Method and System for Calculating and Reporting Slump in Delivery Vehicles
First Claim
1. A system for managing the mixing of construction material in a rotating mixing:
- drum, comprising;
a temperature sensor mounted to the mixing drum and configured to sense a temperature of the mixing drum and/or the contents thereof;
a wireless transmitter coupled to the temperature sensor for wirelessly transmitting temperature data from the temperature sensor; and
a wireless receiver receiving temperature data from the temperature sensor,a processor coupled to the receiver;
the processor utilizing the temperature data from the temperature sensor in evaluating the condition of the construction material in the mixing drum.
6 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for managing a concrete delivery vehicle having a mixing drum 14 and hydraulic drive 16 for rotating the mixing drum, including a rotational sensor 20 configured to sense a rotational speed of the mixing drum, a hydraulic sensor 22 coupled to the hydraulic drive and configured to sense a hydraulic pressure required to turn the mixing drum, a temperature sensor for sensing temperature of the drum, and a communications port 26 configured to communicate a slump calculation to a status system 28 commonly used in the concrete industry, wherein the sensing of the rotational speed of the mixing drum is used to qualify a calculation of current slump based on the hydraulic pressure required to turn the mixing drum. Temperature readings are further used to qualify or evaluate a load. Also, water purge connections facilitate cold weather operation.
86 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A system for managing the mixing of construction material in a rotating mixing:
- drum, comprising;
a temperature sensor mounted to the mixing drum and configured to sense a temperature of the mixing drum and/or the contents thereof; a wireless transmitter coupled to the temperature sensor for wirelessly transmitting temperature data from the temperature sensor; and a wireless receiver receiving temperature data from the temperature sensor, a processor coupled to the receiver;
the processor utilizing the temperature data from the temperature sensor in evaluating the condition of the construction material in the mixing drum. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12)
- drum, comprising;
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11. The system of claim 11 wherein the condition of the material is one or more of:
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the hydration of the material, the mixture completion of the material, the level of curing of the material, the amount of time until the material is cured, the relative cure of the material as compared to material in another mixing drum, an amount of water in the drum, head packing of the drum, rate or amount of temperature change of the material during a time period, an amount of water included in the drum.
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13. A system for monitoring activity of a construction material delivery vehicle having a mixing drum, comprising:
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an accelerometer sensor for detecting acceleration; a processor coupled to said accelerometer sensor and sensing activity of the delivery vehicle based upon acceleration data from said accelerometer sensor, including one or more of; a tilt angle of the vehicle, acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle over the ground, and whether a propulsion system or mixing drum drive system is operating. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A system for managing a construction material delivery vehicle having a mixing drum and sensors for detecting vehicle activity, comprising:
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a processor sensing signals from said sensors and using the sensed signals to evaluate and track vehicle activity; and a communication system for communicating with a first location to receive therefrom one or more of; information to be used in operation of said processor while said vehicle is in delivery service, and information needing to be delivered to a second location. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A system for managing the mixing of construction material in a rotating mixing drum, comprising:
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a sensor coupled to the mixing drum and or drive system therefor and configured to sense rotation and/or torque applied to the mixing drum and/or the contents thereof; a processor receiving data from the sensor and utilizing said data in evaluating the condition of the material in the mixing drum, the processor comparing data from said sensor to a stored curve or curve family to evaluate the condition of the material in the mixing drum. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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26. A system for managing a concrete delivery vehicle having a mixing drum and a water supply for use therewith, and water connections for delivery of water from said water supply, comprising:
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air connections coupling an air supply to said water connections, control valves in one or both of said air and water connections, and a controller controlling said control valves to deliver air through said water connections and purge water from said water connections to prevent freezing of water within said water connections. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification