US 11,951,652 B2
Grout vacuum systems and methods
Kevin L. Kirkley, Woodstock, GA (US); John Michael Romano, Atlanta, GA (US); and Matthew S. Alesch, Atlanta, GA (US)
Assigned to Tindall Corporation, Spartanburg, SC (US)
Filed by Tindall Corporation, Spartanburg, SC (US)
Filed on Jan. 21, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/154,320.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/963,831, filed on Jan. 21, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0221024 A1, Jul. 22, 2021
Int. Cl. B28B 1/24 (2006.01); F16K 15/03 (2006.01); F16K 15/04 (2006.01); F04B 15/02 (2006.01)
CPC B28B 1/24 (2013.01) [F16K 15/035 (2013.01); F16K 15/042 (2013.01); F04B 15/02 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A grout pump system, the system comprising:
a first concrete element including an embedded grout sleeve and a grout port, the grout sleeve defining a channel and the grout port being in fluid communication with the channel;
a second concrete element including a rod extending from the second concrete element, the rod being disposable within the channel of the grout sleeve; and
a device for pumping grout, the device comprising:
a body defining a first opening, a second opening, and a third opening, each of the first, second, and third openings being in fluid communication with each other, wherein the first opening includes a first one-way valve configured to allow a flow of grout into the body through the first opening toward the second and third openings, and the second opening includes a second one-way valve configured to allow the flow of grout away from the first and third openings and out of the body through the second opening, and
a pump sealingly and removably coupled to the third opening and in fluid communication with the first and second openings, the pump being configured to increase and decrease pressure within the body to cause the flow of grout from the first opening to the second opening,
wherein the first opening of the device is couplable to the grout port,
wherein, when the pump decreases pressure within the body, the second one-way valve is closed and the pump causes the grout to flow in a first direction (i) from the channel of the grout sleeve towards the first opening of the body via the grout port, and (ii) from the first opening towards the third opening of the body, and through the first one-way valve, and
wherein, when the pump increases pressure within the body, the first one-way valve is closed and the pump causes the grout to flow in a second direction from the third opening towards the second opening and through the second one-way valve.