Vibrating device

Abstract

A vibrating device comprises a chamber (4) inside which a shaft (13) is mounted. At least one tubular member (23) is arranged in the chamber (4) around the shaft (13) and is free to rotate with respect to the shaft (13). The shaft (13) has a groove (16) in which a vane (20) is received. The shaft (13) further has an arrangement of ducts (15, 19) for feeding a pressurised fluid towards the vane (20) so as to move the vane (20) from a retracted position (PR), in which the vane (20) is housed in the groove (16), to an extended position (PE), in which the vane (20) protrudes from the shaft (13) to come into contact with the tubular member (23). The vibrating device (39) has a contact surface (40) and the vibrating device (39) is intended to be positioned in contact with an object at the contact surface in order to vibrate the object. The shaft (13) is mounted in a fixed position in the chamber (4), so that a longitudinal central plane (P1) of the groove (16) forms an angle (A) comprised between 20° and 25° with a plane (P2) perpendicular to the contact surface (40).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION VIBRATING DEVICE

[0002] The invention relates to a vibrating device comprising a pneumatic vibrator, intended to generate vibrations by means of the action of compressed air on the internal components of the vibrator.

[0003] The vibrating device according to the invention is particularly suitable for vibrating concrete in the production of prefabricated parts or castings on site for reinforced concrete structures. However, the vibrating device according to the invention can also be used to vibrate materials other than concrete, in particular to compact various materials.

[0004] Pneumatic vibrators are known which comprise a shaft inside which compressed air is introduced. The shaft is provided with an approximately radial groove, in which a vane is housed. Externally of the shaft two hollow rollers or tubular members are provided, arranged one inside the other. The compressed air sent into the shaft acts on the vane, pushing it outwards and moves the tubular members, which are rotated eccentrically relative to the axis of the shaft. During rotation, the tubular members produce a vibrating effect.

[0005] Vibrating devices comprising pneumatic vibrators of the type described above are often used to vibrate concrete poured inside moulds intended to produce prefabricated parts of reinforced concrete structures. It is also possible to use such vibrating devices when concrete is cast on site inside on-site formworks, for example to produce parts of tunnels.

[0006] In this technical field, the vibrating devices have to be installed with different orientations, depending on how the surface of the part which the pneumatic vibrator helps to form is arranged, i.e., depending on the arrangement of the mould wall on which the pneumatic vibrator must be installed.

[0007] In particular, it is possible to identify three groups of main configurations in which the vibrating devices can be mounted. In a first group of configurations, called "resting configurations", the vibrating devices are rested on a horizontal base, or almost horizontal base, and fixed thereto. A second group of configurations comprises the so-called "wall" configurations, in which the vibrating devices have tot be fixed to a vertical, or substantially vertical, wall. Finally, in a third group of configurations, called "ceiling configurations", the vibrating devices have to be facing downwards and anchored to a horizontal support surface, or to an inclined wall according to an orientation that does not excessively deviate from the horizontal orientation.

[0008] The known vibrating devices comprise the same components for all the groups of configurations described above. However, the internal components of the pneumatic vibrators intended to be rested on a base are assembled differently from the internal components of the pneumatic vibrators intended to be used in the wall configurations, which in turn are assembled differently from the internal components of the pneumatic vibrators intended to be used in the ceiling configurations.

[0009] Depending on the configuration in which the traditional vibrating device is intended to be installed, it is necessary to adopt a specific assembly arrangement of the internal components of the pneumatic vibrator to ensure an acceptable operation thereof.

[0010] More specifically, the vibrating devices according to the state of the art are available in three versions. In a first version, to be used when the vibrating device must be rested on a base, the vane is arranged parallel to a reference surface.

[0011] In a second version, to be used in ceiling configurations, the vane is still arranged parallel to the reference surface, but is rotated by 180° relative to the version in which the vibrating device is intended to be rested on a base.

[0012] Finally, in a third version, to be used in wall configurations, the vane is arranged perpendicular to the reference surface.

[0013] A drawback of the known vibrating devices is that the manufacturer of prefabricated concrete parts has to store vibrating devices in which the internal components of the pneumatic vibrator are assembled according to the three versions described above, so as to be able to choose the suitable version depending on the orientation of the mould wall on which the vibrating device has to be installed.

[0014] This leads to complications in the procurement and management of the components present in stock.

[0015] It may also happen that the operator responsible for installing the vibrating devices on the walls of the mould, especially if inexperienced or distracted, installs a version of vibrating device on a wall of the mould that is not suitable for the orientation of such a wall. If this happens, the vibrating device is not able to function properly and it becomes necessary to replace it with a vibrating device of the suitable version. This causes the plant to stop producing prefabricated concrete parts, resulting in lost time and decreased productivity.

[0016] An object of the invention is to improve the known vibrating devices, particularly but not exclusively vibrating devices comprising pneumatic vibrators intended for use in the production of prefabricated concrete parts.

[0017] Another object is to provide a vibrating device, in particular of the pneumatic type, which can be used in multiple installation configurations, without the need to modify the arrangement of the internal components.

[0018] A further object is to simplify the warehouse management of vibrating devices comprising pneumatic vibrators, reducing the types of vibrating devices that have to be kept in stock.

[0019] A further object is to reduce the stoppages of the plants that use vibrating devices including pneumatic vibrators, consequently increasing the productivity thereof.

[0020] According to the invention, there is provided a vibrating device comprising a chamber inside which a shaft is mounted, at least one tubular member being arranged in the chamber around the shaft and being free to rotate with respect to the shaft, wherein the shaft has a groove in which a vane is received, the shaft further having an arrangement of ducts for feeding a pressurised fluid towards the vane so as to move the vane from a retracted position, in which the vane is housed in the groove, to an extended position, in which the vane protrudes from the shaft to come into contact with the tubular member, the vibrating device further having a contact surface and being intended to be positioned in contact with an object at the contact surface in order to vibrate the object, wherein the shaft is mounted in a fixed position inside the chamber so that a longitudinal central plane of the groove forms an angle comprised between 20° and 25° with a plane perpendicular to the contact surface.

[0021] It has been experimentally verified that the vibrating device according to the invention is capable of operating in a plurality of different configurations, of the "resting", "ceiling" and "wall" type, without modifying the assembly methods of the internal components. In particular, it is not necessary to modify the angular position of the shaft inside the chamber, and consequently the position of the vane, to pass from one configuration to another.

[0022] In fact, by providing a groove whose longitudinal central plane forms an angle comprised between 20° and 25° with the plane perpendicular to the contact surface, the tubular member can be rotated in optimal conditions, starting from a situation of inactivity, both in configurations of the "resting" type, and in configurations of the "ceiling" and "wall" type.

[0023] Owing to the invention, a single type of vibrating device can be applied to surfaces of objects to be vibrated having a different inclination to each other. It is therefore no longer necessary to store different versions of the vibrating device, specific for particular orientations of the wall of the object to which the vibrating device must be fixed.

[0024] This allows to simplify the warehouse management and supply of vibrating devices. The risk that the operator inadvertently chooses a version of the vibrating device not suitable for the operating configuration in which the vibrating device is intended to work is also eliminated, which would cause downtime related to the replacement of the incorrectly installed vibrating device.

[0025] In an embodiment, the angle formed between the longitudinal central plane of the groove and the plane perpendicular to the contact surface is comprised between 21° and 24°.

[0026] In particular, such an angle can be equal to 22°.

[0027] This allows optimizing the start of the vibrating device, which begins to operate very easily starting from a configuration of inactivity.

[0028] In o, the vane is configured so that the pressurised fluid circulates in a circulation direction inside an interspace defined between the shaft and said at least one tubular member.

[0029] The angle comprised between 20° and 25° expresses how much the longitudinal central plane of the groove is rotated relative to the plane perpendicular to the contact surface, in the circulation direction of the pressurised fluid in the interspace.

[0030] In an embodiment, the vibrating device comprises a further tubular member arranged in the chamber around the above-mentioned tubular member, the further tubular member being free to rotate relative to the shaft and relative to the tubular member.

[0031] It is thereby possible to increase the kinetic energy transferred to the object to be vibrated and thus enhance the vibrating effect.

[0032] The invention can be better understood and implemented with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a non-limiting exemplary embodiment thereof, in which:

[0033] Figure 1 is a perspective view, showing a pneumatic vibrator;

[0034] Figure 2 is a front view of a vibrating device comprising the pneumatic vibrator of Figure 1 , fixed to a support;

[0035] Figure 3 is a top view of the pneumatic vibrator of Figure 1 ;

[0036] Figure 4 is a section taken along the plane IV-IV of Figure 3;

[0037] Figure 5 shows an enlarged detail of a vane of the pneumatic vibrator of Figure 4, while the pneumatic vibrator is inactive; Figure 6 shows the detail of Figure 5, during operation of the pneumatic vibrator;

[0038] Figure 7 is a front view of the support shown in Figure 2;

[0039] Figure 8 is a side view of the support of Figure 7, taken from the left;

[0040] Figure 9 is a schematic view, showing a plurality of vibrating devices mounted in different operating configurations.

[0041] Figure 1 shows a pneumatic vibrator 1 which can be used to vibrate concrete inside moulds to produce prefabricated parts of reinforced concrete articles, or articles cast on-site, for example parts of tunnels. However, these examples are not the only possible uses of the pneumatic vibrator 1 , which can be used for many other applications, in particular for compacting various types of materials.

[0042] The pneumatic vibrator 1 comprises an outer casing 2 inside which the components that generate vibrations are housed. In the example depicted, the outer casing 2 comprises a central body 3, which can have a substantially cylindrical shape, inside which a chamber 4 is made, visible in Figure 4. The chamber 4 can have the shape of a cylinder, in particular with a horizontal axis.

[0043] The central body 3 is interposed between a first end flange 5 and a second end flange 6, which allow the chamber 4 to be axially closed. The first end flange 5 and the second end flange 6 are each shaped approximately like a disc, having a circular plan shape. The first end flange 5 and the second end flange 6 are joined to each other, and to the central body 3, by means of a detachable connection, for example a threaded connection. In the example depicted, a plurality of screws 7, cooperating with respective nuts 8, are provided which allow the first end flange 5 to be fixed to the second end flange 6, so that the central body 3 is clamped between the first end flange 5 and the second end flange 6. In the example depicted, four screws 7 are provided, arranged at the same mutual angular distance, that is, at an angular distance of 90° from each other. The number of screws 7 can clearly be different from four.

[0044] A handle 9, provided in an upper portion of the central body 3, can protrude from the central body 3. The handle 9 can be grasped by an operator and facilitates the transport and handling of the pneumatic vibrator 1. However, the handle 9 is an optional element and may be absent in a non-depicted version.

[0045] An appendage 10 can project from a lower portion of the central body 3. As will be better described below, the appendage 10 is used to fix the pneumatic vibrator 1 to a support that allows the pneumatic vibrator 1 to be anchored to the mould into which the concrete to be vibrated is poured. The appendage 10 further allows stabilizing the position of the pneumatic vibrator 1 when the latter is resting on a surface, before being mounted on the relative support.

[0046] From a lateral portion of the central body 3, opposite that from which the appendage 10 projects, a protrusion 11 can project. As visible in Figure 2, the protrusion 11 has a central recess 12, which is laterally open. The protrusion 11 can have, in plan, a U-like shape. As will be better described below, the central recess 12 is intended to receive a locking element when the pneumatic vibrator 1 is fixed to the relative support.

[0047] The protrusion 11 is arranged at a different level relative to the appendage 10. If the pneumatic vibrator 1 is arranged in a position in which the handle 9 faces upwards, as shown in Figures 1 , 2 and 4, the protrusion 11 is located at a higher height than the appendage 10. That is, the protrusion 11 is closer to the handle 9 than to the appendage 10.

[0048] In a version not depicted, the appendage 10 and / or the protrusion 11 may be absent, in which case the pneumatic vibrator 1 is fixed to the relative support in ways other than those that will be described below with reference to the version depicted. It is also possible to fix the pneumatic vibrator 1 directly to the object to be vibrated, without using an external support.

[0049] The pneumatic vibrator 1 further comprises a shaft 13, which extends along an axis X and is housed inside the chamber 4, for example coaxially relative to the chamber 4. The shaft 13 is fixed relative to the central body 3 and the end flanges 5, 6. To this end, respective tabs 14 are provided, only one of which is visible in Figures 1 and 2, which prevent the shaft 13 from rotating relative to the end flanges 5, 6.

[0050] An arrangement of ducts is provided inside the shaft 13, for the passage of a pressurised fluid, in particular compressed air.

[0051] As shown in Figure 4, the arrangement of ducts comprises a feeding hole 15, which is made in the shaft 13 and extends along the axis X. Through the feeding hole 15, it is possible to feed the pressurised fluid, for example compressed air, inside the pneumatic vibrator 1 .

[0052] A groove 16 is also made in the shaft 13, which extends parallel to the axis X. The groove 16 is arranged radially along the shaft 13. It is possible to define a longitudinal central plane P1 , the line of which is visible in Figure 4, which contains the axis X and passes through the centre of the groove 16. The longitudinal central plane R1 is a plane of symmetry of the groove 16.

[0053] The shaft 13 is delimited by an outer surface 17, on which the groove 16 opens. The latter is delimited by a bottom surface 18.

[0054] The arrangement of ducts made in the shaft 13 further comprises a plurality of communication holes 19, which open onto the bottom surface 18 and put the groove 16 in communication with the feeding hole 15.

[0055] The longitudinal central plane R1 is perpendicular to the bottom surface 18. Such a plane extends parallel to the length of the groove 16, cutting the groove 16 in half.

[0056] A vane 20, shown in detail in Figures 5 and 6, is housed in the groove 16. The vane 20 can have a substantially rectangular transverse section. The vane 20 has a dimension, in a circumferential direction, substantially equal to the transverse dimension of the groove 16, i.e., to the dimension of the groove 16 perpendicularly to the longitudinal central plane P1 .

[0057] On an inner portion 21 of the vane 20, a plurality of channels 43 are made for selectively putting the communication holes 19 in fluid communication with the space arranged outside the shaft 13. Each channel 43 extends in a radial direction starting from a base inner surface 44 of the vane 20 which, in use, faces the bottom surface 18 of the groove 16.

[0058] The vane 20 further has a head portion 22 facing outside the shaft 13, which is arranged flush with the outer surface 17 when the pneumatic vibrator 1 is inactive. The channels 43 do not extend into the head portion 22.

[0059] At each channel 43, the vane 20 has an inverted "L" -shaped transverse section.

[0060] A flat face 42 delimits the vane 20 on the opposite side of the vane 20 relative to the one on which the channels 43 are made.

[0061] An inner tubular member 23 and an outer tubular member 24 are also arranged in the chamber 4. The inner tubular member 23 surrounds the shaft 13. The outer tubular member 24 surrounds the inner tubular member 23. The inner tubular member 23 is thus interposed between the shaft 13 and the outer tubular member 24.

[0062] The inner tubular member 23 and the outer tubular member 24 each have the shape of a hollow cylinder. A certain clearance is provided between the axial ends of the tubular members 23, 24 and the end flanges 5, 6, so that the tubular members 23, 24 can rotate and, to a certain extent, move transversely to the axis X inside the chamber 4.

[0063] The inner tubular member 23 has an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of the shaft 13, so that it is possible to define a first interspace 25 between the shaft 13 and the inner tubular member 23. The outer diameter of the inner tubular member 23 is smaller than the inner diameter of the outer tubular member 24, so that a second interspace 26 remains between the inner tubular member 23 and the outer tubular member 24.

[0064] The outer diameter of the outer tubular member 24 is smaller than the inner transverse dimension of the chamber 4. Thereby, a free space 27 is present outside the outer tubular member 24. As shown in Figure 4, when the pneumatic vibrator 1 is stopped, the tubular members 23, 24 move downwards under the effect of the force of gravity. Consequently, when the pneumatic vibrator 1 is stopped, the inner tubular member 23 is in contact with the shaft 13 along an upper longitudinal zone of the latter, while the outer tubular member 24 is in contact with the inner tubular member 23 along an upper longitudinal zone of the latter.

[0065] A plurality of passages 28, only partially visible in Figure 4, is made on the second end flange 6. The passages 28 are in the form of recesses formed on an inner face of the second end flange 6, such an inner face facing the respective ends of the tubular members 23, 24. The passages 28 put the first interspace 25 in fluid communication with the second interspace 26.

[0066] On the first end flange 5, instead, a plurality of vent holes 29 is made to let the compressed air exit from the chamber 4. Along a direction parallel to the axis X, the vent holes 29 are provided at a first end and respectively at a second end of each passage 28.

[0067] In the example depicted, three passages 28 are provided on the inner face of the second end flange 6. The first end flange 5 instead comprises three pairs of vent holes 29. Each vent hole 29 is arranged in a position corresponding to one end of a passage 28, in a direction parallel to the axis X.

[0068] The pneumatic vibrator 1 is mounted on the concrete mould wall using for example a support 30 of the type shown in Figures 7 and 8.

[0069] The support 30 comprises a base body 31 , having a seat 32 in which the pneumatic vibrator 1 can be received. The base body 31 has a bottom wall 33 from which two side walls 34 extend. The seat 32 is defined between the bottom wall 33 and the side walls 34.

[0070] The side walls 34 can be delimited by a concave free edge, which gives the support 30 a cradle-like shape.

[0071] A first pin 35 extends between the side walls 34 in an end zone of the support 30. A second pin 36 extends between the side walls 34 in a further end zone of the support 30, opposite the aforementioned end zone.

[0072] The support 30 further comprises a locking element 37 fixed to the first pin 35. The locking element 37 has the shape of a column having a threaded end, along which a locking nut 38 can slide. The threaded end is the end of the locking element 37 opposite a further end of the locking element 37 fixed to the first pin 35.

[0073] In use, as shown in Figure 2, the appendage 10 of the pneumatic vibrator 1 is positioned below the second pin 36, so as to be interposed between the second pin 36 and the bottom wall 33.

[0074] The locking element 37 is received in the recess 12 of the protrusion 11 which projects from the central body 3, after which the locking nut 38 is screwed onto the locking element 37, so as to act on the protrusion 11 to clamp the central body 3 against the base body 31 .

[0075] A vibrating device 39 is thus defined, which comprises the support 30 and the pneumatic vibrator 1 , ready to be installed on a mould into which the concrete is poured.

[0076] The vibrating device 39 is then arranged in contact with the mould and made integral relative to the latter, for example by welding.

[0077] More specifically, the vibrating device 39 has a contact surface 40 along which the vibrating device 39 is intended to be brought into contact with an object to be vibrated. In the illustrated example, the contact surface 40 is an outer surface of the bottom wall 33, opposite a further surface of the bottom wall 33 that delimits the seat 32.

[0078] It is possible, as previously mentioned, to fix the pneumatic vibrator 1 to the object to be vibrated using modes other than those described so far, for example using supports other than that shown in Figures 7 and 8, or by directly fixing the pneumatic vibrator 1 to the object to be vibrated without using any support.

[0079] In any case, it is possible to identify, in the vibrating device 39 (possibly without support), a contact surface 40 along which the vibrating device 39 is intended to be fixed to the object to be vibrated. The contact surface 40 is generally flat. A plane P2 perpendicular to the contact surface 40 and containing the axis X of the shaft 13 can be defined.

[0080] As described above, the shaft 13 is mounted in the chamber 4 in a fixed position, around the axis X, thanks to the tabs 14 that engage with the end flanges 5, 6.

[0081] When the vibrating device 39 is in an assembled configuration, it is possible to define an angle A, as shown in Figure 4, formed between the longitudinal central plane R1 of the groove 16 in which the vane 20 is housed and the plane P2 perpendicular to the contact surface 40.

[0082] It has been experimentally verified that, by appropriately choosing the value of the angle A, it is possible to use the same vibrating device 39 regardless of the orientation of the surface of the object to be vibrated on which the vibrating device 39 is mounted.

[0083] Figure 9 shows some examples of different orientations with which the vibrating device 39 can be mounted on a wall of the object to be vibrated, for example on the wall of a mould intended to form a prefabricated concrete part having a curved surface.

[0084] In Figure 9, a resting configuration C1 can be seen in which the vibrating device 39 is rested on a horizontal base and fixed thereto.

[0085] A ceiling configuration C2 is also shown in which the vibrating device 39 is anchored to a substantially horizontal surface so as to be facing downwards.

[0086] Finally, some inclined configurations C3 are shown in which the vibrating device 39 is fixed to a surface which is inclined relative to the horizontal direction.

[0087] It has been experimentally verified that the vibrating device is capable of operating in a plurality of different configurations if the angle A shown in Figure 2 is greater than, or equal to, 20° and less than, or equal to, 25°.

[0088] In particular, the angle A can be comprised between 21 ° and 24°.

[0089] The optimum value of the angle A is 22°. If the angle A is chosen in the ranges mentioned above, the vibrating device 39 can be mounted in all the configurations shown in Figure 9, and in the intermediate configurations not shown, interposed between those shown in Figure 9, with the same arrangement of the components arranged inside the chamber 4.

[0090] For example, Figure 4 shows the vibrating device 39 in the resting configuration C1 , in which the contact surface 40 is substantially horizontal and the vibrating device 39 is resting on a base and fixed thereto.

[0091] When the vibrating device 39 is stopped, i.e., when compressed air is not sent inside the shaft 13, the inner tubular member 23 - due to the effect of the force of gravity - rests along an generatrix thereof inside an upper portion of the shaft 13. For the same reason, the outer tubular member 24 rests along a generatrix thereof inside an upper portion of the inner tubular member 23.

[0092] To operate the pneumatic vibrator 1 , a pressurised fluid, in particular compressed air, is sent inside the feeding hole 15 of the shaft 13. From such a hole, the compressed air radially exits through the communication holes 19 and reaches the groove 16. Here, the compressed air enters the channels 43 of the vane 20 and acts on the head portion 22 of the vane 20, and moves the vane 20 from a retracted position PR, shown in Figure 5, to an extended position PE, shown in Figure 6. In the retracted position PR, the vane 20 is completely housed inside the groove 16 and does not project substantially outside the latter. In the extended position PE, the head portion 22 of the vane 20 is outside the groove 16, so that, in each channel 43, between the head portion 22 and the shaft 13 a passage space 41 is defined through which the compressed air can exit outside the shaft 13.

[0093] Moving into the extended position PE, the vane 20 comes into contact with the inner tubular member 23 and pushes the latter outwards. The inner tubular member 23 is thus separated from the shaft 13 and the compressed air flows into the first interspace 25 in a circulation direction D, indicated in Figure 6. In the illustrated example, the circulation direction D is clockwise. More in general, the circulation direction D extends in a circumferential direction from a side of the vane 20 on which the channels 43 are provided towards a side of the vane 20 delimited by the flat face 42. The angle A mentioned above is the angle formed by rotating the shaft 13 in the circulation direction D relative to a theoretical starting position in which the longitudinal central plane R1 coincides with the plane P2 perpendicular to the contact surface 40.

[0094] The flow of compressed air exiting the groove 16 travels along the first interspace 25 in a circumferential direction and drags the inner tubular member 23 in rotation. Such a flow is blocked by the flat face 42 of the vane 20 and cannot circulate further in the circumferential direction in the first interspace 25. The compressed air thus exits from the first interspace 25 through the passages 28, reaching the second interspace 26. Subsequently, the compressed air exits from the chamber 4 through the vent holes 29.

[0095] The passages 28 and the vent holes 29 are arranged in the chamber 4 in a position immediately upstream of the vane 20 relative to the circulation direction D, i.e., near the flat face 42 of the vane 20. Thereby, the compressed air, after filling the first interspace 25, can exit from the first interspace 25.

[0096] The outer tubular member 24 is also rotated, thanks to the action of the compressed air flowing through the passages 28 and in the possible space between the ends of the inner tubular member 23 and the end flanges 5, 6. Furthermore, the force applied by the inner tubular member 23, which the compressed air pushes into contact with the outer tubular member 24 from the inside of the latter, acts on the outer tubular member. The tubular members 23, 24 are thus set in motion by the compressed air, in particular following an eccentric rotation. The tubular members 23, 24, rolling, move in a hypocycloidal motion and produce a vibrating effect. The outer casing 2 of the pneumatic vibrator 1 , fixed to the object to be vibrated for example through the support 30 or in another manner, transmits kinetic energy in vibrating form to the object.

[0097] It has been experimentally verified that the vibrating device 39 is able to function correctly both when it is mounted in the configuration C1 , and when it is mounted in the ceiling configuration C2, as well as in the configurations, shown in Figure 9, which are interposed between the configuration C1 and the configuration C2 and lie in the half-space identified by the arrows S. It is believed that this is due to the orientation of the vane 20 relative to the contact surface 40.

[0098] If it is desired to position the vibrating device 39 in the opposite half-space relative to the half-space identified by the arrows S, the vibrating device 39 is mounted in the desired configuration after being rotated 180° around a vertical axis Y perpendicular to the axis X of the shaft 13.

[0099] The operator can determine how to mount the vibrating device 39 on the object to be vibrated in an extremely simple manner, by observing the position of the protrusion 11. As can be seen in Figure 9, in all configurations in which the vibrating device 39 is installed on a surface which is inclined relative to the horizontal direction, the vibrating device 39 functions correctly if the protrusion 11 is arranged higher than the appendage 10. The protrusion 11 therefore provides, in the particular conformation of the vibrating device 39 depicted, a visual indication of the mounting methods that the operator must adopt to obtain a correct operation of the vibrating device 39.

[0100] It is thus possible to obtain a vibrating device 39 which, with a single assembly arrangement of the shaft 13 and the vane 20 inside the chamber 4, can be fixed to a wall of the object to be vibrated, which is oriented according to any desired inclination.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A vibrating device comprising a chamber (4) inside which a shaft (13) is mounted, at least one tubular member (23) being arranged in the chamber (4) around the shaft (13) and being free to rotate with respect to the shaft (13), wherein the shaft (13) has a groove (16) in which a vane (20) is received, the shaft (13) further having an arrangement of ducts (15, 19) for feeding a pressurised fluid towards the vane (20) so as to move the vane (20) from a retracted position (PR), in which the vane (20) is housed in the groove (16), to an extended position (PE), in which the vane (20) protrudes from the shaft (13) to come into contact with the tubular member (23), the vibrating device (39) further having a contact surface (40) and being intended to be positioned in contact with an object at the contact surface (40) in order to vibrate the object, wherein the shaft (13) is mounted in a fixed position in the chamber (4) so that a longitudinal central plane (P1 ) of the groove (16) forms an angle (A) comprised between 20° and 25° with a plane (P2) perpendicular to the contact surface (40).

2. The vibrating device according to claim 1 , wherein said angle (A) is about 22°.

3. The vibrating device according to claim 1 or 2, and further comprising a further tubular member (24) arranged in the chamber (4) around the tubular member (23), the further tubular member (24) being free to rotate relative to the shaft (13) and relative to the tubular member (23).

4. The vibrating device according to any preceding claim, wherein a plurality of channels (43) are made on one face of the vane (20) to allow the pressurised fluid introduced into the arrangement of ducts (15, 19) to selectively flow outside the shaft (13), the vane (20) further having a flat face (42) opposite the face on which the channels (43) of said plurality of channels (43) are made.

5. The vibrating device according to claim 4, as appended to claim 3, wherein a first interspace (24) is defined between the shaft (13) and the tubular member (23), a second interspace (25) being defined between thetubular member (23) and the further tubular member (24), and wherein a head portion (22) of the vane (20) is configured to be pushed into the first interspace (24) outside the groove (16) in the extended position (PE), so as to put the arrangement of ducts (15, 19) in fluid communication with the first interspace (24) and create a flow of pressurized fluid which flows in the first interspace (24).

6. The vibrating device according to any preceding claim, wherein the chamber (4) is obtained inside a body (3) and is axially closed by a first end flange (5) and a second end flange (6).

7. The vibrating device according to claim 6, as appended to claim 5, wherein a plurality of passages (28) is provided on an inner surface of the second end flange (6) to put the first interspace (24) in fluid communication with the second interspace (25), the passages (28) being arranged near the flat face (42) of the vane (20).

8. The vibrating device according to claim 7, wherein a plurality of vent holes (29) is provided on the first end flange (5), each vent hole (29) being arranged in a position facing one end of a passage (28) of the plurality of passages (28).

9. The vibrating device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein a protrusion (11 ) projects from the body (3), the protrusion (11 ) having a central recess (12) suitable for receiving a locking element (37) to fix the body (3) to a support (30).

10. The vibrating device according to claim 9, wherein an appendage (10) projects from the opposite side of the body (3) relative to the protrusion (11 ).

11. The vibrating device according to claim 10, wherein the support (30) comprises a base body (31 ) comprising a bottom wall (33) from which two side walls (34) project to define a seat (32), the side walls (34) being joined by a first pin (35) from which the locking element (37) projects and by a second pin (36).

12. The vibrating device according to claim 11 , wherein the appendage(10) is positioned between the bottom wall (33) and the second pin (36), and wherein the locking element (37) is received in the central recess (12) and a locking nut (38) abuts against the protrusion (11 ) to lock the body (3) relative to the support (30).

13. The vibrating device according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the contact surface (40) delimits the bottom wall (33) of the support (30) on the opposite side relative to the seat (32).

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