The present disclosure relates generally to trenches for delivering service supplies.
Underground services can be either direct buried in a duct or, more commonly, housed within a trench to provide protection, easy access, and provision for future state upgrades. The trenches must have sufficient strength and stiffness to not break under pressures applied thereto, e.g., by conduits and surrounding substrate therein; from above ground by vehicle wheels, by pavement, and/or by other force providers; etc. However, it is difficult to consistently and cost effectively manufacture trenches with sufficient strength and stiffness.
Additionally, multiple trenches are typically fit together to extend between a source of service supply to a user format. One example of a service supply, a source of the service supply, and a user format is fuel, an underground fuel reservoir, and a fuel dispenser. Different paths are usually needed in different locations to account for different site conditions, different underground conditions, etc. Consistently manufacturing trenches may help ensure that trenches can be securely fixed together, but it is difficult to consistently manufacture trenches using current trench manufacturing techniques.
Accordingly, there remains a need for improved trenches for delivering service supplies.
In general, devices, systems, and methods for trenches for delivering service supplies are provided.
In one aspect, an apparatus for delivering a service supply is provided that in one implementation includes a trench configured to be buried underground to allow a service supply to pass therethrough from a source of the service supply to a point of end use. The trench includes a base, first and second sides extending upwardly from the base, the first and second sides being opposed to one another, first and second longitudinal beams on a bottom side of the base, a plurality of transverse beams on the bottom side of the base that extend transverse to the pair of longitudinal beams, a plurality of first side beams that extend upwardly from the base on an outer side of the first side, a plurality of second side beams that extend upwardly from the base on an outer side of the second side, a first top beam extending longitudinally along a top of the first side, and a second top beam extending longitudinally along a top of the second side. Foam is surrounded by fiberglass within each of the first and second longitudinal beams, the plurality of transverse beams, the plurality of first side beams, the plurality of second side beams, the first top beam, and the second top beam.
The apparatus can vary in any number of ways. For example, the first and second longitudinal beams, the plurality of transverse beams, the plurality of first side beams, the plurality of second side beams, the first top beam, and the second top beam can be interconnected. Further, the plurality of first side beams can be directly connected to the foam of the first top beam, the foam of the plurality of first second beams can be directly connected to the foam of the second top beam, the foam of the first and second side beams can be directly connected to the foam of the plurality of transverse beams, and the foam of the plurality of transverse beams can be directly connected to the foam of the first and second longitudinal beams. Further, the foam can be polyurethane.
For another example, the fiberglass can have a varying thickness.
For yet another example, the plurality of transverse beams can extend substantially perpendicular to the first and second longitudinal beams and the first and second top beams.
For still another example, the trench can have first and second opposed ends each being substantially U-shaped. Further, the first end of the trench can be configured to be fixedly attached to a third end of a second trench via a lap joint, and the second end of the trench can be configured to be fixedly attached to a fourth end of a third trench via a lap joint.
For another example, the foam can be polyurethane.
For yet another example, the service supply can be fuel, the source of the service supply can be an underground reservoir, and the point of end use can be a fuel dispenser.
For another example, the service supply can be power, the source of the service supply can be a power source, and the point of end use can be a device configured to be powered using the power.
For yet another example, the service supply can be data, the source of the service supply can be a first computer system, and the point of end use can be a second computer system configured to store the data in a memory, process the data using a processor, and/or display the data on a display screen.
In another implementation, an apparatus for delivering a service supply includes a trench manufactured using a method of manufacturing a trench for delivering a service supply that includes positioning a plurality of foam beams wrapped with fiberglass into a female mold tool, wrapping a male mold tool with at least one fiberglass layer, and mating together the female mold tool, having the foam beams positioned therein, and the male mold tool, being wrapped with the fiberglass layer, to form a closed mold environment. The method also includes injecting a fiberglass resin into the closed mold environment so as to form a trench configured to be buried underground to allow a service supply to pass therethrough from a source of the service supply to a point of end use.
The apparatus can have any number of variations. For example, the trench can include a base, the trench can include first and second sides extending upwardly from the base, the first and second sides can be opposed to one another, the trench can include the plurality of foam beams, and the plurality of foam beams can include first and second longitudinal beams on a bottom side of the base, a plurality of transverse beams on the bottom side of the base that extend transverse to the pair of longitudinal beams, a plurality of first side beams that extend upwardly from the base on an outer side of the first side, a plurality of second side beams that extend upwardly from the base on an outer side of the second side, a first top beam extending longitudinally along a top of the first side, and a second top beam extending longitudinally along a top of the second side.
For another example, the foam can be polyurethane.
For yet another example, the service supply can be fuel, the source of the service supply can be an underground reservoir, and the point of end use can be a fuel dispenser.
For another example, the service supply can be power, the source of the service supply can be a power source, and the point of end use can be a device configured to be powered using the power.
For yet another example, the service supply can be data, the source of the service supply can be a first computer system, and the point of end use can be a second computer system configured to store the data in a memory, process the data using a processor, and/or display the data on a display screen.
In another aspect, a method of manufacturing a trench for delivering a service supply is provided that in one implementation includes forming an apparatus in a closed mold environment in which a fiberglass resin is injected between a female mold tool and a male mold tool. The apparatus includes a trench configured to be buried underground to allow a service supply to pass therethrough from a source of the service supply to a point of end use. The trench includes a base, first and second sides extending upwardly from the base, the first and second sides being opposed to one another, first and second longitudinal beams on a bottom side of the base, a plurality of transverse beams on the bottom side of the base that extend transverse to the pair of longitudinal beams, a plurality of first side beams that extend upwardly from the base on an outer side of the first side, a plurality of second side beams that extend upwardly from the base on an outer side of the second side, a first top beam extending longitudinally along a top of the first side, and a second top beam extending longitudinally along a top of the second side. Foam is surrounded by fiberglass within each of the first and second longitudinal beams, the plurality of transverse beams, the plurality of first side beams, the plurality of second side beams, the first top beam, and the second top beam.
The method can vary in any number of ways. For example, the foam can be located between the female and male mold tools prior to the injection. Further, the foam can be polyurethane.
For another example, the first and second longitudinal beams, the plurality of transverse beams, the plurality of first side beams, the plurality of second side beams, the first top beam, and the second top beam can be interconnected. Further, the plurality of first side beams can be directly connected to the foam of the first top beam, the foam of the plurality of first second beams can be directly connected to the foam of the second top beam, the foam of the first and second side beams can be directly connected to the foam of the plurality of transverse beams, and the foam of the plurality of transverse beams can be directly connected to the foam of the first and second longitudinal beams. Further, the foam can be polyurethane.
For yet another example, the fiberglass can have a varying thickness.
For another example, the plurality of transverse beams can extend substantially perpendicular to the first and second longitudinal beams and the first and second top beams.
For still another example, the trench can have first and second opposed ends each being substantially U-shaped. Further, the first end of the trench can be configured to be fixedly attached to a third end of a second trench via a lap joint, and the second end of the trench can be configured to be fixedly attached to a fourth end of a third trench via a lap joint. For another example, the foam can be polyurethane.
For yet another example, the service supply can be fuel, the source of the service supply can be an underground reservoir, and the point of end use can be a fuel dispenser.
For another example, the service supply can be power, the source of the service supply can be a power source, and the point of end use can be a device configured to be powered using the power.
For yet another example, the service supply can be data, the source of the service supply can be a first computer system, and the point of end use can be a second computer system configured to store the data in a memory, process the data using a processor, and/or display the data on a display screen.
In another implementation, a method of manufacturing a trench for delivering a service supply, includes positioning a plurality of foam beams wrapped with fiberglass into a female mold tool, wrapping a male mold tool with at least one fiberglass layer, and mating together the female mold tool, having the foam beams positioned therein, and the male mold tool, being wrapped with the fiberglass layer, to form a closed mold environment. The method also includes injecting a fiberglass resin into the closed mold environment so as to form a trench configured to be buried underground to allow a service supply to pass therethrough from a source of the service supply to a point of end use.
The method can have any number of variations. For example, the method can also include wrapping the foam beams with the fiberglass, the fiberglass can include at least one woven fiberglass panel, and the at least one fiberglass layer can include at least one woven fiberglass panel.
For another example, the foam can be polyurethane.
For yet another example, the plurality of foam beams can be interconnected.
For still another example, the trench can include a base, the trench can include first and second sides extending upwardly from the base, the first and second sides can be opposed to one another, the trench can include the plurality of foam beams, and the plurality of foam beams can include first and second longitudinal beams on a bottom side of the base, a plurality of transverse beams on the bottom side of the base that extend transverse to the pair of longitudinal beams, a plurality of first side beams that extend upwardly from the base on an outer side of the first side, a plurality of second side beams that extend upwardly from the base on an outer side of the second side, a first top beam extending longitudinally along a top of the first side, and a second top beam extending longitudinally along a top of the second side. Further, the first and second longitudinal beams, the plurality of transverse beams, the plurality of first side beams, the plurality of second side beams, the first top beam, and the second top beam can be interconnected. Further, the foam of the plurality of first side beams can be directly connected to the foam of the first top beam, the foam of the plurality of first second beams can be directly connected to the foam of the second top beam, the foam of the first and second side beams can be directly connected to the foam of the plurality of transverse beams, and the foam of the plurality of transverse beams can be directly connected to the foam of the first and second longitudinal beams. Further, the foam can be polyurethane.
For yet another example, the service supply can be fuel, the source of the service supply can be an underground reservoir, and the point of end use can be a fuel dispenser.
For another example, the service supply can be power, the source of the service supply can be a power source, and the point of end use can be a device configured to be powered using the power.
For yet another example, the service supply can be data, the source of the service supply can be a first computer system, and the point of end use can be a second computer system configured to store the data in a memory, process the data using a processor, and/or display the data on a display screen.
The embodiments described above will be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing. In the drawings:
Certain exemplary embodiments will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture, and use of the devices, systems, and methods disclosed herein. One or more examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Further, in the present disclosure, like-named components of the embodiments generally have similar features, and thus within a particular embodiment each feature of each like-named component is not necessarily fully elaborated upon. Additionally, to the extent that linear or circular dimensions are used in the description of the disclosed systems, devices, and methods, such dimensions are not intended to limit the types of shapes that can be used in conjunction with such systems, devices, and methods. A person skilled in the art will recognize that an equivalent to such linear and circular dimensions can easily be determined for any geometric shape. Sizes and shapes of the systems and devices, and the components thereof, can depend at least on the dimensions of the subject in which the systems and devices will be used, the size and shape of components with which the systems and devices will be used, and the methods with which the systems and devices will be used.
Various exemplary devices, systems, and methods for trenches for delivering service supplies are provided. In general, a trench, which may also be referred to as a “trough,” is configured to be located underground and “house” pipes or other conduits therein through which a service supply is configured to be provided from a source of the service supply to a point of end use. Examples of a service supply include power, data, and fuel. The point of end use can be a user terminal configured to allow a user to access the service supply. In one example, the service supply is fuel and the user terminal is a fuel dispenser.
In an exemplary implementation, the trench includes a plurality of interconnected support beams. The beams are configured to provide strength and stiffness to the trench and to allow load applied to the trench to be distributed and eliminate trench settlement. The strength and stiffness provided by the beams may allow impact to be absorbed from above-ground forces (such as forces from vehicular wheels, etc.), may maintain alignment of the trench and avoid twisting, and may overcome imposed hydrostatic and backfill (angle of repose) media loads from compaction. The trench is a composite trench formed of different materials. Being formed of different materials may allow the trench to be manufactured consistently and cost effectively and to have sufficient strength and stiffness to not break under pressures applied thereto, e.g., by the conduits and the service supplies passing therethrough; from above ground by vehicle wheels, by pavement, and/or by other force providers; etc. In an exemplary implementation, the composite trench is formed of a fiberglass shell and foam beams interconnected together and surrounded by fiberglass.
In an exemplary implementation, a composite trench including a plurality of interconnected support beams is configured to be manufactured using a transfer molding process in which a casting material (e.g., a fiberglass resin) is forced into a closed mold environment. A vacuum is also applied to evacuate any entrapped air from the closed mold environment, help close the female and mole tools tightly, and help encourage flow of the casting material. The closed mold environment is formed from a male mold tool and a female mold tool configured to mate with the male molding tool. The female mold tool includes a plurality of recesses configured to receive individual beams therein. The transfer molding process may allow for predictable and consistent wall thickness of the trench, which may help ensure that the trench has improved strength and stiffness over trenches manufactured using current techniques and may facilitate connection of trenches together since walls of adjacent trenches will match in thickness.
As mentioned above, in an exemplary implementation, each of the beams is formed of foam. In an exemplary implementation of the manufacturing process, the individual foam beams are wrapped in fiberglass prior to be positioned in their respective recesses of the female mold tool. The fiberglass wrapping may provide reinforcement to effectively transfer and dissipate imposed loads and thereby improve strength and stiffness of the manufactured trench. Fiberglass is also configured to be layered in the male mold tool, prior to mating with the female mold tool, which may also provide reinforcement to effectively transfer and dissipate imposed loads and thereby improve strength and stiffness of the manufactured trench. In an exemplary implementation, the fiberglass wrapped around the individual beams and layered in the male mold tool are woven sheets or panels of fiberglass.
Other types of manufacturing techniques cannot result in a trench with as much strength and stiffness as trenches manufactured using the techniques described herein. For example, in a spray lamination technique, fiberglass is pulled into a machine, chopped into small pieces, and the small pieces are sprayed by hand onto a mold simultaneously with resin. Small pieces of fiberglass are less strong than woven sheets or panels of fiberglass. Additionally, it is difficult to control an amount of fiberglass and resin that is being sprayed such that different trenches are different from one another in amount of fiberglass and resin such that different trenches have different strength and stiffness, different wall thicknesses, and may not connect together securely.
For another example, in a hand-lay technique, fiberglass is placed onto a mold, and then resin is applied by hand onto the mold using a roller or other application tool. The fiberglass can be woven sheets or panels of fiberglass, but in the hand-lay technique, it is difficult to control an amount of resin that is being applied to the fiberglass such that different trenches are different from one another in amount of resin such that different trenches have different strength and stiffness, different wall thicknesses, and may not connect together securely. Additionally, as resin is applied to a surface of the fiberglass on the mold, the resin wets the fiberglass. However, with hand-laying there is a high probability that dry areas of the fiberglass will be present, e.g., because resin is not applied sufficiently and consistently over the entire fiberglass surface. The dry areas of the fiberglass create weakness in the resulting trench structure.
For both a spray lamination technique and a hand-lay technique, quality and structure of the resulting trench relies on the ability and concentration of the particular operator performing the spraying or hand-laying such that different trenches made by different operators will very likely not be consistent with one another. Even trenches made by a same operator at different times will likely not be consistent with one another.
In one example, the service supply is power, the source of the service supply is a generator or other power source, and the point of end use is a device configured to be powered using the power.
In another example, the service supply is data, the source of the service supply is a server or other computer system, and the point of end use is a client computer system configured to store the data in a memory, process the data using a microcontroller or other processor, and/or display the data on a touchscreen or other display screen.
In yet another example, the service supply is fuel, the source of the service supply is an underground fuel reservoir, and the point of end use is a fuel dispenser. A fuel reservoir is also referred to herein as a “reservoir” or “storage tank.”
The pump compartment 114 of the fuel dispenser 110 can, as in this illustrated implementation, have therein a pump 126 configured to pump fuel from a reservoir (e.g., the point of end use 104 of
A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the fuel dispensers 110, 130 of
Referring again to
A channel 18 is defined above the base 12 and between the first and second sides 14, 16. The channel 18 is configured to receive therein at least one pipe and/or other conduit configured to provide a service supply. The channel 18 is open at its front (facing outward of the page in the view of
The base 12 defines a bottom of the trench 10. The trench 10 is configured to be buried underground with the base 12 being horizontally-oriented and downwardly-located such that the top of the channel 18 faces upward, e.g., toward a ground surface.
The trench 10 is substantially linear in this illustrated implementation with the front and rear of the channel 18 being aligned along a longitudinal axis of the channel 18, which also defines a longitudinal axis of the trench 10. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that extension may not be precisely linear but nevertheless be considered substantially linear due to any number of factors, such as manufacturing tolerances and sensitivity of measurement equipment. In other implementations, the trench 10 can have another shape, such as L-shaped in which a trench channel's front and rear are arranged at about 90 degrees with respect to one another. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that an angle may not be at a precise value but nevertheless be considered about at that value due to any number of factors, such as manufacturing tolerances and sensitivity of measurement equipment. Trenches having different shapes may facilitate positioning of trenches underground to form a desired path between a source and a point of end use.
The trench 10 includes a plurality of interconnected beams (also referred to herein as “support beams”). As shown in
The plurality of longitudinal beams 20 are configured to provide base 12 stability, structural support, and a greater base 12 surface area to dissipate the load and eliminate trench 10 settlement. The plurality of longitudinal beams 20 extend substantially parallel to one another. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that elements may not be precisely parallel but nevertheless be considered substantially parallel due to any number of factors, such as manufacturing tolerances and sensitivity of measurement equipment. The plurality of longitudinal beams 20 in this illustrated implementation includes two longitudinal beams 20, although another plural number is possible. The longitudinal beams 20 in this illustrated implementation are offset laterally with a first one of the longitudinal beams 20 extending near the first side 14 of the trench 10 and a second one of the longitudinal beams 20 extending near the second side 16 of the trench 10.
Each of the plurality of transverse beams 22 intersects at a transverse angle each of the plurality of longitudinal beams 20 on the bottom side 12b of the base 12. The transverse angle is about 90 degrees in this illustrated implementation such that the plurality of transverse beams 22 are substantially perpendicular to the plurality of longitudinal beams 20. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that elements may not be precisely perpendicular but nevertheless be considered substantially perpendicular due to any number of factors, such as manufacturing tolerances and sensitivity of measurement equipment. In an exemplary implementation, the plurality of transverse beams 22 are spaced substantially equidistantly from one another. Additionally, the plurality of transverse beams 22 connect the plurality of first side beams 24 and the plurality of second side beams 26 on the sides 14, 16 of the trench 10. Each one of the plurality of transverse beams 22 is associated with one of the plurality of first side beams 24 and one of the plurality of second side beams 26. The trench 10 thus includes an equal number of transverse beams 22, first side beams 24, and second side beams 26. In this illustrated implementation, the trench 10 includes four each of transverse beams 22, first side beams 24, and second side beams 26, although a different plural number is possible. For example, a trench having less longitudinal length than the illustrated trench 10 may include fewer than four transverse beams, first side beams, and second side beams, and a trench having greater longitudinal length than the illustrated trench 10 may include more than four transverse beams. The plurality of transverse beams 22 being interconnected with the plurality of longitudinal beams 20, the plurality of first side beams 24, and the plurality of second side beams 26 is configured to give structural support and provide a greater surface area to dissipate the load and eliminate trench 10 settlement.
The plurality of first side beams 24 and the plurality of second side beams 26 define ribs on outer surfaces of their respective sides 14, 16 of the trench 10. The plurality of first side beams 24 and the plurality of second side beams 26 are configured to give strength and stiffness to the trench shell 32 to overcome imposed hydrostatic and backfill (angle of repose) media loads from compaction. In an exemplary implementation, the plurality of first side beams 24 are spaced substantially equidistantly from one another and the plurality of second side beams 26 are spaced substantially equidistantly from one another.
The first top beam 28 and second top beam 30 extends along a top of the first and second sides 14, 16 of the trench 10, respectively. Since the trench 10 is substantially linear in this illustrated implementation, each of the first and second side beams 24, 26 extends longitudinally and substantially parallel to the plurality of longitudinal beams 20. Each of the first and second top beams 28, 30 is connected to the first and second side beams 24, 26. The first and second top beams 28, 30 are configured to give strength and stiffness to a vertical wall of respective first and second rebates 34 of the trench 10, to absorb impact from above-ground forces (such as forces from vehicular wheels, etc.), and to maintain alignment of the trench 10 and avoid twisting. The first and second top beams 28, 30 experience most of the above-ground forces applied to the trench 10 from vehicle wheels (with the trench cover experiencing most of the load applied from the vehicle itself), so the trench 10 including the first and second top beams 28, 30 may particularly help the trench 10 impact from vehicular wheels as a vehicle drives over the trench 10 buried underground.
The first and second rebates 34 extend longitudinally and are located on inner sides of the first and second sides 14, 16 of the trench 10, respectively. Each of the first and second rebates 34 has a substantially L-shaped cross-sectional shape. The vertical walls of the first and second rebates 34 abut their respective associated ones of the first and second top beams 28, 30, as mentioned above. Horizontal walls of the first and second rebates 34 abut respective top first and second sides of the trench shell 32.
The first and second rebates 34 are configured to engage a trench cover (not shown in
A rim at a front end of the trench shell 10 defines a first ship lap (also referred to herein as a “lap joint”) 36, and a rim at a rear end of the trench shell 10 defines a second ship lap (obscured in
The first and second ship laps 36 are configured to facilitate connection of the trench 10 to a first additional trench at the front end of the trench 10 at the first lap joint 36 and to a second additional trench at the rear end of the trench 10 at the second lap joint. The first and second additional trenches can generally be configured similar to the trench 10 of
The plurality of longitudinal beams 20, the plurality of transverse beams 22, the plurality of first side beams 24, the plurality of second side beams 26, the first top beam 28, and the second top beam 30 are interconnected due to each of the beams being directly connected to at least one other type of beam. As discussed above, the plurality of longitudinal beams 20 are directly connected to the plurality of transverse beams 22, the plurality of transverse beams 22 are directly connected to the first and second side beams 24, 26, the first side beams 24 are directly connected to the first top beam 28, and the second side beams 26 are directly connected to the second top beam 30.
In an exemplary implementation, each of the interconnected support beams 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 is formed of a foam encapsulated by fiberglass. In an exemplary implementation, the foam is polyurethane (PU).
The trench 10 of
As mentioned above, in an exemplary implementation, trenches described herein are configured to be manufactured using a transfer molding process in which a casting material (e.g., a fiberglass resin) is forced into a closed mold environment.
The method 300 includes wrapping 302 each individual foam beam with fiberglass material. As mentioned above, in an exemplary implementation, the foam is polyurethane. The fiberglass material is configured to provide reinforcement to effectively transfer and dissipate imposed loads and thereby improve strength and stiffness of the manufactured trench 10. In an exemplary implementation, the fiberglass material is a woven sheet or panel of fiberglass.
The individual foam beams that are wrapped 302 are the beams that will form cores of the trench's interconnected support beams, e.g., the plurality of longitudinal beams 20, the plurality of transverse beams 22, the first and second side beams 24, 26, the first top beam 28, and the second top beam 30 of the trench 10 of
The method 300 also includes positioning 304 each of the wrapped foam beams in a female mold tool. The wrapped foam beams can be positioned 304 in the female mold tool in any order. The female mold tool has a plurality of recesses formed therein that are configured to seat the wrapped foam beams therein.
The recesses in the female mold tool have a size and shape corresponding to the size and shape of the wrapped foam beams configured to be seated therein. The wrapped foam beams will thus snugly fit within their respective recesses. However, in some implementations, a resin soluble adhesive is used to help hold the wrapped foam beams in place in the female mold tool during a remainder of the method 300.
In some implementations, the wrapped foam beams begin being positioned 304 in the female mold tool after all of the foam beams that will be used in manufacturing the trench 10 have been wrapped 302. In other implementations, at least one of the wrapped foam beams is positioned 304 in the female mold tool before a remainder of the foam beams that will be used in manufacturing the trench 10 have been wrapped 302.
The method 300 also includes layering 306 a male mold tool with fiberglass material. In an exemplary implementation, the fiberglass material is a woven sheet or panel of fiberglass. In an exemplary implementations, multiple layers of fiberglass material are applied to the male mold tool.
The method 300 also includes mating 308 the female mold tool and the male mold tool to form a closed mold environment. The mating 308 does not occur until the male mold tool has been layered 306 with fiberglass material and the wrapped foam beams have been positioned 304 in the female mold tool. In an exemplary implementation, the female mold tool is positioned above the male mold tool. The technique used to mate 308 the female mold tool and the male mold tool can vary based on a setup of the manufacturing environment. In one implementation, the male mold tool can be positioned on a manufacturing table or other surface, and the female mold tool can be lowered onto the male mold tool by hand and/or by machine. The female mold tool will thus be positioned above the male mold tool.
Gravity may be sufficient to mate 308 the female mold tool and the male mold tool together. However, the female and male mold tool can be clamped together to more closely mate 308 together the female mold tool and the male mold tool.
With the female and male mold tools mated 308 together to form a closed mold environment, a vacuum is created 310 in the closed mold environment. The vacuum is configured to evacuate any entrapped air from the closed mold environment and help close the female and mole tools tightly. In an exemplary implementation, the vacuum
As shown for example in the implementation of
The method 300 also includes injecting 312 a casting material (e.g., resin as shown in
As shown for example in the implementation of
As also shown for example in the implementation of
As in the illustrated implementation of
One skilled in the art will appreciate further features and advantages of the devices, systems, and methods based on the above-described embodiments. Accordingly, this disclosure is not to be limited by what has been particularly shown and described, except as indicated by the appended claims. All publications and references cited herein are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.
Those skilled in the art will understand that the systems, devices and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments and that the scope of the present invention is defined solely by the claims. The features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with the features of other embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.
The present disclosure has been described above by way of example only within the context of the overall disclosure provided herein. It will be appreciated that modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims may be made without departing from the overall scope of the present disclosure.