Rainfall system
The pluviation system addresses non-uniform particle distribution by using butterfly flaps and synchronized gear mechanisms to achieve homogeneous grain deposition, enhancing structural uniformity and control over material properties.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- CENT NAT DE LA RECH SCI (C N R S)
- Filing Date
- 2024-07-31
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-19
AI Technical Summary
Existing pluviation systems fail to achieve uniform distribution of soil particles with homogeneous density and microstructure, leading to non-homogeneous deposits and unsuitable conditions for soil mechanics studies, and lack precise control over the quantity of granular material deposited.
A pluviation system with butterfly flaps and a synchronized gear mechanism that controls the opening and closing of perforations, ensuring uniform grain deposition by simultaneously rotating butterfly flaps to open and close the perforations, allowing for homogeneous density and microstructure throughout the thickness.
Ensures homogeneous grain deposition with controlled mechanical, thermal, and acoustic properties, facilitating the production of structurally uniform materials suitable for laboratory tests and large-scale structures.
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Rainfall system Technical field of the invention
[0001] The invention relates to the study of soil mechanics under simulated ground conditions. In particular, the invention concerns a pluviation system for preparing a soil sample for a percolation study. The pluviation system can also be used to produce building elements such as beams or slabs. Prior art
[0002] In the study of soil mechanics under simulated field conditions, when a small-scale soil model is constructed, it is essential that the soil particles are placed uniformly, allowing for a precisely and consistently controlled soil layer density.
[0003] US patent 6,109,486 discloses a pluviation system comprising a supply container and a receiving container disposed below the supply container. The supply container includes a horizontal fixed plate and a horizontal sliding plate. The fixed plate forms the bottom of the container and has regularly spaced perforations. The sliding plate is disposed below the fixed plate and in sliding contact with it. The sliding plate has perforations corresponding to the perforations of the fixed plate in terms of spacing and orientation. In the "open" position, the perforations of the two plates are aligned, and in the "closed" position, the perforations of one plate are blocked by the sliding plate.
[0004] However, this pluviation system presents numerous problems. Indeed, the grains remain trapped between the plates, causing friction between them. This friction prevents the perforations from opening and closing quickly. Consequently, during the opening and closing of the plates, non-vertical columns of granular material are generated, resulting in deposits of granular material that are not homogeneous in thickness. Thus, this pluviation system does not allow for the uniform distribution of particles with a homogeneous density. Furthermore, this pluviation system does not allow for precise control of the quantity of granular material to be deposited. As a result, the resulting deposit is often unsuitable for the intended conditions. Presentation of the invention
[0005] The first object of the present invention is to propose a pluviation system enabling a more homogeneous deposition of granular material.
[0006] A second object of the present invention is to propose a pluviation system having a homogeneous density and microstructure throughout the thickness from the opening of the perforations until their closure.
[0007] A third object of the present invention is to propose a faster pluviation system. Summary of the invention
[0008] The present invention relates to a rainfall system comprising: - a tank comprising four side walls, - a perforated plate arranged under the tank, the perforated plate comprising perforations regularly spaced from each other, - a receptacle arranged below the perforated plate, the receptacle having four side walls and a bottom; characterized in that it comprises two butterfly flaps carried by two opposite lateral walls of the receptacle, each butterfly flap being mounted pivotally about an axis relative to the receptacle between a position of closing the perforations and a position of opening the perforations; in the position of closing the perforations, the two butterfly flaps are arranged in the same horizontal plane and close the perforations of the perforated plate; in the position of opening the perforations, each butterfly flap extends along a lateral wall of the receptacle.
[0009] The features described in the following paragraphs may optionally be implemented. They may be implemented independently of each other or in combination with each other: - The system includes a drive device capable of driving the butterfly flaps in rotation simultaneously and at the same speed. - The drive device comprises a first toothed sector and a second toothed sector having an identical diameter, the first and second toothed sectors comprising teeth having a pitch, the pitch of the teeth of the first toothed sector being identical to the pitch of the teeth of the second toothed sector; each toothed sector being fixed to an axis of a flap, and in which the toothed sectors cooperate with each other to drive the butterfly flaps simultaneously.
[0010] - The receptacle comprises at least one upper part made of metal, and in in which the flaps and the drive device are carried by said upper part of the receptacle. - The pluviation system includes at least one tension spring designed to act between a circular end of the first toothed sector and a circular end of the second toothed sector to push the butterfly flaps into the position of closing the perforations. Advantageously, the tension spring allows the closing speed of the shutters to be accelerated. The rainfall system also includes a grid attached to the receptacle below the perforated plate. The opposite side walls of the receptacle carrying the butterfly flaps each include a recess suitable for housing the butterfly flaps, when the butterfly flaps are in the opening position of the perforations. Advantageously, the flaps do not impede the uniform flow of grains. The perforations of the perforated plate have a first diameter, and in which the rainfall system further comprises an additional perforated plate having perforations with a diameter greater than at least 20% of the diameter of the perforations of the perforated plate. The receptacle has a height greater than 4.5 times the average between the width dimension of the perforated plate and the length dimension of the perforated plate. The receptacle has a height exceeding 100 times the diameter of the perforations. The receptacle includes a lower part made of a transparent plastic material. Advantageously, the granular material deposit can be viewed through the four lateral faces of the receptacle. The tank is made of a transparent plastic material.
[0011] The reservoir is intended to contain a granular material, and the diameter of the perforations is between 5 times and 19 times the diameter of the grains of the granular material contained in the reservoir. Brief description of the figures
[0012] [Fig-1] is a perspective view of a pluviation system according to the invention;
[0013] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of part of the rainfall system illustrated on the [Fig.l] in a position of obturating the perforations;
[0014] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of part of the rainfall system illustrated on the [Fig.1] in a half-open position;
[0015] [Fig.4] a perspective view of part of the rainfall system illustrated on the [Fig.l] in a position of opening the perforations;
[0016] [Fig.5] is a schematic top view of a grid of the pluviation system;
[0017] [Fig.6] is a perspective view of a perforated plate of the pluviation system;
[0018] [Fig.7] is a perspective view of an additional perforated plate of the system of rainfall. Detailed description of the invention
[0019] The pluviation system 2 according to the invention can be used for the design and / or manufacture of small structural elements, primarily porous and made of granular material. It ensures perfect homogeneity of the material. The microstructure is controlled. This pluviation system 2 allows for the control of mechanical, thermal, diffusivity, and acoustic properties. This pluviation system 2 can be replicated in strips to manufacture large elements.
[0020] With reference to [Fig. 1], the pluviation system 2 comprises a reservoir 4, a perforated plate 6 arranged under the reservoir 4 and a receptacle 8 disposed below the perforated plate.
[0021] The reservoir 4 is intended to contain a granular material to be deposited in a layer. The reservoir 4 comprises four side walls 10, 12, 14, 16 assembled together to form a quadrilateral. The reservoir 4 is open on its upper and lower faces. Two opposing side walls 10, 12 of the reservoir rest on and are fixed to an upper edge 11 of the receptacle 8. The lower edge of the other two side walls 14, 16 is positioned at a distance from the upper edge 11 of the receptacle so as to form a slot 13. The slots 13 are arranged between the two opposing side walls 14, 16 of the reservoir and the upper edge 11 of the receptacle. The slots 13 are traversed by the perforated plate 6. The slots 13 have a height corresponding to the thickness of the perforated plate 6.
[0022] Preferably, the side walls of the tank 4 are made of a transparent plastic material. For example, the side walls of the tank 4 are made of plexiglass sheets.
[0023] The perforated plate 6 is for example fixed to the receptacle 8. The perforated plate 6 forms the bottom of the reservoir.
[0024] Alternatively, the perforated plate 6 is fixed to the tank 4.
[0025] In the embodiment illustrated by way of example, the perforated plate 6 has a general rectangular shape, as seen in [Fig. 6]. It extends along a longitudinal direction X and a transverse direction Y.
[0026] Preferably, the perforated plate 6 has at least one inclined edge 18. The inclined edge 18 is provided with a hole 20 intended to receive a screw which will be screwed into a side wall of the receptacle.
[0027] The perforated plate 6 comprises regularly spaced perforations 22. In the embodiment illustrated by way of example, the perforations 22 are regularly spaced along the longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y. The perforations 22 are arranged here to form a grid.
[0028] The receptacle 8 is arranged below the perforated plate 6. The receptacle comprises four side walls 24, 26, 28, 30 and a bottom 32.
[0029] The receptacle extends in continuity with the reservoir. In particular, the receptacle 8 comprises a cross-section along a horizontal plane substantially of the same area as the cross-section of the reservoir along a horizontal plane.
[0030] The receptacle 8 forms a column. In particular, the receptacle 8 has a height greater than 4.5 times the average between the width dimension of the perforated plate 6 and the length dimension of the perforated plate.
[0031] In other words, the receptacle 8 has a height greater than 100 times the diameter of the perforations.
[0032] Advantageously, this large drop height makes it possible to increase the drop height of the granular material and thus improve the homogeneity of the deposit.
[0033] In particular, the receptacle 8 comprises an upper part 34 made of metal and a lower part 36 made of a plastic material. The upper part 34 is formed by four metal plates assembled to form a quadrilateral.
[0034] An outer face of the upper part 34 of the receptacle is provided with a threaded hole 38. The inclined edge 18 of the perforation plate is mounted against this outer face. A screw (not shown) is mounted in the hole 20 of the perforation plate and is fixed in the threaded hole 38 to removably attach the grid to the receptacle. With reference to figures 2 to 4, the pluviation system 2 further comprises two flaps 40, 42 carried by two opposing lateral walls 24, 26 of the upper part 34 of the receptacle.
[0035] The flaps 40, 42 are of the butterfly flap type. Consequently, each flap 40, 42 comprises a shutter plate 44 and an axis 46, 47 integral with an edge of the shutter plate.
[0036] In particular, the flaps 40, 42 are mounted pivoting around their axis relative to the receptacle between a position of closing the perforations and a position of opening the perforations.
[0037] In the perforation closure position, the two flaps 40, 42 are arranged in the same horizontal plane and close the perforations. In the perforation opening position, the butterfly flaps, and in particular the closure plates, extend along a wall of the upper part of the receptacle. Preferably, the side walls 24, 26 of the receptacle carrying the flaps each include a recess 58. This recess 58 has a dimension sufficient to accommodate the shutter plate 44 of a flap when the flap is in the opening position of the perforations. Advantageously, butterfly flaps do not impede the uniform flow of grains.
[0038] The lower part 36 of the receptacle is formed by four plates of plastic material, for example plexiglass. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom 32 is open.
[0039] Preferably, the pluviation system 2 includes a drive device 48 capable of driving the flaps 40, 42 in rotation simultaneously and at the same speed.
[0040] Preferably, the drive device 48 may include a gear system. The gear system here comprises a first toothed sector 50 fixed to the shaft 46 of one flap 40 and a second toothed sector 52 fixed to the shaft 47 of the other flap 42. The first toothed sector 50 and the second toothed sector 52 have the same diameter. The first toothed sector 50 and the second toothed sector 52 each have teeth 53 having a pitch. The pitch of the teeth 53 of the first toothed sector is identical to the pitch of the teeth 53 of the second toothed sector. The first toothed sector 50 cooperates with the second toothed sector 52 to drive the flaps 40, 42 simultaneously and at the same speed.
[0041] The drive device 48 may further include an arm (not shown). This arm is fixed to one end of a shutter shaft. This arm can be operated by an operator. Alternatively, this arm may be driven by an actuator. In the latter case, the drive device may further include an eccentric articulated to the arm and an actuator for driving the eccentric. Advantageously, the grain deposition is controlled by the synchronized movement of two butterfly flaps located below the perforated plate. A gear system controlled by an arm ensures synchronized rotation of the butterfly flaps. Thus, once the butterfly flaps are in the open position, the granular material begins to fall, resulting in a homogeneous grain deposition. Then, when the butterfly flaps are in the closed position, the granular material stops falling.
[0042] Finally, the drive device includes at least one tension spring 54 suitable for acting between a circular end 55 of the first toothed sector 50 and a circular end 57 of the second toothed sector 52 to push the flaps 40, 42 into the position of closing the perforations. Advantageously, the tension spring 54 allows the closing speed of the shutters to be accelerated.
[0043] Preferably, the rainfall system 2 may include a grid 56 fixed to the side walls 24, 26 of the upper part of the receptacle. The grid is positioned below the perforated plate 6. The grid 56 has been shown only in [Fig. 5] and schematically.
[0044] Advantageously, this grid makes the rainfall more uniform.
[0045] With reference to [Fig. 7], the pluviation system 2 preferably comprises an additional perforated plate 58, illustrated in [Fig. 7]. The additional perforated plate 58 comprises perforations 60 having a diameter at least 20% larger than the diameter of the perforations 22 of the perforated plate 6. Thus, the user can use either the perforated plate 6 or the perforated plate 58 depending on the diameter of the grains of the granular material to be deposited. Advantageously, the perforated plate 6 can be removed and replaced by the additional perforated plate or by another perforated plate having either a different number of perforations, a different spatial distribution of perforations, or a combination of these. Preferably, the plates have the greatest possible number of perforations with a constant spacing between them. Preferably, the perforated plates 6, 58 do not have a line of perforations at the line where the shutters meet.
[0046] Figures 2 to 4 show a pluviation system in which the front face and the drive mechanism have been removed to facilitate understanding of the invention.
[0047] In [Fig. 2], the butterfly flaps 40, 42 are positioned to close the perforations 22. The butterfly flaps extend horizontally parallel to the perforated plate 6. The ends of the butterfly flaps are adjacent. The granular material is retained in the reservoir 4.
[0048] In [Fig. 4], the arm is pivoted counterclockwise, the first toothed sector 50 is driven to rotate clockwise, and the second toothed sector 52 is driven to rotate counterclockwise. The butterfly flaps 40, 42 pivot around their axis 46, 47 simultaneously and at the same speed, as shown in [Fig. 3]. Then, the butterfly flaps reach the open position. The perforations 22 are all open. The granular material flows into the receptacle 8. The obturator plates 44 of the butterfly flaps are housed in the recesses 58, as shown in [Fig. 4]. To close the butterfly flaps 40, 42, the arm can be released. The tension spring acts on the toothed sectors to quickly bring the butterfly flaps into the closing position and stop the fall of the granular material.
[0049] The control of the triggering and stopping of the rain is achieved by means of the mechanical gear system which allows simultaneous opening / closing of two butterfly flaps which retain the sand in the reservoir 4. The gear mechanism offers several advantages: (i) rapid triggering and stopping of the rain allowing optimization of the quantity of granular material to be poured (ii) a vertical column of granular material from the beginning until the stop of the fall and therefore a homogeneous distribution and (iii) control of the microstructure, porosity and thermal, hydraulic and electrical conductivity of the granular deposit produced.
[0050] The use of this invention is versatile because it is applicable to structures of all sizes. Large structures can be fabricated by replicating this invention in strips. Smaller samples can also be manufactured, for example, for conducting laboratory tests on samples such as biaxial or triaxial cell tests.
[0051] This pluviation system is useful for all types of additive manufacturing of materials based on granular ingredients. It is ideal for the manufacture of multi-layered materials.
Claims
Demands
1. Rainfall system (2) comprising: - a reservoir (4) comprising four side walls (10, 12, 14, 16), - a perforated plate (6) arranged under the reservoir, the perforated plate (6) comprising perforations (22) regularly spaced from each other, - a receptacle (8) arranged below the perforated plate, the receptacle (8) having four side walls (24, 26, 28, 30) and a bottom (32); characterized in that it comprises two butterfly flaps (40, 42) carried by two opposite side walls (24, 26) of the receptacle, each butterfly flap (40, 42) being pivotally mounted about an axis (46, 47) relative to the receptacle between a position of closing the perforations and a position of opening the perforations; in the perforation closure position, the two butterfly flaps (40, 42) are arranged in the same horizontal plane and close the perforations (22) of the perforated plate;in the open position of the perforations, the butterfly flaps (40, 42) extend along two lateral walls (24, 26) of the receptacle.;
2. Rainfall system (2) according to claim 1, which includes a drive device (48) capable of driving the butterfly flaps (40, 42) in rotation simultaneously and at the same speed.
3. Raining system (2) according to claim 2, wherein the drive device (48) comprises a first toothed sector (50) and a second toothed sector (52) having an identical diameter, the first and second toothed sectors comprising teeth (53) having a pitch, the pitch of the teeth (53) of the first toothed sector being identical to the pitch of the teeth (53) of the second toothed sector; each toothed sector (50, 52) being integral with an axis (46, 47) of a flap, and wherein the toothed sectors (50, 52) cooperate with each other to drive the butterfly flaps (40, 42) simultaneously.
4. Rainfall system (2) according to claim 3, wherein the receptacle (8) comprises at least one upper part (34) made of metal, and wherein the flaps (40, 42) and the drive device (48) are carried by said upper part of the receptacle.
5. Raining system (2) according to claim 3, which includes at least one tension spring (54) adapted to act between a circular end (55) of the first toothed sector and a circular end (57) of the second toothed sector to push the butterfly flaps (40, 42) into the position of closing the perforations.
6. Rainfall system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a grid (56) fixed to the receptacle (8) below the perforated plate (6).
7. Rainfall system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the opposite side walls (24, 26) of the receptacle carrying the butterfly flaps each comprise a recess (58) adapted to house the butterfly flaps (40, 42), when the butterfly flaps are in the opening position of the perforations.
8. Rainfall system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the perforations (22) of the perforated plate (6) have a first diameter, and wherein the rainfall system further comprises an additional perforated plate (58) having perforations (60) having a diameter at least 20% larger than the diameter of the perforations (22) of the perforated plate (6).
9. Rainfall system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the receptacle (8) has a height (H) greater than 4.5 times the average between the width dimension of the perforated plate and the length dimension of the perforated plate.
10. Rainfall system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the receptacle (8) has a height (H) greater than 100 times the diameter of the perforations (22).
11. Rainfall system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the receptacle comprises a lower part (36) made of a transparent plastic material.
12. Rainfall system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the reservoir (4) is made of a transparent plastic material.
13. Rainfall system (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the reservoir (4) is intended to contain granular material, and wherein the diameter of the perforations (22) is between 5 times and 19 times the diameter of the grains of the granular material contained in the reservoir (4).