Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring replaceable components of a work unit is disclosed. The method assigns an RFID tag to each wear part of a work unit. Prior to each operating cycle, the RFID tags are read and the RFID tags are correlated to corresponding wear parts. During operation of the work unit, operating parameters are read from the pumping unit and associated with each of the wear parts. A real-time life cycle status is determined for each of the wear parts based upon historic operating parameters and present operating parameters. Based upon the real-time life cycle status, the system and method of the present disclosure predicts the remaining wear life and relays this information to interested third parties. Interested third parties can then contact the equipment owner to provide information as to when parts need to be replaced prior to failure.

Abstract: An assembly for forming a mechanical interface for fastening tubular components includes a tubular pipe having at least one end with an external surface provided with groove structure. A tubular attachment is provided with a first engagement structure configured to be aligned with the groove structure on the tubular pipe. The tubular attachment is axially force fit on the outer end of the tubular pipe, and radially fastened thereto in response to at least one tool applied to the external surface of the tubular attachment. Also disclosed is a method for forming the mechanical interface between the tubular pipe and the tubular attachment.

Abstract: A concrete boom hose is provided with a first end that is connected to the outermost end of a series of concrete pipes and a second end through which the flowing concrete exits. The second end is provided with an inner diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the first end that is connected to the concrete pipe.

Abstract: A shut off valve for use with a concrete delivery hose includes a single flexible cylindrical sleeve disposed within a one piece, continuous rigid casing that surrounds the hose. A gas chamber is defined between the sleeve and the casing so that when pressurized gas is forced into the chamber, the sleeve will be displaced radially inwardly to constrict the hose and stop the flow of concrete. The shut-off valve also includes a relief valve for quickly exhausting gas from the valve, and an off/on indicator for indicating open/closed positions of the valve.

Abstract: A shut off valve for use with a concrete delivery hose includes a pair of flexible cylindrical sleeves disposed within a rigid casing that surrounds the hose. A gas chamber is defined between the sleeves so that when pressurized gas is forced into the chamber the inner sleeve will be displaced radially inwardly to constrict the hose and stop the flow of concrete.

Abstract: A method for forming and attaching a clamping collar to a pipe configured for forming a pipe section in a concrete pumping line for carrying of fluid concrete includes the steps of placing a sleeve on the pipe to provide a heat transfer limit area between the sleeve and the pipe; welding the sleeve to the pipe; heat treating the pipe; and assembling a collar to the sleeve and welding the collar to the sleeve.

Abstract: A coupling arrangement for permitting fluid-tight, pressurized fluid flow therethrough includes a pair of conduit members located in end-to-end alignment, each of the conduit members having a flared end. An encircling coupling unit surrounds the ends of the conduit members and has structure to tighten the coupling unit around the flared ends of the conduit members, the coupling unit having inner lateral surfaces partially defining a coupling cavity. An encircling, deformable gasket is disposed in the cavity of the coupling unit. The gasket has exterior lateral surfaces spaced from the inner lateral surfaces of the coupling unit, and interior surfaces defining an annular recess therein. A rigid ring liner is retained within the annular recess of the deformable gasket to reinforce the gasket. The flared ends of the conduit members are engaged in wedging and sealing relationship between the inner lateral surfaces of the coupling unit and the exterior lateral surfaces of the deformable gasket.

Abstract: A pipe section for concrete includes an end coupler interconnecting to another pipe section in a flow line. The coupler has an outer clamp secured extended from the pipe end with a coupling groove. An encircling clamp has sides located in the grooves of adjacent pipe sections to lock the pipe section together. The body and pipe end form an inner recess extending from the pipe end. An insert liner has a tubular portion matching the recess, with the outer surface of the tubular portion tapered to form a gap within the recess. The insert liner has an outer flange matching the outer diameter of the body and abuts the body. The inner wall of the liner has a central transition point from which the wall tapers inwardly in opposite directions to the outer end. The body member is formed of a high strength ductile steel. The insert liner is formed of a wear resistant material having a Rockwell hardness of 80 to 90.

Abstract: A concrete flow line made up of a plurality of end to end pipe sections with pipes connected to each other by a coupling assembly provides for carrying abrasive fluid concrete to a deposit site. The coupling assembly includes an insulating thin sleeve slid over the connecting end of the pipe and spaced from the pipe to form a heat insulating air space therebetween. The thin sleeve is welded to the pipe prior to the hardening of the pipe. After the sleeve is welded in place the inner wall of the pipe is hardened using an induction coil for concentrating of the heat within the inner wall portion in combination with a quenching unit to affect the desired hardening while maintaining an outer ductile wall portion to which the sleeve has been actually welded. A clamping collar or coupler is welded to the sleeve after hardening and forms a connecting end for receiving of a clamp unit which interconnects the adjacent pipe and pipe sections.

Abstract: A mixing drum unit for mixing a plastic resin and an aggregate includes a metal support drum and a plastic liner resting in the drum. An outer cover is secured to the drum overlying the outer end of the liner. The liner includes a cylindrical portion telescoped into the drum extending outwardly to an outer frustoconical portion having an outer end opening. The liner has a V-shaped shallow base which promotes mixing and ease of cleaning. The drum and liner include telescoping drive paddles which extend axially throughout the liner and project radially for coupling. The liner drive paddles extend into the outer frustoconical liner portion. The liner paddles have a radial wall and an inclined wall with an inner apex. The paddles are asymmetrically arranged about the drum and liner with at least one paddle spaced asymmetrically between the two adjacent paddles. The drum paddle is a metal plate projecting radially into the triangular liner paddle for direct coupling therebetween.

Abstract: A multi-walled composite tube member is formed from two superimposed pipes having a gap therebetween. The inner pipe is forcibly expanded in excess of the gap to deform and expand the outer pipe. The expander including a mandrel is forced through the aligned pipes while maintaining the longitudinal alignment. The diameter of the mandrel corresponding to the final desired diameter to finally size the composite pipe section and establish a true round inner passage. An induction heating coil operating at a low frequency operating in the range of low hundreds hertz in contrast to a conventional high frequency unit operating at thousands of hertz is coupled to and moved relative to the expanded pipe unit, progressively heats small lengths of the expanded pipe unit. The expanded pipe unit is quenched with a chilled brine solution applied to both surfaces.

Abstract: A semi-liquid cementitious pump nozzle unit for pumping cement, concrete, grout and other abrasive materials includes an air chamber assembly having an outer integral swivel housing. A tubular steel body has a threaded coupling for connection to a pump hose. An air chamber recess extends about the nozzle body with transfer openings located centrally of the recess. An outer air housing in a form of a simple tubular member is telescoped over the end walls and sealed thereto by O-ring seals. The opposite ends of the housing are smooth bearing surfaces. Annular bearing walls project radially outwardly by the nozzle and abutting the bearing surfaces of the housing. The bearing walls may be snap ring units releasably applied to the nozzle body. A nozzle reducer secured to the end of the nozzle body may have an appropriate end directly abutting the air/swivel housing to form a bearing wall. The outer air/swivel housing is secured with the body for a slip fit for ease of disassembly, cleaning and maintenance.

Abstract: A concrete pumping pipe coupling operates at nominal pressures of 2,000 psi and momentary peaks in excess of 3,000 psi. A two-piece hinged coupling forms a cylindrical enclosure encircling adjacent pipe ends. A two-piece latch releasably interconnects the ends of the two coupling sections. The latch includes a lever pivotally mounted to a link which is pivotally connected to the one coupling section. The lever pivots on a cam member connected to the other coupling section. The link includes a bolt threaded into an elongated nut. The threaded connection is for varying the length of the link. The elongated nut has an annular inner groove with a stop wall at each end. A spring-loaded limit pin is slidably mounted in a blind hole in the bolt and projects into the recess. The stop walls in the nut limits the movement of the bolt from the nut and thereby the extension of the link.

Abstract: A concrete pumping system includes a pipe extender unit for adjustment of a pipe length between two fixed points. The extender unit includes a ductile steel pipe telescoped over a standard pipe, with a seal therebetween. Four jaws of hardened steel have inner teeth on the center portion only which abutt the exterior of the pipe section. The pipe and jaws have end exterior shoulders. A two-piece annular clamp has spaced clamping legs engaging the shoulders to connect the members and force the jaw teeth into the outer wall of the pipe section to affix the pipe extender to the pipe section thereof. The teeth have a radial side and an inclined side joined by an outer flat land.

Abstract: A "dump" valve for a concrete pumping line includes a tubular valve body for in-line connection in a distribution line and an end hinged cover plate for opening the valve. The valve includes a short rectangular discharge pipe, including flat walls, secured in a rectangular side wall opening in the valve body. The pipe has an outer flat end. A valve cover plate somewhat larger than the rectangular discharge pipe is provided with a sealing, gasketed face. The cover plate is hinged at one axial end to the valve body and is pivotally mounted to move between a closed position engaging the flat end of the discharge pipe and a pivoted depending open position in which the plate is swung clear of the bottom end of the discharge pipe section. An operating handle having an over-the-center latch linkage is coupled to the cover.

Abstract: Concrete pumping conduits are connected by releasable hinged couplers. The ends of the conduits include metal pipes formed with annular grooves including a circular peripheral base. The coupler has a cup-shaped cross-section and a sealing gasket is located within the base of the cup-shaped recess with a tongue-like ridge projecting between the two end faces of the pipe ends. The tongue is formed with a rectangular or triangular cross-section. The gasket is provided with small recesses adjacent the ridge with inclined outer sidewalls defining lips in sealing engagement with the conduit. The peripheral ends of the pipes are chamfered and engaged by the sealing lips.

Abstract: A swivel coupling apparatus includes a pair of aligned metal pipe sections having grooved outer ends for connecting to hoses and rigid pipes by releasable clamp units. A gasket is disposed between the smooth end faces and an outer clamp housing encircles the end portions to mechanically connect the pipe sections. The pipe sections have outer shoulders with inclined clamp walls. The clamp housing includes a pair of semi-circular members having bolt clamping lugs for drawing the members onto the shoulders. The members having outer side clamp legs defining a cavity. A central rectangular spacer projects partially into the cavity for location between the outer portion of the end faces. The cavity has annular base walls between the spacer and side legs aligned with and outwardly spaced from the outer peripheral walls of the shoulders. Grease fittings to the opposite sides of the spacer provide for introducing of grease into the free space. The spacer has a smooth inner wall forming a backing for the gasket.

Abstract: Concrete pumping conduits are connected by releasable hinged couplers. The ends of the conduits include metal pipes formed with annular grooves including a circular peripheral base and a stepped end wall immediate adjacent the end of the pipe to define a pair of generally parallel and radially extended, inclined sidewalls. The coupler is formed with inwardly projecting legs with the inner walls similarly stepped and defining a pair of generally inclined radial sidewalls offset in accordance with the offset of the grooved siewalls, but slightly less than such spacing. A sealing gasket is located within the base of the cup-shaped recess with a tongue-like ridge projecting between the two end faces of the pipe ends. The first radially outermost sidewalls of the coupler and the radially innermost sidewalls of the groove engage upon closing to provide a mechanical connection. The gasket is collapsed to seal the joints.