Portable system for automatically and periodically applying moisture to curing concrete
First Claim
1. A self-contained concrete curing apparatus that is adapted to be moved to remote locations at the site of concrete construction so as to be able to provide water from a water source onto a concrete object to aid in curing the concrete object, the apparatus comprising:
- a portable power source;
an applicator that applies moisture to the concrete object;
a pump that is powered by the portable power source, wherein the pump receives water from the water source and provides pressurized water to the applicator so that moisture is applied to the concrete object;
a controller that periodically activates the pump so as to periodically apply moisture to the concrete object;
a movable chassis onto which the power source, the pump, and the controller are mounted, wherein the chassis is sized so as to be movable between construction locations such that the apparatus can automatically apply moisture to the concrete object over a period of time to facilitate curing of the concrete object.
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Abstract
A system for automatically and periodically applying moisture to curing concrete that can be transported from one location to another is provided. A portable concrete curing unit receives water from a water source and distributes such water to a moisture applicator that is situated near a curing concrete object. The moisture applicator applies moisture to the curing concrete so as to maintain the concrete object at a desired moisture level during the curing process. The concrete curing unit may contain a power source, a pump, and a controller. The controller is connected to the pump such that the pump will distribute water to the moisture applicator during an activation period. This timing function of the controller allows for a system and method of automatically and periodically curing concrete that can be controlled by the user without extensive need for manual labor during the concrete curing process.
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Citations
46 Claims
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1. A self-contained concrete curing apparatus that is adapted to be moved to remote locations at the site of concrete construction so as to be able to provide water from a water source onto a concrete object to aid in curing the concrete object, the apparatus comprising:
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a portable power source;
an applicator that applies moisture to the concrete object;
a pump that is powered by the portable power source, wherein the pump receives water from the water source and provides pressurized water to the applicator so that moisture is applied to the concrete object;
a controller that periodically activates the pump so as to periodically apply moisture to the concrete object;
a movable chassis onto which the power source, the pump, and the controller are mounted, wherein the chassis is sized so as to be movable between construction locations such that the apparatus can automatically apply moisture to the concrete object over a period of time to facilitate curing of the concrete object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of curing a concrete object, the method comprising:
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transporting a moisture applicator and a controller that controls providing of water from a water source to the applicator;
coupling the applicator to the water source such that when the water source provides water to the applicator, the applicator diffuses moisture over the outer surface of the concrete object;
programming the controller to periodically provide moisture to the applicator during a cure period to maintain a desired level of moisture on the concrete during the cure period; and
initiating the controller so that the controller provides the water to the applicator during the cure period in the programmed manner so as to automatically maintain a desired level of moisture on the concrete object during the cure period. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A system for automatically wetting a concrete structure being built remote in the field, the system comprising:
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a chassis that is portable via an automotive vehicle;
a water pump that is positioned within the chassis;
a water reservoir that can be coupled to the water pump positioned within the chassis so that the water pump can pump water from the water reservoir;
an applicator that can be positioned adjacent the concrete object and is coupled to the water pump so as to apply water to the concrete object during a cure period so as to maintain a desired degree of moisture on the concrete object during the cure period; and
a controller that is positioned within the chassis wherein the controller controls the operation of the pump such that the controller can be used to periodically induce the pump to pump the water to the applicator so as to maintain a desired degree of moisture on the concrete object wherein the controller is programmable so that the controller can be programmed to operate without human intervention during the cure period. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. A portable concrete curing apparatus for maintaining a desired moisture level on a concrete object that is curing, the apparatus comprising:
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a portable power source;
a timer coupled to the power source for generating an activation signal during a periodic activation period; and
a pump electronically coupled to the timer, wherein the pump is coupled to a water source and expels pressurized water drawn from the water source during the periodic activation period in response to receiving the activation signal, the pump being coupled to an applicator that is at least partly proximate the curing concrete object so that moisture is applied to the curing concrete object during the activation period.
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Specification