All The Claims

1. A method for an operation of a Mobile Station (MS) in a distributed antenna system, the method comprising:
obtaining per-group ranging code configuration information indicating a ranging code allocation for each antenna port group;
determining an antenna port group that the MS belongs to; and
performing a ranging procedure by one of a plurality of ranging codes allocated to the antenna port group that the MS belongs to.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
obtaining the ranging channel resource allocation information of each antenna port group.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the per-group ranging code configuration information is transmitted through one of a Base Station (BS) and each antenna port.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining of the antenna port group that the MS belongs to comprises:
measuring a receive (RX) power value of at least one antenna port; and
determining the antenna port group that the MS belongs to based on the RX power measurement value.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the determining of the antenna port group that the MS belongs to comprises:
when only an RX power value of at least one antenna port included in the same group is measured, if the RX power measurement value is greater than a first threshold value, determining that the MS belongs to the corresponding group.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein the determining of the antenna port group that the MS belongs to comprises:
when only RX power values of antenna ports included in different groups are measured, if the RX power measurement value of the antenna port included in a first group is greater than a first threshold value and the RX power measurement value of the antenna port included in the remaining groups is smaller than a second threshold value, determining that the MS belongs to the first group.
7. The method of claim 4, wherein the determining of the antenna port group that the MS belongs to comprises:
when only RX power values of antenna ports included in different groups are measured, if the RX power measurement value of the antenna port included in a first group is greater than a first threshold value and the RX power measurement value of the antenna port included in the remaining groups is greater than a second threshold value, determining that the MS is located at a boundary between the first group and a second group.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the performing of the ranging procedure comprises,
selecting a ranging code according to the antenna port group that the MS belongs to and an RX power measurement value of at least one antenna port included in the group.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the selecting of the ranging code comprises,
detecting a selection range corresponding to an RX power order of antenna ports included in the antenna port group including the MS, within an entire range of the plurality of ranging codes allocated to the group; and
selecting a ranging code within the selection range.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the performing of the ranging procedure comprises:
when the MS is located at a boundary between antenna port groups, selecting a ranging code according to a dedicated ranging code configuration for the case of the MS being located at the boundary.
11. A method for an operation of a Base Station (BS) in a distributed antenna system, the method comprising:
transmitting per-group ranging code configuration information indicating a ranging code allocation for each antenna port group; and
detecting a ranging code received from a Mobile Station (MS).
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:
transmitting the ranging channel resource allocation information of each antenna port group.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein the per-group ranging code configuration information is transmitted through the BS or each antenna port.
14. The method of claim 11, further comprising:
grouping antenna ports installed in a distributed manner; and
allocating a plurality of ranging codes to the respective groups in a distributed manner.
15. The method of claim 11, further comprising:
determining an antenna port group that the MS belongs to based on an index of the detected ranging code.
16. The method of claim 11, further comprising:
determining a receive (RX) power order of each antenna port measured by the MS based on an index of the detected ranging code.
17. An apparatus for a Mobile Station (MS) in a distributed antenna system, the apparatus comprising:
a modem for receiving per-group ranging code configuration information indicating a ranging code allocation for each antenna port group; and
a control unit for determining an antenna port group that the MS belongs to, and for performing a ranging procedure by one of a plurality of ranging codes allocated to the antenna port group that the MS belongs to.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the modem receives the ranging channel resource allocation information of each antenna port group.
19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the per-group ranging code configuration information is transmitted through a Base Station (BS) or each antenna port.
20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the control unit measures a receive (RX) power value of at least one antenna port, and determines the antenna port group that the MS belongs to based on the RX power measurement value.
21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein when only an RX power value of at least one antenna port included in the same group is measured, if the RX power measurement value is greater than a first threshold value, the control unit determines that the MS belongs to the corresponding group.
22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein when only RX power values of antenna ports included in different groups are measured, if the RX power measurement value of the antenna port included in a first group is greater than a first threshold value and the RX power measurement value of the antenna port included in the remaining groups is smaller than a second threshold value, the control unit determines that the MS belongs to the first group.
23. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein when only RX power values of antenna ports included in different groups are measured, if the RX power measurement value of the antenna port included in a first group is greater than a first threshold value and the RX power measurement value of the antenna port included in the remaining groups is greater than a second threshold value, the control unit determines that the MS is located at a boundary between the first group and a second group.
24. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the control unit selects a ranging code according to an antenna port group that the MS belongs to and an RX power measurement value of at least one antenna port included in the group.
25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the control unit detects a selection range corresponding to an RX power order of antenna ports included in the antenna port group including the MS, within an entire range of the plurality of ranging codes allocated to the group, and selects a ranging code within the selection range.
26. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein when the MS is located at a boundary between antenna port groups, the control unit selects a ranging code according to a dedicated ranging code configuration for the case of the MS being located at the boundary.
27. An apparatus for a Base Station (BS) in a distributed antenna system, the apparatus comprising:
a modem for transmitting per-group ranging code configuration information indicating a ranging code allocation for each antenna port group of the BS; and
a control unit for detecting a ranging code received from a Mobile Station (MS).
28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the apparatus transmits the ranging channel resource allocation information of each antenna port group.
29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the per-group ranging code configuration information is transmitted through the BS or each antenna port.
30. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the control unit groups antenna ports installed in a distributed manner, and allocates a plurality of ranging codes to the respective groups in a distributed manner.
31. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the control unit determines an antenna port group that the MS belongs to based on an index of the detected ranging code.
32. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the control unit determines a receive (RX) power order of each antenna port measured by the MS based on an index of the detected ranging code.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. Conveyor line (1) for products (16) such as bottles, cans or similar containers, comprising at least one guide railing (6) which is adjustable across a direction of conveyance and is operable by at least one actuator drive (2), and stops (8a, 8b, 8c) which can optionally be placed in one or more adjustment pathway(s) and delimit the at least one guide railing can be arranged at several preset positions (7, 7\u2032, 7\u2033) to define various railing positions.
2. Conveyor line according to claim 1, wherein at least two stops (8a, 8b) are provided.
3. Conveyor line according to claim 1, wherein, the stops (8a, 8b, 8c) can be moved into the preset positions (7, 7\u2032, 7\u2033) by one of manually, by control means, or a combination thereof.
4. Conveyor line according to claim 1, wherein the stops (8a, 8b, 8c) which are in preset positions (7, 7\u2032, 7\u2033) can be moved into the adjustment pathway(s) by one of manually, control means, or a combination thereof.
5. Conveyor line according to claim 1, and at least one opposing stop (11) which can be brought into contact (8) with the stops (8a, 8b, 8c) and follows the adjusting movement is arranged on one of the guide railing (6) or the actuator drive (2).
6. Conveyor line according to claim 5, wherein the opposing stop (11) has at least two stop faces (11a, 11b) facing away from one another as based on the adjustment pathways.
7. Conveyor line according to claim 5, wherein the actuator drive (2) is a linear drive and the preset positions (7, 7\u2032, 7\u2033) are assigned to the linear drive.
8. Conveyor line according to claim 1, wherein the preset positions (7, 7\u2032, 7\u2033) are designed in the form of recesses.
9. Conveyor line according to claim 46, wherein the preset positions (7, 7\u2032, 7\u2033) are designed in the form of multiple bores in the stop mount (A) set along the adjustment pathway(s) in the axial direction.
10. conveyor line according to claim 1, wherein at least the stops (8a, 8b) are designed as form-fitting plug or screw elements.
11. Conveyor line according to claim 4, wherein the stops (8a, 8b, 8c) are designed as pneumatic cylinders that can be operated by control means.
12. Conveyor line according to claim 46, wherein one the stops (8a, 8b, 8c) can be screwed into threaded bores (7, 7\u2032, 7\u2033) in the stop mount (A).
13. Conveyor line according to claim 46, wherein the stop mount (A) has an axial bore (13) aligned with the cylinder body (9).
14. Conveyor line according to claim 13, wherein in the bore (13) is arranged coaxially with the piston rod (10) and the piston rod passes at least partially through the bore.
15. Conveyor line according to claim 13, wherein the inside diameter (D) of the bore (13) is greater than the outside diameter (d) of the piston rod (10), thus forming an annular space (14).
16. Conveyor line according to claim 15, wherein the bores (7, 7\u2032, 7\u2033) for accommodating the stops (8a, 8b, 8c) are assigned to the annular space (14) so that the stops (8a, 8b, 8c) pass through the annular space (14) approximately at a right angle to the longitudinal extent of the annular space (14) when in an engaged or working position.
17. Conveyor line according to claim 46, wherein the stop mount (A) has a centering shoulder (12) which engages in the cylinder body (9) in a form-fitting manner.
18. Conveyor line according to claim 46, wherein the opposing stop (11) is attached to the piston rod (10) and is guided in the interior of the stop mount (A).
19. Conveyor line according to claim 46, wherein the opposing stop (11) is displaceable with the piston rod (10) over the entire length of the adjustment path(s) in the stop mount (A).
20. Conveyor line according to claim 1, wherein the adjustable guide railings (6) are arranged so they run opposite one another in pairs and parallel to the direction of conveyance with a distance between the pairs.
21. Conveyor line according to claim 1. wherein the products (16) to be transported, have a collar (17) by means of which they are transported suspended on two parallel sliding rails (15) which run with a distance therebetween.
22. Conveyor line according to claim 21, wherein the sliding rails (15) are mounted in such a way the products (16) are conveyed as suspended items beneath an air guide box (3).
23. Conveyor line according to claim 21 or 22, and a nozzle channel (4) running in the direction of conveyance has blow nozzles aimed at the products (16) in the direction of conveyance.
24. Conveyor line according to claim 1, wherein the products (16) to be conveyed are conveyed standing upright on a conveyor belt.
25. An actuator drive, for actuating and positioning adjustable guide railings on conveyor lines for products such as bottles, cans or similar containers, comprising multiple stops (8a, 8b, 8c) which can be arranged at preset positions (7, 7\u2032, 7\u2033) and can be moved into one or more adjustment path(s) of the actuator drive (2) and delineate the one or more adjustment path.
26. Actuator drive according to claim 25, wherein at least two stops (8a, 8b) are provided.
27. Actuator drive according to claim 25, wherein the stops (8a, 8b, 8c) can be moved into the preset positions (7, 7\u2032, 7\u2033) by one of manual operation or by controlled operation.
28. Actuator drive according to claim 25, wherein the stops (8a, 8b, 8c) can be moved into the adjustment path(s) by one of manual operation or controlled actuation.
29. Actuator drive according to claim 25, and at least one opposing stop (11) which can be brought into contact (8) with the stops (8a, 8b, 8c) and which follows the adjusting movement arranged in the adjustment path(s).
30. Actuator drive according to claim 29, wherein the opposing stop (11) has at least two stop faces (11a, 11b) facing away from one another, as based on the adjustment paths.
31. Actuator drive according to claim 25, wherein the actuator drive is a linear drive, formed as a double-acting pneumatic cylinder having a cylinder element (Z) which has a cylinder body (9) and a piston rod (10), and the preset positions (7, 7\u2032, 7\u2033) are assigned to the pneumatic cylinder, and comprise a stop mount (A) which is attached to the cylinder element (Z) in the axial direction.
32. Actuator drive according to claim 25, wherein the preset positions (7, 7\u2032, 7\u2033) are designed in the form of recesses into which the stops (8a, 8b, 8c) can be inserted in a form-fitting manner.
33. Actuator drive according to claim 31, wherein at the preset positions (7, 7\u2032, 7\u2033) are designed in the form of multiple bores in the stop mount (A) offset in an axial direction.
34. Actuator drive according to claim 25, wherein the stops (8a, 8b, 8c) are designed as one of form-fitting screw or plug elements.
35. Actuator drive according to claim 25, wherein the stops (8c) are designed as pneumatic cylinders that can be operated by control means.
36. Actuator drive according to claim 31, wherein the stops (8a, 8b, 8c) can be screwed into threaded bores (7, 7\u2032, 7\u2033) in the stop mount (A).
37. Actuator drive according to claim 31, wherein the stop mount (A) has an axial bore (13) aligned with the cylinder body (9).
38. Actuator drive according to claim 37, wherein the axial bore (13) is arranged coaxially with the piston rod (10) and with the piston rod (10) passing through the axial bore (13) at least partially.
39. Actuator drive according to claim 37, wherein the inside diameter (D) of the axial bore (13) is greater than the outside diameter (d) of the piston rod (10) and an annular space (14) is formed therebetween.
40. Actuator drive according to claim 39, wherein the bores (7, 7\u2032, 7\u2033) are assigned to the annular space (14) to accommodate the stops (8a, 8b, 8c) such that the stops (8a, 8b, 8c) pass through the annular space (14) approximately perpendicularly to the longitudinal extent thereof when in an engaged position or working position.
41. Actuator drive according to claim 31, wherein the stop mount (A) has a centering shoulder (12) which engages in the cylinder head (9) in a form-fitting manner.
42. Actuator drive according to claim 31, and an the opposing stop (11) which is attached to the piston rod (10) and is guided in the interior of the stop mount (A).
43. Actuator drive according to claim 42, wherein the piston rod (10) is displaceable with the opposing stop (11) over the entire length of the stop mount (A).
44. Conveyor line according to claim 1, wherein the guide railing (6) is operable so that it is adjustable in height by at least one actuator drive (2\u2032) longitudinally to the vertical axis of the products being conveyed, with stops (8a, 8b, 8c) which may optionally be arranged in the adjustment path (V) at multiple preset positions (7, 7\u2032, 7\u2033) and delineate said path on the vertical adjustment path (V) of the guide railing (6) or the at least one actuator drive (2\u2032) and thereby define various railing positions.
45. Conveyor line according to claim 7, wherein the linear drive is a double-acting pneumatic cylinder having a cylinder element (Z) which has a cylinder body (9) and a piston rod (10).
46. Conveyor line according to claim 45, wherein the preset positions (7, 7\u2032, 7\u2033) assigned to the linear drive comprises a stop mount (A) attached to the cylinder element (Z) of the pneumatic cylinder in the axial direction.
47. Conveyor line according to claim 8, wherein the recesses comprise bores into which the stops (8\u2032, 8\u2032, 8\u2033) can be inserted in a form-fitting manner.
48. Conveyor line according to claim 9, wherein the four of the multiple bores in the stop mount (A) comprises at least two rows with an arrangement of bores offset in the axial direction of the stop mount (A).
49. Conveyor line according to claim 10, wherein the one of form-fitting plug or screw elements comprise pins.
50. Conveyor line according to claim 21, wherein the products to be transported are bottles having a collar (17).
51. Conveyor line according to claim 32, wherein the recesses are formed as bores.
52. Actuator drive according to claim 33, wherein the form of multiple bores comprises at least two rows with an arrangement of bores that are offset in relation to one another in the axial direction of the stop mount (A).
53. Actuator drive according to claim 34, wherein the stops are designed as pins.
54. Conveyor line according to claim 1, wherein the actuator drive is a linear drive formed as a double-acting pneumatic cylinder having a cylinder element (Z) which has a cylinder body (9) and a piston rod (10) and where the preset positions (7, 7\u2032, 7\u2033) are assigned to the linear drive and formed as a stop mount (A) attached to the cylinder element (Z) of the pneumatic cylinder in the axial direction.

1. A method for making a circuit assembly, the method comprising:
providing a substrate comprising one or more conductors;
forming an integral frame of frame elements about the substrate to provide structural support for the substrate, the frame elements spaced apart to expose intervening regions of the substrate between adjacent frame elements; and
constructing a dielectric layer, over the intervening regions, as a protective barrier for at least one of the conductors and a circuit feature of the substrate.
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the providing comprises:
providing a lead frame as the substrate, the lead frame arranged to support a semiconductor device.
3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the forming comprises:
molding the integral frame as a lattice structure.
4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the forming comprises:
molding the integral frame composed of at least one of a polymer and rigid a plastic material.
5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the constructing comprises:
forming the dielectric layer of a dielectric thickness that is thinner than a frame thickness of the frame.
6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the constructing comprises:
forming the dielectric layer composed of at least one of flexible polymer and an elastomer.
7. The method according to claim 1 wherein providing the substrate comprises providing a flexible substrate that permits flexing of the substrate from a generally planar shape upon exposure to mechanical stress from a conventional molding process.
8. The method according to claim 1 wherein the forming comprises molding a portion of the frame as a rigid structure along at least an edge of the substrate.
9. The method according to claim 1 wherein the forming comprises molding a web having a group of ribs as frame elements for holding the substrate in place.
10. The method according to claim 1 wherein the providing comprises providing a substrate having at least two alignment members for aligning mold sections with respect to the substrate for formation of the frame in a defined orientation with respect to the substrate.
11. A circuit assembly comprising:
a substrate comprising one or more conductors;
an integral frame of frame elements spaced apart to expose intervening regions of the substrate between adjacent frame elements; and
a dielectric layer, over the intervening regions, as a protective barrier for at least one of the conductors and a circuit feature of the substrate.
12. The assembly according to claim 11 wherein the substrate comprises a lead frame, the lead frame arranged to support a semiconductor device.
13. The assembly according to claim 11 wherein the integral frame comprises a lattice structure.
14. The assembly according to claim 11 wherein the integral frame is composed of at least one of a polymer and a rigid plastic material.
15. The assembly according to claim 11 wherein the dielectric layer has a dielectric thickness that is thinner than a frame thickness of the frame.
16. The assembly according to claim 11 wherein the dielectric layer comprises at least one of a flexible polymer and an elastomer.
17. The assembly according to claim 11 wherein the substrate permits flexing of the substrate from a generally planar shape upon exposure to mechanical stress from a conventional molding process.
18. The assembly according to claim 11 wherein the frame comprises a rigid structure along at least an edge of the substrate.
19. The assembly according to claim 1 wherein the frame comprises a web having a group of ribs as frame elements for holding the substrate in place.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. An extrudable lightweight thermal insulating cement-based material formed from a mixture comprising:
a cement in the range of about 40 to 90% by wet weight percent;
a lightweight expanded aggregate in the range of about 5 to 40% by wet weight percent;
a secondary material in the range of about 0.1 to 50% by wet weight percent;
a reinforcement fiber in the range of about 1 to 20% by wet weight percent;
a rheology modifying agent in the range of about 0.5 to 10% by wet weight percent;
a retarder in the range of about 0.1 to 8% by wet weight percent;
a water in the range of 10 to 60% of a total wet material weight; and
the mixture is extrudable.
2. The extrudable lightweight thermal insulating cement-based material as recited in claim 1, the lightweight expanded aggregate comprising clay, Perlite, expanded glass, expanded pumice, or a combination thereof.
3. The extrudable lightweight thermal insulating cement-based material as recited in claim 2, the expanded glass or the expanded pumice formed from a mixture comprising:
a ground glass or pumice in the range of about 40 to 60% by weight percent for a slurry;
a water in the range of about 40 to 60% by weight percent for the slurry;
a sodium silicate in the range of about 3 to 15% by weight percent for the slurry;
a NaNO3 in the range of about 0.1 to 5% for the slurry;
the ground glass or pumice in the range of about 50 to 80% by weight percent for a granulator; and
the slurry in the range of about 15 to 50% by weight percent for the granulator.
4. The extrudable lightweight thermal insulating cement-based material as recited in claim 3, the granulator having a ratio of about 1 part slurry to about 2.5 parts ground glass or pumice.
5. The extrudable lightweight thermal insulating cement-based material as recited in claim 2, the expanded glass or the expanded pumice formed from a mixture consisting essentially of:
a ground glass or pumice in the range of about 40 to 60% by weight percent for a slurry;
a water in the range of about 40 to 60% by weight percent for the slurry;
a sodium silicate in the range of about 3 to 15% by weight percent for the slurry;
a NaNO3 in the range of about 0.1 to 5% for the slurry;
the ground glass or pumice in the range of about 50 to 80% by weight percent for a granulator; and
the slurry in the range of about 15 to 50% by weight percent for the granulator.
6. The extrudable lightweight thermal insulating cement-based material as recited in claim 2, the expanded glass or the expanded pumice formed from a mixture comprising:
a ground glass or pumice in the range of about 40 to 60% by weight percent for a slurry;
a water in the range of about 45 to 50% by weight percent for the slurry;
a sodium silicate in the range of about 6 to 7% by weight percent for the slurry;
a NaNO3 in the range of about 0.9 to 1.1% for the slurry; and
a granulator having a ratio of 1 part slurry to about 2.5 parts ground glass or pumice.
7. The extrudable lightweight thermal insulating cement-based material as recited in claim 2, the expanded glass or the expanded pumice having a diameter of about 0-8 mm, a bulk density in the range of about 0.10 to 0.5 gcm3, a effective density in the range of about 0.10 to 0.8 gcm3, a compressive strength in the range of about 0.5 MPa to 5 MPa, and a heat conductance in the range of about 0.04 to 0.15 WmK.
8. The extrudable lightweight thermal insulating cement-based material as recited in claim 1, the lightweight expanded aggregate having a particle size comprising about 0-1 mm, 1-2 mm, 2-4 mm, 4-8 mm or a combination thereof.
9. The extrudable lightweight thermal insulating cement-based material as recited in claim 1, the secondary material comprising sand, gypsum, silica fume, fumed silica, fly ash, slag, rock, cellulose fiber, glass fiber, plastic fiber, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber, or a combination thereof.
10. The extrudable lightweight thermal insulating cement-based material as recited in claim 1, the reinforcement fiber comprising cellulose fiber, glass fiber, polypropylene fiber, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber, Dolanit fiber, or a combination thereof.
11. The extrudable lightweight thermal insulating cement-based material as recited in claim 1, the rheology modifying agent comprising a polysaccharide, a polysaccharide derivative, a protein, a protein derivative, a synthetic organic material, a synthetic organic material derivative, or a combination thereof.
12. The extrudable lightweight thermal insulating cement-based material as recited in claim 11, the polysaccharide comprising a cellulose-based material, a cellulose-based material derivative, a starch-based material, a starch-based material derivative, or a combination thereof.
13. The extrudable lightweight thermal insulating cement-based material as recited in claim 12, the cellulose-based material is selected from the group consisting essentially of methylhydroxyethylcellulose (MHEC), hydroxymethylethylcellulose (HMEC), carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), methylcellulose (MC), ethylcellulose (EC), hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC), hydroxyethylpropylcellulose (HEPC) and hydroxypropoylmethylcelluose (HPMC).
14. The extrudable lightweight thermal insulating cement-based material as recited in claim 12, the starch-based material is selected from the group consisting essentially of wheat starch, pre-gelled wheat starch, potato starch, pre-gelled potato starch, amylopectin, amylose, seagel, starch acetates, starch hydroxyethyl ethers, ionic starches, long-chain alkylstarches, dextrins, amine starches, phosphate starches, or dialdehyde starches.
15. The extrudable lightweight thermal insulating cement-based material as recited in claim 1, the retarder comprising sodium citrate, or a mixture of Plaster of Paris, sodium citrate and crystalline silica.
16. The extrudable lightweight thermal insulating cement-based material as recited in claim 1, the extrudable lightweight thermal insulating cement-based material having a density in the range of about 0.2 to 1.0 gcm3, a compressive strength in the range of about 0.5 MPa to 10 MPa, and a heat conductance in the range of about 0.05 to 0.3 WmK.
17. An extrudable lightweight thermal insulating cement-based material formed from a mixture consisting essentially of:
a cement in the range of about 40 to 90% by wet weight percent;
a lightweight expanded aggregate in the range of about 5 to 40% by wet weight percent;
a secondary material in the range of about 0.1 to 50% by wet weight percent;
a reinforcement fiber in the range of about 1 to 20% by wet weight percent;
a rheology modifying agent in the range of about 0.5 to 10% by wet weight percent;
a retarder in the range of about 0.1 to 8% by wet weight percent;
a water in the range of 10 to 60% of a total wet material weight; and
the mixture is extrudable.
18. A method for manufacturing an extrudable lightweight thermal insulating cement-based material comprising the steps of:
mixing a cement, a lightweight expanded aggregate, a secondary material, a reinforcement fiber, a rheology modifying agent and a retarder with water;
extruding the mixture through a die using an extruder; and
allowing the extruded mixture to set.
19. The method as recited in claim 18, the mixture comprising:
the cement in the range of about 40 to 90% by wet weight percent;
the lightweight expanded aggregate in the range of about 5 to 40% by wet weight percent;
the secondary material in the range of about 0.1 to 50% by wet weight percent;
the reinforcement fiber in the range of about 1 to 20% by wet weight percent;
the rheology modifying agent in the range of about 0.5 to 10% by wet weight percent;
the retarder in the range of about 0.1 to 8% by wet weight percent; and
the water in the range of 10 to 60% of a total wet material weight.
20. The method as recited in claim 18, the mixture consisting essentially of:
the cement in the range of about 40 to 90% by wet weight percent;
the lightweight expanded aggregate in the range of about 5 to 40% by wet weight percent;
the secondary material in the range of about 0.1 to 50% by wet weight percent;
the reinforcement fiber in the range of about 1 to 20% by wet weight percent;
the rheology modifying agent in the range of about 0.5 to 10% by wet weight percent;
the retarder in the range of about 0.1 to 8% by wet weight percent; and
the water in the range of 10 to 60% of a total wet material weight.
21. The method as recited in claim 18, the lightweight expanded aggregate comprising clay, Perlite, expanded glass, expanded pumice, or a combination thereof.
22. The method as recited in claim 21, the expanded glass or the expanded pumice formed from a mixture comprising:
a ground glass or pumice in the range of about 40 to 60% by weight percent for a slurry;
a water in the range of about 40 to 60% by weight percent for the slurry;
a sodium silicate in the range of about 3 to 15% by weight percent for the slurry;
a NaNO3 in the range of about 0.1 to 5% for the slurry;
the ground glass or pumice in the range of about 50 to 80% by weight percent for a granulator; and
the slurry in the range of about 15 to 50% by weight percent for the granulator.
23. The method as recited in claim 22, the granulator having a ratio of about 1 part slurry to about 2.5 parts ground glass or pumice.
24. The method as recited in claim 21, the expanded glass or the expanded pumice formed from a mixture consisting essentially of:
a ground glass or pumice in the range of about 40 to 60% by weight percent for a slurry;
a water in the range of about 40 to 60% by weight percent for the slurry;
a sodium silicate in the range of about 3 to 15% by weight percent for the slurry;
a NaNO3 in the range of about 0.1 to 5% for the slurry;
the ground glass or pumice in the range of about 50 to 80% by weight percent for a granulator; and
the slurry in the range of about 15 to 50% by weight percent for the granulator.
25. The method as recited in claim 21, the expanded glass or the expanded pumice formed from a mixture comprising:
a ground glass or pumice in the range of about 40 to 60% by weight percent for a slurry;
a water in the range of about 45 to 50% by weight percent for the slurry;
a sodium silicate in the range of about 6 to 7% by weight percent for the slurry;
a NaNO3 in the range of about 0.9 to 1.1% for the slurry; and
a granulator having a ratio of 1 part slurry to about 2.5 parts ground glass or pumice.
26. The method as recited in claim 21, the expanded glass or the expanded pumice having a diameter of about 0-8 mm, a bulk density in the range of about 0.10 to 0.5 gcm3, a effective density in the range of about 0.10 to 0.8 gcm3, a compressive strength in the range of about 0.5 MPa to 5 MPa, and a heat conductance in the range of about 0.04 to 0.15 WmK.
27. The method as recited in claim 18, further comprising the step of making the lightweight expanded aggregate comprising the steps of:
mixing a ground glass or pumice in the range of about 40 to 60% by weight percent with water in the range of about 40 to 60% by weight percent to produce a slurry;
adding a sodium silicate in the range of about 3 to 15% by weight percent to the slurry;
adding a NaNO3 in the range of about 0.1 to 5% to the slurry;
forming aggregates in a granulator by feeding the ground glass or pumice in the range of about 50 to 80% by weight percent with the slurry in the range of about 15 to 50% by weight percent;
drying the formed aggregates;
heating the dried aggregates together with about 30% finely ground kaolin to a temperature of about 800 to 1400 degrees Celsius; and
cooling the heated aggregates.
28. The method as recited in claim 18, the lightweight expanded aggregate having a particle size comprising about 0-1 mm, 1-2 mm, 2-4 mm, 4-8 mm or a combination thereof.
29. The method as recited in claim 18, the secondary material comprising sand, gypsum, silica fume, fumed silica, fly ash, slag, rock, cellulose fiber, glass fiber, plastic fiber, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber, or a combination thereof.
30. The method as recited in claim 18, the reinforcement fiber comprising cellulose fiber, glass fiber, polypropylene fiber, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber, Dolanit fiber, or a combination thereof.
31. The method as recited in claim 18, the rheology modifying agent comprising a polysaccharide, a polysaccharide derivative, a protein, a protein derivative, a synthetic organic material, a synthetic organic material derivative, or a combination thereof.
32. The method as recited in claim 31, the polysaccharide comprising a cellulose-based material, a cellulose-based material derivative, a starch-based material, a starch-based material derivative, or a combination thereof.
33. The method as recited in claim 32, the cellulose-based material is selected from the group consisting essentially of methylhydroxyethylcellulose (MHEC), hydroxymethylethylcellulose (HMEC), carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), methylcellulose (MC), ethylcellulose (EC), hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC), hydroxyethylpropylcellulose (HEPC) and hydroxypropoylmethylcelluose (HPMC).
34. The method as recited in claim 32, the starch-based material is selected from the group consisting essentially of wheat starch, pre-gelled wheat starch, potato starch, pre-gelled potato starch, amylopectin, amylose, seagel, starch acetates, starch hydroxyethyl ethers, ionic starches, long-chain alkylstarches, dextrins, amine starches, phosphate starches, or dialdehyde starches.
35. The method as recited in claim 18, the retarder comprising sodium citrate, or a mixture of Plaster of Paris, sodium citrate and crystalline silica.
36. The method as recited in claim 18, the extruded mixture having a density in the range of about 0.2 to 1.0 gcm3, a compressive strength in the range of about 0.5 MPa to 10 MPa, and a heat conductance in the range of about 0.05 to 0.3 WmK after being set, cured or dried.
37. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the extruded mixture is allowed to set for up to 2 to 3 hours.
38. The method as recited in claim 18, further comprising the step of curing the extruded mixture.
39. The method as recited in claim 18, further comprising the step of drying the extruded mixture.
40. The method as recited in claim 18, further comprising the step of molding, cutting, trimming, sanding or routing the extruded mixture into a specified shape.
41. The method as recited in claim 18, further comprising the step of spraying the extruded mixture with a water repellent.