Concrete Pump Cleaning via Reverse Liquid Sequence

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Solution Overview

Problem

Building material processing systems face challenges in cleaning and preventing material hardening on components, which can lead to impaired functionality or component unusability due to the natural, gravity-driven flow of cleaning liquids not aligning with the sequence of material contact during processing.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for controlling liquid application in building material processing systems, where a first and second liquid are applied to components in a parallelized manner, potentially using fresh and process liquids, with electrical control and nozzle devices, to deviate from natural flow and prevent hardening, with liquids being collected and circulated for efficient use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If cleaning liquid is applied in natural gravity-driven flow order, then the cleaning process is simple, but building material hardens on components before removal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning process simplicityVSAvoidcomponent functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional cleaning sequence by applying cleaning liquid to components in reverse order of their material contact sequence. The building material pump (downstream component) is cleaned first, followed by the delivery line (upstream component). This inversion prevents hardened material from being trapped on upstream components during the cleaning process, thereby maintaining component functionality while keeping the process relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If cleaning liquid is applied in reverse order of material contact, then material hardening is prevented, but the cleaning process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent functionalityVSAvoidcleaning process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic control of the cleaning liquid application process through an electrical control device that coordinates multiple pumps and valves. The system dynamically switches between different cleaning phases: first applying liquid to the building material pump, then to the delivery line, and finally reversing the flow direction. This dynamic control enables the reverse cleaning sequence while managing the complexity through automated coordination rather than manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If fresh liquid is used for all components, then cleaning effectiveness is maximized, but liquid consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidliquid consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a liquid recovery and reuse system where the cleaning liquid that has flowed through the delivery line is not discarded but instead is redirected back to clean the building material pump. This circulating approach allows the same liquid to serve multiple cleaning functions across different components, significantly reducing overall liquid consumption while maintaining cleaning effectiveness through the sequential application strategy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Data Source

PatentEP4357557A1Method, fluid system and system for cleaning a conrete pump
Publication Date: 2024.04.24 PUTZMEISTER ENG GMBH
  • EP4357557A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4357557A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4357557A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for controlling liquid in a building material processing system (1), wherein the building material processing system (1) comprises at least two components (K), each of the components (K) having a contact surface (A), wherein the contact surfaces (A) come into contact with building material sequentially during building material processing, wherein a first component (K, K1) comprises a building material pump (2) for conveying building material and a second component (K, K2) comprises a conveying line (3) for transporting building material out of the building material system (1), wherein the method comprises: applying a first liquid (F1) to the first component (K, K1) such that the contact surface (A) of the first component (K, K1) comes into contact with the first liquid (F1), applying a second liquid (F2) to the second component (K, K1) such that the contact surface (A) of the second component (K, K2) comes into contact with the first liquid (F1).K2) comes into contact with the second liquid (F2), whereby the application of the first component (K, K1) overlaps with the application of the second component (K, K2).