it with an ordinary spanner.
Looking at the picture 2 it can be seen that the jet nozzle includes: Water ring-position 3 and the ring's lid-position 4 are made from highly valuable manganese steel. The prevention of the water leak is done with the aid of "O"rings- position 6, witch have various tasks.
- deep mixing
- shallow mixing
- self-cleaning
- plugging
- regulation of the inflow of water and pressure
- applying force on the concrete
- the task of blockage prevention
These are to accomplished by a special structure of the water ring-position 3 and by the channel for supplying water, witch is located in the water ring-position 3.
Water is brought into the concrete in 2 ways, through holes on the edge of the ring-position 3, and through the channels which are located on the cone of the ring- position 3, whose angle is obtained after long measurements.
6) The manner and application the innovation
During the assessment, the innovation has demonstrated: improved characteristics, longer life-cycle due to the self cleaning effect, the improvement in mixing due to construction of the water ring and as such it has already been incorporated into machines for spraying of the fast-drying concrete.