APPARATUS FOR REINFORCING GROUND WITH FIBEROUS ADDITIVES

Abstract

An apparatus for supplying reinforcing additive to a ground by being connected to a mobile vehicle including a chamber to store the reinforcing additive, wherein the chamber includes an outlet to let the stored additive reach the ground for reinforcement; a connecting element to connect the apparatus to the vehicle; a cover for adjusting the additive amount leaving the chamber through the outlet by adjusting the opening of the outlet; a movement element in connection with the cover and moving the cover to adjust the opening of the outlet; a vibrating element provided on a surface of the chamber, vibrating the surface when energized to direct the additive towards the outlet; and a power source in connection with the movement element and vibrating element, providing energy to these elements to perform their operations according to the demand of the related application.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the national phase entry of International Application No. PCT/TR2017/050066, filed on Feb. 20, 2017, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to an apparatus configured for spreading fibrous additives to ground for reinforcement.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For bearing against much higher loads, ground should be reinforced with some additives especially in civil engineering field. For instance, in order to build much more safer high rise on a ground or to increase the strength and durability of roads with respect to heavily loaded vehicles, the related ground should be strengthened with some additives. Furthermore, facility structures in industry cover a large area of ground and thus, the heavy, rigid mass of the structure and the movement and vibration created by the heavy vehicles moving in the facility generate vertical loads negatively affecting the ground. More clearly, if the ground does not have proper strength characteristic, these vertical loads cannot be borne by the ground and the structure cannot be supported by the ground, which can result in the structure being damaged or even being demolished. In order to avoid such problems, the ground on which a construction process is carried out should be reinforced with some kind of additives such as fibres. The main idea of the reinforcement is to lower (eliminate as much as possible) the amount of gaps present in 25 the ground, since these gaps loosen the ground and decrease the strength of the ground. For that reason, the ground is mixed with some additives (especially fibre based additives) and in this manner these additives fill the gaps that are present in the ground and cause decrease in the strength of the ground.

In order to fill the gaps with additives, the additive is spread onto the ground with an apparatus. An exemplary embodiment of an apparatus/device, configured to spread an additive onto the ground, is given in the published patent application no WO2005124035A1. In this document, the developed device comprises a sandy soil supply device carrying the sandy soil to the reinforced earth preparing place; a fiber supply device for storing, therein, a reel for the fibers twined in the sandy soil; an injection nozzle jetting the fibers continuously delivered from the fiber supply device by utilizing high-pressure water or compressed air; feed rollers having the fibers wound therearound or holding the fibers therebetween to forcibly feed out the fibers. The feed rollers are installed between the fiber supply device and the injection nozzle and interlocked with the fiber supply device to control the rotation of the feed rollers. However, the device described in this document is a complex device and can be costly for simple applications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the present invention, an apparatus suitable for supplying reinforcing additive to ground by being connected to a mobile vehicle is disclosed, wherein the apparatus comprises at least one chamber in which the reinforcing additive is stored and which comprise at least one outlet in order to allow the stored additive to reach to the ground for reinforcement; at least one connecting element to connect the apparatus to the vehicle; at least one cover configured for adjusting the additive amount leaving the chamber through the outlet by adjusting the opening of the outlet, the cover having open positions with variable widths for the outlet so as to let the reinforcing additive leave the chamber, and a close position for preventing the reinforcing additive from leaving the chamber; at least one movement element in connection with the cover and moving the cover so as to adjust the opening of the outlet; at least one vibrating element provided on at least one surface of the chamber, vibrating the surface when energized in order to direct the reinforcing additive in the chamber towards the outlet for letting the sufficient amount of the additive leave the chamber through the outlet to meet the demand required for reinforcing the ground for the related application; and at least one power source in connection with the movement element and vibrating element, providing energy to these elements to perform their operations according to the demand of the related application.

According to the apparatus developed by the present invention, a reinforcing additive can be stored and homogenously spread to ground by dosing according to demand, independently of particle size and material property of the additive. Furthermore, since the apparatus of the invention is able to be used mobile, laying the reinforcing additive to the ground homogenously is able to be ensured by means of dosing according to demand for spreading reinforcing additive to ground. In addition, the use of vibrating element and cover for dispensing and dosing of the additive allows to spread and lay fibrous reinforcing additive to ground with a mobile apparatus.

An object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for storing and homogenously spreading a reinforcing additive to ground by dosing in accordance with the demand.

The other object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for spreading reinforcing additive independently of particle size and material property of the additive.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which is not only mobile but also ensures dosing according to demand for spreading reinforcing additive to the ground.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a mobile apparatus for spreading fibrous reinforcing additive to the ground.

The other object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for spreading fibrous reinforcing additive to the ground by dosing in accordance with the demand.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1; is a side sectional view of the apparatus developed by the present invention.

FIG. 2; is a back sectional view of the apparatus developed by the present invention.

All the parts illustrated in the drawings are individually assigned a reference numeral and the corresponding terms of these numbers are listed as follows:

• • Vehicle (A)
  • Chamber (H)
  • Inclined surface (H1)
  • Outlet (H2)
  • Cover (K)
  • Movement element (M)
  • Vibrating element (D)
  • Mixing system (S)
  • Shaft (S1)
  • Bar (S2)
  • Rotating element (S3)
  • Supporting base (S4)
  • Frame (F)
  • Connecting element (B)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For various civil engineering applications such as construction of a building or a road, the main step to make the construction durable and long-lasting is the reinforcement of the ground, because the ground is the place where the foundation of the construction is laid and therefore the place which bears the construction. In order to manage this, various additives are spread, laid and/or mixed with the ground to fill the gaps in the ground. For this purpose, various apparatuses are used in the state of the art. In order to perform the spreading and laying functions, the apparatus should be mobile. However, since fibrous additives can fly easily and have flocculation tendency, the mobile apparatuses have drawbacks in using fibrous additives for reinforcing ground. For that reason, by the present invention, an apparatus eliminating the above-mentioned drawbacks is developed, which is able to be used mobile and which is also configured especially for 25 fibrous reinforcing additives.

The apparatus of the present invention, exemplary view of which is shown in the FIGS. 1 and 2, is suitable for supplying at least one reinforcing additive (especially fibrous reinforcing additive) to a ground for especially civil engineering applications (such as construction of a road, construction of a building etc.) by being connected to a mobile vehicle (A) and it comprises at least one chamber (H) in which the reinforcing additive (preferably fibrous) is stored and which comprises at least one outlet (H2) in order to let the stored additive reach the ground for reinforcement (during this, the additive can be spread to, laid on and/or mixed with the ground depending on the demand), and at least one connecting element (B) to connect the apparatus to the vehicle (A). The apparatus further comprises at least one cover (K) configured for adjusting the additive amount leaving the chamber (H) through the outlet (H2) by adjusting the opening of the outlet (H2), the cover (K) having open positions with variable widths for the outlet (H2) so as to let the reinforcing additive leave the chamber (H), and a close position for preventing the reinforcing additive from leaving the chamber (H); at least one movement element (M) (preferably in the form of a piston) in connection with the cover (K) and moving the cover (K) so as to adjust the opening of the outlet (H2); at least one vibrating element (D) provided on at least one surface of the chamber (H) (preferably on the outer surface of the chamber (H)), vibrating the surface when energized in order to direct the reinforcing additive in the chamber (H) towards the outlet (H2) for letting the sufficient amount of the additive leave the chamber (H) through the outlet (H2) to meet the demand required for reinforcing the ground for the related application; and at least one power source (not shown in the figures), such as a generator or a storage battery, in connection with the movement element (M) and vibrating element (D), providing energy to these elements to perform their operations according to the demand of the related application. Preferably the apparatus comprises at least one sensor (not shown in figures) for sensing the ambience conditions (such as movement speed of the vehicle (A), air conditions on the area where the application will take place etc.) and at least one control unit in connection with the sensor and the movement element (M). Therefore, besides manual control of the movement element (M), automatic control of the movement element (M) with respect to the conditions is also ensured and thus, auto-adjustment of the opening depth of the cover (K) with respect to the variable conditions can be ensured.

In the exemplary operation of the invention, the reinforcing additive is stored in the chamber (H) of the apparatus and the apparatus is connected to the vehicle (A) by means of the connecting element (B). Then the apparatus is moved by movement of the mobile vehicle (A) on the ground to be reinforced. By the movement, the vibrating element (D) and the movement element (M) are energized via the power source. By energizing the vibrating element (D), the surface on which the vibrating element (D) is provided starts to vibrate and thanks to this vibration, the reinforcing additive is gradually directed towards the outlet (H2) provided preferably on the base of the chamber (H). By energizing the movement element (M), the cover (K) brought to the open position upon sufficiently opening the outlet (H2) required for the application by considering the conditions under which the application will take place. By virtue of limiting the opening width of the outlet (H2) with respect to the conditions such as movement speed of the vehicle (A), air conditions on the area where the application will take place etc., the reinforcing additive is able to be supplied with sufficient amount and therefore, use of the fibrous reinforcing additive with a mobile vehicle (A) is able to be performed. Although the fibrous reinforcing additive can easily fly, by decreasing or increasing the opening width of the outlet (H2) with respect to the vehicle (A) speed, for instance, with the help of the vibration, supply of the sufficient amount to the ground is able to be ensured. Therefore, an apparatus which can be used for reinforcing the ground with fibrous additives via a mobile vehicle (A) is developed with the present invention.

Furthermore, homogenous spread of the additive is able to be ensured thanks to the structure of the apparatus. Since the parts of the apparatus are energized by means of a power source provided on the apparatus, the apparatus is able to be operated with a mobile vehicle (A). In addition, with the developed apparatus, spreading fibrous reinforcing additive to the ground by dosing according to demand can be ensured.

In a preferable embodiment of the invention, the apparatus further comprises at least one inclined surface (H1), one end of which is in connection with the outlet (H2) and on which the vibrating element (D) is provided. Thanks to this inclined surface (H1), the reinforced additive is directed to the outlet easily and therefore the vibrating element (D) performs its function more efficiently. Therefore, proper dosing of the reinforcing additive to the ground is able to be ensured.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention, the chamber (H) of the apparatus is in the form of a hopper, and the outlet (H2) is provided on the base of the hopper shaped chamber (H). Therefore, the reinforcing additive can be effectively directed to the outlet (H2).

In another embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus further comprises at least one mixing system (S) provided in the chamber (H) for mixing the reinforcing additive so as to let the additive leave the chamber (H) homogenously through the outlet (H2). According to this embodiment, the mixing system (S) preferably comprises at least one shaft (S1) which is able to rotate around its own axis and which extends in the chamber (H) in such a way that it is parallel to the plane in which the outlet is present and preferably perpendicular to the movement direction of the apparatus; and one or more bar(s) (S2) provided in the chamber (H) in connection with the shaft (S1) in such a way that one part (preferably end) of the bar(s) (S2) is/are connected to the shaft (S1) and the other part (preferably end) of the bar(s) (S2) is/are free in the chamber (H). In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the mixing system (S) comprises a plurality of bars (S2), forming pairs in such a way that two bars (S2) forming a pair are bilaterally connected to the shaft (S1) by providing an angle (preferably wide angle, especially straight angle) therebetween. The shaft (S1) of the mixing system (S) is able to rotate by means of at least one rotating element (S3), comprised by the apparatus of the present invention and in connection with the shaft (S1). Preferably one end of the shaft (S1) extends from the chamber (H) outwardly and is connected to the rotating element (S3). The rotating element (S3) is preferably in connection with the power source in order for being energized to rotate the shaft (S). The apparatus of this embodiment further comprises at least one supporting base (S4) which is in connection with the chamber, and on which the rotating element (S3) is provided. Therefore, the load of the rotating element (S3) is shared by the chamber (H) and the supporting base (S4) and more durable apparatus can be obtained by the present invention.

In the other preferable embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus comprises at least one frame (F) to which the chamber (H), the connecting element (B) and the movement element (M) are connected. Therefore, a compact structure is obtained and mobility of the apparatus is ensured easily and more reliably. In this embodiment, preferably, the supporting base (S4) is also connected to the frame (F).

Preferably, cover (K) of the apparatus provided by the present invention is connected to the chamber (H) in such a way that the cover (K) is able to rotate around an axis while moving between open and closed positions. In this embodiment the rotation axis of the cover (K) is provided such that in the open position, cover (K) is provided between outlet (H2) and the vehicle (A). In other words, the cover (K) rotates such that the air circulation occurring due to the movement of the apparatus is prevented from being directly in contact with the reinforcing additive leaving the chamber (H) through the outlet (H2) while the cover (K) is in open position. Therefore, not only proper dosing of the additive is able to be ensured without being affected from the conditions under which the application is to take place but also use of fibrous reinforcing additives with mobile apparatus is ensured.

According to the apparatus developed by the present invention, a reinforcing additive can be stored and homogenously spread to ground by dosing according to demand independently of particle size and material property of the additive. Furthermore, since the apparatus of the invention is able to be used mobile, laying the reinforcing additive to the ground homogenously is able to be ensured by dosing according to demand for spreading reinforcing additive to ground. In addition, the use of vibrating element (D) and cover (K) for dispensing and dosing of the additive allows to spread and lay fibrous reinforcing additive to ground with a mobile apparatus.

Claims

1. An apparatus suitable for supplying a reinforcing additive to a ground by being connected to a mobile vehicle, comprising:

at least one chamber storing the reinforcing additive wherein the at least one chamber includes at least one outlet to let the stored reinforcing additive reach the ground for reinforcement;

at least one connecting element to connect the apparatus to the mobile vehicle;

at least one cover configured for adjusting an amount of the reinforcing additive leaving the chamber through the outlet by adjusting an opening of the outlet, the cover having open positions with variable widths for the outlet so as to let the reinforcing additive leave the chamber, and a close position for preventing the reinforcing additive from leaving the chamber;

at least one movement element in connection with the cover and configured for moving the cover so as to adjust the opening of the outlet;

at least one vibrating element provided on at least one surface of the chamber, wherein the vibrating element vibrates the surface when energized in order to direct the reinforcing additive in the chamber towards the outlet for letting a sufficient amount of the reinforcing additive leave the chamber through the outlet to meet a demand required for reinforcing the ground for a related application and

at least one power source in connection with the movement element and vibrating element, wherein the power source provides energy to the movement element and the vibrating element to perform operations according to the demand of the related application.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the movement element is a piston.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vibrating element is provided on an outer surface of the chamber.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the outlet is provided on a base of the chamber.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus further includes at least one inclined surface, wherein one end of the at least one inclined surface is in connection with the outlet and the vibrating element is provided on the at least one inclined surface.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the chamber of the apparatus is in the form of a hopper.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one mixing system provided in the chamber for mixing the reinforcing additive to let the reinforcing additive leave the chamber homogenously through the outlet.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the mixing system comprises at least one shaft configured to rotate around its own axis and the at least one shaft extends in the chamber in such a way that it is parallel to a plane in which the outlet is present, and at least one bar provided in the chamber in connection with the shaft in such a way that one part of the at least one bar is connected to the shaft and an other part of the at least one bar is free in the chamber.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the shaft is perpendicular to a movement direction of the apparatus.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the mixing system comprises a plurality of bars forming pairs in such a way that two bars forming a pair are bilaterally connected to the shaft by providing an angle therebetween.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the angle is an obtuse angle.

12. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the angle is straight angle.

13. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising at least one rotating element in connection with the shaft and ensuring the rotation of the shaft.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein one end of the shaft extends from the chamber outwardly and is connected to the rotating element.

15. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the rotating element is in connection with the power source in order for being energized to rotate the shaft.

16. The apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising at least one supporting base in connection with the chamber, on which the rotating element is provided.

17. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one frame, wherein the chamber, the connecting element and the movement element are connected to the at least one frame.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the supporting base is also connected to the frame.

19. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cover is connected to the chamber in such a way that the cover rotates around an axis while moving between an open and a close position.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the rotation axis of the cover is provided such that in the open position, cover is provided between the outlet and the vehicle.

21. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising at least one sensor for sensing conditions and at least one control unit in connection with the sensor and the movement element for auto-adjusting of an opening depth of the cover with respect to the conditions.