BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A concrete placing system primed utilizing the method of the present invention is depicted in the accompanying drawings which form a portion of this disclosure and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view of an embodiment of a concrete placing system primed utilizing the method of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of a concrete placing system filled with foam; and
FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of a concrete placing system partially filled with foam.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIGS. 1-3 for a clearer understanding of the invention, it may be seen that the present invention provides a concrete pump 12 connected on its delivery side to a concrete placing system 14, otherwise referred to as a pump line or boom. In the preferred embodiment the placing system 14 is comprised of metal pipe. As shown in FIG. 1, the placing system 14 is provided with a foam priming port 16 and means known in the art for opening and closing the foam priming port 16. In the preferred embodiment, means for opening and closing the foam priming port 16 is comprised of a manually-operated shut-off ball valve 16a. The receiving end of the foam priming port 16b is comprised of a threaded nipple adapted for connection with the outlet end of a foam delivery line 18. In the preferred embodiment, the foam delivery line 18 is a flexible hose.
The preferred embodiment of the present invention also provides a foam generator 20 having an outlet 20a connected to the receiving end or inlet of the foam priming port 16b. The foam generator 20 may be directly connected to the foam priming port 16 or alternatively use other such connection means known in the art. In the embodiment shown on FIG. 1 a foam delivery line 18 is used to connect the foam generator outlet 20a and the priming port inlet 16b. The inlet end of a foam delivery line 18 is adapted for connection with the foam generator outlet 20a. The foam generator 20 may be of any configuration known in the art such as one having inlets as generally shown in FIG. 1 for air 28 and a foam concentrate 27 comprising a foaming agent 24 and concrete pump lubricating agent 26. In the preferred embodiment the foaming agent 24 and concrete pump lubricating agent 26 combine to form the foam concentrate in a foam concentrate reservoir 22. The foam concentrate is provided with sufficient water to form a foam solution for proper operation of the foam generator 20. Alternatively, and without departing from the scope of the invention, it is contemplated that water 29 be supplied as an inlet to the foam generator 20 as shown on FIG. 1 or alternatively as an input (not shown) to the foam concentrate reservoir 22 or combined (not shown) with the foam concentrate 27 between the reservoir 22 and the foam generator 20 to provide input of the foam concentrate into the foam generator as a foam solution. Similarly, the foam generator 20 may provide separate inputs (not shown) for the foaming agent 24 and the concrete pump lubricating agent 26 without departing from the scope of the invention. All such configurations for providing for inputs of air, water, foaming agent, and concrete pump lubricating agent for operation of a foam generator 20 known in the art are contemplated for the method of the present invention.
The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a method of priming a concrete pump comprising the step of introducing a foam 30 into the placing system 14, wherein the foam contains a foaming agent 24 and a system lubricating agent 26. The foam 30 is generated using the foam generator 20 and introduced into the placing system 14 through a foam priming port 16. The method further comprises the step of stopping the introduction of foam 30 after the concrete placing system 14 has been filled with foam 30, as generally shown in FIG. 2, or alternatively, when the concrete placing system 14 has been at least partially filled with foam 30, as generally shown in FIG. 3.
The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a method of priming a concrete placing system 14 having a foam priming port 16 comprising the steps of connecting an outlet 20a of a foam generator to an inlet of a foam priming port 16b; operating the foam generator 20 to generate a foam 30 having a system lubricating agent 26; and filling the placing system 14 with foam 30 through the foam priming port 16. The method further comprises the step of closing the foam priming port 16 utilizing a foam priming port shut-off valve 16a or other isolation means well known in the art after the placing system 14 has been filled with foam 30, or alternatively, when the placing system 14 has been at least partially filled with foam 30. The shut-off valve 16a may be manually operated or provided with means for automatically operating the shut-off valve 16 wherein the method further comprises the step of either manually or automatically closing the shut-off valve. The method of the present invention may also provide a step of cleaning the foam priming port 16 during or after use of the concrete delivery system 14. This cleaning step allows for the priming port 16 to be readily reused and may be accomplished either manually or utilizing automatic means such as the operation of an automatic self cleaning mechanism (electromechanical, air actuated, spring loaded, etc.) as known in the art.
It is to be understood that the form of the invention shown is a preferred embodiment thereof and that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope as defined in the following claims.
Patent Application
20070294973
