Method of making concrete electrically conductive for electromagnetic shielding purposes
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
InventorRay G. McCormack
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Abstract
Method and apparatus for making electrically conductive concrete articles ed for electromagnetic shielding, the invention also includes the articles of manufacture formed according to the method. Concrete articles formed according to the method of the invention are reinforced with magnetized metallic fibers, preferably steel fibers, a substantial portion of the fibers contacting nearby fibers to provide electrical continuity through the article. Contact between fibers is enhanced according to the invention by vibration of the concrete/fiber mix during forming of the electrically conductive concrete article.
Claims15
A method for making electrically conductive articles having substantial electromagnetic shielding capability, consisting essentially of:
- forming a settable mixture of concrete and magnetized metallic fibers;
- and,
- orienting the fibers randomly, yielding electrical contact between at least a substantial portion of the fibers and adjacent fibers to produce substantial electrical continuity through the concrete and fiber mixture.
Apparatus for making electrically conductive concrete articles having substantial electromagnetic shielding capability consisting essentially of:
- means for containing a mixture of concrete and magnetized metallic fibers;
- and,
- means contacting the containing means for vibrating said containing means and the mixture of the concrete and of the magnetized metallic fibers contained therein to effect electrical contact between at least a substantial portion of the fibers and adjacent fibers to produce substantial electrical continuity through the concrete and fiber mixture.
An article of manufacture having substantial electromagnetic shielding capability consisting essentially of a formed concrete material within which magnetized metallic fibers are dispersed with at least substantial portions of the fibers electrically contacting adjacent fibers to produce substantial electrical continuity from the article.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.