WATER CONTROL APPARATUS

• US 20090231949A1
• Filed: 05/08/2009
• Published: 09/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lars Rosaen
• Original Assignee: Lars Rosaen
• Inventors: Rosaen, Lars
• Granted Patent: US 7,780,335 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 366/19
• CPC Class Codes: B28C 5/4206 Control apparatus; Drive systems, e.g. coupled to the vehicle drive-system
• CPC Class Codes: B28C 5/4231 Proportioning or supplying water in general B28C7/12
• CPC Class Codes: B28C 7/0454 Volumetric measuring devices, e.g. for consecutively delivering predetermined volumes of ingredients
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 11/132 by controlling the flow of the individual components G05D11/133 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2529 With electrical controller

Abstract

An embodiment for a water control apparatus is disclosed that may be used with a concrete mixing assembly. The apparatus may include flowmeter unit and a normally closed valve unit. The normally closed valve unit may be in fluid communication with, and removably connected to, the flowmeter unit. A control unit may be provide that may monitor the flowmeter unit and electronically control the opening of the normally closed valve unit. A switch may be also provided for that may electrically communicate with the control unit to. The activation of the switch being operable to cause the normally closed valve to open and result in the flow of water into a concrete mixing drum that is in fluid communication with the normally closed valve.

Claims

1. A water control apparatus in combination with a mixing vehicle, the combination comprising:

a mixing vehicle having an onboard water source and a rotating mixing drum; and

a water control apparatus mounted on the mixing vehicle having;

a flowmeter unit including a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, the fluid inlet being connected to the water source;

a normally closed valve unit having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a normally closed power actuated valve, the fluid outlet of the normal closed valve unit being in fluid communication with the mixing drum, the fluid inlet including a connector engaging the fluid outlet of the flowmeter unit and removably securing the normally closed valve unit to the flowmeter unit,

a control unit in communication with and operable to monitor the operation of the flowmeter unit and the normally closed power actuated valve; and

a switching device in communication with the control unit, activation of the switching device causing the normally closed power actuated valve to open and control water to flow from the water source, through the water control apparatus and into the mixing drum.

2. The water control apparatus of claim 1, wherein the normally closed power actuated valve is solenoid controlled valve.

3. The water control apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mixing vehicle includes a cabin and the switching device is mounted in the cabin.

4. The water control apparatus of claim 3, wherein the switching device comprises a toggle switch and a display, the display operating to indicate the volume of water flowing through the flowmeter.

5. The water control apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control unit further comprises a global positioning system receiver.

6. The water control apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control unit further comprises a slump additive calculator operating to cause the control unit to automatically open, close or refrain from opening, the normally closed power actuated valve so that a cement mix in the mixing drum is maintained at predetermined water-cement ratio.

7. The water control apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control unit further comprises a radio transmitter operable to transmit a signal to a remote station upon opening of the normally closed valve.

8. A water control apparatus comprising:

a flowmeter unit having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, the fluid inlet being connectable to a fluid source;

a normally closed valve unit having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a normally closed power actuated valve, the fluid inlet of the valve unit including a connector, the connector engaging the fluid outlet of the flowmeter unit to removably secure the normally closed valve unit to the flowmeter unit;

a control unit in communication with and operable to monitor the operation of the flowmeter unit and the normally closed power actuated valve; and

a switching device, activation of the switching device causing the normally closed power actuated valve to open.

9. A water control apparatus comprising:

a flowmeter unit having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, the fluid inlet being connectable to a fluid source;

a first and a second valve unit, each valve unit including a power actuated valve, a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet the fluid inlet of each valve unit including a connector with the connector of the first valve unit engaging the fluid outlet of the flowmeter unit to removably secure the first valve unit to the flowmeter unit, and the connector of the second valve unit engaging the outlet of the first valve unit to removably secure the second valve unit to the first valve unit;

a control unit in communication with and operable to monitor the operation of the flowmeter unit and at least one the first or second valve units; and

a switching device, activation of the switch device causing the power actuated valves to actuate.

10. The water control apparatus of claim 9, wherein the power actuated valve of the first valve unit is normally open and the power actuated valve of the second valve unit is normally closed.

11. The water control apparatus of claim 9, wherein the power actuated valve of the first valve unit is normally closed and the power actuated valve of the second valve unit is normally open.

12. The water control apparatus of claim 11, wherein the power actuated valves are solenoid controlled valves.

13. The water control apparatus of claim 9, wherein the mixing vehicle includes a cabin and the switching device is mounted in the cabin.

14. The water control apparatus of claim 13, wherein the switching device comprises a toggle switch and a display, the display operating to indicate the volume of water flowing through the flowmeter.

15. The water control apparatus of claim 9, wherein the control unit further comprises a global positioning system receiver.

16. The water control apparatus of claim 9, wherein the control unit further comprises a slump additive calculator operating to cause the control unit to automatically open, close or refrain from opening, at least one of the power actuated valves so that a cement mix in the mixing drum is maintained at predetermined water-cement ratio.

17. The water control apparatus of claim 9, wherein the control unit further comprises a radio transmitter operable to transmit a signal to a remote station upon the actuation of at least one of the power actuated valves.