Apparatus and method for introducing liquid additives into a concrete mix
First Claim
1. Apparatus for introducing liquid additives into a concrete mix, comprising:
- a reservoir of liquid additive;
a measurement chamber interconnected with said reservoir;
a funnel adapted to receive the liquid additive from said measurement chamber and receive a supply of aggregate for mixing into concrete;
first valve means connected to said measurement chamber for selectively venting said measurement chamber to atmosphere;
first sensing means received within said measurement chamber for monitoring a pressure head therein; and
control means interposed between said reservoir and said first sensing means for controlling dispensing of liquid additive from said reservoir to said measurement chamber as a function of the pressure head, said control means determining the correct mix of said supply of aggregate and the liquid additive to be received by said funnel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A concrete mixing system includes reservoirs of liquid additives, where the additives are combined with concrete mix to add desired properties thereto. These reservoirs of liquid additive are connected to a storage chamber and a controller which controls and sequences various pumps, valves and sensors to attain the desired quantity of liquid additive for introduction to the concrete mix. The sensors measure pressure in the storage chamber, which the controller correlates to the volume therein for later mixing with the concrete mix. In situations where a back pressure in the chamber is a concern, a sensing tube is employed within the chamber. A differential pressure transducer, which has one sensor within the sensing tube and one sensor within the chamber, accurately determines the pressure and thus the volume received within the storage chamber. A modified sensing tube can also be employed to increase the sensitivity and the accuracy of the pressure measurement within the sensing tube.
40 Citations
17 Claims
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1. Apparatus for introducing liquid additives into a concrete mix, comprising:
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a reservoir of liquid additive; a measurement chamber interconnected with said reservoir; a funnel adapted to receive the liquid additive from said measurement chamber and receive a supply of aggregate for mixing into concrete; first valve means connected to said measurement chamber for selectively venting said measurement chamber to atmosphere; first sensing means received within said measurement chamber for monitoring a pressure head therein; and control means interposed between said reservoir and said first sensing means for controlling dispensing of liquid additive from said reservoir to said measurement chamber as a function of the pressure head, said control means determining the correct mix of said supply of aggregate and the liquid additive to be received by said funnel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. Apparatus for measuring liquid additives introduced into a concrete mix, comprising:
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a plurality of reservoirs of liquid additive; a measurement chamber connected to each of said plurality of reservoirs; first valve means connected to each of said measurement chambers for selectively venting each of said measurement chambers to atmosphere; a sensing tube disposed within each said measurement chamber, said sensing tube having a sealed top end opposite an open bottom end; a differential pressure transducer having a first sensor received within said sealed top end and a second sensor received within said measurement chamber; and control means interposed between said plurality of reservoirs and said differential pressure transducer for controlling dispensing of liquid additive from each of said plurality of reservoirs to each of said measurement chambers as a function of the pressure head within each respective said measurement chamber. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for supplying additives to a concrete mixing system, comprising the steps of:
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supplying a predetermined amount of concrete mix to a mixing tank; providing at least one reservoir of liquid additive; providing a measurement chamber connected to each respective said reservoir; receiving a sensing tube within each said measurement chamber for monitoring a preselected characteristic, said sensing tube having a closed top end; controlling the amount of liquid additive transferred from said reservoir to said measurement chamber as a function of said preselected characteristic; and transferring the liquid additive from said measurement chamber to the mixing tank for mixing with the concrete mix. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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Specification