Method for removing concrete from interior surfaces of a concrete mixing drum

• US 6,640,817 B2
• Filed: 07/09/2002
• Issued: 11/04/2003
• 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:
  US10/191,834
• Publication Number:
  US 20020179119A1
• Time in Patent Office: 483 Days
• Field of Search: 134/22.1, 134/22.18, 134/24, 134/168.R, 134/167.R, 134/174, 134/198, 366/138, 366/348
• US Class Current: 134/22.18
• 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

A method 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, an elongate probe having a longitudinal axis and an axially extending forward end being inserted into the drum through the open end thereof; and at least one fluid nozzle being 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. Method for removing concrete from interior surfaces of a concrete mixing drum, the drum including an open end communicating with the interior and at least one interior surface facing away from the open end, the method comprising the step of:

rotating the drum while moving at least one fluid discharge nozzle mounted adjacent to an end of an elongate probe longitudinally through the drum interior, the fluid nozzle being positioned and operated so as to discharge a stream of fluid against the at least one interior surface facing away from the open end under sufficient pressure to remove at least some of any concrete thereon that has not fully cured, the probe including a stop switch mounted adjacent the end thereof which is moved in the drum for contacting an end of the drum opposite the open end for initiating movement of the probe outwardly from the drum.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the pressure is within a range from about 300 to about 8000 psi.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the pressure is within a range from about 1000 to about 4000 psi.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the elongate probe is oriented at between about an 11°

and about a 13°

angle to horizontal as it is moved in the drum.

5. A method 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 method comprising the steps of:

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

providing adjustable support structure supporting the probe and positionable at an external location relative to the drum for positioning the drum at a variable elevation and a variable angular orientation relative to horizontal for insertion into the drum;

providing at least one fluid nozzle mounted on the probe in position for discharging a stream of fluid against the at least one helical interior surface facing away from the open end; and

moving the forward end portion of the probe into the interior of the drum through the open end thereof and along the at least one helical interior surface while discharging a stream of fluid against the at least one helical interior surface through the at least one fluid nozzle for removing accumulated concrete from the surface.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the drum is rotated as the probe is moved therethrough.

7. A method 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 method comprising the steps of:

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

positioning the forward end portion of the probe for insertion into the drum through the open end thereof, and moving the forward end portion into and through the drum while discharging a stream of fluid under pressure from the at least one nozzle against the at least one interior surface on the at least one helical flight facing away from the open end of the drum for removing at least some of any accumulated concrete thereon.