Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to methods of constructing a structure and related non-transitory computer readable medium. In an embodiment, the method includes (a) defining a vertical first slice and a second vertical slice of the structure. A lateral cross-section of the structure within the first vertical slice is different than the lateral cross-section of the structure for the second vertical slice. In addition, the method includes (b) depositing a plurality of first vertically stacked layers of an extrudable building material with a printing assembly to form the first vertical slice. Further, the method includes depositing a plurality of second vertically stacked layers of the extrudable building material atop the first vertical slice with the printing assembly to form the second vertical slice.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a viscous fluid onto a surface. An applicator associated with an extension member may be positioned over the surface using a robotic operator. The extension member may be configured to maintain a selected distance between the applicator and a fluid source for the viscous fluid. The viscous fluid may be dispensed from the fluid source to the applicator. The viscous fluid may be applied onto the surface using the applicator.

Abstract: An automated extrusion construction system may include an extrusion nozzle configured to extrude construction material in a substantially horizontal direction against an elongated and substantially vertical surface. An extrusion nozzle may have a height adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the height of an outlet in response to level deviations in the surface on which the construction material is extruded by the extrusion nozzle. An automated extrusion construction system may include a slicing mechanism configured to controllably slice through the extruded layer.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for depositing slurry upon a moving forming web. The apparatus includes a pivotally mounted headbox for depositing slurry from the inner bottom surface of the headbox down an inclined spillway as a continuous curtain onto a moving web. The headbox is mounted transverse to the direction of travel of the moving web. The headbox also has vertical edge boards, including a headbox back edge board and two opposed headbox side edgeboards, on three respective sides of the headbox to prevent slurry from spilling over the sides and back of the headbox. The headbox is supplied with slurry from a slurry mixer by a feed line mounted on a reciprocating trolley which moves, transverse to the direction of travel of the moving web, back and forth along the length of the headbox.

Abstract: A safety device for an apparatus for compression-moulding objects that includes a moulding carousel provided with a plurality of punches and with a plurality of corresponding moulding elements, each mould element being movable between a first position in which it does not interact with the respective punch and a second position in which it interacts with the respective punch to mould an object. Each punch is associated with an extracting device suitable for extracting from the respective punch a moulded object. The extracting device is driven by a cam track obtained in a fixed frame of the moulding carousel. The cam track includes a cam track portion that is movable between an operating position in which it interacts with the extracting device and a non-operating position in which it does not interact with the extracting device.

Abstract: A robotic system may include a movable gantry robot, and a nozzle assembly movably coupled to the overhead beam of the gantry robot. The gantry robot may include an overhead beam extending between, and supported by, at least two side members slidably mounted on a pair of rails. The nozzle assembly may be coupled to the overhead beam of the gantry robot, and may be configured to extrude material through an outlet. The robotic system may further include a position controller configured to control position and movement of the gantry robot and the nozzle assembly.

Abstract: A continuous elongated element coming from an extruder or a supply reel is wound into coils disposed consecutively close to each other on a cylindrical forming support. A pusher element urges each coil formed on the forming support against the previously formed coils causing translation of same to a cutter. Following cutting of the coils, a continuous semifinished product is obtained which has elongated reinforcing elements disposed parallel and close to each other and transversely of the longitudinal extension of the semifinished product.

Abstract: A molding station has a housing support and a housing. The housing has a generally horizontal axis, a plurality of mold cavity enclosures and a plurality of sides. The housing is rotatably mounted to the housing support about the generally horizontal axis. The mold cavity enclosures are circumferentially positioned about the axis in at least some of the sides. Each mold cavity enclosure defines at least one mold cavity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for constructing a shelter from ice or snow. A slip form allows snow or ice to be formed in situ into building blocks that form the shelter. The slip form comprises two vertical side pieces and incorporates an end cap that holds the side pieces together and allows the slip form to separate upon impact rather than fracture. A telescoping pole is attached at one end to one of the side pieces of the slip form, and at the other end to a spike that is driven into the ground to provide a reference point for the construction of the shelter. The telescoping pole incorporates two or more sections. The first section comprises a series of predetermined apertures that receive a tab or pin integrated into the second section of the telescoping pole. The outer diameter of the second section is smaller than the inner diameter of the first section, thus allowing the pole to retract by placing the second section into the first section.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a device for preparing and feeding a monolithic ceramic mass into a metallurgical melting vessel, including a mixer 30 and a feeding device 32, characterized in that the mixer 30 and the feeding device 32 are designed as a compact unit 28 for arrangement above the metallurgical vessel, wherein the mixer 30 and/or the feeding device 32 are arranged relative to one another and movably such that the mass prepared in the mixer 30 can be directly introduced at any desired point of the metallurgical vessel via the feeding device 32.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inserting dowel bars into a concrete slab is used in association with a slip forming machine of a type having a frame with a pan attached thereto for shaping uncured concrete into a continuous concrete slab. A plurality of openings are exposed through the pan and are spaced across the pan. Dowel bar retainers are disposed in each respective one of the openings for holding a dowel bar in readiness to be inserted into the concrete slab. A dowel bar inserter is disposed above each of the dowel bar retainers for pushing a dowel bar disposed in a respective one of the dowel bar retainers through a respective one of the openings and into the concrete slab. Apparatus is provided for automatically and independently actuating each one of the dowel bar inserters at a predetermined place in a concrete slab whereby respective ones of the dowel bars disposed in respective ones of the dowel bar inserters can be positioned in the concrete in a predetermined pattern across the concrete slab.

Abstract: A machine for manufacturing a unitary glass fibre reinforced body shell includes a carriage which is movable along the mold and a turntable which is mounted on a carriage for rotation about a first axis extending in the direction of longitudinal movement of the carriage. An arm is slidably mounted on the turntable for radial movement and a dispenser is located on the arm for dispensing glass fibre reinforced resin onto the surface of the mold. A guidance system is provided which interconnects the turret and the slidable arm and is operable to cause the arm to reciprocate with respect to the turret in a radial direction to maintain a substantially constant length of trajectory extending between the dispenser and the wall of the mold. A drive system is provided for rotatably driving the turret about the axis. The carriage is normally stored on a mobile end cap which may be moved from one mold to another and serves to close one end of the mold.

Abstract: A screed for forming the surface of a freshly poured concrete slab has parallel blades which are slidable relative to each other enabling extension and contraction of the screed during operation. The concrete surface is formed by pivoting movement of the screed around fixed pivot structure which supports and anchors one end of the screed. Vibrating mechanism may be included to tamp the concrete concurrently with the surface forming operation. The apparatus may be operated by a single person if necessary and the operator may extend and contract the screed during the pivoting movement in order to follow the outline of the concrete slab and/or to avoid interference from obstructions in the vicinity of the slab.

Abstract: A machine for building a dome or sphere has an extruder that extrudes part of a wall of a dome or sphere from fluid material which hardens on extrusion as the extruder travels around a center axis. A ramp allows the extruder to gradually ride up onto the initial wall so that another partial wall of the sphere can be formed. The extruder continuously moves along its own produced track in a spiral path to ultimately form a dome or sphere, as desired.

Abstract: A body manufacturing system for manufacturing bodies for vans, trailers, trucks and the like comprises; a molding station, a glass fibre applicator, a longitudinal guide associated with each mold for guiding the glass fibre applicator along the length of each mold, a transfer device adapted to support the applicator and transport it along said guide path from one mold to another, an insert locating device for inserting side wall, end wall and roof inserts into the molds, an extraction device for extracting the molded body from the mold in which it is formed, a trimming station, a transporter for transporting the molded bodies from the mold in which they are formed to said trimming station, trimming devices in said trimming station for trimming said body to the required proportions and contour, a floor locating system for locating a floor in the upwardly open end of the body located in the trimming station to form a finished body and a righting mechanism for supporting the molded body and operable to turn it r

Abstract: A self-propelled apparatus and method are disclosed for screeding placed and/or poured, uncured concrete or like loose, spreadable materials without use of prepositioned guides or rails. The apparatus includes a frame supported on hydraulically drive, steerable wheels, a cantilevered boom mounted on the frame, and a hydraulically driven, auger-type, vibratory screed either fixedly mounted or mounted for movement along the boom to spread and smooth the concrete as the screed is moved toward the vehicle. Screed control means are included for automatically adjusting the elevation of the screed relative to a laser beacon reference plane positioned off the apparatus such that the finished height of the concrete or other material is controlled within close tolerances. Preferably, the boom is rotatably mounted on the frame and also may be extended and retracted to properly position the screed and ease movement of the vehicle around fixed obstacles.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus useful in a cast lining process. In the cast lining process, a mandrel is positioned inside a vessel to be lined, so as to form a casting space, and a castable is delivered into the casting space to produce the cast lining. The novel apparatus of the present invention includes a rotatable and horizontally movable belt conveyor arranged above the casting space. The preferred apparatus also includes a contractable and expandable mandrel. Also provided by the present invention is an improved cast lining process.

Abstract: There is disclosed the distribution of an amorphous refractory in a case where a lining frame is positioned within a molten metal vessel preliminarily lined with a permanent lining refractory and the amorphous refractory is cast into the space between the permanent lining refractory and the lining frame thereby applying a lining to the inner surface of the vessel.A conical distributor is arranged above the lining frame and the amorphous refractory is continuously delivered from a rotary chute onto the distributor so as to describe a concentric path of moving falling points.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for continuously pumping flowable concrete mix to elevated heights for introduction into forms used in the fabrication of annular structures such as concrete hyperbolic cooling towers. A tower crane is erected in the center of the circle for the hyperbolic structure and concrete conveying piping is provided for raising mix to a lateral conduit carried by a secondary boom suspended from the swingable overhead jib of the crane. A pumping unit at ground level forces concrete mix up the vertical piping on the tower and then through the boom supported conduit for delivery into the form structure. The jib and thereby the boom suspended therefrom are swingable through an arc of 180.degree. in one direction to cover one half of the form structure and then the jib and boom may be swung in the opposite direction through the remaining 180.degree. arc for introduction of mix into the form structure.

Abstract: A concrete building is constructed by initially forming a generally circular concrete pad. A spherical or slighly more than hemispherical plastic mold is then erected on the concrete pad with a central post extending axially out the central top of the mold. Barbed wire is then wrapped around the mold and wire mesh is subsequently wrapped around the mold on top of the barbed wire, with the barbed wire serving to space the reinforcing wire mesh away from the surface of the mold. Concrete is then applied to the outside of the mold starting at the bottom of the mold adjacent the concrete pad and moving helically up the surface of the mold while laying concrete around the mold in strips. The apparatus for applying the concrete includes a frame mounted on wheels and pivoted on the post extending out of the top of the mold and being curved to follow the exterior surface of the mold.

Abstract: A mechanized trowel including a center body of an elongated configuration supported for rotational displacement about its longitudinal axis and having a helical troweling blade extending along the surface thereof adapted to engage, spread and trowel a body of cement in its plastic state, a supporting rail extended in parallelism with the center body supporting the center body for linear displacement therealong, and a truck supporting the end of the rail for translational displacement about a further axis perpendicularly related to the longitudinal axis of the center body and passing through the end thereof opposite the truck, and reversible, electrically energizable motors connected in driving relation with the center body for imparting thereto rotational, linear and translational displacement.

Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus for automatically lining a vessel. With a template inside the vessel, pouring and ramming stations are disposed within the annular space defined by the template and vessel for rotation about the central axis of the vessel. The ramming stations include rams movable in a radially inward direction to compact the lining material at the bottom of the vessel and movable outwardly to compact the material forming the side walls of the vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a refractory mass with a sand-blast head along a ladle-lining surface and parallel thereto in a ladle. The sand-blast head is provided with a movement inside the ladle so as to continuously fill the lining along a helical trajectory and over the entire height of the ladle from the bottom to the top. For this purpose, the apparatus is mounted on a platform installed inside the ladle on a hollow supporting rod through which the mass is fed to the sand-blast head. Provision is made for a contact sensor which senses the current level of the lining plane, and controlled drives of the platform rotation, rod lifting and change in the radial jet of the mass thrown out of the sand-blast head.

Abstract: A self-propelled slip form, closed at its top, front, and sides, but open at its rear and bottom, provides a pressure chamber having the cross-sectional shape of a wall or similar structure to be cast. Such slip form may be advanced continuously at a slow rate or in stages, but whichever it is, the advance is due solely to pressure exerted against the closed front of the slip form through the intermediacy of the deposited, unset concrete or the like. Such pressure can be utilized to pre-stress reinforcing material on a continuous basis as it is fed into the pressure chamber simultaneously with deposit of the concrete or the like.

Abstract: Improved welds for thermoplastic foam insulation spirally deposited about a structure are obtained employing a thin, resistance heated welding blade which beneficially is positioned by means of a four-bar linkage connecting the blade to the blade support.

Abstract: An apparatus is described which is particularly suitable for applying insulation in the form of plastic foam or the like to a surface of a container to be insulated. The apparatus deposits a strip of foam in a generally helical manner while following the contour of the container or structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cold lidding open-top containers with roll-stock elastomeric film by holding a web of the film in air-tight relation across the bottom of a lidding chamber and about its periphery, evacuating the lidding chamber to stretch the web thereinto, inserting the top of the container into the lidding chamber, and releasing the stretched web over the top of the container whereby the inherent restorative characteristic of the web causes it to quickly contract, i.e. "snap" onto the periphery of the container to form a dynamic seal. The removal of the lidded container from the apparatus causes the container to be moved against a tripper plate to ready the apparatus for lidding the next container. The minimum recovery factor of the stretched film web should be about 85% of its original size.

Abstract: A mold for obtaining metallic parts with an orientated crystalline struct by the directed solidification of an alloy is disclosed. The mould comprises a body of refractory mold that is a good heat conductor and on the inner wall of said body is provided a chemically protective lining of dense refractory metal oxide, with a high degree of purity, deposited on said body by blowpipe projection as a thin non-porous layer. The thickness of the metal oxide lining is in the order of a tenth of a millimeter to five tenths of a millimeter, the oxide being choosen in the group constituted by aluminium oxide, zirconium oxide, magnesium oxide and thorium dioxide with a degree of purity at least equal to 99.5 %.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for fabricating on-site storage structures with reinforced composite materials, as well as the storage structures produced in accordance with the apparatus and method. In one aspect of the invention, reinforcing material which comprises at least one layer of fiber containing strand material, and one or more layers of fiber containing mat material are resin impregnated and passed through a draw-die orifice. Upon passing through the draw-die orifice this material is deposited in a continuously formed spiral where the turns forming the spiral are registered with each other. A cure of the resin material is initiated as the impregnated reinforcing material passes through the draw-die orifice. The cure is initiated by means of a curing device which applies dielectric energy to the impregnated reinforcing material, to thereby form a rigid spiral turn which becomes bonded to the next adjacent registered layer.