ES2622425T3 - Emptying mechanism for a concrete tank comprising a receptacle for grout leaks - Google Patents

Abstract

Mechanism (30) for emptying a concrete tank (2), the body of which forms a hopper (6) that, in the working position, is arranged globally vertically, comprising said mechanism, intended to be fixed below said body, comprising a vertical duct (34) of rectangular cross section that presents on its rear face (70) a horizontal slot (68) that receives a hatch (52) that is movable between a so-called working or closing position, in the that completely closes the passage (56) inside said conduit (34), and a position called rest or opening, in which the hatch (52) is removed in order to allow a free flow of the concrete jet through of the passage (56) inside the duct, characterized in that it also comprises an external superimposed element (66) in the form of a receptacle whose bottom (60) and the two flanks (64) are integral with the rear face (70) of the duct vertical (34), the bottom (60) being born by below the groove (68) and extending up to a level higher than that of said groove (68) so that the receptacle (66) thus formed is able to receive the slurry that flows through this groove, also presenting the rear face (70) of the vertical duct (34), at its base between the origin of the bottom (60) of the receptacle (66) and the groove (68), a perforation (62) that opens into the interior passage (56) and in the receptacle (66) below the movable hatch (52).

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Emptying mechanism for a concrete tank comprising a receptacle for grout leaks. Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to an emptying mechanism intended to be fixed below a concrete tank of a construction site, as well as a concrete tank provided with such a emptying mechanism.

State of the art relating to the invention

Certain construction works that apply concrete, for example for the construction of buildings or engineering works, use vats that comprise a large upper opening that receives the concrete, said large opening protruding from a body in the form of a truncated conical or truncated pyramid whose inclined edges They converge downwards in order to direct the concrete towards the center where there is a channel provided with a closing hatch, which forms a trapdoor that can be manipulated under the control of a construction site manager. The control of the removal of a trapdoor of this type translates into a free flow of the concrete through a flexible tube that is placed under the channel and that leads the concrete to a formwork, also called armor, in which the concrete takes the form desired.

The concrete vats generally comprise in the upper part gripping means that allow them to be suspended from a crane, to present them successively to the device that supplies the concrete, which can be a concrete mixer truck or a concrete plant installed in the construction site, for later present them below the formwork that receives this concrete flowing through the flexible tube.

One type of known emptying mechanism, presented specifically by document FR-A1-2850692, a document that discloses the characteristics of the preamble of claim 1, comprises a top flange that is screwed under the hopper of the tank and that extends below through a vertical duct of small length, which has a rectangular cross section.

A closing hatch that pivots around a horizontal axis disposed below the above-mentioned conduit, and manipulated by an external lever, penetrates said conduit through a through groove made in a lateral face of this conduit in order to adjust in its passage inside and close it completely. In the open position, also called resting or opening, the trapdoor moves backwards, completely clearing the passage in the duct, which allows the concrete in the tank body to descend.

The vertical duct mentioned above is completely housed in a conical outer protective cover that forms a funnel that has a large upper opening and whose base is extended by a circular underpass connected to the evacuation tube, which leads the concrete directly to the formwork. An outer cover of this type, due to its funnel shape, which thus contains the emptying mechanism, allows all leaks that come from this mechanism to be received, in particular those that come from the groove in which the hatch pivots in its movements of vaiven.

The base of this vertical duct has a substantially tight contour on the inside surface of the conical roof, this construction allowing a continuous flow surface of the concrete to slide through the duct and then through the bottom of the funnel.

In addition, due to the fact that the adjustment of the conduit on the inner surface of the roof provides a reduced clearance between these two parts, the splashes and concrete projections during the opening of the trapdoor are thus limited. Indeed, a rapid descent of the concrete placed in the body of the tank can cause a sudden compression of the air contained in the flexible evacuation tube, in the event that the end of this tube is immersed in the concrete already distributed in the formwork and that, consequently, obstruct this extreme. In this case, there is a rise of highly compressed air through the tube, which can project out drops of grout causing splashes if they find a sufficiently large passage at the level of the duct of the emptying mechanism.

A phenomenon of this type of lateral slurry leakage is observed around the particular emptying mechanism at the level of the groove that receives the closing flap, which results in a progressive filling, by means of the grout, of the receptacle formed by the conical protection cover around the duct, receptacle that must be emptied manually when the tank is placed on the ground, for example by means of a tilting of this cover.

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On the other hand, the cover constitutes an independent part of the emptying mechanism and, therefore, represents complementary manufacturing costs; In the same way, the particular operations required to empty require time and also carry additional costs.

Another known device for protection against splashing comprises sheets forming a rear container arranged below the emptying system, using the side of the slot for the passage of the mobile trapdoor, in order to receive the slurry flowing through this slot . In this case, a complementary set must also be provided that forms a rear container of this type that swings for emptying, which is necessarily bulky, and periodically perform this emptying operation.

General description of the invention

Specifically, the present invention aims to eliminate all the drawbacks of the prior art.

Therefore, it proposes a mechanism for emptying a concrete tank whose body forms a hopper that, in the working position, is arranged globally vertically, said mechanism comprising, intended to be fixed below said body, a conduit vertical rectangular cross section that has a horizontal groove on its rear face that receives a trapdoor that is movable between a position called work or closure, in which it completely seals the interior passage to said conduit, and a position called rest or opening in which the trapdoor is removed in order to allow a free flow of the concrete jet through the internal passage to the conduit, the emptying mechanism being characterized in that it also comprises an external superimposed element in the form of a receptacle whose bottom and the two flanks are integral with the rear face of the vertical duct, the bottom being born below the groove and extending up h up to a level above that of said slot so that the receptacle formed in this way is suitable for receiving the slurry flowing through this slot, also presenting the rear face of the vertical duct, at its base between the birth of the bottom of the receptacle and the slot , a perforation that leads to the inner passage and the receptacle below the mobile trapdoor.

An advantage of this emptying mechanism is that the superimposed element constitutes a compact, simple and economical element, which can be easily added on the side of the emptying system to form the receptacle for the grout leaks, leaks that are then automatically directed, to through the aforementioned perforation, downstream of the mobile trapdoor to the evacuation tube below.

In addition, in case of overpressure of air in the evacuation tube below the trapdoor, during its opening, this air can be easily raised and evacuated by means of the perforation to flow into the receptacle formed by the superimposed element, which then receives the drops of Grout projected avoiding its dispersion to the outside.

The emptying mechanism according to the invention can also comprise one or more of the following characteristics, which can be combined.

Advantageously, each of the two flanks of the superimposed element is formed by a flange that is substantially arranged in the extension of one of the two lateral faces, respectively left and right, of the vertical conduit.

In this construction, the upper contour of each of the two flanges is adjusted to be arranged just below the path of the mobile trapdoor.

Advantageously, the vertical conduit is extended below by inclined lower planes converging towards the vertical symmetry axis of said conduit.

In this case, the bottom of the outer superimposed element may constitute a prolongation towards the back of one of the inclined lower planes.

According to a preferred construction, the perforation between the superimposed element and the internal passage to the conduit is formed in the vicinity of the base of the rear face of the conduit.

Preferably, the mobile hatch is constituted by a sheet from which each lateral end is fixed directly to the base of a pivoting bar arranged on one side of this mechanism.

Also preferably, the mobile hatch pivots about a horizontal transverse axis disposed below this mechanism in a substantially middle plane of the emptying mechanism.

According to yet another particularly advantageous construction, the perforation between the superimposed element and the internal passage to the conduit is carried out in the form of a port that extends parallel to the groove.

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The invention also has as its second object a concrete tank whose body forms a hopper which, in the working position, is arranged globally vertically and having at its base an opening equipped with a drainage mechanism made according to any of the characteristics previous.

Brief description of the drawings

The detailed specifications of the invention are provided in the following description in relation to the drawings attached herein. It should be noted that these drawings have no other purpose than to illustrate the text of the description and, therefore, do not in any way constitute a limitation of the scope of the invention.

In these drawings:

- Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views, presented according to two different angles, of a concrete tank equipped with an emptying mechanism according to the invention;

- Figure 3 is a perspective view of the emptying mechanism according to the invention;

- Figure 4 is a side view from behind of this emptying mechanism;

- Figure 5 is a view according to the axial cutting plane V-V of this same emptying mechanism, the mobile hatch of this mechanism occupying its so-called working or closing position;

- Figure 6 is a view of a detail of the receptacle of the emptying mechanism shown in Figure 5, and

- Figures 7 and 8 are identical views of Figures 5 and 6, the mobile hatch of the emptying mechanism occupying this time its position called rest or opening.

Description of preferred embodiments of the invention

Figures 1 and 2 represent, according to two different perspectives, a concrete tank 2 that has an upper part of rectangular section constituted by vertical plates 4, sheets that extend below by means of four inclined faces that make up the lower and essential part of the body of the Cuba 2 in the form of hopper 6, in this case truncated pyramid but which could also be a truncated cone. The walls of this hopper 6 converge downwards in a central opening surrounded by a flat bottom fixing flange 8, made from a very thick, rectangular or square sheet, perforated in the vicinity of its four corners by holes for the passage of bolt stems or other elements 28 intended for fixing an emptying mechanism.

In the working position, the body of the tank 2 is globally arranged vertically, that is to say that in its center the concrete it contains flows vertically and that the concrete jet that passes through the central opening of which the hopper is equipped at the bottom, it also flows vertically.

An emptying mechanism 30, fixed below the lower flange 8, comprises a rod 32 of vertical control disposed on one side of the body of the tank which will be referred to as the "front side" throughout the subsequent description and which, in Figures 1 and 2, is indicated by the arrow marked "AV".

Traditionally, the upper part of the tank 2 receives, in the middle of each of its front and rear faces, a vertical bar 18 whose upper end ends in a lifting ring 10 intended to fix the tank to a crane. The upper opening of the tank 2 is closed on the left side, by means of an inclined plate 20, and on each front and rear face, by a vertical plate 22, which leaves only the right side open for the entrance 14 of the concrete.

In the example shown, the left side of the tank 2 receives a frame comprising two parallel support bars 12 that are arranged in a vertical plane, inclined towards the right side descending, and that form a curvature down to end in one part which is slightly inclined with respect to the horizontal plane and which is arranged below the emptying mechanism 30. The two support bars 12 are joined together at their lower ends by means of a reinforcing bar 16 forming an inverted "U" and also joined together, in their rectilinear parts, by a tensioning plate 26 extending to the troncopiramidal part of the tank body, slightly below the fixing flange 8.

The frame allows the tank 2 to be placed on the ground with the crane, tilting it on the side following the curvature of its two support bars 12, with a view to cleaning it or storing it while protecting its emptying mechanism 30 as well as the device of control that presents in the inferior part.

Figures 3 to 8 present in more detail the emptying mechanism 30, a mechanism that comprises in a known way a vertical conduit 34 of rectangular section formed by four welded plates ending at the top in a rectangular flange of flat upper fixing 36 provided for set, for example by

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four bolts 28 arranged in the corners, to the fixing flange 8 provided in the lower part of the hopper 6 of the tank 2, and ending at the bottom in a circular section outlet 40 that receives a tube in its outer contour flexible concrete evacuation 24 that will be maintained around the outlet duct 40 by means of a clamp, this in order to be able to adjust the lower end of the tube 24 in a formwork or reinforcement in which the concrete contained in the tank is poured 2.

In the construction shown, the vertical conduit 34 is extended downwards by four inclined and convergent planes 38 towards the vertical symmetry axis 54 of said conduit 34, planes 38 ending at the vertical cylindrical outlet 40 provided to receive the evacuation tube 24 of concrete.

In the middle of each of its lateral faces, respectively right and left, the vertical conduit 34 receives on the outside a fixed bar 42 that is welded and ascends vertically away from the axis 54 to circumvent the lower volume of the tank 2. A mobile bar 44, arranged substantially parallel to each fixed bar 42, outside it, is connected to said fixed bar by an upper articulation of the horizontal axis 46.

Each mobile bar 44 has a large base that receives a control arm 48 turned towards the front of the tank 2. The front ends of the two control arms 48 are joined by a cross bar 50 that receives in the middle of the rod 32 of vertical control that allows, by pulling upwards, to swing the mobile bars 44 around the transverse horizontal axis 46 of its upper joints.

On the other hand, the two large bases of the movable bars 44 support, by their rear parts, a transverse trapdoor 52 of closing the vertical conduit 34, said flap constituting a hatch of longitudinal section in a circular arc, formed by a curved plate which It has a constant radius of curvature centered on the axis 46 of the upper joints. The closing door 52 of the conduit 34 penetrates into said conduit through a horizontal groove 68 disposed on the rear face 70 of the conduit 34, and fits between the two lateral faces of said conduit 34 to acquire a so-called working position, or of closing, until the front face, position that is represented in figure 5 and in which it completely seals the inner passage 56 of this conduit 34.

Advantageously, the closing hatch 52 is constituted by a sheet from which each of the two rear lateral ends is fixed directly to the base of a mobile bar 44, which simplifies manufacturing.

If the control rod 32 descends sharply, the operator lifts the mobile bars 44 by pivoting them backwards, which results in the closing flap 52 being retracted and, therefore, the vertical conduit 34 is fully opened. In this way, the inner passage 56 of the vertical duct 34 is completely cleared, which then has no more than smooth walls that allow the concrete contained in the body of the tank 2 to slide into the evacuation tube 24.

On the other hand, the rear face 70 of the vertical conduit 34 is provided, for its entire width, with a sheet inclined backwards and upwards, this in order to form an overlapping U-section element 66 whose bottom 60 rises upwards and ends slightly below the groove 68 that receives the mobile trapdoor 52.

The upper end of each of the two flanks 64 of the superimposed element 66, advantageously arranged in the extension of a lateral face, respectively left and right, of the vertical conduit 34, comprises a sheet metal flange, said flange 64 presenting a rounded upper contour to be arranged exactly below the path of the closing hatch 52. Therefore, the bottom 60 and the two flanks 64 of the superimposed element 66 constructed in this way will constitute, with the rear face 70 of the conduit 34, a receptacle fitted below this trapdoor.

The superimposed receptacle-shaped element 66 is thus designed to collect the products that can flow through the groove 68, in particular the concrete slurry.

In addition, the base of the rear face 70 of the vertical conduit 34 which is thus provided with the receptacle 66 comprises a perforation 62 that allows a natural flow of the grout that enters the receptacle 66. This perforation 62 is advantageously carried out in the form of horizontal port which, therefore, extends parallel to the groove 68. In fact, the slurry descends along the inclined bottom 60 of the superimposed element 66 and thus reaches the port 62 which it crosses to finally descend through the tube 24 evacuation. During the emptying of the tank in the evacuation tube, when the emptying mechanism 30 is open, in this way a descent of the concrete is obtained, directly by the evacuation tube 24 and a recovery, in this same tube 24 , of the grout that has been able to pass through the groove 68 towards the outside of the conduit 34.

Also, in the event that, at the beginning of the descent of the concrete through the evacuation tube 24, the lower end of this tube was obstructed by the concrete that is in the formwork to be filled, all the grout captured by the air tablet that rises violently and exits through port 62 or through slot 68 is recovered in receptacle 66 to then descend again through this tube 24. In this way, they are avoided

the projections and splashes to the outside that would make the construction work dirty and force them to proceed to the cleaning.

It should also be noted that, at the end of the emptying of the tank 2, there is no particular operation that has to be performed to empty the receptacle 66 since it is emptied continuously through the port 62.

Receptacle 66 has the advantage of only slightly increasing the occupied volume of the emptying mechanism 30. In addition, it can be formed economically, its bottom 60 being, for example, a simple sheet which is extended by the inclined rear face of a lower plane 38.

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Obviously, the invention is not limited to the only preferred embodiments described above.

On the contrary, it covers all possible embodiments, as long as the latter do not depart from the framework defined by the attached claims that define the scope of the present invention.

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Claims (10)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 40 Four. Five fifty 1. Mechanism (30) for emptying a concrete tank (2), whose body forms a hopper (6) which, in the working position, is arranged globally vertically, said mechanism comprising, intended to be fixed below of said body, comprising a vertical duct (34) of rectangular cross section having on its rear face (70) a horizontal groove (68) that receives a trapdoor (52) that is movable between a so-called working or closing position, wherein it completely blocks the passage (56) inside said conduit (34), and a position called resting or opening, in which the trapdoor (52) is removed in order to allow a free flow of the concrete jet through the passage (56) inside the conduit, characterized in that it also comprises an external superimposed element (66) in the form of a receptacle whose bottom (60) and the two flanks (64) are integral with the rear face (70) of the vertical duct (34), the bottom being born (60) below the groove (68) and extending up to a level higher than said groove (68) so that the receptacle (66) formed in this way is suitable for receiving the slurry flowing through this groove, also presenting the rear face (70) of the vertical duct (34), at its base between the birth of the bottom (60) of the receptacle (66) and the groove (68), a perforation (62) leading to the inner passage (56) and in the receptacle (66) below the mobile trapdoor (52). 2. Emptying mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the two flanks (64) of the superimposed element (66) is formed by a flange that is substantially arranged in the extension of one of the two lateral faces, respectively left and right, of the vertical duct (34). 3. Emptying mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that the upper contour of each of the two flanges (64) is adjusted to be arranged just below the path of the mobile trapdoor (52). 4. Emptying mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the vertical duct (34) is extended below by lower planes (38) inclined and convergent towards the vertical symmetry axis (54) of said duct. 5. Emptying mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that the bottom (60) of the outer superimposed element (66) constitutes an extension towards the back of one of the inclined lower planes (38). 6. Emptying mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the perforation (62) is formed in the vicinity of the base of the rear face (70) of the duct (34). 7. Emptying mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the mobile flap (52) is constituted by a sheet of which each lateral end is directly fixed to the base of a pivoting bar (44) arranged on a side of this mechanism. 8. The emptying mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the mobile flap (52) pivots around a horizontal transverse axis (46) disposed below this mechanism in a substantially middle plane of the mechanism (30) of emptying 9. Emptying mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the perforation (62) is made in the form of a port extending parallel to the groove (68). 10. Cuba (2) of concrete whose body forms a hopper (6) which, in the working position, is arranged globally vertically, said hopper having at its base an opening equipped with an emptying mechanism (30), characterized because this emptying mechanism (30) is performed according to any of the preceding claims.