Water control apparatus

• US 7,530,728 B2
• Filed: 10/22/2007
• Issued: 05/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lars Rosaen
• Original Assignee: Lars Rosaen
• Inventors: Rosaen, Lars
• Primary Examiner(s): SOOHOO, TONY GLEN
• Application Number:
  US11/876,491
• Publication Number:
  US 20080092957A1
• Time in Patent Office: 568 Days
• Field of Search: 366/17, 366/3, 366/10, 366/30, 366/40, 137/101.19
• US Class Current: 366/17
• 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 of 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 and close of the normally closed valve unit. A switch may be also provided that may electrically communicate with the control unit. 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 for use with a concrete mixing assembly, comprising:

a flowmeter unit;

a normally closed valve unit in fluid communication with the flowmeter unit, the normally closed valve unit including a normally closed power actuated valve;

a normally open valve unit in fluid communication with the flowmeter, the normally open valve unit including a normally open power actuated valve;

a control unit in electrical communication with and operating to monitor the flowmeter, and open and close the normally closed and normally open power actuated valves;

a switching device in electrical communication with the control unit, activation of the switch operating to cause the normally closed valve to open and the normally open valve to close; and

a concrete mixing drum in fluid communication with the normally closed valve unit.

2. The water control apparatus of claim 1, wherein the normally open power actuated valve and the normally closed open power actuated valve are each a solenoid controlled valve.

3. The water control apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mixing drum is positioned on a mixer truck.

4. The water control apparatus of claim 3, wherein the mixer truck includes a cabin and the switching device is mounted in the cabin.

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 mix in the concrete mixing drum is maintained at a 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 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 in fluid communication with the water source of the mixer vehicle;

a normally open valve unit removably connected to and being in fluid communication with the flowmeter unit and having a normally open power actuated valve;

a normally closed valve unit removably connected to and being in fluid communication with the normally open valve unit, having a normally closed power actuated valve and being in fluid communication with the mixing drum;

a control unit in electrical communication with and operating to monitor the flowmeter unit, and open and close the normally closed and normally open power actuated valves;

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

9. The water control apparatus of claim 8, wherein the normally open power actuated valve and the normally closed power actuated valve are each a solenoid controlled valve.

10. The water control apparatus of claim 8, wherein the mixing vehicle includes a cabin and the switching device is mounted in the cabin.

11. The water control apparatus of claim 10, wherein the switching device comprises a toggle switch and a display, the display operating to indicate the volume of water flowing through the flowmeter.

12. The water control apparatus of claim 8, wherein the control unit further comprises a global positioning system receiver.

13. The water control apparatus of claim 8, 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 mix in the concrete mixing drum is maintained at a predetermined water-cement ratio.

14. The water control apparatus of claim 8, 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.