Portable gyratory compactor and extruder with a single pivot and two gyration actuators

A gyratory compactor and extruder device for compacting a material within a mold as the mold is gyrated about an axis of the mold, and for extruding compacted material out of the mold, the device comprising:

• a frame which supports a mold gyration assembly and a compaction ram, the mold gyration assembly connected to the frame at a point lateral to a longitudinal axis of the mold;
• a mold for receiving a material to be compacted, the mold dimensioned to be inserted into and held by the mold gyration assembly;
• mold assembly gyration actuators connected to the mold gyration assembly and operative to gyrate the mold gyration assembly about a longitudinal axis of the mold;
• the compaction ram operative to travel upward through a bottom of the mold and into the mold to compact material within the mold against a cap assembly secured over the open top of the mold as the mold is gyrated within the mold gyration assembly by the mold assembly gyration actuators,
• whereby the cap assembly can be removed following compaction of material in the mold and the compaction ram driven farther upward into the mold to force compacted material through the open top of the mold and frame.

A gyratory compaction and extrusion device for compacting a material specimen within a mold as the mold is gyrated about a longitudinal axis of the mold, the device compising:

• means for pivotally supporting a mold whereby the mold can be gyrated about a longitudinal axis of the mold,
• compaction means positioned to be axially driven upward through an open bottom of the mold against a mold bottom plate which fits within the mold,
• gyration means for gyrating the means for pivotally supporting a mold, said gyration means comprising eccentrically mounted gyration actuators, and
• a cap which blocks an open top of the mold whereby material can be compacted within the mold by the compaction means as the mold is gyrated.

A method of compacting a specimen of material within a mold with a compaction ram as the mold is gyrated, and extruding compacted material from the mold with the compaction ram, the method comprising the steps of:

• charging a mold with a specimen of material to be compacted,
• securing the mold in a mold gyration assembly,
• capping an open top of the mold,
• driving a compaction ram into the mold through an open bottom of the mold,
• gyrating the mold gyration assembly as the compaction ram is driven into the mold,
• stopping the compaction ram at a desired extent,
• uncapping the open top of the mold, and
• driving the compaction ram farther up into the mold to force compacted material out of the mold through the open top of the mold.

A portable gyratory compactor device for compacting a specimen of material in a mold as the mold is gyrated, the device comprising a frame for supporting:

• a mold for receiving a specimen of material,
• a compaction means for compacting material within the mold and extruding material from the mold,
• gyration means for gyrating the mold as the compaction means compacts material within the mold,
• handle gripping means attached to the frame,
• rolling means attached to the frame,
• and roll bars attached to the frame which support the device in a position wherein the rolling means do not contact an underlying surface.