Apparatus and method for removing concrete from interior surfaces of a concrete mixing drum

• US 6,418,948 B1
• Filed: 10/30/1998
• Issued: 07/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomas G. Harmon
• Original Assignee: Thomas G. Harmon
• Inventors: Harmon, Thomas G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stinson, Frankie L.
• Application Number:
  US09/183,633
• Time in Patent Office: 1,355 Days
• Field of Search: 134/174, 134/180, 134/181, 134/166.R, 134/167.R, 134/166.C, 134/167.C, 134/198, 134/172, 366/138, 239/264, 239/265, 239/227, 239/225.1, 122/390, 122/391, 122/392, 118/321, 118/323
• US Class Current: 134/168.00R
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2101/28 Mixing cement, mortar, clay, plaster or concrete ingredients
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/1453 by means of jets of fluid, e.g. air
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 9/093 by the force of jets or sprays B08B9/0813 , B08B9/20 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B24C 3/325 for internal surfaces, e.g. of tubes
• CPC Class Codes: B28C 5/468 Cooling, e.g. using ice

Abstract

Apparatus for removing concrete from the interior surfaces of a concrete mixing drum, the drum including an open end and at least one interior surface facing away from or opposite the open end, the apparatus including an elongate probe having a longitudinal axis and an axially extending forward end adapted for insertion into the drum through the open end thereof; a vertically adjustable support structure supporting a guideway support, the guideway support including at least one bearing adapted for supporting the probe for movement of the forward end thereof into and out of the drum through the open end thereof; and at least one fluid nozzle mounted to the probe in position for discharging a stream of fluid against the at least one interior surface facing opposite the open end under sufficient pressure to dislodge accumulated concrete therefrom as the probe is moved in the drum.

Claims

1. Apparatus for removing concrete from interior surfaces of a concrete mixing drum including an open end, the surfaces including at least one helical interior surface facing away from the open end, the apparatus comprising:

an elongate probe having a longitudinal axis and an axially extending forward end portion adapted for insertion into the drum through the open end thereof;

adjustable support structure supporting the probe and positionable at an external location relative to the drum for positioning the probe at a variable elevation and a variable angular orientation relative to horizontal for insertion into the drum, the support structure supporting a guideway support, the guideway support including at least one bearing adapted for supporting the probe for movement of the forward end portion thereof into and out of the drum through the open end thereof,

at least one fluid nozzle mounted to the probe in position for discharging a stream of fluid against the at least one helical interior surface facing away from the open end under sufficient pressure to dislodge accumulated concrete therefrom; and

a fluid conduit connected to the nozzle for communicating the nozzle with a source of the fluid under pressure.

2. Apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the source of fluid under pressure comprises a fluid pump.

3. Apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a motor connected in driving communication with the elongate probe and operable for moving the cleaning portion of the probe axially into and out of the drum.

4. Apparatus, as set forth in claim 3, further comprising an axially extending rack mounted to the probe and a pinion enmeshed with the rack and rotatably connected to the motor for moving the forward end portion of the probe into and out of the drum.

5. Apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the guideway support is mounted for pivotal movement to the support structure to allow varying the angular orientation of the probe, including cooperatively engageable members on the support structure and on the guideway support for fixing the probe at a desired angular orientation.

6. Apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises an upstanding member adjustable in height.

7. Apparatus, as set forth in claim 6, further comprising a motor and drive operable for varying the height of the upstanding member.

8. Apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least the forward end portion of the probe is made of a magnesium alloy material.

9. Apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one fluid nozzle comprises a nozzle positioned to discharge a stream of fluid in a generally rearward direction under a pressure of at least several hundred psi.

10. Apparatus, as set forth in claim 9, wherein the stream of fluid comprises a pencil shaped stream.

11. Apparatus, as set forth in claim 9, wherein the pressure is within a range of from about 1000 to about 4000 psi.

12. Apparatus, as set forth in claim 9, wherein the pressure is within a range of from about 300 to about 8000 psi.

13. Apparatus for removing concrete from interior surfaces of a concrete mixing drum including an open end, the surfaces including at least one helical interior surface facing away from the open end and extending from a location within the interior spaced from the opening to a location adjacent to the opening, the apparatus comprising:

an elongate probe having a longitudinal axis and an axially extending forward end portion adapted for insertion into the drum through the open end thereof;

adjustable support structure positionable externally of the drum and supporting the probe at a variable elevation and a variable angular orientation relative to horizontal for movement of the forward end portion thereof into and out of the drum through the open end thereof,

at least one fluid nozzle mounted to the forward end portion of the probe in a position such that when the forward end portion is located in the drum a stream of fluid under pressure can be discharged through the nozzle against the at least one helical interior surface facing away from the open end of the drum for dislodging accumulated concrete therefrom; and

a fluid conduit connected to the nozzle for communicating the nozzle with a source of the fluid under pressure.

14. Apparatus for removing concrete from interior surfaces of a rotatable concrete mixing drum, the drum having an open end communicating with an interior of the drum and at least one raised helical flight extending around the interior from a location spaced from the open end to a location adjacent to the open end for lifting concrete in the interior to the open end for discharge therethrough when the drum is rotated in a predetermined direction, the interior surfaces including at least one helical surface on the at least one raised interior helical flight along the extent thereof facing away from the open end, the apparatus comprising:

an elongate probe having a longitudinal axis and an axially extending forward end portion for insertion into the drum through the open end thereof, at least one fluid nozzle mounted to the forward end portion of the probe in a position such that when the forward end portion is located in the drum a stream of fluid under pressure can be discharged through the nozzle against the at least one interior surface on the at least one helical flight facing away from the open end of the drum, and a fluid conduit connected to the nozzle for communicating the nozzle with a source of the fluid under pressure; and

adjustable support structure positionable externally of the drum and supporting the probe at a variable elevation and a variable angular orientation relative to horizontal for movement of the forward end portion thereof into and out of the drum through the open end thereof for positioning the at least one fluid nozzle in the position for discharging the stream of fluid under pressure against the at least one interior surface on the at least one helical flight facing away from the open end along the extent thereof.