Linear Translation Concrete Pump Valve for Minimum Waste
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing concrete pumps generate significant post-operation waste, require frequent lubrication of bearings due to contact with abrasive concrete, and suffer from uneven wear leading to leaks and maintenance issues, complicating cleaning and increasing operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A double-piston, linear translation valve with integrated wear plates and hydraulic actuation minimizes waste generation, eliminates the need for lubrication, and ensures homogeneous wear, reducing maintenance needs and cleaning time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single conduit valve is used in the hopper, then the valve structure is simple, but significant post-operation waste accumulates requiring frequent cleaning and equipment displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is divided into multiple conduits (first discharge conduit and second discharge conduit) that segment the flow path. This segmentation allows concrete to be directed to different discharge points, enabling complete hopper emptying and minimizing residual waste accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension to the discharge system by positioning discharge conduits at different heights and orientations within the hopper. This multi-dimensional arrangement ensures that concrete can be evacuated from all regions of the hopper, including corners and lower sections that a single horizontal conduit cannot reach.
2Adaptability or versatility
If rotary translation movement is used for valve switching, then the valve can change position, but bearings require constant lubrication due to contact with abrasive concrete
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional rotary mechanical switching system with a linear movement system actuated by hydraulic cylinders. This substitution eliminates rotating bearings that contact abrasive concrete, replacing them with linear guides and seals that are less susceptible to wear and contamination from concrete particles.
Solution Approach 2:
Hydraulic cylinders are used to actuate the linear movement of the valve assembly. The hydraulic system provides controlled, powerful actuation without requiring mechanical bearings to rotate in contact with concrete, thereby eliminating the need for constant lubrication while maintaining effective valve switching capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If rotary valves with bearings are used, then the valve can pivot to change position, but uneven wear occurs leading to leaks and maintenance issues
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of rotating the valve body on bearings (traditional approach), the patent inverts the approach by moving the entire valve assembly linearly to different positions. This inversion eliminates the rotating bearing interface that causes uneven wear, replacing it with linear movement surfaces that experience more uniform contact and wear patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary mechanical system with bearings is replaced by a linear mechanical system with guides and seals. This substitution eliminates the complex bearing surfaces that suffer from uneven wear during rotation, replacing them with simpler linear contact surfaces that wear more uniformly and can be easily replaced without affecting valve positioning capability.
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 valve significantly reduces waste, lowers operational costs, and maintains efficient performance by minimizing leaks and wear, allowing on-site cleaning without the need for equipment displacement.
Implementation Method 1
cylindrical nozzles arranged on both sides, which are telescopically connected to the conduit nozzles through a spring that keeps the wear plates pressed against the structure walls
Implementation Method 2
double-acting hydraulic switch cylinders with double through-rod, equipped with rods connected at their ends with the projections of the front plate of the inlet conduit and jacket equipped with projections fixed at the structure points and connected to the hydraulic flow to promote the linear movement of the rods and conduits
Implementation Method 3
The discharge conduit (30) has a tapered body and is telescopically connected to the inlet conduit (20), which allows for linear expansion
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A
Figure 2
AI summary
The valve for the minimum waste concrete pump, object of the present invention, comprises a valve for the minimum waste concrete pump that comprises a double-piston alternative-type pump valve provided with an inlet conduit (20) and a discharge conduit (30) installed inside the valve container (10) and arranged next to a concrete reception hopper located above the container, allowing to pump concrete and other pasty substances, such as: sludge, mining residues, grout, mortar, dirty water, and similar. The embodiment of the valve generates the minimum of waste retained after the equipment operation, improving the durability and efficiency of use of the pumps, besides reducing the cleaning time, resulting in a great reduction of operational costs, avoiding the unnecessary displacement of the pump equipment to the central. In addition, this new embodiment results in a valve performing a linear translation movement that reduces component wear and minimizes the need for maintenance on the equipment, as its embodiment does not require constant lubrication.