Concrete Mixing Device

• US 20140269142A1
• Filed: 03/13/2013
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Weiler and Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Weiler and Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Huizer, Tate Z.
• Application Number:
  US13/799,830
• Publication Number:
  US 20140269142A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 366/2
• CPC Class Codes: B28C 5/422 Controlling or measuring devices B28C5/4227 takes precedence

Abstract

A concrete mixing apparatus having a truck, an engine, a frame, and a drum rotatably associated with the truck automates the need for increasing the throttle on the primary power source to increase speed of the secondary system so that the speed of rotation of the drum may be increased to a desired level. The apparatus is equipped to set speed of rotation of the drum, count rotations of the drum and set time of rotation of the drum based on a signal sent from a sensor. The truck may include a push button operation for selecting “mix” or “maintain” or “pour” or some other function which selection automatically causes the apparatus to rotate the drum at a predetermined speed and/or for a predetermined time.

Claims

1. A concrete mixing and transporting machine comprising:

a) a truck comprising a drum and a throttle, associated with an engine;

b) means for selecting a desired rotational speed for said drum;

c) means for rotating said drum comprising a secondary system and a maximum level of operation of said secondary system for a given speed of said engine; and

d) means for receiving and processing a signal from a sensor for sensing the speed of the drum;

e) means to compare the speed of the drum to the desired rotational speed and to compare said maximum level of operation of said means for rotating said drum to a current level of operation, said means for receiving and processing adjusting the throttle to effect the speed of the engine to provide required speed to said secondary system for rotating said drum at a rate of rotation within a specified range.

2. A concrete mixing and transporting machine comprising:

a truck having an engine and a throttle associated with said engine;

a drum associated with means for rotating said drum, a sensor for sensing the speed of rotation of said drum and sending a corresponding signal;

means for selecting a desired speed of rotation of said drum and means for receiving said signal, wherein said means for receiving said signal further comprises means to compare said signal with a desired speed of said drum and adjust the throttle associated with the engine to cause said speed of rotation to comport with said desired speed of the drum.

3. The invention of claim 2 further comprising a secondary system associated with said means for rotating said drum, wherein when said speed of rotation is less than said desired speed and said secondary system is operating above said maximum level of operation, said means for receiving said signal adjusts the throttle to increase the speed of the engine until said desired speed of rotation is met.

4. A method for conserving fuel while operating a concrete truck, said truck comprising a drum rotatably associated with said truck;

a throttle associated with a primary power source;

means for receiving a signal; and

means for rotating said drum, said means comprising a secondary system having a maximum level of operation, said method comprising setting a desired speed of rotation for said drum, and, receiving a signal from a sensor associated with said drum, wherein said signal indicates a speed of rotation of said drum, and comparing the speed of rotation with the desired speed, and comparing the level of operation of the secondary system with said maximum level and adjusting the level of operation of the secondary system to comport with the desired speed of rotation of the drum.

5. A method for operating a concrete truck, said truck comprising an engine, a throttle, means for rotating a drum, said means for rotating comprising a propulsion system powered by the engine, and a maximum level of operation, said method comprising:

a) setting a desired speed of rotation for the drum;

b) determining a current speed of rotation of said drum;

c) comparing the current speed to the desired speed of rotation of said drum;

d) comparing the maximum level of operation of said means to rotate said drum to the current level of operation;

e) determining if the current speed has reached desired speed and maximum level of operation has been exceeded;

f) actuating said throttle to increase the speed of said engine if the current speed of rotation of the drum does not equal or exceed the desired speed and the current level of operation has exceeded the maximum level of operation of said means for rotating the drum.

6. A concrete truck and method for operating the concrete truck wherein said truck comprises a primary power source, a drum, and a means for rotating said drum said means for rotating comprising a propulsion system powered by the primary power source, said method comprising:

comparing a current speed of rotation of the drum with a desired speed of rotation, and increasing the speed of said primary power source if the speed of rotation of the drum is less than the desired speed.

7. The concrete truck of claim 6 further comprising a single-action means to cause said propulsion system to rotate said drum at a pre-set speed of rotation.

8. The concrete truck of claim 6 further comprising a single-action means to cause said propulsion system to rotate said drum for a pre-set amount of time.

9. The concrete truck of claim 6 wherein said single-action means causes said propulsion system to rotate said drum for a pre-set amount of time and a pre-set number of rotations.