Fixing devices, concrete pumping systems, and concrete pumping methods

Abstract

To provide a fixing device for fixing a flow measurement device to a pressure pumping pipe that can suppress the decrease in the fluidity of fresh concrete in the pumping pipe. [Solution] The fixing device 60 fixes the linear gauge 30, which measures the flow of ready-mix concrete, to the pressure pipe 20. The fixing device 60 comprises a pair of semi-annular semi-rings 61A and 61B arranged on either side of the pressure pipe 20, a connecting member 62 that connects both ends of the pair of semi-rings 61A and 61B, and a base 63 provided on the semi-ring 61B to which the linear gauge 30 is fixed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fixture for fixing a flow measuring device to a pumping pipe, a concrete pumping system using this fixture, and a method for pumping concrete using this concrete pumping system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in order to ensure the fluidity of fresh concrete flowing through a pumping pipe, a vibrator has been attached (see Patent Documents 1 and 2). Patent Document 1 shows a vibration pumping device for fresh concrete in which vibrators are detachably attached at regular intervals to a transport pipe for fresh concrete connected to a concrete pump.

[0003] Patent Document 2 shows a pumping property evaluation system for fresh concrete. This system includes a detection pipe provided in a pumping path (transport pipe, etc.) for fresh concrete, having a load portion that applies a load to the pumping of fresh concrete and a low load portion having a smaller load compared to the load portion. A measuring means is attached to the detection pipe. The force generated when fine aggregate or coarse aggregate contained in fresh concrete contacts the pumping path is measured by the measuring means composed of a sensor, and the pumping performance of fresh concrete and the possibility of blockage occurring in the pumping path are evaluated by an evaluation means.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a fixing device for fixing a flow measuring device to a concrete pumping pipe that can suppress a decrease in the fluidity of fresh concrete in the pumping pipe, a concrete pumping system using this fixing device, and a concrete pumping method using the concrete pumping system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The fixing device of the first invention (for example, the fixing devices 60, 60A described later) is a fixing device for fixing a flow measuring device (for example, the linear gauge 30 described later) for measuring the flow of ready-mix concrete to a cylindrical pumping pipe (for example, the pumping pipe 20 described later) through which ready-mix concrete flows, and is characterized by comprising: a pair of semi-annular semi-rings (for example, the semi-rings 61A, 61B described later) arranged on either side of the pumping pipe; a connecting member (for example, the connecting member 62 described later) connecting at least one end of the pair of semi-rings; and a base (for example, the base 63 described later) provided on at least one of the pair of semi-rings to which the flow measuring device is fixed.

[0007] According to this invention, the flow measurement device is fixed to the base of the fixing device, and in this state, a pair of semi-rings of the fixing device are placed on either side of the pressure piping, and one end of this pair of semi-rings is connected to the other with a connecting member. This allows the flow measurement device to be easily fixed to the pressure piping via the fixing device. Furthermore, by attaching a flow measurement device to the base of this fixture, the flow of ready-mixed concrete circulating within the pumping pipe can be measured, thereby suppressing a decrease in the fluidity of the ready-mixed concrete within the pumping pipe.

[0008] The concrete pumping system of the second invention (for example, concrete pumping system 1 described later) is a concrete pumping system that pumps fresh concrete to a placement location (for example, placement location P described later), comprising: a pump for pumping fresh concrete (for example, pump 10 described later); a pumping pipe (for example, pumping pipe 20 described later) extending from the pump to the placement location and through which fresh concrete flows; a flow measuring device (for example, linear gauge 30 described later) attached to the pumping pipe using the above-described fixing device for measuring the flow of fresh concrete in the pumping pipe; a vibrator (for example, vibrator 40 described later) attached to a predetermined location in the pumping pipe for vibrating the pumping pipe; and a control device (for example, control device 50 described later) for controlling the vibrator, wherein the control device operates the vibrator based on the flow of fresh concrete measured by the flow measuring device.

[0009] According to this invention, a control device was used to activate a vibrator based on the flow of the ready-mixed concrete measured by a flow measuring device. This allows the vibrator to be activated in sync with the flow of ready-mix concrete through the pumping pipe, regardless of the pump's operating status, thereby vibrating the concrete within the pipe and suppressing a decrease in the fluidity of the ready-mix concrete.

[0010] The third invention relates to a concrete pumping method using the concrete pumping system described above, characterized in that the pump pumps fresh concrete into the pumping pipe, and the control device operates a vibrator attached to the pumping pipe based on the flow of the fresh concrete measured by the flow measuring device.

[0011] According to this invention, a control device was used to activate a vibrator based on the flow of the ready-mixed concrete measured by a flow measuring device. This allows the vibrator to be activated in conjunction with the flow of ready-mix concrete through the pumping pipe, regardless of the pump's operating status, thereby vibrating the concrete within the pipe and suppressing a decrease in the fluidity of the ready-mix concrete. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a fixing device, a concrete pumping system, and a concrete pumping method that can suppress the decrease in the fluidity of fresh concrete in a pumping pipe. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a concrete pumping system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the concrete pumping system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a magnified view of the area enclosed by the dashed line A in Figure 2 (fixture and linear gauge). [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of CC. [Figure 5] This is a view from the DD arrow in Figure 3. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of the change in relative displacement of the pumping pipes that make up a concrete pumping system. [Figure 7] This is a magnified view of the area enclosed by the dashed line B in Figure 2 (the vibrator). [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view of EE in Figure 7. [Figure 9] This diagram shows the test conditions (weather conditions and configuration of the concrete pumping piping) for the concrete pumping test. [Figure 10] This diagram shows the test conditions (vibrator placement) for the concrete pumping test. [Figure 11] This figure shows the specifications of the vibrator used in the concrete pumping test. [Figure 12] This is a diagram (part 1) showing the test results of the concrete pumping test. [Figure 13] It is a figure (part 2) showing the test results of the concrete pumping test. [Figure 14] It is a side view of the fixture according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] It is a cross-sectional view taken along the line F-F of FIG. 14. [Figure 16] It is a view seen in the direction of arrow G-G of FIG. 14. [Figure 17] It is a figure showing an example of the change in the vibration speed of the pumping pipe constituting the concrete pumping system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 18] It is a figure showing an example of the change in the internal pressure of the pumping pipe constituting the concrete pumping system according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 19] It is a figure showing an example of the change in the strain of the pumping pipe constituting the concrete pumping system according to the fifth embodiment.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] The present invention relates to a fixture for fixing a flow measurement device to a pumping pipe, a concrete pumping system in which the flow measurement device is attached using this fixture, and a method for pumping concrete using this concrete pumping system. Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. In the description of the following embodiments, the same reference numerals are given to the same constituent elements, and the description thereof is omitted or simplified. 〔First Embodiment〕 FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a concrete pumping system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the concrete pumping system 1. The concrete pumping system 1 pumps ready-mix concrete from a pump 10 to a placement location P. The concrete pumping system 1 includes a pump 10 mounted on a pump truck 11 that pumps ready-mix concrete that has been placed into a hopper 12, a pumping pipe 20 that extends from the pump 10 to the placement location P and through which the ready-mix concrete pumped by the pump 10 flows, a linear gauge 30 attached to the pumping pipe 20 as a flow measuring device that measures the flow of the ready-mix concrete in the pumping pipe 20, a plurality of vibrators 40 attached to predetermined locations in the pumping pipe 20 that vibrate the pumping pipe 20, and a control device 50 that controls the plurality of vibrators 40.

[0015] As shown in Figure 2, the pump truck 11 is located on the first floor and is equipped with a pump 10. The pressurized piping 20 includes a horizontal pipe 21 extending horizontally from the hopper 12 of the pump 10 over the first floor, a bent pipe 22 bending vertically from the horizontal pipe 21, a vertical pipe 23 extending vertically from the bent pipe 22, a bent pipe 24 bending horizontally from the vertical pipe 23, a horizontal pipe 25 extending horizontally from the bent pipe 24 over the floor of the concrete-casting floor, a tapered pipe 26 that narrows towards the end from the horizontal pipe 25, and a tip hose 27 connected to the tapered pipe 26.

[0016] Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the area enclosed by the dashed line A in Figure 2, showing the fixing device 60 and the linear gauge 30. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view CC of Figure 3. Figure 5 is a view along arrow DD of Figure 3. The linear gauge 30 measures the displacement of the pressurized pipe 20 and is fixed to the pressurized pipe 20 by a fixing device 60. The fixing device 60 comprises a pair of semi-annular semi-rings 61A and 61B arranged on either side of the pressure pipe 20, a pair of connecting members 62 that connect both ends of the pair of semi-rings 61A and 61B, and a base 63 provided on the semi-ring 61A to which the linear gauge 30 is fixed. Both ends of the semi-rings 61A and 61B are provided with flanges 64, and through holes 65 are formed in these flanges 64.

[0017] The connecting member 62 comprises a bolt 66 and a nut 67 that is screwed onto the bolt 66. The bolt 66 of the connecting member 62 is inserted through the opposing through holes 65 of a pair of half-rings 61A and 61B, and in this state, the ends of the pair of half-rings 61A and 61B are connected by tightening the nut 67 onto the bolt 66. A portion of the flange 64 of the upper half-ring 61B forms a base 63, and a through hole 68 is formed in this base 63. The linear gauge 30 is inserted through this through hole 68 and fixed in place. The linear gauge 30 measures the relative displacement of the flange portion 64 of the lower half-ring 61A with respect to the base 63 (flange portion 64) of the upper half-ring 61B.

[0018] The control device 50 includes a plurality of power supplies 51 that supply power to each vibrator 40, and a control module 52 that controls these power supplies 51. The control module 52 receives the relative displacement measured by the linear gauge 30, and based on this relative displacement, outputs a vibrator activation signal if it determines that the ready-mixed concrete in the pumping pipe 20 is flowing, and does not output a vibrator activation signal if it determines that the flow of the ready-mixed concrete has stopped. When the power supply 51 receives the vibrator activation signal, it supplies power to the vibrator 40 to activate it.

[0019] Specifically, the control module 52 sets a threshold for the relative displacement of the concrete pumping pipe 20, and activates the vibrator when the relative displacement exceeds the threshold. It also sets a time period longer than the pulsation period of the ready-mix concrete pumping, and stops the vibrator if the relative displacement remains below the threshold during that time.

[0020] For example, the threshold for relative displacement and the time threshold for determining when the flow of ready-mix concrete has stopped are set as follows. Pump truck pressure: 22.0 MPa Concrete mix design: 33-15-20M Pipe length: 95m Piping specifications: 5-inch diameter (4.5mm or 3.5mm thickness) and 4-inch diameter (2.0mm thickness) Distance from pump truck to measuring device: 3.5m (The piping at the installation site is 5 inches in diameter and 4.5 mm thick) Under the above conditions, the change in relative displacement of the pumping pipe 20 will be as shown in Figure 6, for example. Therefore, the threshold for relative displacement should be set between 50 μm and 200 μm, and the threshold for the time required to determine that the flow of fresh concrete has stopped should be set between 4.0 seconds and 8.0 seconds.

[0021] Figure 7 is an enlarged view of the area enclosed by the dashed line B in Figure 2, showing the vibrator 40 attached to the pressure pipe 20. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of EE in Figure 7. The vibrator 40 applies vibration to the pressure pipe 20 and is fixed to the pressure pipe 20 by a fixing device 70. The power cord 41 of the vibrator 40 is connected to the power supply 51. The fixing device 70 comprises a pair of semi-annular semi-rings 71A and 71B arranged on either side of the pressure pipe 20 and connected at their base ends so as to be openable and closable, a pair of connecting members 72 connecting the tip ends of the pair of semi-rings 71A and 71B, and a base 73 provided on the semi-ring 71A to which the vibrator 40 is fixed. The tips of the semi-rings 71A and 71B are provided with flanges 74, and through holes 75 are formed in these flanges 74.

[0022] The connecting member 72 comprises a bolt 76 and a nut 77 that is screwed onto the bolt 76. The bolt 76 of the connecting member 72 is inserted through the opposing through holes 75 of a pair of half-rings 71A and 71B, and in this state, the ends of the pair of half-rings 71A and 71B are connected by tightening the nut 77 onto the bolt 76.

[0023] The concrete pumping system 1 described above operates as follows: When the pump 10 is driven, the ready-mixed concrete that has been put into the hopper 12 is pumped into the pumping pipe 20. This pumped ready-mixed concrete flows through the pumping pipe 20 and reaches the pouring position P. At this time, the control device 50 operates the vibrator 40 based on the flow of the ready-mixed concrete measured by the linear gauge 30.

[0024] [Concrete pumping test] A test was conducted using the concrete pumping system 1 of the present invention to pump ready-mix concrete from the first floor to the pouring floor. Figures 9 and 10 show the test conditions for this concrete pumping test. Specifically, the test was conducted using weather conditions (Figure 9), the configuration of the pumping piping (Figure 9), and the installation position of the vibrator (Figure 10) as parameters. Furthermore, the concrete mix was 30-21-20N, and as the vibrator, a KM3S-2PD manufactured by Exen Corporation was used, as shown in Figure 11. In each test, the slump of the unloaded ready-mix concrete was measured. Specifically, ready-mix concrete was pumped without the vibrator activated, and the slump of the concrete discharged from the nozzle hose was measured ("no vibration"). In addition, ready-mix concrete was pumped with the vibrator activated, and the slump of the concrete discharged from the nozzle hose was measured ("with vibration").

[0025] Figure 12(a) shows the test results for pattern No. 1 on test day 3, and Figure 12(b) shows the test results for pattern No. 2 on test day 3. Figure 13(a) shows the test results for pattern No. 5 on test day 3, and Figure 13(b) shows the test results for pattern No. 3 on test day 4.

[0026] This embodiment provides the following effects. (1) The linear gauge 30 is fixed to the base 63 of the fixing device 60. In this state, the pair of half rings 61A and 61B of the fixing device 60 are placed on either side of the pressure pipe 20, and the ends of the pair of half rings 61A and 61B are connected with the connecting member 62. This allows the linear gauge 30 to be easily fixed to the pressure pipe 20 via the fixing device 60. Furthermore, by attaching the linear gauge 30 to the base 63 of this fixing device 60, the flow rate of ready-mixed concrete circulating in the pumping pipe can be measured.

[0027] (2) The control device 50 activated the vibrator 40 based on the flow of the ready-mixed concrete measured by the linear gauge 30. This allows the vibrator 40 to be activated in accordance with the flow of fresh concrete through the pumping pipe 20, regardless of the operating state of the pump 10, thereby vibrating the fresh concrete in the pumping pipe 20. Therefore, blockage of the fresh concrete in the pumping pipe 20 can be prevented, and a decrease in the fluidity (slump value, flow value) of the fresh concrete in the pumping pipe 20 can be suppressed.

[0028] [Second Embodiment] Figure 14 is a side view of the fastener 60A according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 14 (FF). Figure 16 is a view taken along the arrow GG in Figure 14. In this embodiment, the configuration of the fixing device 60A for fixing the linear gauge 30 to the pressure pipe 20 differs from that of the first embodiment. The fixing device 60A has a linear gauge 30 only on one end of a pair of semi-annular semi-rings 61A and 61B, and the other ends of the pair of semi-rings 61A and 61B are connected to each other by a connecting member 62. According to this embodiment, the same effects as those described in (1) and (2) above are obtained.

[0029] [Third Embodiment] This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it uses a vibration sensor to measure the vibration of the pressure pipe 20 as the flow measurement device. In this embodiment, the control module 52 sets a threshold for the vibration velocity or acceleration of the pressure pipe 20, and activates the vibrator when the vibration velocity or acceleration exceeds the threshold. It also sets a time period longer than the pulsation period of the ready-mix concrete pumping, and stops the vibrator if the vibration velocity or acceleration remains below the threshold during that time.

[0030] For example, the threshold for vibration velocity and the threshold for time required to determine that the flow of ready-mix concrete has stopped are set as follows. Pump truck pressure: 19.0 MPa Concrete mix design: 24-21-15N Lightweight Type 1 Pipe length: 155m Piping specifications: 5-inch diameter (4.5mm or 3.5mm thickness) and 4-inch diameter (2.0mm thickness) Distance from pump truck to measuring device: 97.7m (The piping at the installation site is 5 inches in diameter and 3.5 mm thick) Under the above conditions, the change in vibration velocity of the pumping pipe 20 will be as shown in Figure 17, for example. Since the vibration velocity is almost zero when pumping is stopped, the vibration velocity threshold should be set to between 0.00 m / s and 0.04 m / s, and the time threshold for determining that the flow of ready-mix concrete has stopped should be set to between 4.0 seconds and 7.0 seconds. According to this embodiment, the same effects as those described in (1) and (2) above are obtained.

[0031] [Fourth Embodiment] This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a pressure gauge is used as the flow measurement device to measure the pressure inside the pressure supply pipe 20. In this embodiment, the control module 52 sets a threshold for the internal pressure of the pumping pipe 20, and activates the vibrator when the internal pressure exceeds the threshold. It also sets a time period longer than the pulsation period of the ready-mix concrete pumping, and stops the vibrator if the internal pressure remains below the threshold during that time.

[0032] For example, the threshold values ​​for the pressure inside the pipe and the time threshold for determining when the flow of ready-mix concrete has stopped are set as follows. Pump truck pressure: 14.0 MPa Concrete mix design: 33-15-20M Pipe length: 77m Piping specifications: 5-inch diameter (4.5mm or 3.5mm thickness) and 4-inch diameter (2.0mm thickness) Distance from pump truck to measuring device: 4.3m (The piping at the installation site is 5 inches in diameter and 4.5 mm thick) Under the above conditions, the change in internal pressure of the pumping pipe 20 will be as shown in Figure 18, for example. The internal pressure threshold should be set between 50 μm and 200 μm, and the time threshold for determining that the flow of ready-mix concrete has stopped should be set between 4.0 seconds and 8.0 seconds. According to this embodiment, the same effects as those described in (1) and (2) above are obtained.

[0033] [Fifth Embodiment] This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a strain gauge for measuring the strain of the pressure pipe 20 is used as the flow measurement device. In this embodiment, the control module 52 sets a threshold for the strain in the concrete pumping pipe 20, and activates the vibrator when the strain exceeds the threshold. It also sets a time period longer than the pulsation period of the ready-mix concrete pumping, and stops the vibrator if the strain remains below the threshold during that time.

[0034] For example, the strain threshold and the time threshold for determining when the flow of ready-mix concrete has stopped are set as follows: Concrete mix design: 30-18-20N Pipe length: 90m Piping specifications: 5-inch diameter (4.5mm or 3.5mm thickness) and 4-inch diameter (2.0mm thickness) Distance from pump truck to measuring device: 6.5m (The piping at the installation site is 5 inches in diameter and 4.5 mm thick) Under the above conditions, the change in strain in the pumping pipe 20 will be as shown in Figure 19, for example. The strain threshold should be set between 50 μm and 150 μm, and the time threshold for determining that the flow of fresh concrete has stopped should be set between 4.0 seconds and 8.0 seconds. According to this embodiment, the same effects as those described in (1) and (2) above are obtained.

[0035] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and any modifications, improvements, etc., that can achieve the objectives of the present invention are included within the scope of the present invention. For example, in each of the embodiments described above, the pump 10 is mounted on a pump truck 11, but the pump 10 is not limited to this, and may be installed directly on the floor or ground surface as a stationary pump. Furthermore, in each of the embodiments described above, one power supply 51 was used to supply power to one vibrator 40, but the invention is not limited to this, and one power supply 51 may be used to supply power to multiple vibrators 40. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0036] P...Concrete placement location 1...Concrete pumping system 10...Pump 11...Pump truck 12...Hopper 20...Pressure pumping piping 21...Horizontal pipe 22...Bent pipe 23...Vertical pipe 24...Bent pipe 25...Horizontal pipe 26...Tapered pipe 27...End hose 30…Linear gauge (flow measurement device) 40...Vibrator 41...Power cord 50...Control device 51...Power supply 52...Control module 60, 60A… Fixing device 61A, 61B… Half ring 62… Connecting member 63...Base 64...Flange 65...Through hole 66...Bolt 67...Nut 68...Through hole 70… Fixing device 71A, 71B… Half ring 72… Connecting member 73...Base 74...Flange 75...Through hole 76...Bolt 77...Nut

Claims

1. A fixing device for fixing a flow measuring device, which measures the flow of ready-mix concrete, to a cylindrical pumping pipe through which ready-mix concrete flows, A pair of semi-annular semi-rings are arranged on either side of the aforementioned pressure piping, A connecting member that connects at least one end of the pair of semi-rings, A fixing device comprising: a base provided on at least one of the pair of semi-rings to which the flow measuring device is fixed.

2. A concrete pumping system that pumps ready-mix concrete to the placement location, A pump for pumping ready-mix concrete, A pressurized piping extending from the aforementioned pump to the pouring position, through which ready-mixed concrete flows, A flow measuring device that is attached to the pressurized pipe using the fixing device described in claim 1 and measures the flow of fresh concrete in the pressurized pipe, A vibrator attached to a predetermined location in the pressure supply piping to vibrate the pressure supply piping, The system includes a control device for controlling the vibrator, The concrete pumping system is characterized in that the control device operates the vibrator based on the flow of fresh concrete measured by the flow measuring device.

3. A method for pumping concrete using the concrete pumping system described in claim 2, A concrete pumping method characterized in that the pump pumps ready-mixed concrete into the pumping pipe, and the control device operates a vibrator attached to the pumping pipe based on the flow of the ready-mixed concrete measured by the flow measuring device.

Images