System and method for controlling the release of pressurized fluid for concrete mixing

• US 20070064518A1
• Filed: 09/16/2005
• Published: 03/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Innovative Computer Products
• Original Assignee: Innovative Computer Products
• Inventors: Good, Max, Goff, Bryan
• Application Number:
  US11/228,772
• Publication Number:
  US 20070064518A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 366/19
• CPC Class Codes: B28C 5/4231 Proportioning or supplying water in general B28C7/12
• CPC Class Codes: B28C 7/12 Supplying or proportioning liquid ingredients
• CPC Class Codes: B60P 3/16 for carrying mixed concrete, e.g. having rotatable drums concrete-mixing apparatus specially adapted for being mounted on vehicles with provision for mixing during transport B28C5/42

Abstract

A system and method of controlling the release of pressurized fluid in a concrete mixer. Particularly, a system and method employing an electric switch mechanism within a cab portion of a vehicle to provide operator access to control the amount of water added to the mixing drum of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A system configured to be mounted on a vehicle, the vehicle having a cab portion, a holding tank configured to contain a pressurized fluid, and a mixing drum, the mixing drum and holding tank being operably connected by a conduit, the system comprises:

an actuator assembly comprising an actuating valve operably located in a conduit; and

an electric switch mechanism located in a cab portion of a vehicle and configured to be operably accessible by an operator of the vehicle, wherein the actuating valve is operable to receive a signal from the electric switch mechanism to open or close the actuating valve to control the release of a pressurized fluid from a holding tank to a mixing drum.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the actuator assembly comprises an air actuator.

3. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the air actuator is operably connected to compressed air stored on the vehicle.

4. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the actuating valve comprises a ball valve.

5. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the electric switch mechanism comprises a push button mechanism.

6. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a meter operably located in the conduit downstream of the actuating valve.

7. The system as recited in claim 6, wherein the meter monitors the amount of the pressurized fluid released from the holding tank to the mixing drum.

8. The system as recited in claim 6, wherein the system further comprises a counter associated with the meter, wherein the counter is located in the cab portion of the vehicle.

9. A vehicle comprising:

a cab portion;

a holding tank mounted on the vehicle configured to contain a pressurized fluid;

a mixing drum mounted on the vehicle, wherein the mixing drum and the holding tank are operably connected by a conduit;

an actuator assembly comprising an actuating valve operably located in the conduit; and

an electric switch mechanism located in the cab portion of a vehicle and configured to be operably accessible by an operator of the vehicle, wherein the actuating valve is operable to receive a signal from the electric switch mechanism to open or close the actuating valve to control the release of a pressurized fluid from the holding tank to the mixing drum.

10. The vehicle as recited in claim 9, wherein the vehicle is a ready-mix concrete mixer.

11. A method for controlling the release of a pressurized fluid on a vehicle, the vehicle having a cab portion, a holding tank configured to contain the pressurized fluid, and a mixing drum, the mixing drum and holding tank being operably connected by a conduit, the method comprising:

actuating an electric switch mechanism located in a cab portion of the vehicle operably accessible by an operator and an actuator assembly including an actuating valve located in a conduit to open or close the actuating valve controlling the release of pressurized fluid from a holding tank to a mixing drum.