Patent Application
20230073953
This disclosure generally relates to concrete preparation, and more specifically, relates to surface treatment concrete surfaces.
After large, uncured concrete slabs are poured, a leveling machine is often drawn across the surface of the freshly poured concrete to control the surface thickness and impart a level surface. The machine typically includes a mobile platform and a screed head. A drag-style screed includes a mobile platform such as a walk-behind, ride-on, or repurposed loader that pulls the screed head directly behind or adjacent. A boom screed includes a turret-style mobile platform with a cantilevered boom such as an articulated knuckle-boom or a horizontal boom. The turret-style platform can rotate the boom to orient the screed head to the desired location and the boom can extend screed head and draw it back towards the platform to level and grade the poured concrete as desired.
A typical screed head includes an auger to agitate and spread the uncured concrete laterally followed by a blade to smooth and grade the surface. The blade may be coupled with a vibration mechanism to further aid in smoothing. The screeding head may include a laser leveling mechanism to track a desired grade.
After leveling, a texture may be applied to the leveled surface prior to curing to improve traction for walking surfaces or reduce tire noise for driving surfaces. While texture/curing machines exist, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,118,518 B2, they are large machines designed to straddle roads. For smaller applications such as flooring or parking lots where a boom screed would be used to level the flooring, truss-style texturing curing machine would be impracticable. Thus, texturing a smaller leveled surface requires manually imparting the texture with a broom or a similar technique. However, manual texturing is slow, expensive, and inconsistent. There exists a need for a machine configured to texture and dispose a chemical agent to a smoothed, leveled concreted surface.
The present disclosure is directed at addressing one or more of the deficiencies and disadvantages set forth above.
In one example of the present disclosure, an implement for applying a texture pattern and a spray pattern to a horizontal surface is presented. The implement comprises a texturing brush configured to engage a surface and apply a texture pattern to the surface. The implement also comprises a first spray bar and a second spray bar. The first spray bar is configured to apply a first chemical to the texturing brush and comprises a first nozzle assembly configured to spray the first chemical at a first spray pattern. The second spray bar′ is configured to apply a second chemical to the textured surface and comprises a second nozzle assembly configured to spray the second chemical at a second spray pattern.
In another example of the present disclosure, a surface treatment system is presented. The surface treatment system comprises a vehicle body and a boom mounted to the vehicle body. The boom comprises a mounting plate disposed at a working end of the boom opposite the vehicle body. Removably attached to the mounting plate is an implement that comprises a texturing brush configured to engage a surface and apply a texture pattern to the surface. The implement also comprises a first spray bar and a second spray bar. The first spray bar is configured to apply a first chemical to the texturing brush and comprises a first nozzle assembly configured to spray the first chemical at a first spray pattern.
The second spray bar is configured to apply a second chemical to the textured surface and comprises a second nozzle assembly configured to spray the second chemical at a second spray pattern.
In another example of the present disclosure, a controller for treating a surface with a sui face treatment system is presented. The controller comprises memory for storing instructions when executed by the controller performs the method comprising the steps of: receiving a desired elevation relative to a horizontal surface; receiving a desired position and extended a boom to the desired position; setting an implement to the desired elevation; setting a texturing brush to an engaged position; supplying a first chemical to a first nozzle assembly and a second chemical to a second nozzle assembly; and retracting the boom in a working direction while concurrently applying a texture pattern to the horizontal surface with the engaged texturing brush while concurrently spraying the second chemical in a second spray pattern onto the textured horizontal surface.
This disclosure relates to a surface treatment system configured to concurrently apply a texture pattern and spray a chemical curing agent to a leveled and smoothed horizontal sin face of an area of uncured concrete.
Now referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, illustrated in
The machine 10 comprises a surface treatment system 14, a leveling system 16, a control system 18, a power system 20, and a hydraulic system 22. The machine 10 includes a vehicle body 24 which supports a boom 26 that is capable of rotating, extending, retracting, articulating, or any combination thereof a working end 28 of the boom 26 to position the working end 28 to a desired location along a desired trajectory. In the preferred embodiment of a telescoping boom, during a surface treatment operation, an operator can control the machine 10 via a control panel 30 to pull an implement 32 of the surface treatment system 14 across the horizontal surface 12 to concurrently apply the desired texture pattern and apply a desired spray pattern of the a chemical curing agent on to the textured surface.
The power system 20 is configured to generate and supply power to the various components of the machine 10. As part of the power system 20, disposed on the vehicle body 24 is a power source such as an engine 34. The engine 34 may be a conventional internal combustion engine; however, other power sources are also contemplated such as battery-based, fuel cell type, or′ other sources of power not yet contemplated. For mobile machines 10, the engine 34 may be configured to supply motive power to wheels 36 which supports the vehicle body 24, as shown in the illustrated embodiment of
With reference to
The first spray bar 46 includes a first nozzle assembly 52 which is configured to spray a first chemical in a predefined first spray pattern and flow onto the texturing brush 44 when the texturing brush 44 is in the engaged position. The first nozzle assembly 52 comprises at least one first nozzle 54. In the illustrated embodiment, the nozzle assembly 52 is illustrated with four individual first nozzles 54; however, it should be appreciated that the nozzle assembly 52 may comprise more than one nozzle 54. During operation, as the implement 32 is pulled across the horizontal surface 12, the uncured concrete may build up on the texturing brush 44 as it applies the texture pattern. The first spray bar 46 is configured to spray the first chemical in the first spray pattern substantially onto just the bristles of the texturing brush 44 to remove the buildup of uncured concrete while minimizing the deposition of the first chemical only the textured horizontal surface 12. In a preferred embodiment, the first chemical is water and, for the sake of clarity, will be described as water hereon. The first spray bar 46 is supplied with a flow of water from the first reservoir 60 via a first hose 62. A first pump 64, shown in
The second spray bar 48 includes a second nozzle assembly 68 configured to spray a second chemical in a predefined second spray pattern onto the textured horizontal 12. The second nozzle assembly comprises at least one second nozzle 70. In the illustrated embodiment, the second spray bar 48 is illustrated with seven individual second nozzles 70; however, it should be appreciated that more than one second nozzle 70 is also contemplated. During operation, as the implement 32 is pulled across the horizontal surface 12, the second spray bar 48 is configured to concurrently apply the second chemical to the textured horizontal surface 12. In a preferred embodiment, the second chemical is a curing agent and, for the sake of clarity, will be described as a curing agent hereon. The second spray bar 48 is supplied with a flow of the curing agent from a second reservoir 72 via a second hose 74. A second pump 76, shown in
Each second nozzle 70 may include an adjustment mechanism (not shown) to adjust at least one of a shape, size, or flow of the second spray pattern. In the preferred embodiment, the second spray pattern is a flat fan spray pattern; however, other spray patterns are also contemplated. The adjustment mechanism may include a plurality of rotatable nozzles which each imparts a differing spray patter, an atomization adjustment such as a twist adjustment disposed at the nozzle exit, or the like. The second spray pattern can also be adjusted by adjusting the height of the second spray bar 48 relative to the frame 42 via adjustment shafts 80. At least one adjustment shaft 80 is disposed between the frame 42 and the second spray bar 48 to raise or lower the height of the second spray bar 48 until the desired second spray pattern is achieved. In the preferred embodiment, two height adjustment shafts 80 are disposed at opposite lateral ends of the frame 42. The second spray bar 48 is flanked by forward and rear windscreens 82 to block any wind that may affect the second spray pattern to ensure that the second spray pattern is efficiently applied to the textured horizontal surface in order to reduce waste.
As previously mentioned, during operation the working end 28 is pulled towards the vehicle body 24 when applying the texture pattern and spraying the curing agent to the horizontal surface 12. In this preferred embodiment, the texturing brush 44 is arranged on the frame 42 closest to the vehicle body 24 and the second spray bai 48 is arranged furthest from the vehicle body with the second spray bar 46 arranged therebetween. In this arrangement, the working direction is towards the vehicle body 24. As the working end 28 is pulled in the working direction, the texture pattern is applied ahead of the curing agent is subsequently applied to the textured horizontal surface 12 to ensure optimal curing of the uncured concrete. It should be appreciated that it may be advantageous to have the working direction away from the vehicle body 24. In this alternative embodiment, the working end 28 is pushed away from the vehicle body 24 when applying the texture pattern and spraying the curing agent. In both working directions, the texturing brush 44 precedes the second spray bar 48 even though the texture pattern and the second spray pattern are applied to the horizontal surface concurrently. The order of the texturing brush 44, first spray bar 46, and second spray bar 48 may be modified to correspond with the working direction of the working end 28 during operation such that the texture pattern 1s still applied ahead of the curing agent.
The leveling system 16 is configured to accurately level the working end 28 to ensure the orientation of the implement 32 relative to the smoothed and leveled horizontal surface is maintained during the surface treatment operation. By maintaining proper orientation, the surface treatment system 14 can apply the texture pattern and the second spray pattern to the horizontal surface 12 accurately, evenly, and consistently resulting in a uniform textured and treated horizontal surface 12. The leveling system 16 includes a pair of masts 90 disposed on the working end 28 that each carries a laser receiver 92 that is configured to receive a reference laser beam transmitted by a laser transmitter (not shown). At least one cylinder 94 is disposed between the working end 28 and the mounting plate 40 to adjust the elevation of the implement 32 relative to the horizontal surface 12. In the preferred embodiment, a hydraulic cylinder 94 is disposed at each lateral end of the working end 28 opposite one another. It should be appreciated that other leveling systems or combinations thereof are also contemplated. For example, the mounting plate 40 may include an orientation sensor 96 that generates an orientation signal corresponding to the orientation of the implement 32.
In the preferred embodiment, the laser transmitter transmits a rotating laser beam that is referenced to at least one of the horizontal surface 12 or a predefined grade. The lasers receivers 92 detects the laser beam and transmits a detection signal to the control system 18. The control system 18 is configured to detect variations between the detected laser beams at the receivers 92 and generate control signals to control the hydraulic system 22 which in turn supplies hydraulic pressure independently to each hydraulic cylinder 94. The leveling system 16 and the control system 18 ensures that the implement 32 maintains a desired relative orientation during the surface treatment operation in accordance with a predetermined level or grade of the previously smoothed and leveled horizontal surface 12.
The hydraulic cylinders 94 are arranged vertically at opposite ends of the working end 28 to adjust the relative elevation of the implement 32 during the surface treatment operation. The control system 18 may also receive the orientation signal generated by the orientation sensor 96 and determines the relative orientation based on a combination of the detection signal from the laser receivers 92 and the orientation signal from the orientation sensor 96. It should be appreciated that the control system 18 can generate elevation control signals based on the laser detection signals, orientation signals, or any combination thereof.
With reference to
The control system 18 is configured to receive commands from an operator via the control panel 30. The control panel 30 may include a plurality of suitable input devices (not shown) such as, but not limited to, buttons, toggles, levers, joysticks, steering wheel, and/or touchscreen display with a corresponding graphical user interface (GUI). For example, the control system 18 may have input devices to control the first pump 64 and the second pump 76 of the surface treatment system 14 to supply the water to the first spray bar 46 and/or the curing agent to the second spray bar 48. The control system 18 may also have input devices that control the actuation of the texturing broom 44; enable or disable the leveling system 16; control the rotation, extension, and retraction of the boom 26; control the maneuvering wheels 36, and the like.
In general, the present disclosure finds utility in concrete formation. In particular, the present disclosure provides a cost-efficient and accurate solution for concurrently applying a texture pattern and applying a curing agent to a previously smoothed and leveled area of recently poured and uncured concrete. Typically, an area of uncured concrete is smoothed and leveled with a traditional screeding machine and then manually textured with handled or handleless brushes. Manually brushing can incur costly manhours and is prone to errors and inconsistencies which can lead to poorly textured surfaces that don't provide a durable, high-traction surface. Once the area of uncured concrete is manually textured, a curing agent is also manually sprayed onto the textured surface. The curing agent creates a semipermeable membrane that ensures the surface of the textured concrete does not cure too quickly relative to the subsurface uncured concrete. However, manual application of the curing agent can be prohibitively costly because of the required manhours and the inefficient application of the curing agent.
The surface treatment system 14 of the present disclosure provides an accurate and efficient alternative to manual texturing and chemical treatment of the textured surface. It should be appreciated that various chemicals other than curing agents can be applied via the second spray bar 48 such as, but not limited to, sealing agents, stains, texturing compounds, release agents, surface retarders and the like.
With reference to
At step 510, the controller is configured to supply the first chemical to a first nozzle assembly and second chemical to a second nozzle assembly. At step 512, the controller is configured to retract the boom in the working direction while concurrently applying the texture pattern to the horizontal surface 12 with the engaged texturing brush 44 while spraying the second chemical in a second spray pattern onto the textured horizontal surface 12. The controller 100 may generate and transmit a control signal to the second valve, such as a solenoid valve, disposed between the second nozzle assembly 68 and the second pump 76 to initiate spraying of the second chemical. Alternatively, the controller 100 may generate and transmit a control signal to the second pump 76 to initiate spraying of the second chemical.
At step 514, during retraction, the controller 100 may be configured to intermittently spray the first chemical onto the texturing brush to rinse away any uncured concrete that may build up onto the bristles of the texturing brush as a result of the surface treatment. The controller 100 may be configured to automatically spray the first chemical intermittently onto the texturing brush or the controller may spray the first chemical in response to a received input from the operator at the control panel 30, Similarly, the controller 100 may generate and transmit a control signal to the first valve, such as a solenoid valve, disposed between the first nozzle assembly 52 and the first pump 64 to initiate spraying of the first chemical. Alternatively, the controller 100 may generate and transmit a control signal to the first pump 64 to initiate spraying of the first chemical.
At step 516, during retraction, the controller 100 may be configured to receive detection signals from the leveling system 16 and detect variations between concurrent detection signals that may indicate that the implement 32 is no longer at the desired elevation. The controller 100 may be configured to generate and transmit control signals to the hydraulic system 22 to supply pressurized hydraulic fluid to the at least one hydraulic cylinder 94 to adjust the elevation of the implement 32 to the desired elevation based on the detected variations.
At step 518, upon completion of the retraction, the controller 100 may be configured to set the texturing brush to a disengaged position. Similarly, the controller 100 may be configured to automatically set the texturing brush to the disengaged position or prompt the operator the manually set the texturing brush to the disengaged position. At step 520, the controller 100 is configured to receiving a new desired position and extended the boom 26 to the new desired position. At step 522, the controller 100 is configured to repeat the steps of 506-520.
It will be appreciated that the foregoing description provides examples of the disclosed system and technique. However, it is contemplated that other implementations of the disclosure may differ in detail from the foregoing examples. All references to the disclosure or examples thereof are intended to reference the particular example being discussed at that point and ai e not intended to imply any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure more generally. All language of distinction and disparagement with respect to certain features is intended to indicate a lack of preference for those features, but not to exclude such from the scope of the disclosure entirely unless otherwise indicated.
