Abstract:
A cementitious slurry mixing and dispensing system (1510, 1710) includes a mixer (1520, 1712), a discharge conduit (110, 1527, 1727), and a pulser assembly (150, 850, 1050, 1250). The discharge conduit (110, 1527, 1727) is in fluid communication with the mixer (1520, 1712). The pulser assembly (150, 850, 1050, 1250) is adapted to periodically compress a portion of the discharge conduit (110, 1527, 1727). The pulser assembly (150, 850, 1050, 1250) can include a compression member (705, 905, 1105, 1305) adapted to contactingly engage the portion of the discharge conduit (110, 1527, 1727) and a drive mechanism (720, 920, 1120, 1320) adapted to selectively move the compression member (705, 905, 1105, 1305) into compressing engagement with the discharge conduit (110, 1527, 1727) such that the part of the interior wall surface underlying the compressed portion is flexed.
Abstract:
A discharge gate (36) is provided for a gypsum slurry mixer (12), and includes a lower member (44) having an inlet opening (52) configured for receiving the slurry, and an outlet opening (54) configured for delivering the slurry to a dispensing device. An upper member (46) is attached to the lower member (44), at least one of the upper and lower members (44, 46) having at least one opening (76) for accommodating insertion of an injection port (80) for introducing the foam to the slurry. A cavity (48) is configured for mixing the foam and slurry, and is defined by inner surfaces of the lower member (44) and the upper member (46).
Abstract:
A discharge gate (36) for a gypsum slurry mixer (12) is provided, and includes a gate adapter (38) having an inlet opening (56) configured for receiving the slurry, and an outlet opening (58) configured for delivering the slurry to a dispensing device (40). The gate adapter (38) has two different transitioning cross-sectional geometries at opposite ends. Specifically, the gate adapter (38) includes an inlet section (64) having a quadrilateral inlet opening (60); an outlet section (66) having a substantially circular outlet opening (62); and a transition section (68) sandwiched between the inlet and outlet sections (64, 66).
Abstract:
One or more of these or other problems are improved using a method of making a strong gypsum panel which includes a method for forming a hardened shell structure at the interface of a foamed bubble and a gypsum slurry. A strengthening component is selected from the group consisting of set accelerators, water soluble polyphosphate salts, blends of water soluble polyphosphate salts with starch, boric acid, fibers, glycerin or combinations thereof. The strengthening component is combined with a foaming agent and with water to form an aqueous soap mixture. Foam is generated from the aqueous soap mixture, and added to a gypsum slurry. Allowing the strengthening component to contact the soap bubbles prior to addition of the foam to the gypsum slurry allows the strengthening component to preferentially contact the soap film rather than be dispersed through the entire slurry.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for delivering an additive-enhanced slurry for use in making gypsum wallboard, and configured for connection to a centrifugal mixer with a tangential discharge outlet, includes a conduit having a main inlet in slurry receiving communication with the mixer outlet and extending to a discharge spout for discharging the slurry proximate a wallboard forming area. At least one volume restrictor is associated with the conduit for creating back pressure between the volume restrictor and the outlet for keeping the mixer full, and at least one pressure reducer associated with the discharge spout and configured for reducing the pressure of the slurry dispensed from the discharge spout. The apparatus is configured for maintaining a generally laminar flow from the mixer outlet to the discharge spout.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for delivering an additive-enhanced slurry for use in making gypsum wallboard, and configured for connection to a centrifugal mixer with a tangential discharge outlet, includes a conduit having a main inlet in slurry receiving communication with the mixer outlet and extending to a discharge spout for discharging the slurry proximate a wallboard forming area. At least one volume restrictor is associated with the conduit for creating back pressure between the volume restrictor and the outlet for keeping the mixer full, and at least one pressure reducer associated with the discharge spout and configured for reducing the pressure of the slurry dispensed from the discharge spout. The apparatus is configured for maintaining a generally laminar flow from the mixer outlet to the discharge spout.
Abstract:
A discharge gate is provided for a gypsum slurry mixer, and includes a lower member having an inlet opening configured for receiving the slurry, and an outlet opening configured for delivering the slurry to a dispensing device. An upper member is attached to the lower member, at least one of the upper and lower members having at least one opening for accommodating insertion of an injection port for introducing the foam to the slurry. A cavity is configured for mixing the foam and slurry, and is defined by inner surfaces of the lower member and the upper member.
Abstract:
A cementitious slurry mixing and dispensing system includes a mixer, a discharge conduit, and a pulser assembly. The discharge conduit is in fluid communication with the mixer. The pulser assembly is adapted to periodically compress a portion of the discharge conduit. The pulser assembly can include a compression member adapted to contactingly engage the portion of the discharge conduit and a drive mechanism adapted to selectively move the compression member into compressing engagement with the discharge conduit such that the part of the interior wall surface underlying the compressed portion is flexed.
Abstract:
One or more of these or other problems are improved using a method of making a strong gypsum panel which includes a method for forming a hardened shell structure at the interface of a foamed bubble and a gypsum slurry. A strengthening component is selected from the group consisting of set accelerators, water soluble polyphosphate salts, blends of water soluble polyphosphate salts with starch, boric acid, fibers, glycerin or combinations thereof. The strengthening component is combined with a foaming agent and with water to form an aqueous soap mixture. Foam is generated from the aqueous soap mixture, and added to a gypsum slurry. Allowing the strengthening component to contact the soap bubbles prior to addition of the foam to the gypsum slurry allows the strengthening component to preferentially contact the soap film rather than be dispersed through the entire slurry.