Concrete Curing Box Circulation for Uniform Water Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing concrete curing boxes face challenges in maintaining consistent temperature for curing concrete test specimens, leading to potential strength reduction, cracking, and structural defects due to temperature stratification and the abrasive nature of cement dust, which reduces the lifespan of water pumps and complicates accurate representation of field-cured concrete slabs.
Innovation Solution
A concrete curing box with a built-in temperature control system and a water circulation system that uses a fluid conduit with emitters to prevent temperature stratification, featuring a heating element, cooling element, sensors, and a control module to maintain preset temperatures, and a circulator assembly that circulates fluid without an impeller to enhance reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If water pumps with impellers are used to circulate water in the curing box, then water circulation is achieved, but the service life of the pumps is reduced due to abrasive cement dust particles
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful impeller component is extracted and removed from the water circulation system. The patent replaces the traditional impeller-based pump with a circulation system that uses the curing box's existing heating/cooling elements to drive water flow, eliminating the part most susceptible to abrasive damage from cement dust.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating/cooling elements serve as an intermediary mechanism to achieve water circulation without requiring a traditional pump with impeller. These elements create convection currents that circulate water through the curing box, providing the necessary fluid movement while avoiding direct mechanical contact with abrasive particles.
2Ease of operation
If the rack is positioned to support concrete cylinders, then specimen support is achieved, but temperature stratification occurs within the water due to the convective barrier formed by the rack
Solution Approach 1:
The curing box is segmented into multiple circulation zones with additional fluid conduits and emitters positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows independent temperature control and circulation in different regions, preventing the rack from creating a single convective barrier and ensuring uniform temperature distribution throughout the water.
Solution Approach 2:
The circulation system transitions from relying solely on natural convection (vertical dimension) to incorporating forced circulation through emitters positioned throughout the box (adding horizontal dimension). This multi-dimensional approach to fluid circulation overcomes the blocking effect of the rack and eliminates temperature stratification.
3Temperature
If traditional temperature control systems are used in curing boxes, then temperature regulation is achieved, but temperature stratification and inconsistent temperature distribution occur within the water
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature control system is segmented into multiple independent zones with separate heating and cooling elements distributed throughout the curing box. Each zone can be independently controlled to maintain uniform temperature, preventing stratification that occurs with single-point temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous water circulation and active temperature regulation throughout the curing process. The heating/cooling elements operate continuously to counteract temperature stratification, ensuring consistent temperature distribution rather than periodic or intermittent control.
4Productivity
If cement dust particles are present in the water during curing, then the curing process proceeds normally, but the abrasive particles reduce the service life of water pumps and increase maintenance expenses
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful mechanical circulation components (pumps with impellers) are extracted and removed from the system. The patent replaces them with a circulation method that uses thermal convection from heating/cooling elements, eliminating the mechanical parts that would be damaged by abrasive cement dust particles.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical water circulation system is replaced with a thermal-driven circulation system. Instead of using mechanical pumps to move water, the system relies on thermal convection currents created by heating and cooling elements, substituting mechanical action with thermal action to avoid mechanical wear from abrasive particles.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution ensures consistent temperature distribution within the curing box, reducing the risk of temperature-related defects and extending the lifespan of the equipment by preventing stratification and abrasive damage, thus providing reliable and accurate representation of field-cured concrete slabs.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element, a cooling element, a first sensor, a second sensor, and a control module. The heating and the cooling element adjust the temperature of the liquid in the box
Implementation Method 2
a heating element, a cooling element, a first sensor, a second sensor, and a control module. The heating and the cooling element adjust the temperature of the liquid in the box
Implementation Method 3
the curing box includes a fluid source in fluid communication with the fluid conduit. The fluid source is configured to provide a volume of fluid under pressure to the fluid conduit
Implementation Method 4
The fluid conduit carries a plurality of emitters that provide fluid communication between the fluid conduit and the interior of the box
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure describes a curing box including a circulation assembly which substantially eliminates temperature stratification of a first fluid within the box. Additionally, the curing box includes an internal temperature sensor and an external temperature sensor which provide data to a control module. The control module permits adjustment of the fluid temperature within the box. The present disclosure additionally provides a method for curing a specimen in the curing box. The method compares the temperature signal from the external sensor to the internal sensor and adjusts the temperature of the fluid in the box to match the temperature reported by the external sensor. Additionally, the method controls the flow of a second fluid into the box thereby circulating the first fluid to substantially eliminate temperature stratification of the first fluid in the box. Thus, the method provides a controlled environment for curing the specimen.