TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a continuous mixing plant, and more particularly
to a continuous mixing plant that is suitable for continuously producing concrete
for a short period of time simply by, for example, continuously feeding necessary
material while measuring it and dropping the material by the gravitational force.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Conventionally, a batcher plant that is an apparatus for producing concrete is equipment
for mixing cement, water, sand, rough sand, mixer agent and the like for the material
of the concrete measured in a predetermined composition for producing the concrete
that is kept in non-solid condition, and has been widely used in a dam construction,
a civil construction, a green concrete factory, a concrete secondary factory or the
like.
[0003] The conventional batcher plant is roughly composed of a material reservoir portion,
a metering portion, a kneading portion and a loading portion. The batcher plants are
divided into various types in accordance with these arrangements. The most typical
system is of a tower type as shown in Fig. 11. The conventional tower type batcher
plant 1 shown in Fig. 11 is a system in which a receiving chamber 2, a material reservoir
3 (a cement reservoir 3a, a sand reservoir 3b, a small stone reservoir 3c, a water
reservoir 3d), a metering portion 4 (a cement metering tank 4a, a sand metering tank
4b, a small stone metering tank 4c), a concrete mixer 5, a concrete hopper 6 and the
like are overlapped in order in a tower-like shape from above. A type in which an
operating chamber 7 projects from a metering or mixer chamber 8 and a type in which
an operating chamber 7 is separated from the plant are popular.
[0004] Thus, almost all of the conventional batcher plants including that shown in Fig.
11 are of a batch processing type (the process in which at a predetermined amount
of materials is mixed and agitated every time, and this is repeated). Then, one for
metering and agitating the materials for every turn is called a batch mixer.
[0005] However, in such a batch process, the manufacture of concrete is intermittent and
such a process is not so effective for continuously producing a large amount of concrete.
For this reason, in the conventional tower type batcher plant 1 as shown in Fig. 11,
two concrete mixers 5 are arranged within the mixer chamber 8, and these are alternately
used in order to keep the continuation or continuity of the concrete manufacture as
much as possible.
[0006] Even in batch process, if the plurality of concrete mixers 5 are arranged as described
above and are used in order, it is possible to keep the continuous manufacture to
some extent. However, there is a problem that the more the number of the installed
mixers 5, the larger the equipment of the batcher plant as a whole will become.
[0007] By the way, it is desired to continuously perform the manufacture of concrete in
this manner. It is however very difficult to continuously mix the materials in an
optical manner.
[0008] Japanese patents JP 10286449 and JP092534670 intend to provide a kneading device
that efficiently and mechanically kneads materials to be kneaded by passing the materials
to be kneaded through the deformed passages, which are gradually changed in their
sectional shapes over the longitudinal direction by the free fall arising by their
own weights. Thereby, the inlet side end is juxtaposed with two or more inlet parts
of a rectangular shape one or more partition walls and the outlet side end is also
juxtaposed with two or more outlet parts of the rectangular shape by at least one
or more partition walls. The respective inlet parts and the respective outlet parts
are communicated with the deformed passages varying in the sectional shapes respectively
continuously in the longitudinal direction.
[0009] Document EP 0 796 650 shows a mixing apparatus for mixing materials having a fluidity,
comprising: an apparatus body including a plurality of irregular passageways with
their sectional configurations gradually varying in longitudinal directions; and material
force-feeding means, connected to an inlet side of said apparatus body, for feeding
the mixed materials by pressurization into said respective irregular passageways,
wherein inlets of said irregular passageways are formed with a certain arrangement
pattern at an inlet-side edge portion of said apparatus body, and outlets of said
irregular passageways are formed with another arrangement pattern different from the
arrangement pattern of the inlets, at an outlet-side edge portion of said apparatus
body.
[0010] The above mentioned prior art devices still have to be improved. One attempt is shown
in document WO 00/13778. Regarding the subject invention, WO 00/13778 is a document
according to Art. 54(3) EPC. It discloses a kneader for kneading an object material
by passing it from an inlet port to an outlet port of each of a plurality of irregular
passages, each with a varied sectional shape, comprising: a kneader body having a
supply port for supplying the object material at one end and a discharge port at the
other end and having said plurality of irregular passages in communication with said
supply port and said discharge port, and material supply means for feeding the object
material to the kneader body, each irregular passage of said kneader body has its
sectional shape varying progressively from the inlet port to the outlet port, merging
and dividing means for merging and dividing the object material passing through each
irregular passage being provided between the inlet port and the outlet port of each
irregular passage, a direction of each irregular passage being changed with respect
to the other irregular passage so as to eliminate the presence of a straight through-passage
from said inlet port to said outlet port, and a diameter of the discharge port of
said kneader body being set to be smaller than a diameter of said supply port.
[0011] However there is still a problem as to how the amount of each material to be continuously
introduced into the mixer is metered for manufacturing a high quality concrete. Also
in view of this point, it is considered impossible to perform the effective continuous
manufacture of concrete.
[0012] In order to overcome the above-described problems inherent in the prior art, an object
of the present invention is to provide a continuous mixing plant that, for example,
simply continuously feeds the necessary materials while metering the amount thereof
and drops these materials by the gravitational force so that the mixed material may
be manufactured continuously for a short period of time suitably, and in the case
where the mixed material is concrete, it is possible to manufacture higher quality
concrete continuously for a short period of time while accurately continuously metering
each material and feeding it to the mixer.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention relates to a continuous mixing plant.
[0014] In order to solve the above described problems, the invention is constituted as follows.
Namely, according to the present invention, there is provided a continuous metering
and feeding means for keeping on feeding at least two kinds of materials to be mixed
with each other while continuously metering the materials, the number of the continuous
metering and feeding means being the number corresponding to said materials, and at
least one mixing box unit for mixing the materials fed continuously from said continuous
metering and feeding means,
characterized in that said mixing box unit is provided with: a plurality of modified
passages each of which has an inlet portion at one end and an outlet portion at the
other end, a cross-sectional shape of which is continuously changed from said inlet
portion toward said outlet portion and which extend in an axial direction; and a merging
and dividing means provided between said inlet portion and said outlet portion of
each of said modified passages for merging and dividing each material passing through
each of said modified passages, and each material is continuously cast from said inlet
portion and passed toward said outlet portion through each of said modified passages
by the gravitational force to be mixed, whereby the mixing box unit comprises a plurality
of elements, the elements comprise at least two kinds to differentiate the communication
state between each inlet and each outlet of each of the modified passages, and the
mixing box unit is constituted by connecting alternately the different kinds of the
elements with each other.
[0015] In the continuous mixing plant according to the present invention, it is preferable
that the plant further comprises a metering means for metering a delivery amount locally
and for every ermined time in a midway for continuously delivering thepredet material
fed from each of the continuous metering and feeding means, and the continuous metering
and feeding means receives a signal from this metering means to be feedback-controlled,
thereby enhancing precision of the material supply amount.
[0016] In such a continuous mixing plant, at least two materials to be mixed are an aggregate
and mortar, or cement paste, and the mixing plant is applied as a plant for continuously
manufacturing concrete. Within the continuous mixing plant described above, further,
the following structure can be taken. Namely there is provided a continuous mixing
plant comprising a main belt conveyor unit for delivering aggregate; a continuous
aggregate feeding means for keeping on feeding at least one kind of aggregate to the
main belt conveyor unit while metering the material; a first detecting unit installed
downstream of a delivery belt of the main belt conveyor unit for metering continuously
at a predetermined position a local amount of the aggregate that has been transferred
on the delivery belt of the main belt conveyor unit, thereby outputting a signal,
a continuous fixed amount supply means installed downstream of the main belt conveyor
unit having the aggregate fed for keeping on feeding a fixed amount of mortar or cement
paste continuously to the main belt conveyor unit; and at least one mixing box unit
disposed just below a delivery end of the main belt conveyor unit, characterized in
that the continuous fixed amount supply unit receives the signal continuously outputted
from the first detecting unit and is feedback-controlled to enhance precision of the
supply amount of the mortar or cement paste, and that, furthermore, the mixing box
unit is provided with: a plurality of modified passages each of which has an inlet
portion at one end and an outlet portion at the other end, a cross-sectional shape
of which is continuously changed from the inlet portion toward the outlet portion,
and which extend in an axial direction; and a merging and dividing means provided
between the inlet portion and the outlet portion of each of the modified passages
for merging and dividing concrete passing through each of the modified passages, and
concrete is cast from the inlet portion and passed toward the outlet portion through
each of the modified passages by the gravitational force to be mixed.
[0017] Although the continuous mixing plant according to the present invention comprises
the above-described necessary structural elements, it is possible to establish the
invention even when the structural elements are specifically as follows. Namely, the
continuous aggregate feeding means includes: a belt conveyor unit for feeding the
aggregate to the main conveyor unit; a material delivering unit for continuously feeding
the aggregate to the belt conveyor unit; and a second detecting unit installed downstream
of the belt conveyor unit so as to output a signal by continuously metering at a predetermined
position an amount of the aggregate that is transferred on the delivery belt of the
belt conveyor unit, the material delivering unit being feedback-controlled upon receiving
the signal continuously outputted from the second detecting unit, to thereby enhance
precision of the supply amount of the aggregate delivered and fed to the belt conveyor
unit.
[0018] Also, the continuous mixing plant according to the present invention is characterized
in that the material delivering unit includes a vibrating feeder, and a frequency
of the vibrating feeder is changed on the basis of the signal continuously outputted
from the second detecting unit to feedback-control the cutting amount of the aggregate
to the belt conveyor unit.
[0019] Furthermore, the continuous mixing plant according to the present invention is characterized
in that one or both of the first and second detecting units are composed of a belt
scale unit for continuously metering a weight of the delivery belt as a whole at a
predetermined position.
[0020] Furthermore, the continuous mixing plant according to the present invention is characterized
in that the mixing box unit is constituted by connecting a plurality of elements substantially
in a vertical direction, each of the elements is provided with an inlet end, an outlet
end and the plurality of modified passages stretching from the inlet end to the outlet
end, the inlet of each of the modified passages formed at the inlet end and the outlet
of each of the modified passages formed at the outlet end have different arrangement
patterns, furthermore, each adjacent elements are connected in intimate contact with
each other at the outlet end and the inlet end, and a joint portion between the inlet
and the outlet of each of the modified passages on the end portion of the joint side
of each of the elements constitutes the merging and dividing means.
[0021] Incidentally, in the continuous mixing plant according to the present invention,
it is preferable that the elements are provided with rectangular openings being arranged
on the right and left sides as an arrangement pattern of the inlet of each of the
modified passages and with rectangular openings being arranged vertically as an arrangement
pattern of the outlet of each of the modified passages, and are constituted of at
least two kinds to differentiate the communication state between each inlet and each
outlet of each of the modified passages, and the mixing box unit is constituted by
connecting alternately the different kinds of the elements with each other in the
vertical direction.
[0022] In the continuous mixing plant according to the present invention, it is preferable
that an openable/closeable cut gate is provided at an outlet of the lowermost element
constituting the mixing box unit, and a discharge amount of material dropping by a
gravitational force is adjusted, whereby a control of a filling rate of the material
in the modified passage of each element of the mixing box unit is performed.
[0023] In the thus structured continuous mixing plant according to the present invention,
each material is fed continuously from the continuous supply means while being metered
and caused to fall into the mixing box unit. Namely, when each material is continuously
cast into the plurality of the modified passages on the inside from the inlet end
located above the mixing box unit, the material is caused to fall through each modified
passage by the gravitational force.
[0024] Each modified passage has a cross-sectional shape continuously varying in its longitudinal
direction. The material falling through this modified passage is subjected to a compressive
deformation effect and is mixed. In addition, the material passing through each modified
passage is merged by passing through the dividing and merging means during a fall
through this modified passage. Then, the material is divided (division) into each
modified passage and falls. Preferably, this is repeated to perform the good mixture.
[0025] In such a mixing box unit, in general, a plurality of elements are connected with
each other so as to overlap in the vertical direction and thus, a dividing and merging
effect can be inevitably obtained. The element is provided with an inlet end, an outlet
end and a plurality of modified passages from the inlet end to the outlet end. The
arrangement pattern of the inlet of each of the modified passages formed in the inlet
end is different from the arrangement pattern of the outlet of each of the modified
passages formed in the outlet end.
[0026] If the elements are connected to each other in intimate contact with each other at
the outlet end and the inlet end of the adjacent elements, the joint portion of the
inlet and the outlet of each of the modified passages of each element forms the merging
and dividing means. Incidentally, in the case where the element in which the rectangular
openings are arranged on the right and left as the arrangement pattern of the inlet
of each of the modified passages and the rectangular openings are arranged vertically
as the arrangement pattern of the outlet is used, if at least two kinds of elements
that have different communication states between each inlet and each outlet of each
of the modified passages are prepared and the different kinds of elements are connected
in the vertical direction alternately to form the mixing box unit, the linear communication
portion from the upper inlet end to the lower outlet end of the mixing box unit is
shortened or eliminated whereby the mixture effect of the falling material is enhanced.
[0027] For instance, this continuous mixing plant may be used as a plant for manufacturing
the concrete. In this case, in particular, to obtain a high quality concrete, it is
preferable that the supply amount of the aggregate to be fed from the material delivering
unit constituting the continuous aggregate feeding means is detected by the detecting
unit to perform the feedback control to enhance the precision of the supply amount.
Alternately, in the case where at least one kind of aggregate is fed to the mixing
box unit by the main conveyor unit, it is preferable that the amount of the aggregate
to be continuously fed by the main conveyor unit is detected in order by the detecting
unit so as to feed the mortar or cement paste from the continuous fixed amount supply
unit to the main conveyor unit.
BREIF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028]
Fig. 1 is a schematic structural view showing a continuous concrete manufacturing
plant in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a partially fragmentary frontal view of a unit for metering and feeding
mortar or cement paste to a second main belt conveyor unit in the continuous concrete
manufacturing plant shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which two different kinds of elements
are connected to each other for a mixing box unit to be used in the continuous concrete
manufacturing plant shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a process view showing, like a model diagram, changing states of cross-sections
of the object material to be mixed in the case where the two elements are connected
to each other as shown in Fig. 3, at an inlet end portion, an intermediate portion
and an outlet end portion of each element.
Fig. 5 is a plan view schematically showing each modified passage in the interior
of one kind of the elements shown in Fig. 3, as viewed from the inlet end portion.
Fig. 6 is a plan view schematically showing each modified passage in the interior
of the other kind of the elements shown in Fig. 3, as viewed from the inlet end portion.
Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the element, i.e., an element provided in its
interior with four modified passages in another mixing box unit to be usable in the
continuous concrete manufacturing plant in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 8 is a process view showing, like a model diagram, changing states of cross-sections
of the object material to be mixed in the case where the two elements shown in Fig.
7 are connected to each other, at an inlet end portion, an intermediate portion and
an outlet end portion of each element.
Fig. 9 is a schematic structural view of another embodiment of a continuous mixing
plant according to the present invention as viewed from above.
Fig. 10 is a schematic structural view of still another embodiment of a continuous
mixing plant according to the present invention.
Fig. 11 is a schematic structural view showing a conventional batch processing type
batcher plant.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0029] A continuous mixing plant according to the present invention will now be described
with reference to the embodiment shown in the drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic structural
view showing a continuous concrete manufacturing plant in accordance with the embodiment
of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a partially fragmentary frontal view of a continuous
fixed amount supply unit for feeding mortar or cement paste to a main belt conveyor
unit.
[0030] Also, Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which two different kinds of
elements are connected to each other for a mixing box unit to be used in the continuous
concrete manufacturing plant shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a process view showing, like
a model diagram, changing states of cross-sections of the object material to be mixed
in the case where the two elements are connected to each other, at an inlet end portion,
an intermediate portion and an outlet end portion of each element.
[0031] Furthermore, Fig. 5 is a plan view schematically showing each modified passage in
the interior of one kind of the elements in the mixing box unit, as viewed from the
inlet end portion. Fig. 6 is a plan view schematically showing each modified passage
in the interior of the other kind of the elements, as viewed from the inlet end portion.
Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the element, i.e., an element provided in its
interior with four modified passages in another mixing box unit to be usable in the
continuous concrete manufacturing plant in accordance with the present invention.
[0032] Fig. 8 is a process view showing, like a model diagram, changing states of cross-sections
of the object material to be mixed in the case where the two elements shown in Fig.
7 are connected to each other, at an inlet end portion, an intermediate portion and
an outlet end portion of each element. Fig. 9 is a schematic structural view of another
embodiment of a continuous mixing plant according to the present invention as viewed
from above. Fig. 10 is a schematic structural view of still another embodiment of
a continuous mixing plant according to the present invention. Fig. 11 is a schematic
structural view showing a conventional batch processing type batcher plant.
[0033] The continuous concrete manufacturing plant 10 according to this embodiment includes
a first main belt conveyor unit 11 installed slantwise and a second main belt conveyor
unit 12 installed horizontally. These two main belt conveyor units 11 and 12 are adapted
to continuously delivery the material in a ride-on manner.
[0034] In the first main belt conveyor unit 11, units 13, 14 and 15 as three continuous
aggregate feeding means for keeping on feeding three kinds of aggregates continuously
while metering them are installed in order in a delivery direction of the main belt
conveyor unit 11. Since the continuous aggregate supply units 13 to 15 are substantially
the same, one of them will be described.
[0035] The continuous aggregate supply unit 13 is provided with a belt conveyor unit 13a.
A vibrating feeder 13b as a unit for delivering the material is installed at an inlet
end of this belt conveyor unit 13a. Further, a hopper 13c for feeding the aggregate
to the feeder 13b is provided above the vibrating feeder 13b. A belt scale unit 13d
for metering a local weight of the delivery belt that is continuously moving carrying
the aggregate is installed downstream of the vibrating feeder 13b in the belt conveyor
unit 13a.
[0036] This belt scale unit 13d is adapted to continuously detect the local weight of the
delivery belt moving and carrying the aggregate by means of a load cell (not shown)
and at the same time to output an electric signal to a control unit (not shown). The
control unit calculates continuously a weight value from the signal detected by the
load cell and outputted, and calculates the amount of the aggregate fed out currently
for, for example, every several minutes by multiplying the weight value by the velocity
of the delivery belt.
[0037] When the supply amount of the aggregate is more or less than a predetermined amount,
an operational frequency of the vibrating feeder 13b is varied to change its frequency
by the control unit, whereby the delivery amount of the aggregate, i.e., the supply
amount thereof is fed back and controlled. The three kinds of the aggregates such
as two different size small stones, sand etc., for example, are fed in order to the
first main belt conveyor unit 11 from the three continuous aggregate supply units
13 to 15 while the predetermined supply amount thereof per unit time is being controlled.
[0038] When the three kinds of the materials to be carried and delivered in order in a stratified
condition on the delivery belt of the first main belt conveyor unit 11 are transferred
to the second main conveyor unit 12 installed horizontally and moved to the delivery
outlet end thereof, mortar or cement paste is continuously fed onto the delivery belt
by a unit 16 installed in the midway thereof for continuously feeding a predetermined
amount of the mortar.
[0039] As shown in Fig. 2 in more detail, this continuous fixed amount supply unit 16 is
provided with a screw shaft 16b arranged rotatably within the interior of a sleeve-like
casing 16a. This screw shaft 16b is rotated by a drive motor 16d installed on a base
16c. A hopper 16e is provided above one end portion of the casing 16a. An outlet portion
on the lower side is connected to a cast port formed in the casing 16a.
[0040] Thus, the mortar or cement paste that has been introduced into the hopper 16e is
introduced from the cast port of the casing 16a into the interior, extruded through
the casing 16a by the rotating screw shaft 16b and fed onto the delivery belt through
a supply pipe 16f from the other outlet. In feeding the mortar or cement paste, in
order to feed continuously more preferable amount of the mortar or cement paste in
proportion to the total amount of the three kinds of aggregates to be fed by the delivery
belt, a belt scale unit 17 is installed on the upstream side of the supply port of
the supply pipe 16f.
[0041] Since this belt scale unit 17 has substantially the same as the above-described belt
scale unit 13d, the explanation of the structure will be omitted. However, in operation,
the unit is adapted to continuously detect the local weight of the delivery belt in
the second main conveyor belt unit 12 moving carrying the three kinds of aggregates
by a load cell (not shown) of the belt scale unit 17 and to output an electric signal
to a control unit 18.
[0042] The control unit 18 continuously calculates, for example, the total supply amount
of the three kinds of aggregates per unit time from the signals detected and outputted
by the load cell, and calculates a more correct supply amount of the mortar per unit
time from this calculation result. Then, in response to the total supply amount of
the aggregates per unit time, the control unit 18 changes the rpm speed of the drive
motor 16d to change the rotational speed of the screw shaft 16b to thereby control
the supply of the mortar or cement paste.
[0043] Thus, even if the total supply amount of the three kinds of aggregates per unit time,
carried and transferred on the delivery belt in the second main belt conveyor unit
12 is varied (that is, even in the case where the amount of the aggregates on the
delivery belt is increased or decreased), it is possible to feed the suitable amount
of mortar or cement paste for the total supply amount of the aggregates on the delivery
belt passing below the outlet portion of the supply pipe 16f. As a result, the quality
of the produced concrete is more improved.
[0044] One mixing box unit 20 is installed just below the delivery end of the second main
belt conveyor unit 12. Six, in total, two kinds of elements 21A and 21B are basically
connected to each other in the vertical direction in this mixing box unit 20. For
the sake of explanation, there is shown a state in which these two kinds of elements
21A and 21B are connected to each other.
[0045] A specific structure of each element 21A, 21B will now be described. First of all,
one of the elements 21A is provided at both ends with square end portions, and flanges
F for connecting the elements to each other are formed at both the end portions.
[0046] A plurality of bolt holes fl are formed in these flanges F, F. The adjacent elements
are fixed at ends by bolts to each other and connected to each other by utilizing
the bolt holes fl. The element 21A is provided with two modified passages 22, 23 arranged
in parallel in the same direction. A partitioning wall 24 is formed in the central
portion so as to form the longitudinal openings on the right and left sides at one
end portion of this element 21A.
[0047] These right and left longitudinal openings are inlet portions 22a, 23a of the two
modified passages 22, 23, respectively. A partitioning wall 25 is provided in the
center of the other end portion of the element 21A so as to form the horizontally
extending openings on the upper and lower sides. The horizontally extending upper
and lower openings are respective outlet portions 22b and 23b of the two modified
passages 22, 23. Namely, the partitioning wall 24 at the inlet end portion of the
element 21A and the partitioning wall 25 at the outlet end portion of the element
21A are disposed at 90 degrees to each other.
[0048] Accordingly, in the arrangement pattern of the two inlets 22a, 23a of the modified
passages 22 and 23, the rectangular openings are formed in parallel on the right and
left sides, whereas in the arrangement pattern of the two outlets 22b, 23b, the rectangular
openings are formed in parallel on the upper and lower sides. The specific shape of
the modified passages 22, 23 will be described. The respective modified passages 22,
23 are arranged with the respective cross-sectional shapes thereof being continuously
varied toward the outlets 22b, 23b from the inlets 22a, 23a.
[0049] In the state of the variation, either of the modified passages 22, 23 has kept constant
its cross-sectional area at any position but has changed only the shape in cross-section
from the inlets 22a, 23a to the outlets 22b, 23b. Namely, the inlets 22a, 23a have
a longitudinal rectangular shape in an X-direction, the cross sectional shape is formed
into a square in an intermediate-portion between the inlets 22a, 23a and the outlets
22b, 23b, and the outlets 22b, 23b have a longitudinal rectangular shape in a Y-direction
perpendicular to the X-direction (see Fig. 3). Then, the length of the modified passages
22, 23 is kept constant.
[0050] Accordingly, the object material to pass through the respective modified passages
22, 23 is changed in cross-sectional shape gradually from the longitudinal rectangular
shape in the X-direction gradually to the square shape, and further to the longitudinal
rectangular shape in the Y-direction, gradually. In this element 21A, as viewed in
Fig. 3, the inlet 22a located on the left side and the outlet 22b located in the upper
side are in communication with each other through the modified passage 22, whereas
the inlet 23a located on the right side and the outlet 23b located on the lower side
are in communication with each other through the modified passage 23.
[0051] Next, the other kind of element 21B has the same arrangement as that of the above-described
element 21A. However, in this element 21B, as viewed in Fig. 3, an inlet 26a located
on the left side and an outlet 26b located in the lower side are in communication
with each other through a modified passage 26, whereas an inlet 27a located on the
right side and an outlet 27b located on the upper side are in communication with each
other through a modified passage 27. Namely, this element 21B has a different communication
state from that of the element 21A with each inlet and each outlet of each modified
passage.
[0052] Fig. 3 shows the condition where such two kinds of elements 21A and 21B are connected
to each other. Namely, in the above-described two kinds of elements 21A and 21B, the
inlet end portion of the one element 21B is connected to the outlet end portion of
the other element 21A with the flanges F in intimate contact with each other with
bolts.
[0053] Accordingly, in the joint portion between the two kinds of elements 21A and 21B,
the outlet 22b of the modified passage 22 in the one element 21A is in communication
with the-half of the inlet 26a of the modified passage 26 and the half of the inlet
27a of the other modified passage 27 in the other element 21B, whereas the outlet
23b of the modified passage 23 in the one element 21A is in communication with the
rest half of the inlet 26a of the modified passage 26 and the rest half of the inlet
27a of the other modified passage 27 in the other element 21B.
[0054] For this reason, each half of the object material to be mixed that has passed through
each modified passage 22, 23 in the one element 21A is introduced into each modified
passage 26, 27 of the other element 21B to be merged substantially. However, with
respect to the object material that has passed through one modified passage, it is
divided to each half at the joint portion of the two elements.
[0055] Accordingly, each outlet and each inlet of each modified passage formed in the outlet
end portion and the inlet end portion that are the joint portion between the two elements
21A, 21B constitute the merging and dividing means of the object material. As shown
in Fig. 1, if such elements 21A and 21B are connected to each other in series, the
merging and dividing means for the object material is formed in each joint portion.
[0056] The aggregate and mortar transferred by the second belt conveyor unit 12 are dropped
continuously into a hopper 19 from its delivery end. The aggregate and mortar are
roughly mixed when they are dropped from the second belt conveyor unit 12 into the
hopper 19. Under this condition, the aggregate and mortar are introduced from the
two inlet portions 22a, 23a in the first element 21A of the mixing box unit 20 into
each modified passage 22, 23 to drop into the mixing box unit 20 by the gravitational
force.
[0057] The mixing process of the object material (aggregate and mortar) flowing downwardly
through the mixing box unit 20 will now be described with reference to Fig. 4 showing
the process views. Incidentally, these process views show in a model graphic manner
the changing state of the object material, i.e., the aggregate and mortar in the regions
of the inlet end portion, the intermediate portion and the outlet end portion of each
element 21A, 21B in the case where the two elements 21A, 21B are connected to each
other (in two stages).
[0058] As is apparent from Fig. 4, the object material fed into the hopper 19 is introduced
into the two modified passages 22, 23 at the inlet end portion of the first stage
element 21A, and as a result, the flow thereof is divided into the two A, B. The cross-sectional
shape of each fluidized object material thus divided is in the form of a longitudinal
rectangular shape in the X-direction.
[0059] Subsequently, in the first stage intermediate portion, the cross-sectional shapes
of the fluidized object materials A, B are both changed into a square shape. Furthermore,
the shapes are both changed into a rectangular shape long in the Y-direction at 90
degrees to the longitudinal direction X on the inlet side in the first stage outlet
end portion. Accordingly, the cross-sectional shape of each fluidized object material
A, B is changed from the rectangular shape long in the X-direction, to a square shape
and to the rectangular shape long in the Y-direction.
[0060] In this varying process, the material is subjected to the continuous compression
effect by the inner wall of each modified passage 22, 23. As a result, a continuous
convection phenomenon occurs in particular in a radial direction of the cross-section
in the fluidized object material to thereby perform the primary kneading effect.
[0061] Subsequently, since a partitioning wall 28 at the inlet end portion of the second
stage element 21B intersects perpendicular with the partitioning wall 15 at the outlet
end portion of the first stage element, as shown in Fig. 4, the object materials A
and B fed out of the outlet end portion of the first stage element 21A are divided
into the right and left, respectively, and divided into A/B and A/B.
[0062] Then, the object materials A/B are caused to flow the respective modified passages
26 and 27, respectively. Namely, at the inlet end portion of the second stage element
21B, parts of the object materials A, B are merged into the respective modified passages
26, 27 and the cross-sectional shape of the fluidized object material within each
passage is formed into a rectangular shape long in the X-direction.
[0063] Subsequently, in the second stage intermediate portion, the cross-sectional shapes
of the fluidized object materials A/B are changed into a square shape as a whole and
the shape is changed into the longitudinal rectangular shape in the Y-direction at
the outlet end portion. Also, in the second stage, the object material A/B is changed
from the longitudinal rectangular shape in the X-direction through the square shape
into the longitudinal rectangular shape in the Y-direction.
[0064] Then, in the varying process, the material is subjected to the continuous compression
effect by the inner surface of each modified passage 26, 27. As a result, a continuous
convection phenomenon occurs in particular in a radial direction of the cross-section
in the fluidized object material to thereby perform the secondary kneading effect.
[0065] With respect to the third stage, although not particularly shown, at the third stage
inlet end portion, the final object material at the second stage outlet end portion
shown in Fig. 4 is divided on the right and left sides and merged into A/B/A/B as
shown by the phantom line X1. The object material at the stages afterward is kneaded
in the same way as the first stage and the second stage.
[0066] By the way, in this embodiment, as described above, the two different kinds of elements
21A and 21B are connected alternately to each other. The reason therefor will now
be described. As each modified passage of the element 21A shown in Fig. 3 is viewed
from one end portion, the portions except the hatched portions shown in Fig. 5 are
observed as a straight through-hole.
[0067] Since the inlet 22a on the left side in the inlet end portion is in communication
with the upper outlet 22b in the outlet end portion and the inlet 23a on the right
side in the inlet end portion is in communication with the lower outlet 23b in the
outlet end portion as described above, it goes without saying that the regions where
these portions are partially overlapped with each other may be seen directly from
the inlet to the outlet.
[0068] If so, with respect to the passage portion that is present in the regions where the
inlets 22a, 23a and the outlets 22b, 23b are partially overlapped with each other
when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the element 21A, the fluidized object
material is caused to pass with almost no deformation. Then, even the plurality of
elements 21A having the same shape are connectedif to each other, the condition as
the modified passage is viewed from the end portion is not different from the condition
shown in Fig. 5 at all. Accordingly, it is possible to predict the case where the
kneading effect is not so attained even if the plurality of elements having the same
shape are connected to each other.
[0069] On the other hand, with respect to the element 21B, for the same reason as the explanation
of the above-described element 21A, the regions where the inlets 26a, 27a and the
outlets 26b, 27b are overlapped with each other are the portions except for the hatched
portions shown in Fig. 6. This is apparent unlike the element 21A, since the inlet
26a on the left side in the inlet end portion is in communication with the lower outlet
26b in the outlet end portion and the inlet 27a on the right side in the inlet end
portion is in communication with the upper outlet 27b in the outlet end portion.
[0070] Therefore, assuming that these two kinds of elements 21A, 21B are connected as shown
in Fig. 3, it is possible to obtain the condition as if Figs. 5 and 6 were overlapped
when the modified passages are viewed from the inlet end portion. As a result, it
is impossible to directly see the outlet portion from the inlet portion. This means
that the object material that has been fed from the inlet portion would not flow to
the outlet portion in a so-called straight manner. As a result, it is possible to
further enhance the mixing effect.
[0071] Incidentally, the elements used in the above-described embodiment are provided with
the two modified passages 22, 23 or 26, 27. However, it is possible to constitute
the mixing box unit by connecting the elements 30 having four modified passages 31,
32, 33 and 34 as shown in Fig. 7.
[0072] The idea of this element 30 is the same as that of the elements 21A, 21B described
above. The element is also provided with square openings at the end portions and flanges
F for connection around the openings. Furthermore, the inlet end portion is partitioned
by means of three partitioning walls 35, 36, 37 so as to form four longitudinal openings
in the X-direction to form inlets 31a, 32a, 33a, 34a of the four modified passages
31 to 34.
[0073] On the other hand, the outlet end portion of the element 30 is partitioned so as
to have longitudinal openings in the Y-direction different by 90 degrees from each
inlet of the inlet end portion by three partitioning walls 38, 39, 40 to form outlets
31b, 32b, 33b, 34b of each modified passage.
[0074] Then, as viewed in Fig. 7, the inlet 31a of the modified passage 31 is in communication
with the second outlet 31b from above, the inlet 32a of the modified passage 32 is
in communication with the uppermost outlet 32b, the inlet 33a of the modified passage
33 is in communication with the lowermost outlet 33b, and the inlet 34a of the modified
passage 34 is in communication with the third outlet 34b from above.
[0075] The change in the cross-sectional shape in the longitudinal direction of each modified
passage 31, 32, 33, 34 is basically the same as that of the elements 21A, 21B in the
foregoing embodiment. However, the different point is that there are four modified
passages in the contour of the element 30 as a whole.
[0076] Fig. 8 is a view showing a mixing method using the mixing box unit constituted by
connecting the two elements 30 to each other (by connecting the elements 30 having
the same shape in this example). When the object material that has been introduced
into the inlets 31a to 34a longitudinal in the X-direction at the inlet end portions
of the first stage element 30 is discharged from the outlets 31b to 34b, the object
material is divided into B, A, D, C, and each row is merged in the condition of the
sixteen layers longitudinal in the X-direction at the outlet end portions of the second
stage element 30. Here, phantom lines X3 designate the next third division lines.
[0077] Thus, the suitably measured amount of aggregate and mortar or cement paste are continuously
fed to the mixing box unit 20 to be mixed suitably, as a result of which very high
quality concrete may be continuously produced. In the continuous concrete manufacturing
plant 10 in accordance with the above-described embodiment, the belt scale units are
installed in the continuous frame material supply units 13 to 15 for producing a relatively
high quality concrete as described above, supervising continuously the supply amount
of the frame material and performing the feedback control. Also, in the same manner,
the supply of the mortar is very accurately adjusted so as to be in proportion to
the total amount of the frame material that has been delivered. However, such belt
scale units may be suitably installed in response to the quality of the demanded concrete
quality.
[0078] Incidentally, in the case where the material such as aggregate or mortar is caused
to pass through the mixing box unit 20, the material is not always passed while filling
the modified passage of each element. If the object material is not passed through
the modified passage of each element while filling the modified passage, there is
a fear that the material is not subjected to the shear or compression during the passage
of the mixing box unit due to the difference of kinds of materials. As a result, there
is a possibility that the difference occurs in kneaded condition.
[0079] For this reason, it is preferable that an openable/closeable cut gate (not shown)
is provided at the lowermost element outlet constituting the mixing box unit 20, and
the discharge amount of the material dropping by the gravitational force is adjusted
so as to more effectively perform the kneading and mixing under the control of the
filling rate of the material in the modified passage in each element of the mixing
box unit.
[0080] Also, an amount (volume) of the aggregate per unit time that has been continuously
fed by, for example, the delivery belt or the various well known means other than
the belt scale unit as a means for adjusting a supply of the aggregate and mortar
or cement paste may be detected in order by the plurality of photoelectric tube or
it is possible to control the supply amount of the material by using a well known
feed conveyor unit with high precision.
[0081] Furthermore, in the above-described continuous mixing plant in accordance with the
embodiment, one kind or more kinds of materials are loaded and transferred so as to
overlap in order on the delivery belt of the main conveyor unit. Furthermore, the
final material is loaded on the delivery belt after determining the total amount of
materials and these materials are cast into the mixing box unit. However, the present
invention is not limited thereto.
[0082] Namely, for instance, as shown in Fig. 9, continuous aggregate supply units 13, 14,
15 and the continuous fixed amount supply unit 16 for feeding mortar or cement paste
are provided independently around the hopper 19 installed in the upper portion of
the mixing box unit 20 and each material may be cast continuously into the hopper
19 from each unit while metering the material. Then, a scale is installed in the delivery
path from each continuous aggregate supply unit 13, 14, 15 and the continuous fixed
amount supply unit 16 to the hopper 19, and the respective continuous aggregate supply
units 13, 14, 15 and the continuous fixed amount supply unit 16 are subjected to the
feedback control to thereby enhance the material supply precision as described above,
if necessary.
[0083] Also, in the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the example in
which the aggregate and the mortar are mixed to manufacture the concrete has been
explained. However, the present invention is not limited to such materials. It is
possible to cast the aggregate and the cement paste into the mixing box unit while
continuously feeding and metering the materials, respectively.
[0084] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the object material has been described by
using the term of "aggregate". However, the "aggregate" used here is not limited to
the kinds independent of each other such as sand or small stone. Namely, the material
obtained by mixing the sand and small stone in advance or the material obtained by
further mixing the cement powder to the sand or small stone or the mixture thereof
in advance is called a premix. The "aggregate" also includes concept of such premix.
Accordingly, it is possible to cast such premix into the mixing box unit while continuously
metering and feeding the material.
[0085] In particular, in the case where the premix obtained by mixing the cement powder
to the mixture of the sand and small stone in advance is cast into the mixing box
unit while continuously metering and feeding, as shown in Fig. 10, two mixing box
units 20 may be provided stepwise. Namely, the sand that is fine aggregate, the small
stone that is the coarse aggregate and the cement powder are continuously fed by the
metering and supply units 113, 114, 115 and mixed in the first stage mixing box unit
20 to manufacture the premix.
[0086] Subsequently, water is continuously fed to this premix by a water supply unit 116
and mixed in the second stage mixing box unit 20. Also through such a process, it
is possible to manufacture the concrete continuously. As is understood also from this,
according to the present invention, it is possible to install the plurality of mixing
box units in the stepwise manner as required and to mix materials while feeding each
material in order.
[0087] Incidentally, the management of the surface water of the coarse aggregate material
or fine aggregate is needed in the case where the high quality concrete is to be manufactured,
including the case where the water is to be added to the above-described premix. It
is therefore preferable to add a water supply control unit or a moisture detecting
means to the above-described continuous mixing plant according to the present invention,
if necessary.
[0088] Incidentally, in the foregoing embodiment of the present invention, the plant is
used for continuously producing the concrete. It goes without saying that the present
invention may be applied to various cases where each material to be mixed is fed while
being measured and is mixed and agitated continuously to obtain the product. It is
possible to exemplify as such use the manufacture of mixed feed for domestic animals
or gardening ground (mixed ground of ground and hen droppings).
[0089] As described above, in the continuous mixing plant according to the present invention,
it is possible to perform the manufacture of the mixed material in a relatively simple
apparatus and continuously and relatively high speed to thereby considerably enhance
the manufacturing efficiency of the mixed material, as a result of which it is possible
to produce such a mixed material in a mass-production manner.
[0090] Also, in the continuous mixing plant according to the present invention, it is possible
to perform this to the continuous manufacture of the concrete. In this case, the metering
of each material that has been conventionally difficult to perform in the continuous
manufacture of the concrete may be continuously performed with high precision and
the material is fed to the mixer having a special structure. Thus, there is an excellent
advantage that the high quality concrete may be manufactured continuously at a high
speed.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0091] The present invention is applicable to an apparatus for continuously mixing and agitating
several kinds of materials, for example, for mixing cement and coarse aggregate in
a concrete manufacturing plant or the like, mixing feed for domestic animals or mixing
ground and hen droppings for producing gardening ground.
1. Eine kontinuierliche Mischanlage mit kontinuierlichen Mess- und Zuführ-Mitteln zum
anhaltenden Zuführen von zumindest zwei Arten von Materialien, die miteinander gemischt
werden sollen, während die Materialien kontinuierlich gemessen werden, wobei die Zahl
der kontinuierlichen Mess- und Zuführ-Mittel die zu den Materialien korrespondierende
Zahl ist, und zumindest einer Mischboxeinheit zum Mischen der Materialien, die kontinuierlich
von den kontinuierlichen Mess- und Zuführ-Mitteln zugeführt werden, dadurch charakterisiert,
dass die Mischboxeinheit mit Folgendem zur Verfügung gestellt wird: eine Mehrzahl
von modifizierten Durchgängen, von denen jeder einen Einlassteil an einem Ende und
einen Auslassteil an dem anderen Ende hat, wobei deren Querschnittform sich kontinuierlich
von dem Einlassteil zu dem Auslassteil verändert wird und wobei sie sich in axialer
Richtung erstrecken; und Misch- und Teil-Mittel, die zwischen dem Einlassteil und
dem Auslassteil von jedem der modifizierten Durchgänge zum Mischen und Teilen jedes
Materials, das jeden der modifizierten Durchgänge passiert, zur Verfügung gestellt
sind, und wobei jedes zu mischende Material kontinuierlich von dem Einlassteil ausgegossen
wird und zu dem Auslassteil durch jeden der modifizierten Durchgänge aufgrund der
Gravitationskraft passiert; wobei die Mischboxeinheit eine Mehrzahl von Elementen
hat, die Elemente beinhalten zumindest zwei Arten, um den Kommunikationszustand zwischen
jedem Einlass und jeden Auslass von jedem der modifizierten Durchgänge zu unterscheiden,
und die Mischboxeinheit gebildet ist, indem die unterschiedlichen Arten der Elemente
wechselweise miteinander verbunden werden.
2. Die kontinuierliche Mischanlage gemäß Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Anlage weiterhin ein Messmittel beinhaltet, das zum lokalen Messen einer Liefermenge
und - jede vorbestimmte Zeit im Mittel - zum kontinuierlichen Liefern des Materials
dient, das von jeder der kontinuierlichen Mess- und Zuführ-Mittel zugeführt wird,
und dass die kontinuierlichen Mess- und Zuführ-Mittel ein Signal von diesem Messmittel
erhalten um durch Rückmeldungen kontrolliert zu werden, wobei die Genauigkeit der
Materialbereitstellungsmenge verbessert wird.
3. Die kontinuierliche Mischanlage gemäß Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die zumindest zwei zu mischenden Materialien ein Zuschlagsstoff und Mörtel, oder
Zement, sind und die Mischanlage als eine Anlage zum kontinuierlichen Herstellen von
Beton verwendet wird.
4. Die kontinuierliche Mischanlage gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei die kontinuierlichen Mess-
und Zuführ-Mittel beinhalten: eine Hauptförderbandeinheit zum Liefern eines Zuschlagsstoffes;
kontinuierliche Zuschlagsstoff-Zuführmittel zum anhaltenden Zuführen von zumindest
einer Art von Zuschlagsstoff zu der Hauptförderbandeinheit während das Material gemessen
wird; eine erste Detektionseinheit, die einem Förderband der Haupt-Förderbandeinheit
nachgeordneten installiert ist, zum kontinuierlichen Messen einer lokalen Menge des
Zuschlagsstoffes, die auf dem Förderband der Hauptförderbandeinheit transferiert wurden,
an einer vorbestimmten Position, wobei ein Signal ausgegeben wird; kontinuierliche
Festmengen-Bereitstellungsmitteln, die der Hauptförderbandeinheit nachgeordnet installiert
ist, die den Zuschlagsstoff zugeführt hat, zum anhaltenden kontinuierlichen Zuführen
einer festen Menge von Mörtel oder Zement zu der Hauptförderbandeinheit; wobei zumindest
eine Mischboxeinheit direkt unterhalb eines Förderendes der Hauptförderbandeinheit
angeordnet ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das kontinuierlichen Festmengen-Bereitstellungsmittel das Signal erhält, das kontinuierlich
von der ersten Detektionseinheit ausgegeben wird, und durch Rückmeldung kontrolliert
wird um die Genauigkeit der Bereitstellungsmenge an Mörtel oder Zement zu verbessern.
5. Die kontinuierliche Mischanlage gemäß Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die kontinuierlichen Zuschlagsstoff-Zuführmittel beinhalten: eine Förderbandeinheit
zum Zuführen des Zuschlagsstoffes zu der Hauptförderbandeinheit; eine Material-Zerkleinerungs(Cutting)-Einheit
zum kontinuierlichen Zuführen des Zuschlagsstoff zu der Förderbandeinheit; und eine
zweite Detektionseinheit, die der Förderbandeinheit nachgeordneten installiert ist,
sodass ein Signal ausgegeben wird indem an einer vorbestimmten Position eine Menge
des Zuschlagsstoffes, der auf dem Förderband der Förderbandeinheit transferiert wird,
kontinuierlich gemessen wird, wobei die Materialliefereinheit auf Empfang des kontinuierlichen
Signals, das von der zweite Detektionseinheit ausgegeben wird, durch Rückmeldung kontrolliert
wird, um dabei die Genauigkeit der Bereitstellungsmenge des Zuschlagsstoffes zu verbessern,
der an die Förderbandeinheit geliefert und zugeführt wird.
6. Die kontinuierliche Mischanlage gemäß Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Materialliefereinheit einen Vibrationszuführer enthält, und die Frequenz des
Vibrationzuführers auf Basis des Signals, das kontinuierlich von der zweite Detektionseinheit
ausgegeben wird, um durch Rückmeldung die Liefermenge des Zuschlagsstoffes zu der
Förderbandeinheit zu kontrollieren, verändert wird.
7. Die kontinuierliche Mischanlage gemäß Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, das eine oder beide der ersten und zweiten Detektionseinheiten aus einer Förderband-Maßeinheit
aufgebaut ist, die zum kontinuierlichen Messen des Gewichts des Förderbandes und des
darauf befindlichen Zuschlagsstoff an einer vorbestimmten Positionen dient.
8. Die kontinuierliche Mischanlage gemäß Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Mischboxeinheit durch Verbinden einer Mehrzahl von Elementen in im wesentlichen
vertikaler Richtung gebildet wird, wobei jedes der Elemente mit einem Einlassende,
einem Auslassende und einer Mehrzahl von modifizierten Durchgängen zur Verfügung gestellt
wird, die sich von dem Einlass zu dem Auslass erstrecken, und wobei der Einlass von
jedem der an dem Einlassende geformten modifizierten Durchgänge und der Auslass von
jedem der an dem Auslassende geformten modifizierten Durchgänge unterschiedliche Anordnungsmuster
hat, und wobei weiterhin benachbarte Elemente mit direkten Kontakt zueinander an dem
Auslassende und dem Einlassende verbunden sind, und ein Verbindungsteil zwischen dem
Einlass und dem Auslass von jedem der modifizierten Durchgänge an dem Endteil der
Verbindungsseite von jedem der Elemente die Mischund Teilmittel bildet.
9. Die kontinuierliche Mischanlage gemäß Anspruch 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Elemente mit rechteckigen Öffnungen zur Verfügung gestellt werden, die auf den
rechten und linken Seiten als ein Anordnungsmuster des Einlasses der modifizierten
Durchgänge angeordnet sind, und mit rechteckigen Öffnungen zur Verfügung gestellt
werden, die vertikal als ein Anordnungsmuster des Auslasses der modifizierten Durchgänge
angeordnet sind, und die gebildet sind durch zumindest zwei, im Kommunikationszustand
zwischen jedem Einlass und jeden Auslass von jedem der modifizierten Durchgänge zu
unterscheidenden Arten, und die Mischboxeinheit gebildet ist, indem die unterschiedlichen
Arten der Elemente wechselweise miteinander in vertikaler Richtung verbunden werden.
10. Die kontinuierliche Mischanlage gemäß Anspruch 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass eine öffenbare/schließbare Öffnungssperre an dem Auslass des untersten Elements zur
Verfügung gestellt wird, das die Mischboxeinheit bilden, und eine Auslassmenge von
Material, das durch die Gravitationskraft fällt, reguliert wird, wobei eine Kontrolle
der Füllrate des Materials in den modifizierten Durchgängen von jedem Element der
Mischboxeinheit durchgeführt wird.
1. Installation de mélange continu comprenant des moyens de dosage et d'alimentation
continus pour maintenir une alimentation en au moins deux types de matériaux à mélanger
l'un avec l'autre tout en dosant continuellement les matériaux, le nombre de moyens
de dosage et d'alimentation continus correspondant au nombre desdits matériaux, et
au moins une unité de caisse de mélange pour mélanger les matériaux fournis continuellement
depuis lesdits moyens de dosage et d'alimentation continus,
caractérisée en ce que ladite unité de caisse de mélange est pourvue de : une pluralité de passages modifiés
dont chacun a une portion d'entrée à une extrémité et une portion de sortie à l'autre
extrémité, une forme en section transversale qui change continuellement depuis ladite
portion d'entrée vers ladite portion de sortie et qui s'étend dans une direction axiale
; et un moyen de confluence et de division prévu entre ladite portion d'entrée et
ladite portion de sortie de chacun desdits passages modifiés pour faire confluer et
diviser chaque matériau passant au travers de chacun desdits passages modifiés, et
chaque matériau à mélanger est continuellement coulé depuis ladite portion d'entrée
et transféré par la force de gravité en direction de ladite portion de sortie via
chacun desdits passages modifiés, grâce à quoi l'unité de caisse de mélange comprend
une pluralité d'éléments qui sont d'au moins deux types pour différencier l'état de
communication entre chaque entrée et chaque sortie de chacun des passages modifiés,
et l'unité de caisse de mélange est constituée en connectant alternativement les différents
types d'éléments l'un avec l'autre.
2. Installation de mélange continu selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend en outre un moyen de dosage pour doser localement une quantité délivrée
et, à chaque moment prédéterminé, à mi-chemin, pour délivrer continuellement le matériau
fourni depuis chacun desdits moyens de dosage et d'alimentation continus et lesdits
moyens de dosage et d'alimentation continus reçoivent un signal provenant de ce moyen
de dosage pour être commandé sous l'effet d'une rétroaction, améliorant ainsi la précision
de la quantité de matériau fourni.
3. Installation de mélange continu selon la revendication 2, caractérisée en ce que lesdits au moins deux matériaux à mélanger sont un agrégat et un mortier, ou une
pâte de ciment, et ladite installation de mélange est appliquée en tant qu'installation
pour la fabrication de béton en continu.
4. Installation de mélange continu selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle les moyens
de dosage et d'alimentation continus comprennent une unité principale de convoyeur
à tapis pour délivrer l'agrégat ; un moyen d'alimentation d'agrégat en continu pour
maintenir l'alimentation en au moins un type d'agrégat sur ladite unité principale
de convoyeur à tapis tout en dosant le matériau ; une première unité de détection
installée en aval d'un tapis de distribution de ladite unité principale de convoyeur
à tapis pour doser en continu, en une position prédéterminée, une quantité locale
dudit agrégat qui a été transférée sur ledit tapis de distribution de ladite unité
principale de convoyeur à tapis, émettant ainsi un signal ; un moyen de fourniture
continue d'une quantité fixe installé en aval de ladite unité principale de convoyeur
à tapis portant ledit agrégat fourni, aux fins de maintenir en continu la fourniture
d'une quantité fixe de mortier ou de pâte de ciment à ladite unité principale de convoyeur
à tapis ; l'une au moins des unités de caisse de mélange étant disposée juste au-dessous
d'une extrémité de distribution de ladite unité principale de convoyeur à tapis, caractérisée en ce que
ladite unité de fourniture continue d'une quantité fixe reçoit ledit signal émis
en continu par ladite première unité de détection et est commandée sous l'effet d'une
rétroaction pour augmenter la précision de la quantité fournie de mortier ou de pâte
de ciment.
5. Installation de mélange continu selon la revendication 4, caractérisée en ce que ledit moyen d'alimentation continue en agrégat comprend : une unité de convoyeur
à tapis pour fournir l'agrégat à ladite unité de convoyeur principale ; une unité
d'interruption du matériau pour fournir en continu ledit agrégat à ladite unité de
convoyeur à tapis ; et une seconde unité de détection installée en aval de ladite
unité de convoyeur à tapis de façon à émettre un signal par dosage continu, au niveau
d'une position prédéterminée, d'une quantité dudit agrégat qui est transférée sur
le tapis de distribution de ladite unité de convoyeur à tapis, ladite unité de distribution
de matériau étant commandée sous l'effet d'une rétroaction lorsqu'elle reçoit ledit
signal émis en continu depuis ladite seconde unité de détection, pour ainsi améliorer
la précision de la quantité fournie de l'agrégat délivré et fourni à ladite unité
de convoyeur à tapis.
6. Installation de mélange continu selon la revendication 5, caractérisée en ce que ladite unité de distribution de matériau inclut un chargeur vibrant, et en ce qu'une fréquence dudit chargeur vibrant est changée sur la base du signal émis en continu
depuis ladite seconde unité de détection pour commander sous l'effet d'une rétroaction
la quantité dudit agrégat délivré à ladite unité de convoyeur à tapis.
7. Installation de mélange continu selon la revendication 6, caractérisée en ce que l'une desdites première et seconde unités de détection, ou les deux, sont composées
d'une unité de pesage sur tapis pour doser en continu un poids du tapis de distribution
et des agrégats qui s'y trouvent en une position prédéterminée.
8. Installation de mélange continu selon la revendication 7, caractérisée en ce que ladite unité de caisse de mélange est constituée par connexion d'une pluralité d'éléments
sensiblement dans une direction verticale, chacun desdits éléments étant pourvu d'une
extrémité d'entrée, d'une extrémité de sortie et la pluralité de passages modifiés
s'étendant depuis ladite extrémité d'entrée vers ladite extrémité de sortie, l'entrée
de chacun desdits passages modifiés formés au niveau de l'extrémité d'entrée et la
sortie de chacun desdits passages modifiés formés au niveau de ladite extrémité de
sortie ayant différents motifs de disposition, et en outre chacun des éléments adjacents
étant connecté en contact intime l'un avec l'autre au niveau de ladite extrémité de
sortie et de ladite extrémité d'entrée, et une portion de raccord entre l'entrée et
la sortie de chacun desdits passages modifiés, sur la portion de sortie du côté raccord
de chacun desdits éléments, constitue ledit moyen de confluence et de division.
9. Installation de mélange continu selon la revendication 8, caractérisée en ce que lesdits éléments sont pourvus d'ouvertures rectangulaires disposées sur les côtés
droit et gauche sous la forme d'un motif de disposition de ladite entrée de chacun
desdits passages modifiés et d'ouvertures rectangulaires disposées verticalement selon
un motif de disposition de ladite sortie de chacun desdits passages modifiés, et sont
constitués d'au moins deux types pour différencier l'état de communication entre chaque
entrée et chaque sortie de chacun des passages modifiés, et ladite unité de caisse
de mélange est constituée en connectant alternativement les différents types desdits
éléments l'un avec l'autre dans la direction verticale.
10. Installation de mélange continu selon la revendication 9, caractérisée en ce qu'une porte d'interruption ouvrable/fermable est prévue au niveau d'une sortie de l'élément
le plus bas constituant ladite unité de caisse de mélange, et en ce qu'il est réglé une quantité de libération de matériau chutant par gravité, grâce à quoi
est mise en oeuvre une commande du débit de remplissage du matériau dans le passage
modifié de chaque élément de ladite unité de caisse de mélange.