At least one embodiment of the present invention pertains to the field of masonry product fabrication. More particularly, at least one embodiment pertains to fabrication structures, systems and methods for fabricating masonry building units using compressible masonry feedstocks.
Conventional concrete block machines are typically designed with internal molds that create cells or hollow portions of a CMU block. For such applications, a conventional mold array is not simply a series of rectangular mold boxes ganged together. Each mold box must contain the displacement molds that create the cells. This makes for expensive and heavy arrays, and also requires different arrays for each configuration of cells in a block. A full complement of mold arrays can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
In a conventional concrete block machine, each process or action occurs within the same section of the machine, which is commonly referred to as a throat. Conventional blocks are formed by pouring concrete into single or multiple molds, which have fixed dimensions and rigid sides. During the extraction of finished blocks from such molds, the molds are dragged of the blocks, which can visually mar the cosmetic face of the block.
Masonry units, such a blocks, are fabricated in a sequential process, using improved mold structures, such as within a production corridor of a corresponding fabrication system. A compressible masonry feedstock or formula, which can be de-agglomerated before use, is filled within a block mold having releasable elements. The formula is then compressed within the mold structure. The compressed workpiece can be further processed, such as for any of final height adjustment, the establishment of a surface feature, or to remove cores. The block mold, having releasable elements or sides, such as using hinges or springs, is released from the formed block, wherein the formed masonry unit can be removed for curing, and wherein the block mold can be reused to fabricate a subsequent masonry unit.
One or more embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements.
References in this description to “an embodiment”, “one embodiment”, or the like, mean that the particular feature, function, structure or characteristic being described is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Occurrences of such phrases in this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment. On the other hand, the embodiments referred to also are not necessarily mutually exclusive.
Introduced here is a process in which enhanced masonry units, such as masonry blocks, are sequentially fabricated, using block molds and a feedstock or formula that can be compressed. The block molds are releasable, which allows the masonry units to be fabricated with a wide variety of surfaces.
Also introduced here is a system that includes a production corridor, wherein the masonry blocks are formed and removed for curing. The compressible masonry feedstock or formula can be de-agglomerated before being filled within a block mold. The formula is then compressed within the block mold, and can be further processed, such as for any of final height adjustment, the establishment of a surface feature, or to remove cell centers. The block mold is released from the formed block, whereby the formed masonry unit can be removed for curing, and whereby the block mold can be reused to fabricate a subsequent masonry unit.
In an illustrative embodiment of the masonry fabrication system, the system can be configured to move the workpiece and block mold through the system, such as from one compartment or station for one action to a subsequent compartment or station, for a subsequent action.
The illustrative masonry unit fabrication system 10 seen in
As seen in
The sides 208a, 208b can include a series of rollers 216 that are mounted to a roller frame 218, and oriented in the vertical direction, e.g. such as parallel with respect to a Z-Axis 48. The side rollers 216 and support frame 218 can provide lateral support necessary to resist deflection during compression, and restrain the sides 404a,404b (
The illustrative masonry unit fabrication system 10 seen in
Each of the production stations or activities can be fitted with various guides, rollers, chutes, gates, and other appurtenances, such as to facilitate the accuracy and quality of the finished masonry units 128.
A masonry block 128 is then dynamically formed 306, such as through a sequence comprising initial consolidation 308, e.g. at a consolidation station 40 (
Once the masonry block 128 is formed 306, if cell centers 130 (
The finished masonry block 128 is removed 318 (
The illustrative block mold 16 seen in
The illustrative block mold 16 seen in
The illustrative block mold 16 seen in
In some embodiments of the masonry unit fabrication system, the exposed face of the masonry blocks 10 is created by the patterning on a side of the block mold 16, or on the mold inserts 410. For example, the block mold 16 or the mold inserts 410 can include patterning, such as to produce masonry building units 128 having any of embossing, de-bossing, signatures, brands, or any other random or geometric pattern, as rough or smooth as desired by the client, designer, or architect.
The following discussion describes illustrative operations for stations or activities in the enhanced masonry product fabrication process.
The illustrative de-agglomerator 30 seen in
In operation, when an empty and relatively light block mold 16 passes under a fully stocked and stationary hopper 344, the masonry feedstock 26 is filled or “charged” with the masonry feedstock 26. As the filled block mold 16 exits the filling station 20, the filled block mold 16 can pass under an adjustable departure “gate” 514, to be struck off or level to an appropriate loose depth. The advantages to this method of charging empty molds 16 are a rapid filling time and a simplicity of action. The hopper 34 is stationary with respect to the filling station 20, which is also stationary. In some embodiments, the hopper 34 has no moving parts to bind up or become clogged with loose material, and no mechanical action to power or to service.
The adjustable departure gate 514 provides precise control over the charging volume of the feedstock 26, and can be configured to prevent loose material 26 to escape onto other working parts of the production corridor 14. As feedstocks 26 and moisture contents vary, the compaction factor also varies, which can readily be controlled by the masonry unit fabrication system 10. For examples, the adjustable departure gate 514 can provide a point of control, to assure that each block mold 16 is filled to the correct height for eventual desired compression.
In contrast to the filling station 20 disclosed herein, a mold array in a conventional block machine is typically filled by a supply hopper that is required to travel, such as on rails. The process begins with the hopper in a waiting position, out of the machine throat. The hopper travels on the rails and passes over an empty mold array, filling the molds as it travels. The hopper then retracts along the rails, scraping off excess loose material as it returns to the waiting position out of the throat. A fully loaded hopper is heavy, and must be supported on rollers and guide rails and powered by gears or hydraulics.
The masonry unit fabrication system 10 can be configured to pass a charged block mold 16 under the weighted rollers 706, which can be configured to consolidate the loose material 26, and can reduce the energy required in a subsequent impact stage, e.g. at station 80 (
In operation, such as upon leaving an initial consolidation station 40, the charged block mold 16 is moved into a subsequent section 60 of the production corridor 14 where a hydraulic cylinder or ram 804 forces an assembly 806 of four fingers or stabs downward 808, into the semi-loose masonry formula 26, at each of the four corners 412 of the block mold 16. This action can force larger particles in the formula 26 away from the corners 412, such as to achieve strong, dense edges in the finished masonry unit 128. The controlled compression 310 of a masonry formula 26 within a block mold 16 can result in a significant improvement in edge quality.
In a conventional concrete block machine, consolidation of loose material is typically accomplished with a hydraulically powered presser plate that is configured to descend onto a mold array, while vibratory force is applied to the entire array. The presser plate matches the outside dimensions of the mold array, and has cut-outs to match the internal cells of the hollow blocks, such as to correspond to concrete masonry unit (CMU) configurations. The diameter, power requirements, and guide rods of the hydraulic cylinder and presser plate must be sized to maintain alignment over the entire array dimensions, and to transmit the required force. Changing the machine to produce blocks of a different size or different cell configuration requires considerable lost production time and complicated procedures.
In contrast to such conventional techniques, consolidation of the loose masonry formula 26 in the masonry unit fabrication system 10 can be accomplished with dynamic compression 312, which includes high-frequency impact 906, supported by hydraulic pressure 904, and can be applied to one block mold 16 at a time.
In contrast to conventional techniques, the hydraulic cylinder or ram 904 is smaller in diameter, the power requirement is less, the presser plate is a fraction of the size, the guide rod mechanism is lighter and simpler. The components are therefore configured to experience less down time and require less maintenance. Additionally, being smaller, hardware associated with the station 80 is faster and less expensive to replace should any part break or wear out.
The illustrative dynamic compression station 80 seen in
For example, in some system embodiments 10, the dynamic compression station 80 can be configured to control the applied dynamic compression 312, to produce a range of enhanced masonry blocks 128, e.g. ultra-lightweight through heavyweight units, with little adjustment to the equipment. Some embodiments of the dynamic compression station 80 include control mechanisms that are built into the machine 80, which can govern duration of impact, compression force, and/or time of overlap.
The enhanced masonry fabrication system 10 can be flexibly configured for any of a variety of block mold configurations 16, charging depth of the block molds 16, and a virtually unlimited range of feedstocks 26, wherein each can dictate a different force and impact configuration. The dynamic compression station 80 is readily adapted for these different parameters.
A significant advantage of the station 80 is that the presser plate or “foot” of the impact tool 908 can be completely interchangeable, which allows rapid conversion from one dimension or block shape to another. The shape of the impact foot 908 can directly correspond to the shape of the block mold 16 and any mold inserts 410, which allows for switching from one product fabrication process 300 to another in a fraction of the time typical for conventional concrete block machines. Switching from one product shape is as rapid and trouble free as switching feedstocks 26 from cement and aggregate to clay and straw. The formulations of the final unit product 128 are limitless.
Some embodiments of the illustrative post-production finishing station 100 can be configured to provide final height adjustment 314 of the feedstock 26 within the block molds 16, such as with a blade assembly 1004 mounted to a corresponding station frame 1002, wherein the station frame 1002 can be a portion of the system frame 202 (
While the post-production finishing station 100 is not necessary for fabrication 300 of all masonry blocks 128, the benefit of the illustrative finishing station 100 seen in
In some embodiments of the masonry unit fabrication system 10 and associated process 300, the intended exposed face of the building unit 128 will be the top of the masonry block 128, rather than one or more of the sides of the masonry block 128.
The tops of concrete blocks made in conventional block machines have only one type of finish.
In contrast to such conventional techniques, the illustrative finishing station 100 seen in
The masonry unit fabrication system 10 can be configured to produce blocks 128 of varying dimensions, and can easily be switched from one dimension to another. In some system embodiments 10, the extrusion 316 of cell centers 130, rather than casting them, allows for greater flexibility and lower cost.
The illustrative station 120 seen in
Conventional concrete block machines are typically designed with internal molds that create cells or hollow portions of a CMU block. For such applications, a conventional mold array is not simply a series of rectangular mold boxes ganged together. Each mold box must contain the displacement molds that create the cells. This makes for expensive and heavy arrays, and also requires different arrays for each configuration of cells in a block. A full complement of mold arrays can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
The illustrative block mold 16, such as seen in
Unlike a full mold array typical for a conventional block machine, in which every mold box can often contain two cell molds, the illustrative station 120 seen in
In further contrast to a conventional block machine, in which changes in block or cell configuration requires a complete change-out of a mold array and presser plates, the station 120 seen in
In operation, while traveling along the production corridor 14, such as between finishing 314 and de-molding 318 (
In some embodiments, the portion of the feed stock 26 that is removed by the cutters 1106 can define a smaller block 130, which in some embodiments can be used for value-added products. For example, in some system embodiments 10, such removed portions 130 can subsequently be diverted onto a secondary production line. In some embodiments, the removed portions 130 can be sliced, such as into wafers of varying widths, to become any of paving stones, veneer bricks, floor tiles, wall tiles, or other building products.
In a conventional concrete block machine, freshly-consolidated blocks or building units rest on the casting tray while the mold array is lifted upward and off the blocks. The steel walls of the individual molds drag across the face of the blocks as the array moves upward, which can mar the surface. This conventional technique eliminates any opportunity for creating a decorative block face, without an additional surfacing process, such as by splitting, grinding, and/or washing.
In contrast to such conventional block forming techniques, which can result in an undesirable smeared face appearance of concrete blocks, the enhanced block molds 16, as disclosed herein, can be configured to pull the block mold away 414 (
As well, for an enhanced block mold 16 that is configured to pull away 414 from the face of the formed block 128, one or more mold inserts 410 can be added to the interior 408 of the block mold 16, such as to cast a virtually unlimited range of surface patterning into the face of the masonry block 128. Such design freedom allows an architect or purchaser to design a unique and specific block or unit signature.
All masonry units are fragile and susceptible to damage when young. For this reason, delicate handling is a pre-requisite of any production system. The conventional concrete block machine molds multiple blocks directly onto large trays which are then moved via forklift or specially designed conveyance into a heated curing chamber. The trays, special conveyance equipment, and curing chambers are vastly expensive.
In the illustrative masonry unit fabrication system 10 seen in
As seen in
As well, conventional concrete block machines are exceptionally heavy, as are the trays, mold arrays, and presser plates. This is the result of a need to cast multiple blocks at one time, to make up for the inefficiency of the production concept, which by design dictates that all actions take place within a “throat” of the machine.
In contrast to heavy concrete block machines and associated hardware, the masonry unit fabrication system 10 can readily be configured to produce single units continuously along a progressive chain of stations. For this reason, the masonry unit fabrication system 10 and associated components, e.g. individual trays, molds, presser plates, and ancillary components, can be lighter in weight than a conventional concrete block machine. The lighter weight allows for reduced construction costs and greater transportability, which in turn supports a manufacturing protocol in which production operations can be economically set up adjacent to a raw material source, thus reducing transportation expenses and the associated carbon footprint.
As discussed above, the masonry unit fabrication system 10 can also be configured to dynamically compress 312 the feedstock 26 within the block mold 16, in contrast to static compression that is typical of conventional block machines.
Dynamic compression 312, i.e. impact-assisted consolidation 312, has an advantage of increasing the packing density of any given aggregate composition, thereby decreasing pore space, and improving strength and durability. The result is that performance criteria can be achieved at lower cement ratios and less expensive feedstocks, reducing both overall unit costs and carbon footprint.
In some embodiments of the masonry unit fabrication system 10 and associated process 300, the feedstock 26 can be formulated to include recycled and/or waste ingredients, such as to produce masonry building units 128 having a zero carbon footprint and potentially even carbon sequestration.
In the illustrative masonry unit fabrication system 10 seen in
In contrast to the masonry unit fabrication system 10 disclosed herein, in a conventional concrete block machine, the production stages are restricted to a single location, wherein each production stage is required to wait for previous actions to finish before the next action can begin.
The masonry unit fabrication system 10 and associated process 300 provide significant advantages over conventional concrete production technologies for each stage in the manufacture of concrete masonry units, such as related to de-agglomeration of feedstocks 26, improved molding of masonry blocks 128, improved filling 304, leveling 514, consolidation 308, compression 310,312, finishing 314, de-molding 316, and extraction 316 of cell centers 130. Such improvements yield several benefits over conventional techniques, such as improving the speed of production, decreasing energy requirements, decreasing machine manufacturing costs, enabling transportability, improving ease of maintenance, allowing an expanded range of suitable feedstocks, and/or improving the quality of manufactured masonry blocks 128, while also providing significant environmental benefits.
In some embodiments of the masonry unit fabrication system 10, upon full de-molding 318, the finished blocks 128 can continue to move down the production corridor 14, where they are allowed to gain an initial set without handling or disturbing. In some embodiments of the masonry unit fabrication system 10, the empty block mold boxes 16 can travel a return loop, to be re-inserted into the production corridor point of entry 12. In contrast to conventional mold boxes, the block molds 16 can readily be configured to be lightweight, inexpensive, and easy to replace.
In addition to the advantages of the sequential production corridor and dynamic compression described above, the masonry unit fabrication system 10 can be configured to offer componentization or compartmentalization. For example, in some system embodiments 10, one or more of the stations are configured to be ganged together along the production corridor 14. For instance, the filling stations 20, the impact stations 80, the finishing stations 100, and the cell extraction stations 120 can be designed and manufactured in such a way as to gang together along the production corridor 14.
For users who want to produce smaller building units 128, such as veneer bricks, a single filling station 20 and a single impact station 80 can be sufficient in combination with the molding and de-molding components.
On the other hand, users who intend to manufacture full size full height hollow core concrete masonry units 128, or CMU replacements 128, can configure the system 10 to include two or three filling stations 40 and impact stations 80, in addition to the molding, de-molding, and cell extraction components.
Furthermore, those users who desire taller than normal units 128, but without cells 130, can configure the masonry unit fabrication system 10 with more than three filling stations 20 and impact stations 40, 60, 80, but eliminate a cell extraction station 120.
The masonry unit fabrication system 10 can therefore be customized in myriad ways to meet the needs of the user. This is in sharp contrast to conventional concrete block machines that are currently on the market.
In summary, the enhanced masonry unit fabrication system 10 differs from other conventional brick or block making machinery in that the several different actions that account for production can occur simultaneously along a sequential production corridor 14.
The enhanced masonry unit fabrication system 10 allows for lighter construction than conventional masonry production systems, and also provides faster production. Light construction supports transportability and lower cost maintenance. Transportability allows the machine to move to the source of the raw materials, reducing production cost and decreasing global warming.
The enhanced masonry unit fabrication system 10 can readily be utilized by any of commodity block manufactures, quarry operators, general engineering contractors, and start-up small business owner who understand the enormous global benefits afforded by conversion to sustainable building materials.
Accordingly, although the invention has been described in detail with reference to a particular preferred embodiment, persons possessing ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains will appreciate that various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed illustrative embodiments.
This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/566,435, filed 10 Dec. 2014, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/915,167, filed 12 Dec. 2013, which are each incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference thereto.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61915167 | Dec 2013 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 14566435 | Dec 2014 | US |
Child | 15339306 | US |