Abstract

The application concerns a system for measuring the rotational speed of a drum rotatably mounted to a mixer truck, rotating relatively to the mixer truck and having a main axis inclined relative to the mixer truck, even in case that the drum is empty. A sensor is mounted to the empty drum and generates a sinusoidal signal as the drum rotates; the sensor could be a load sensor experiencing forces due to the changing influence of gravity during rotation, or a light intensity sensor responsive e.g. to variations of ambient light during rotation. The sensor signal is transmitted over a wireless connection to a receiver. The frequency of the sinusoidal signal is measured and output as the rotational speed of the rotating drum. The application also concerns the determination of a direction of rotation, based on a phase shift between two periodic signals. One signal could be the periodic intensity variation on a first wireless transmission path during a full rotation. The other could be a periodic intensity variation on a second wireless transmission path, or a periodic variation of a sensed value such as the output of a load sensor or light intensity sensor.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01P 3/48 - Devices characterised by the use of electric or magnetic means for measuring angular speed by measuring frequency of generated current or voltage
• G01P 3/486 - Devices characterised by the use of electric or magnetic means for measuring angular speed by measuring frequency of generated current or voltage of pulse signals delivered by photo-electric detectors
• B28C 7/02 - Controlling the operation of the mixing
• B28C 5/42 - Apparatus specially adapted for being mounted on vehicles with provision for mixing during transport
• G01P 13/04 - Indicating positive or negative direction of a linear movement or clockwise or anti-clockwise direction of a rotational movement

Abstract

The system for determining a status of a valve being mounted in a liquid supply line of a concrete mixer and being actuatable via an actuator generally has: an actuator accelerometer mounted to the actuator and being adapted to measure an actuator position associated with a position of the valve; a reference accelerometer mounted to the concrete mixer and being adapted to measure a reference position fixed relative to the concrete mixer, the actuator position and the reference position being measured while the concrete mixer is fixed relative to the ground; a computing device adapted to receive the actuator and reference positions, the computing device being adapted to determine the status of the valve based on the actuator position, the reference position and calibration position data; and to generate status of the valve indicative of the determined status of the valve.

IPC Classes  ?

• F16K 37/00 - Special means in or on valves or other cut-off apparatus for indicating or recording operation thereof, or for enabling an alarm to be given
• B28C 5/42 - Apparatus specially adapted for being mounted on vehicles with provision for mixing during transport
• B28C 7/02 - Controlling the operation of the mixing
• G01F 22/00 - Methods or apparatus for measuring volume of fluids or fluent solid material, not otherwise provided for
• G01F 22/02 - Methods or apparatus for measuring volume of fluids or fluent solid material, not otherwise provided for involving measurement of pressure
• G01M 13/00 - Testing of machine parts

Abstract

The method for handling ready-mix concrete generally has the steps of: rotating the ready- mix concrete in a drum of a concrete mixer, the drum being rotatable about its axis; measuring a viscosity value of the ready-mix concrete in the rotary drum; comparing the measured viscosity value to a threshold viscosity value corresponding to a minimum expected strength of the ready-mix concrete when in a cured state; generating an output signal based on said comparison; and handling the ready-mix concrete based on said output signal.

IPC Classes  ?

• B28C 7/02 - Controlling the operation of the mixing
• G01N 11/00 - Investigating flow properties of materials, e.g. viscosity or plasticityAnalysing materials by determining flow properties
• G05D 24/02 - Control of viscosity characterised by the use of electric means
• G01N 3/08 - Investigating strength properties of solid materials by application of mechanical stress by applying steady tensile or compressive forces