Abstract: An inference system for monitoring a cementitious mixture for three-dimensional printing is provided. The inference system includes an ambient condition sensor, a temperature sensor, a moisture sensor and an image capturing device. The inference system also includes a controller coupled to the ambient condition sensor, the temperature sensor, the moisture sensor, and the image capturing device. The controller receives sensed ambient conditions, a temperature signal, and a moisture content signal. The controller receives an image feed of a portion of a cementitious mixture. The controller also receives signals indicative of a motor speed and a motor torque associated with a mixing container. The controller builds a model and determines a material suitability of the cementitious mixture using the model based on the received ambient conditions, the temperature signal, the moisture content signal, the image feed, the motor speed, and the motor torque and determines one or more corrective actions.

Abstract: The fiber boxes (60) each contain fiber (62) and are removably mounted to a fiber injector (9) for injecting the fiber (62) into a material flow stream. The fiber boxes (60) each have an enclosure (61) for containing the fiber (62), preferably a single fiber (62). An aperture 70 provides a feed hole (70) for passing the fiber (62) from an interior of the enclosure (61) to an exterior of the enclosure (61). Contacts (64) having ends disposed on an exterior of the enclosure (61), spaced apart for registering with mating contacts (54) on a fiber distribution ring (40). A frangible element (68) extends between the contacts (64) and provides electrical continuity between the two contacts (64), such that when the fiber (62) is fully withdrawn from within the enclosure (61) the frangible element (68) separates and breaks electrical continuity between the two contacts (64).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a grain buggy assembly. The grain buggy assembly includes a grain buggy and a conveyor for movably mounting to the buggy. In use, the conveyor can be moved from a retracted configuration in which the conveyor is retracted relative to the buggy to a grain loading configuration. In the grain loading configuration, the conveyor can extend from the buggy to receive grain for conveyance to the buggy. In one embodiment, the conveyor is pivotally mounted to the grain buggy.

Abstract: A waterborne facility on a body of water includes a primary spoolable pipe and a pump. The end of the primary spoolable pipe may be guided from the waterborne facility to a location proximate to a selected site. The pump may be used to discharge a flowable material through the primary spoolable pipe. The waterborne facility may include a ready-mix concrete preparation system. However, the waterborne facility may deliver any flowable material to a selected site, which may be a land surface, underground, on a water surface, or underwater. Illustrative flowable materials include seawater, grout, cement, and sediment/mud.

Abstract: A process for reusing rockwool production by-product into marketable bricks is disclosed. The process includes, in a brick forming facility, sequentially dumping incoming rockwool production by-product in a mixing bunker in a first direction, acquiring the rockwool production by-product from the mixing bunker in a second direction, and forming bricks with the mixed rockwool production by-product. Acquiring the rockwool production by-product in the second direction mixes the rockwool production by-product from two non-sequential dumps.

Abstract: A system for monitoring plant equipment is provided. Another aspect provides an automated analysis system wherein software instructions operably compare sensor data to predefined valves and determine mechanical problems in multiple machines. In another aspect, a cement manufacturing system includes sensors for sensing movement conditions of cement making machines. A further aspect provides a central computer connected to vibration sensors associated with cement making machines, where software instructions perform real-time comparisons and machine performance determinations, based at least in part on sensed signals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a facility suitable for coating the inside of a pipe element with a mortar. It includes a feeding device (32) suitable for feeding the dry matter of the mortar, the feeding device including a feeding chamber (48) and a member (54) for transporting the dry matter, arranged in the feeding chamber, the feeding chamber being provided with a dry matter inlet (50) and a dry matter outlet (52). The facility also includes a mixing device (34) suitable for mixing the dry matter with liquid matter in order to obtain the mortar, said mixing device having a mixing member (82) and a chamber (74) for mixing the dry matter with the liquid matter. The mixing chamber has a dry matter inlet (76), a liquid matter inlet (78) and a mortar outlet (80). The dry matter outlet (52) of the transport device leads into the dry matter inlet (76) of the mixing chamber, and the feeding member (54) and the mixing member (82) are separate members. The invention can be used for the production of wastewater pipes.

Abstract: A flow splitter can include an inlet conduit and first and second outlet conduits separated by a junction portion. The inlet conduit can include an inlet end and a junction end. The inlet conduit is disposed along a main flow axis extending between the inlet end and the junction end. The inlet end defines an inlet opening. The junction end defines first and second junction openings. The first junction opening is disposed in spaced relationship to the second junction opening. The junction portion is disposed at the junction end of the inlet conduit between the first and second junction openings. The junction portion includes a substantially planar wall region that is substantially perpendicular to the main flow axis. The flow splitter can be placed in fluid communication with a cementitious slurry mixer and a slurry distributor with the flow splitter disposed therebetween.

Abstract: A hopper insert for the hopper of a paving machine is installed above a hopper conveyor that conveys asphalt material in a hopper conveying direction. The hopper insert has a front end and a rear end and a plurality of walls that together define an opening adjacent to the hopper conveyor. The opening to the hopper conveyor increases in width from front end of the hopper insert to the rear end.

Abstract: A concrete mixing includes a barrel having an interior surface and an exterior surface. A blade extends from the interior surface for mixing concrete and a ring is positioned about the exterior surface of the barrel for rotation of the barrel. An expandable joint is provided under compression between the ring and the exterior surface of the barrel to accommodate different thermal coefficients of expansion between the barrel and the ring.

Abstract: A system for managing a concrete delivery vehicle having a mixing drum 14 and hydraulic drive 16 for rotating the mixing drum, including a rotational sensor 20 configured to sense a rotational speed of the mixing drum, a hydraulic sensor 22 coupled to the hydraulic drive and configured to sense a hydraulic pressure required to turn the mixing drum, a temperature sensor for sensing temperature of the drum, and a communications port 26 configured to communicate a slump calculation to a status system 28 commonly used in the concrete industry, wherein the sensing of the rotational speed of the mixing drum is used to qualify a calculation of current slump based on the hydraulic pressure required to turn the mixing drum. Temperature readings are further used to qualify or evaluate a load. Also, water purge connections facilitate cold weather operation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to measure and control the slump of concrete by monitoring sensor within the interior surface of a concrete mixer and a liquid flow meter. Data is analyzed by a computer processing unit to determine the slump of the concrete, liquid needed the quantity of concrete within the mixer, the amount of concrete poured, and the starting and ending time of the pour.

Abstract: A simple and easily useable system for reverting an uncured colored concrete material back to a gray color, by merely determining the original pigment and loading initially used to color the concrete material. The system utilizes a collection of pigment mixtures that can be selected and combined as needed to revert virtually any colored concrete back to a gray color, thus eliminating or reducing the expulsion of non-gray or colored concrete and/or dirty rinse water. Additionally, the volume of rinse water needed to clean out gray concrete is significantly less than that needed to clean out colored concrete.

Abstract: A method of estimating the hydration reactivity of coal ash with high precision and determining the amount of milling water for obtaining a milling product in funicular form at the stage of milling; and a molding method being free from the problem of adhesion to a pressurization board at the stage of molding after the milling. When any collected coal ash exhibits a corrected basicity ((CaO+Fe2O3+MgO)/SiO2 (weight ratio)) of 0.1 or higher and a reactivity index (corrected basicity/(R2O/Al2O3) (weight ratio)) of 10 or higher, the coal ash as a raw ash is transferred to raw ash silo (2). Otherwise, the coal ash is transferred to waste ash silo (3). The raw ash within the raw ash silo (2) is poured in mill (8), and lime and gypsum are added and further milling water is charged thereto and milled.

Abstract: A concrete mixing includes a barrel having an interior surface and an exterior surface. A blade extends from the interior surface for mixing concrete and a ring is positioned about the exterior surface of the barrel for rotation of the barrel. An expandable joint is provided under compression between the ring and the exterior surface of the barrel to accommodate different thermal coefficients of expansion between the barrel and the ring.

Abstract: A foamed asphalt cement nozzle assembly is adapted for use in connection with a mixer for mixing aggregate materials and asphalt cement to make asphalt concrete. The foamed asphalt cement nozzle assembly includes a foamed cement mixing chamber, a first inlet for liquid asphalt cement and a second inlet for water, each of which is in fluid communication with the foamed cement mixing chamber. An outlet for foamed asphalt cement is also provided, which outlet is in fluid communication with both the foamed cement mixing chamber and the mixer. The invention also comprises a method for making asphalt concrete using foamed asphalt cement. The method includes introducing aggregate materials into the mixer and heating the aggregate materials to a temperature at least as high as the boiling point of water but no higher than about 285° F.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for mixing fluent material. A hopper is pivotably mounted to a frame on a pivot axis that is substantially spaced from the axis of rotation of a mixing paddle. Because the pivot axis is substantially spaced from the axis of rotation, the mixer can be loaded by the operator at a low charge height and subsequently dumped at a higher dump height. Horizontally adjustable arms in combination with vertically adjustable legs provide for adjustability in length, width and height of the apparatus for stability when the hopper is fully dumped.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a network type automated concrete plant for efficiently producing and delivering ready-mixed concrete, and more particularly, to a network type automated concrete plant which can be collectively managed within a group of multiple ready-mixed concrete plants which are distributed and disposed in multiple regions which serve multiple construction sites and are equipped with a ready-mixed concrete producing apparatus, which is capable of realizing efficient operation, management and deployment. In this network type automated concrete plant, multiple ready-mixed concrete plants (20a), (20b) and (20c) are connected to each other through a plant center (10) by way of a network (14).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a network type automated concrete plant for efficiently producing and delivering ready-mixed concrete, and more particularly, to a network type automated concrete plant which can be collectively managed within a group of multiple ready-mixed concrete plants which are distributed and disposed in multiple regions which serve multiple construction sites and are equipped with a ready-mixed concrete producing apparatus, which is capable of realizing efficient operation, management and deployment. In this network type automated concrete plant, multiple ready-mixed concrete plants (20a), (20b) and (20c) are connected to each other through a plant center (10) by way of a network (14).

Abstract: Site-won spoil from an excavation which is a predominantly non-granular cohesive material can be converted into a material suitable for immediate use as a backfill material by a process of mechanically mixing the spoil with between 0 and 30% by weight or volume of added granular material and between 1 and 10% by weight or volume of a powder material comprising 1-5% lime or with the additon of 1-5% cement and/or 1-5% pulverised fly ash. The process works well with clay soils and the range of suitable spoil can be extended by adding cement to the powder material. The proportions in the mixture are chosen in dependence on the clay and moisture content of the spoil. A machine which can be set to mix the ingredients and water in the correct proportions on site is also described.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and reporting sensor data associated with the delivery of concrete from a provider site to a client site by a concrete delivery mixing truck having a status sensor capable of obtaining slump related data is provided. The status sensor obtains slump related data which is read by a computing device that calculates a slump value, compares the slump value to a delivery slump value, and indicates that a transmission event has occurred if a difference between the delivery slump value and the calculated slump value exceeds a tolerance level. If a transmission event has occurred, event data associated with the transmission event is collected and delivered to a remote location or device.

Abstract: A quick-mix cement mixing and dispensing bag comprising a flexible tubular structure which is lightweight and waterproof. The flexible tubular structure includes an inlet end having a topside and a bottom-side where the topside has a V-shaped notch formed therein. A central portion succeeding and integral with the inlet end and having a topside belly. An outlet end having a circumferentially tapering tubular profile and which succeeds and is integral with the central portion.

Abstract: A handheld cementitious mixing tool with a rectangle shaped mixing head vertically oriented and attached to an end of a tubular tool handle with a plurality of horizontal mixing blades angled so that when the mixing head is pulled towards the user the cementitious material is lifted by the angled mixing blades and then dropped thereby mixing the cementitious material. Water is simultaneously added to the cementitious material through an integral water delivery system which includes a handle incorporated water valve and tubing extending from the water valve through the tubular tool handle to water nozzles directed to deliver water to an area immediately before the cementitious material is subjected to the mixing head. An ergonomically designed intermediate handle is provided which is slidingly and rotational adjustable about the tool tubular handle. The tool operates by pulling rather than pushing through cementitious material thereby alleviating fatigue and the possibility of worker injury.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mixing materials comprising a unitary sheet of fiberreinforced plastic tarpaulin having reinforced stitching along the sides of the fabric and handles for grasping the tarp attached at the corners of the tarp, primarily intended for use in the preparation of small quantities of concrete in the residential setting, but adaptable for preparing and mixing of a variety of other materials, including mortar, soils, compost, and the like.

Abstract: A stirring device achieving high stirring efficiency and easy to wash and maintain, is provided. The stirring device includes a vertical cylindrical stirring vessel, a rotary shaft vertically extended within the stirring vessel for rotation, and a stirring vessel constituted of two or more basically rectangular vane plates vertically supported on the rotary shaft in symmetrical relation with each other with respect to the rotary shaft. On an upper portion of the stirring vane, a recess is formed for forming a cone about the rotary shaft when the stirring vane rotates. A lower end of the stirring vane is arranged in the vicinity of a bottom surface of the stirring vessel.

Abstract: Single bag quantities of blended cement and aggregate are mixed with water to form concrete using a flexible mat that is arranged with a shallow central basin bounded by a flat skirt. A plurality of handles, suitably four, are provided in the skirt near the mat edge. A sufficient amount of water to mix with a single bag or batch of pre-blended cement and aggregate is placed in the basin, and the batch amount of cement and aggregate is then poured onto the mat atop the water. Two persons grasp the mat by way of adjacent handles and mix the water with the cement and aggregate by alternately raising and lowering diagonally opposite mat handles.

Abstract: A cement mixing and pumping simulator comprises actual and virtual equipment. In response to an operator controlling this equipment, signals representing operating characteristics of a cement mixing system realistically represented by the actual and virtual equipment are generated. These signals are communicated for displaying the operating characteristics to the operator so that the operator obtains real-time responses to the operator's control of the actual and virtual equipment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for improving the characteristics of a fluid and in particular of a cement slurry for the cementing of wells, particularly of oil wells, wherein it consists in applying to this fluid an energy of between 4.8 and 6.3 kJ/kg, by incorporating adapted pressure drops, in line, before the well head and at the outlet of a high-pressure pump, said pressure drops being substantially independent of the flowrate. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out this process.

Abstract: A rotary mill to colloidalize a premixed mortar in a high energy manner so as to increase the degree of hydration comprising a hollow collector casing having a feed inlet to receive the premixed mortar and a discharge outlet for the mixed product, a pair of counterrotating members cooperatively forming a shear zone therebetween wherein the shear zone comprises an inlet region to receive the premixed mortar from the feed inlet, a convergency region to impart a high energy shear to the premixed mortar and an expanding discharge region to feed the premixed mortar to the discharge outlet, and a drive and drive train coupled to the counterrotating members to impart rotational movement thereto.

Abstract: The quantity of water on the surface of sand particles is reduced by applying an impact force, e.g. centrifugal force created by a rotating disc. The sand particles thus treated are especially suitable for preparing a green concrete compound or a cement mortar by mixing them with water, gravel and cement.

Abstract: In a machine comprising a plurality of driven working implements, at least one common main drive is provided, which has a main drive shaft, from which at least some of the working implements are driven directly through the intermediary of non-positive clutches associated with the respective working implements. Such machine can be operated in an energy-saving and ecologically satisfactory manner and also permits a saving of material and nevertheless can be used for a large number of purposes and to perform a plurality of operations often required in specific fields of application.

Abstract: An improved mortar and concrete hand-mixing tub of the type having a flat bottom wall integrally joined with generally rectangular disposed, upstanding peripheral side walls terminating in an open top, with the basic improvement including a selectively openable and closeable generally planar door panel provided in one of said peripheral side walls to facilitate discharge of hand-mixed mortar from the tub. The discharge door is preferably of the hinged type to open outwardly and downwardly against a wheelbarrow pan, but the door also may be of a laterally slidable gate type.

Abstract: Weathered asphaltic concrete road surface material is mined at each of a series of road locations and heated at or near the site of mining and future laydown to form particulate agglomerates of aggregate and asphalt in a form receptive to asphalt rejuvenation additives, mixed with such asphalt additives and passed to a laydown apparatus and returned to a road location near or at that location from which the weathered asphaltic concrete was initially taken. The steps of mining, rejuvenation and laydown and related storage and screening are simultaneous and continuous.

Abstract: A series of treatments are performed on old asphaltic pavement to make it suitable for being satisfactorily applied as a new mat. The old asphaltic pavement is heated and scarified to form a loose aggregate-asphaltic mixture while remaining on the ground surface. The mixture is removed from the ground surface and heated in an elongated rotary housing having heated conductors without direct flame contact with the mixture, and the mixture is then thoroughly mixed with a conditioner for old asphaltic pavement, and finally is reapplied to the ground surface as a new mat. The treatments are carried out by independently operable, portable apparatus during the movement of all of the apparatus in a coordinated train that moves over the ground surface.

Abstract: A slurry reclamation system for use with a concrete ready-mix plant which enables 100% reclamation of the constituents of concrete mix returned to the plant site by vehicles.Returned concrete mix is dumped into an inlet hopper having a screw classifier for removing aggregate and coarse sand, and a weired channel enabling gravity flow of the water, cement fines and sand fines constituents into a slurry vessel. The slurry in the vessel naturally separates into clarified water and concentrated slurry, and agitators are provided for periodically stirring up the slurry to maintain the cement fines active. The slurry vessel is sized in such a manner as to guarantee complete consumption of slurry returned during a day's production by the end of the following production day, the volumetric capacity of the vessel being related to the total average volume of water used to produce fresh concrete during a representative production day.

Abstract: The invention relates to an alumina based, phosphate bondable, dry refractory mix composition exhibiting an extended shelf life of up to eighteen months and longer. The mixture has the following preferred composition on a weight percentage basis: 40-70% sized tabular alumina, 15-35% calcined alumina, 2-10% hydrated alumina, 1-10% calcium aluminate cement and an acid ingredient such as 3 to 15 weight percent of an 115 percent concentration of polyphosphoric acid. The mix is prepared by a method which comprises the steps of formulating dry ingredients into a mixer, mixing the dry ingredients to a homogenous state, then adding a liquid acid ingredient to the mixture of dry ingredients, and subjecting the dry and acid ingredient mix to a high intensity mixing action for a predetermined period of time. The product is substantially dry to the touch.