US 5,180,294 AGranted

Concrete pump having pressurized seal for swing tube

AssigneeConfloat Consulting Ltd.

InventorErnest W. Watchorn

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Abstract

A pressure sealing assembly for a swing tube-type concrete pump. The assembly provides a fluid-tight seal between the intake end of the swing tube and the ports of the pumping cylinders. Pressure faces are formed in the bearing assembly where the discharge end of the swing tube passes out of the concrete hopper, and a lubricating medium, such as grease, is positioned in this assembly adjacent the pressure face which is directed toward the intake end of the swing tube. Pressure is selectively supplied to the lubricating medium in the bearing assembly, so that this pressure applies the force toward the intake end of the swing tube, which forces the intake end of the swing tube into sealing abutment with a cylinder port. The grease pressure is supplied to the assembly by a hydraulic ram assembly, this receiving hydraulic pressure from the same source which operates the pumping cylinders of the pump, so that the application of pressure to the bearing assembly is timed in sequence with the pumping action of the cylinders.

Claims26

Dependent claims

In a concrete pump having a plurality of pumping cylinders which charge and discharge alternately, each said cylinder having a port through which fluid concrete is discharged, and a pivotally mounted swing tube having an intake end which moves into and out of register with each said port alternately so as to receive said concrete which is discharged therefrom, a pressure sealing apparatus for providing a fluid-tight seal between said intake end of said swing tube and said ports with which said intake end is in register, said pressure sealing apparatus comprising:

a bearing assembly for pivotally supporting a discharge end of said swing tube, said bearing assembly comprising a first bearing portion mounted to a support structure and a second bearing portion mounted to said swing tube, said second bearing portion having a pressure face formed thereon to receive a force directed toward said intake end of said swing tube;
a lubricating medium positioned in said bearing assembly adjacent said pressure face on said second bearing portion;
and
means for selectively supplying pressure to said lubricating medium in said bearing assembly so that said pressure applies said force toward said intake end of said swing tube to said pressure face thereon, and said force is transmitted from said pressure face to said swing tube so that said intake end of said tube is forced into sealing abutment with a said port with which said intake end of said tube is in register.

1 more element

A concrete pump, comprising:

a plurality of pumping cylinders which charge and discharge alternately, each said cylinder having a port through which fluid concrete is discharged;
a pivotally mounted swing tube having an intake end which moves into and out of register with each said port alternately so as to receive said concrete which is discharged therefrom;
a bearing assembly for pivotally supporting a discharge end of said swing tube in a support structure, said bearing assembly comprising a first bearing portion mounted to said support structure and a second bearing portion mounted to said swing tube, said second bearing portion having a pressure face formed thereon to receive a force directed toward said intake end of said swing tube;
a lubricating medium positioned in said bearing assembly adjacent said pressure face on said second bearing portion;
and
means for selectively supplying pressure to said lubricating medium in said bearing assembly so that said pressure applies said force toward said intake end of said swing tube to said pressure face thereon, and said force is transmitted from said pressure face to said swing tube so that said intake end of said tube is forced into sealing abutment with a said part with which said intake end of said tube is in register.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.