Flexible Concrete Hose Shut-Off Valve With Inflatable Bladder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing concrete shut-off valves are heavy, affecting the stability of boom trucks and complicating installation due to their rigid casings, which are not suitable for the flexible delivery hoses used in remote concrete delivery systems.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, flexible fabric casing made from materials like polyester, nylon, or carbon fiber is used to house a flexible inflatable bladder, which constricts concrete flow when pressurized, along with a clamping and bridge bar assembly for secure sealing, and optional multiple layers or PVC coating for environmental resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If heavy rigid casings (fiberglass tube with steel caps or stainless steel) are used to house the inflatable bladder, then the structural strength and sealing capability are improved, but the device weight increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces heavy rigid casings with a flexible fabric casing that surrounds the inflatable bladder. The fabric casing is sufficiently strong to contain the bladder when inflated while being much lighter than traditional fiberglass or stainless steel casings, directly resolving the contradiction between structural strength and device weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The fabric casing is constructed from composite materials including polyester, nylon, and para-aramid synthetic fiber, which provide high strength-to-weight ratio. This composite construction allows the casing to maintain structural integrity while minimizing weight, addressing both the strength requirement and the weight reduction goal.
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid casings are used for the shut-off valve, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability to flexible delivery hoses and ease of installation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible fabric casing can expand and contract to accommodate the flexible delivery hose while maintaining structural stability when the bladder is inflated. This flexibility allows the device to adapt to the hose's movements and positioning without requiring rigid mounting, improving both adaptability and ease of installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The casing transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic flexible structure that can change shape and volume. When the bladder is deflated, the casing is flexible and adaptable; when inflated, it provides sufficient structural stability to contain the concrete flow, allowing the device to adapt to different operational states.
3Strength
If the fabric is made from high strength materials like polyester, then the structural integrity is improved, but resistance to environmental degradation from UV light, ozone, and concrete exposure is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fabric casing uses a composite construction combining polyester for strength with nylon or para-aramid outer layers that provide resistance to UV light, ozone, and concrete exposure. This multi-material composite approach allows the fabric to simultaneously achieve high structural integrity and environmental durability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the fabric casing have different material properties optimized for their specific functions: the inner layer uses high-strength polyester to contain the inflated bladder, while the outer layer uses environmentally resistant nylon or para-aramid to protect against UV, ozone, and concrete. This localized material optimization resolves the contradiction between strength and environmental resistance.
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 reduces the weight of the shut-off valve, enhancing the stability safety factor of pump trucks and simplifying installation by using lightweight materials while maintaining effective concrete flow control, and providing protection against environmental degradation.
Implementation Method 1
When pressurized gas is forced into the space between the sleeve and casing, the sleeve then expands and constricts the hose to prevent the flow of concrete
Implementation Method 2
the flexible bladder... when inflated restricts the flow of concrete
Data Source
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AI summary
A concrete flow leakage-preventing shut-off valve includes an outer flexible casing configured to be disposed around a concrete delivery hose. A flexible inflatable bladder is disposed within the casing and defines a gas chamber therein. A gas intake/exhaust device extends through the casing and into the gas chamber such that pressurized gas introduced and exhausted from the gas chamber enables movement of the bladder to define closed and open concrete flow conditions of concrete relative to an outlet end of the hose. A clamping arrangement secures opposite ends of the casing and the bladder in radially and axially spaced apart relationship, and is configured to maintain a surrounding relationship of the casing and bladder with respect to the hose.