There is described a computer-implemented method for handling a mixer truck containing a return concrete load. The method generally has: accessing return concrete data including at least quantity data indicative of a quantity of the return concrete load contained in the drum of the mixer truck and composition data indicative of a composition of the return concrete load contained in the drum; accessing ticket data including job tickets each including a ticket specification; establishing a list of eligible job tickets by comparing the return concrete data to each job ticket, and including a given one of the job tickets in the list contingent upon finding a match between the ticket specification and the return concrete data; and generating a signal indicative of the established list of eligible job tickets.
There is described a method of operating a concrete mixer truck having a rotary drum configured to receive fresh concrete and an on-board computer. The method generally having: performing an unloading operation including unloading a first portion of the fresh concrete from the drum at a job site, a second portion of the fresh concrete remaining in the drum as return concrete subsequently to the unloading operation; the computer acquiring a first signal indicative of a presence of fresh concrete in the drum; the computer acquiring a second signal indicative of termination of the unload operation; the computer activating an indicator perceivable by a driver of the concrete mixer truck contingent upon receiving both the first signal and the second signal, the indicator signalling a presence of return concrete in the rotary drum to the driver.
There is described a method of displaying a sequence of truck identifiers at a plurality of truck computers. Each truck computer having a corresponding display screen and being located at a corresponding truck. Each truck computer having a respective one of said truck identifiers of the sequence. The method generally having: at a producer computer located at a batch plant, communicating the sequence of truck identifiers to a coordinator computer over a telecommunications network; at the coordinator computer remote from the batch plant, communicating the sequence of truck identifiers to corresponding ones of the plurality of truck computers associated to corresponding ones of the truck identifiers over the telecommunications network; and at different ones of the truck computers, displaying the sequence of truck identifiers on the associated display screen.
There is described a method of loading concrete ingredients into a drum of a concrete mixer truck. The method generally has: rotating the drum into a mixing direction; using a water detector mounted inside the drum, performing a plurality of water measurements during at least one rotation of the drum; and upon determining that the plurality of water measurements are indicative of dryness, loading a batch of concrete ingredients into the drum.
There is described a method of loading a recipe of concrete ingredients into a drum of a concrete mixer truck, the recipe including a total quantity of water, the method comprising: rotating the drum into a mixing direction; using a water detector mounted to an inside wall of the drum, measuring a quantity of water remaining at a bottom of the drum as the drum rotates; modifying the recipe of concrete ingredients based on said measured quantity of water, said modifying including determining a top up water quantity corresponding to a difference between the total quantity of water of the recipe and the measured quantity of water; and loading the modified recipe of concrete ingredients into the drum, said loading including adding only the top up water quantity into the drum.
B28C 7/06 - Supplying the solid ingredients, e.g. by means of endless conveyors or jigging conveyors
B28C 5/42 - Apparatus specially adapted for being mounted on vehicles with provision for mixing during transport
B28C 7/04 - Supplying or proportioning the ingredients
G01N 11/14 - Investigating flow properties of materials, e.g. viscosity or plasticityAnalysing materials by determining flow properties by moving a body within the material by using rotary bodies, e.g. vane
G01N 11/16 - Investigating flow properties of materials, e.g. viscosity or plasticityAnalysing materials by determining flow properties by moving a body within the material by measuring damping effect upon oscillatory body
G01N 11/10 - Investigating flow properties of materials, e.g. viscosity or plasticityAnalysing materials by determining flow properties by moving a body within the material
6.
PROBE AND METHOD FOR MONITORING FRESH CONCRETE USING AN ELECTROMECHANICAL ACTUATOR
There is described a probe for monitoring fresh concrete received in a drum of a fresh concrete mixer. The probe generally has an electromechanical actuator having a frame mounted within the drum and a moving element actuatably mounted to the frame, the moving element having a fresh concrete interface exposed within the drum and experiencing a resistance to movement within the drum upon actuation of the electromechanical actuator with an electrical signal; and a measurement unit measuring a resistance response during the actuation and generating a response signal based on the measured resistance response, the generated response signal comprising monitoring Information concerning the fresh concrete within the drum, if any.
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
G01N 9/16 - Investigating density or specific gravity of materialsAnalysing materials by determining density or specific gravity by observing bodies wholly or partially immersed in fluid materials by observing the depth of immersion of the bodies, e.g. hydrometers the body being pivoted
There is described a computer-implemented method for handling a mixer truck containing a return concrete load. The method generally has: accessing return concrete data including at least quantity data indicative of a quantity of the return concrete load contained in the drum of the mixer truck and composition data indicative of a composition of the return concrete load contained in the drum; accessing ticket data including job tickets each including a ticket specification; establishing a list of eligible job tickets by comparing the return concrete data to each job ticket, and including a given one of the job tickets in the list contingent upon finding a match between the ticket specification and the return concrete data; and generating a signal indicative of the established list of eligible job tickets.
B28C 7/00 - Controlling the operation of apparatus for producing mixtures of clay or cement with other substancesSupplying or proportioning the ingredients for mixing clay or cement with other substancesDischarging the mixture
B28C 7/04 - Supplying or proportioning the ingredients
B28C 7/12 - Supplying or proportioning liquid ingredients
G01G 19/00 - Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in groups
G01G 23/01 - Testing or calibrating of weighing apparatus
8.
METHODS OF OPERATING AND INSTRUCTING CONCRETE MIXER TRUCK HAVING RE-USE CONCRETE AFTER UNLOAD
There is described a method of operating a concrete mixer truck having a rotary drum configured to receive fresh concrete and an on-board computer. The method generally having: performing an unloading operation including unloading a first portion of the fresh concrete from the drum at a job site, a second portion of the fresh concrete remaining in the drum as return concrete subsequently to the unloading operation; the computer acquiring a first signal indicative of a presence of fresh concrete in the drum; the computer acquiring a second signal indicative of termination of the unload operation; the computer activating an indicator perceivable by a driver of the concrete mixer truck contingent upon receiving both the first signal and the second signal, the indicator signalling a presence of return concrete in the rotary drum to the driver.
A system for a concrete mixer having a drum receiving fresh concrete therein. The system generally has: a sensor measuring a set of measurand values indicative of a measurand associated with at least one of the fresh concrete, the drum and components of the concrete mixer; and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor, the controller performing the steps of: accessing the set of measurand values generated by the sensor; using a trained data processing engine stored on the non-transitory memory, at least one of determining a property value indicative of a property of the fresh concrete, determining a parameter value indicative of a parameter of the drum, and determining that the set of measurand values are indicative of some operating conditions of the concrete mixer; and outputting a signal based on said determining.
There is described a system for a concrete mixer having a drum receiving fresh concrete therein. The system generally has: a sensor measuring a set of measurand values indicative of a measurand associated with at least one of the fresh concrete, the drum and components of the concrete mixer; and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor, the controller performing the steps of: accessing the set of measurand values generated by the sensor; using a trained data processing engine stored on the non-transitory memory, at least one of determining a property value indicative of a property of the fresh concrete, determining a parameter value indicative of a parameter of the drum, and determining that the set of measurand values are indicative of some operating conditions of the concrete mixer; and outputting a signal based on said determining.
There is described a method for detecting segregation occurring in fresh concrete mixture being agitated in a drum. The method generally having: rotating said drum about its rotation axis at a low rotational speed for agitating said fresh concrete mixture during at least a rotation; said fresh concrete mixture segregating, said segregating including gravity pulling denser concrete ingredients downwards in said fresh concrete mixture; measuring a plurality of pressure values indicative of pressure exerted onto a rheological probe mounted inside said drum and moving through said fresh concrete mixture as said drum rotates; providing reference data indicative of a behaviour of said rheological probe in a fresh concrete mixture in said absence of said segregating; and detecting that said segregating has occurred, including comparing at least some of said measured pressure values to said reference data.
A method for detecting segregation occurring in fresh concrete mixture being agitated in a drum generally includes: rotating said drum about its rotation axis at a low rotational speed for agitating said fresh concrete mixture during at least a rotation; said fresh concrete mixture segregating, said segregating including gravity pulling denser concrete ingredients downwards in said fresh concrete mixture; measuring a plurality of pressure values indicative of pressure exerted onto a rheological probe mounted inside said drum and moving through said fresh concrete mixture as said drum rotates; providing reference data indicative of a behaviour of said rheological probe in a fresh concrete mixture in said absence of said segregating; and detecting that said segregating has occurred, including comparing at least some of said measured pressure values to said reference data.
There is described a method for confirming delivery of bulk material from a bed of a dump truck based on hydraulic pressure. The dump truck has a driving device moving the bed between a rest position and a delivery position. The method generally having: using a hydraulic pressure sensor, measuring a plurality of hydraulic pressure values indicative of pressure of a hydraulic fluid of the driving device as the bed is moved; and using a controller communicatively coupled to the hydraulic pressure sensor: monitoring a slope at which at least some of the plurality of hydraulic pressure values vary over a given period of time; and generating a delivery confirmation indicative that a delivery of the bulk material has occurred based on a comparison between said monitored slope and a delivery slope threshold.
G01G 19/10 - Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in groups for incorporation in vehicles having fluid weight-sensitive devices
B60P 1/16 - Vehicles predominantly for transporting loads and modified to facilitate loading, consolidating the load, or unloading with a tipping movement of load supporting or containing element actuated by fluid-operated mechanisms
14.
System and methods for determining air content of fresh concrete, and concrete mixer truck incorporating same
There is described a system for determining air content of fresh concrete received in a drum of a concrete mixer. The system generally has a high energy photon source mounted to the drum and emitting high energy photons towards a photon path rotating about a rotation axis as the drum rotates, the photon path is immersed in the fresh concrete during rotation, a photon detector mounted to the drum, the photon detector counting high energy photons received from the photon path; and generating a signal indicative of a number of counted events; a computing device determining an air content value of the fresh concrete based on the generated signal and on reference data; comparing the determined air content value to an air content threshold; and generating an alert based on the comparison to be displayed.
G01N 23/083 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups , or by transmitting the radiation through the material and measuring the absorption the radiation being X-rays
B28C 5/42 - Apparatus specially adapted for being mounted on vehicles with provision for mixing during transport
G01N 23/10 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups , or by transmitting the radiation through the material and measuring the absorption the material being confined in a container, e.g. in luggage X-ray scanners
A system for a concrete mixer having a drum receiving fresh concrete therein. The system generally has: a sensor measuring a set of measurand values indicative of a measurand associated with at least one of the fresh concrete, the drum and components of the concrete mixer; and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor, the controller performing the steps of: accessing the set of measurand values generated by the sensor; using a trained data processing engine stored on the non-transitory memory, at least one of determining a property value indicative of a property of the fresh concrete, determining a parameter value indicative of a parameter of the drum, and determining that the set of measurand values are indicative of some operating conditions of the concrete mixer; and outputting a signal based on said determining.
A partition key format for allocating partitions to data items in a single table database, where the data items are owned by different entities. The partition key format including a sequence of a plurality of frames, wherein a first of said frames is an identifier of the requesting entity (EID), and a second one of said frames is an identifier of the type of data item (TID).
A partition key format for allocating partitions to data items in a single table database, where the data items are owned by different entities. The partition key format including a sequence of a plurality of frames, wherein a first of said frames is an identifier of the requesting entity (EID), and a second one of said frames is an identifier of the type of data item (TID).
There is described a probe for monitoring fresh concrete received in a drum of a fresh concrete mixer. The probe generally has an electromechanical actuator having a frame mounted within the drum and a moving element actuatably mounted to the frame, the moving element having a fresh concrete interface exposed within the drum and experiencing a resistance to movement within the drum upon actuation of the electromechanical actuator with an electrical signal; and a measurement unit measuring a resistance response during the actuation and generating a response signal based on the measured resistance response, the generated response signal comprising monitoring Information concerning the fresh concrete within the drum, if any.
B28C 5/42 - Apparatus specially adapted for being mounted on vehicles with provision for mixing during transport
G01N 9/16 - Investigating density or specific gravity of materialsAnalysing materials by determining density or specific gravity by observing bodies wholly or partially immersed in fluid materials by observing the depth of immersion of the bodies, e.g. hydrometers the body being pivoted
19.
PROBE AND METHOD FOR MONITORING FRESH CONCRETE USING AN ELECTROMECHANICAL ACTUATOR
There is described a probe for monitoring fresh concrete received in a drum of a fresh concrete mixer. The probe generally has an electromechanical actuator having a frame mounted within the drum and a moving element actuatably mounted to the frame, the moving element having a fresh concrete interface exposed within the drum and experiencing a resistance to movement within the drum upon actuation of the electromechanical actuator with an electrical signal; and a measurement unit measuring a resistance response during the actuation and generating a response signal based on the measured resistance response, the generated response signal comprising monitoring Information concerning the fresh concrete within the drum, if any.
B28C 5/42 - Apparatus specially adapted for being mounted on vehicles with provision for mixing during transport
G01N 9/16 - Investigating density or specific gravity of materialsAnalysing materials by determining density or specific gravity by observing bodies wholly or partially immersed in fluid materials by observing the depth of immersion of the bodies, e.g. hydrometers the body being pivoted
20.
Methods for determining fresh concrete discharge volume and discharge flow rate and system using same
There is described a method for determining a volume of fresh concrete being discharged from a drum during a discharge, the drum being rotatable and having inwardly protruding blades mounted inside the drum which, when the drum is rotated in an unloading direction, force the fresh concrete towards a discharge outlet of the drum. The method generally has discharging a volume of the fresh concrete from the drum by rotating the drum in the unloading direction for a given number of discharge rotations; obtaining discharge flow rate variation data indicative of a discharge flow rate varying as function of discharge rotations; and determining a discharged volume value indicative of the volume of fresh concrete being discharged from the drum of the mixer truck during said discharge based on the given number of discharge rotations and on the discharge flow rate variation data.
There are described methods and systems for handling fresh concrete inside a drum. In an aspect, a method of determining calibration data for use in determining workability of fresh concrete inside a rotating drum based on hydraulic pressure is described. This method has receiving a probe pressure value indicative of pressure exerted on a rheological probe mounted inside the drum and immerged in the fresh concrete; determining a workability value indicative of workability of the fresh concrete based on the probe pressure value and on calibration data for the rheological probe; receiving a hydraulic pressure value indicative of pressure of a hydraulic fluid used for rotating the drum; and determining hydraulic calibration data by associating the hydraulic pressure value and the workability value to one another.
G01N 11/14 - Investigating flow properties of materials, e.g. viscosity or plasticityAnalysing materials by determining flow properties by moving a body within the material by using rotary bodies, e.g. vane
B60P 3/16 - Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects for carrying mixed concrete, e.g. having rotatable drums
The application presents a system generally having a rotatable drum rotatably for receiving fresh concrete, the drum having inwardly protruding blades mounted inside the drum which, when the drum is rotated in an unloading direction, force fresh concrete inside the drum towards a discharge outlet of the drum, at least one discharge outlet sensor disposed at the discharge outlet of the drum and being configured to sense the presence of fresh concrete at the discharge outlet as the drum rotates in the unloading direction; and a controller communicatively coupled with the at least one discharge outlet sensor, the controller being configured for performing the steps of: receiving a signal from the at least one discharge outlet sensor indicative of the presence of the discharged fresh concrete at the discharge outlet as the drum rotates in the unloading direction; and determining at least one parameter based on the received signal.
A method for determining cleanliness of a drum of a fresh concrete mixer truck. The method generally has: rotating the drum about the rotation axis with a constant torque; using a rotational speed sensor, measuring a plurality of speed values corresponding to speeds at which the drum rotates at different moments in time during said rotating; and using a controller, receiving the plurality of speed values; accessing calibration data having different reference speed values-related data associated to corresponding reference degrees of cleanliness of the drum; comparing at least some of the speed values to the calibration data; and determining a degree of cleanliness of the drum based on said comparison.
There is described a method for determining cleanliness of a drum of a fresh concrete mixer truck. The method generally has: rotating the drum about the rotation axis with a constant torque; using a rotational speed sensor, measuring a plurality of speed values corresponding to speeds at which the drum rotates at different moments in time during said rotating; and using a controller, receiving the plurality of speed values; accessing calibration data having different reference speed values-related data associated to corresponding reference degrees of cleanliness of the drum; comparing at least some of the speed values to the calibration data; and determining a degree of cleanliness of the drum based on said comparison.
There is described a method for confirming delivery of bulk material from a bed of a dump truck based on hydraulic pressure. The dump truck has a driving device moving the bed between a rest position and a delivery position. The method generally having: using a hydraulic pressure sensor, measuring a plurality of hydraulic pressure values indicative of pressure of a hydraulic fluid of the driving device as the bed is moved; and using a controller communicatively coupled to the hydraulic pressure sensor: monitoring a slope at which at least some of the plurality of hydraulic pressure values vary over a given period of time; and generating a delivery confirmation indicative that a delivery of the bulk material has occurred based on a comparison between said monitored slope and a delivery slope threshold.
G06Q 10/04 - Forecasting or optimisation specially adapted for administrative or management purposes, e.g. linear programming or "cutting stock problem"
G01G 19/08 - Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in groups for incorporation in vehicles
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Providing technology solutions in the nature of temporary use of online non-downloadable software and on-premises platform as a service (PAAS) featuring computer software for managing quote-to-cash concrete batch operations, scheduling and monitoring concrete and aggregate loads, and reporting volumes of concrete and aggregate produced and delivered, all in the ready-mix concrete and aggregate industry
27.
SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR DETERMINING AIR CONTENT OF FRESH CONCRETE, AND CONCRETE MIXER TRUCK INCORPORATING SAME
There is described a system for determining air content of fresh concrete received in a drum of a concrete mixer. The system generally has a high energy photon source mounted to the drum and emitting high energy photons towards a photon path rotating about a rotation axis as the drum rotates, the photon path is immersed in the fresh concrete during rotation, a photon detector mounted to the drum, the photon detector counting high energy photons received from the photon path; and generating a signal indicative of a number of counted events; a computing device determining an air content value of the fresh concrete based on the generated signal and on reference data; comparing the determined air content value to an air content threshold; and generating an alert based on the comparison to be displayed.
A method for mixing concrete constituents that generally has a step of rotating a drum having a probe mounted inside the drum and immerged in the concrete constituents being mixed inside the drum; a step of receiving a first set of pressure values indicative of pressure exerted on the probe by the concrete constituents, the pressure values of the first set being taken at different circumferential positions of the probe during a single rotation of the drum; a step of determining a deviation of the pressure values of the first set from reference data; and a step of reducing a rotation speed of the drum upon determining that the deviation is lower than a threshold value.
B28C 7/02 - Controlling the operation of the mixing
B28C 5/08 - Apparatus or methods for producing mixtures of cement with other substances, e.g. slurries, mortars, porous or fibrous compositions using driven mechanical means affecting the mixing
B28C 5/42 - Apparatus specially adapted for being mounted on vehicles with provision for mixing during transport
29.
Automated load and unload detection system for bulk material hauler vehicles
A system for automatically detecting an operational event for a bulk material hauler vehicle. The system includes a sensor mounted on the bulk material hauler vehicle, which is adapted for hauling a bulk material such as an aggregate. The system further includes a telematics system provided on the bulk material hauler vehicle. The telematics system includes a processor running software (or executing instructions or code) for detecting the operational event (e.g., providing functions of a load and unload detection module or discriminator as described herein). During vehicle operations, the sensor transmits sensor data to the telematics system, and the detecting of the operational event includes retrieving a signature definition for the operational event and then verifying the sensor data meets requirements of the signature definition. In some embodiments of the system, the operational event is loading the bulk material on or unloading the bulk material from the vehicle.
G07C 5/08 - Registering or indicating performance data other than driving, working, idle, or waiting time, with or without registering driving, working, idle, or waiting time
H04Q 9/00 - Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
G01G 9/00 - Methods of, or apparatus for, the determination of weight, not provided for in groups
G07C 5/02 - Registering or indicating driving, working, idle, or waiting time only
H04L 29/08 - Transmission control procedure, e.g. data link level control procedure
The method of handling fresh concrete generally includes the steps of receiving a viscosity value of the fresh concrete and a pressure value of a pressure exerted on a Theological probe moving in the fresh concrete; using a processor, accessing at least two calibration data sets, the at least two calibration data sets including combinations of different reference pressure values and associated reference workability values for a corresponding one of at least two reference viscosity values; determining a viscosity difference value by comparing the received viscosity value to the at least two reference viscosity values; and determining a workability value of the workability of the fresh concrete based on the reference workability values associated with reference pressure values corresponding to the received pressure value in the at least two calibration data sets and on the viscosity difference value; and handling the fresh concrete based on the determined workability value.
B28C 7/02 - Controlling the operation of the mixing
G01N 11/14 - Investigating flow properties of materials, e.g. viscosity or plasticityAnalysing materials by determining flow properties by moving a body within the material by using rotary bodies, e.g. vane
There is described a system generally having a rotatable drum rotatably for receiving fresh concrete, the drum having inwardly protruding blades mounted inside the drum which, when the drum is rotated in an unloading direction, force fresh concrete inside the drum towards a discharge outlet of the drum, at least one discharge outlet sensor disposed at the discharge outlet of the drum and being configured to sense the presence of fresh concrete at the discharge outlet as the drum rotates in the unloading direction; and a controller communicatively coupled with the at least one discharge outlet sensor, the controller being configured for performing the steps of: receiving a signal from the at least one discharge outlet sensor indicative of the presence of the discharged fresh concrete at the discharge outlet as the drum rotates in the unloading direction; and determining at least one parameter based on the received signal.
There is described a method for determining a volume of fresh concrete being discharged from a drum during a discharge, the drum being rotatable and having inwardly protruding blades mounted inside the drum which, when the drum is rotated in an unloading direction, force the fresh concrete towards a discharge outlet of the drum. The method generally has discharging a volume of the fresh concrete from the drum by rotating the drum in the unloading direction for a given number of discharge rotations; obtaining discharge flow rate variation data indicative of a discharge flow rate varying as function of discharge rotations; and determining a discharged volume value indicative of the volume of fresh concrete being discharged from the drum of the mixer truck during said discharge based on the given number of discharge rotations and on the discharge flow rate variation data.
There are described methods and systems for handling fresh concrete inside a drum. In an aspect, a method of determining calibration data for use in determining workability of fresh concrete inside a rotating drum based on hydraulic pressure is described. This method has receiving a probe pressure value indicative of pressure exerted on a rheological probe mounted inside the drum and immerged in the fresh concrete; determining a workability value indicative of workability of the fresh concrete based on the probe pressure value and on calibration data for the rheological probe; receiving a hydraulic pressure value indicative of pressure of a hydraulic fluid used for rotating the drum; and determining hydraulic calibration data by associating the hydraulic pressure value and the workability value to one another.
B28C 7/02 - Controlling the operation of the mixing
B60P 3/16 - Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects for carrying mixed concrete, e.g. having rotatable drums
C04B 7/36 - Manufacture of hydraulic cements in general
G01L 7/18 - Measuring the steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by mechanical or fluid pressure-sensitive elements using liquid as the pressure-sensitive medium, e.g. liquid-column gauges
G01N 9/10 - Investigating density or specific gravity of materialsAnalysing materials by determining density or specific gravity by observing bodies wholly or partially immersed in fluid materials
G01N 9/14 - Investigating density or specific gravity of materialsAnalysing materials by determining density or specific gravity by observing bodies wholly or partially immersed in fluid materials by observing the depth of immersion of the bodies, e.g. hydrometers the body being built into a container
G01N 11/02 - Investigating flow properties of materials, e.g. viscosity or plasticityAnalysing materials by determining flow properties by measuring flow of the material
34.
METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR HANDLING FRESH CONCRETE BASED ON HYDRAULIC PRESSURE AND ON RHEOLOGICAL PROBE PRESSURE
There are described methods and systems for handling fresh concrete inside a drum. In an aspect, a method of determining calibration data for use in determining workability of fresh concrete inside a rotating drum based on hydraulic pressure is described. This method has receiving a probe pressure value indicative of pressure exerted on a rheological probe mounted inside the drum and immerged in the fresh concrete; determining a workability value indicative of workability of the fresh concrete based on the probe pressure value and on calibration data for the rheological probe; receiving a hydraulic pressure value indicative of pressure of a hydraulic fluid used for rotating the drum; and determining hydraulic calibration data by associating the hydraulic pressure value and the workability value to one another.
B28C 7/02 - Controlling the operation of the mixing
B60P 3/16 - Vehicles adapted to transport, to carry or to comprise special loads or objects for carrying mixed concrete, e.g. having rotatable drums
C04B 7/36 - Manufacture of hydraulic cements in general
G01L 7/18 - Measuring the steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by mechanical or fluid pressure-sensitive elements using liquid as the pressure-sensitive medium, e.g. liquid-column gauges
G01N 9/10 - Investigating density or specific gravity of materialsAnalysing materials by determining density or specific gravity by observing bodies wholly or partially immersed in fluid materials
G01N 9/14 - Investigating density or specific gravity of materialsAnalysing materials by determining density or specific gravity by observing bodies wholly or partially immersed in fluid materials by observing the depth of immersion of the bodies, e.g. hydrometers the body being built into a container
G01N 11/02 - Investigating flow properties of materials, e.g. viscosity or plasticityAnalysing materials by determining flow properties by measuring flow of the material
The rheological probe generally has a base; an inner member fixedly connected to the base and extending away from the base, the inner member having in succession a base portion proximate to the base, and a tip away from the base, and a deformable portion located between the base portion and the tip; a shell member covering the inner member, the shell member having a proximal portion being pivotally connected to the base for pivoting about a pivot axis when subjected to a resistance pressure imparted by a relative movement of the probe in a rheological substance, and a distal portion, the distal portion being engaged with the tip, the shell member having mating features being pivotally engaged with corresponding features of the base, the mating features being located on transversally opposite sides of the proximal portion; and a deformation sensor mounted to the deformable portion.
G01N 11/10 - Investigating flow properties of materials, e.g. viscosity or plasticityAnalysing materials by determining flow properties by moving a body within the material
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
36.
Method for determining density of fresh concrete, computing device and system therefore
There is disclosed a computer-implemented method for determining a density value of a fresh concrete sample using an acoustic probe assembly. The acoustic probe assembly has an acoustic path, an acoustic emitter configured to emit an acoustic signal along the acoustic path, and an acoustic receiver configured to receive the acoustic signal after propagation along the acoustic path. The acoustic probe assembly is configured and adapted to generate an electromagnetic signal indicative of a duration of time taken by the acoustic signal to travel from the acoustic emitter to the acoustic receiver across the fresh concrete sample. The method generally has a step of determining the duration of time based on the electromagnetic signal, a step of matching the duration to a density value using reference data, and a step of displaying the density value.
G01N 9/24 - Investigating density or specific gravity of materialsAnalysing materials by determining density or specific gravity by observing the transmission of wave or particle radiation through the material
G01N 29/024 - Analysing fluids by measuring propagation velocity or propagation time of acoustic waves
G01N 29/22 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic wavesVisualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object Details
G01N 29/44 - Processing the detected response signal
G01N 29/00 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic wavesVisualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object
There is described a method for mixing concrete constituents that generally has a step of rotating a drum having a probe mounted inside the drum and immerged in the concrete constituents being mixed inside the drum; a step of receiving a first set of pressure values indicative of pressure exerted on the probe by the concrete constituents, the pressure values of the first set being taken at different circumferential positions of the probe during a single rotation of the drum.
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
B28C 7/00 - Controlling the operation of apparatus for producing mixtures of clay or cement with other substancesSupplying or proportioning the ingredients for mixing clay or cement with other substancesDischarging the mixture
B60B 3/16 - Attaching disc body to hub by bolts or the like
C04B 40/00 - Processes, in general, for influencing or modifying the properties of mortars, concrete or artificial stone compositions, e.g. their setting or hardening ability
There is described a method for mixing concrete constituents that generally has a step of rotating a drum having a probe mounted inside the drum and immerged in the concrete constituents being mixed inside the drum; a step of receiving a first set of pressure values indicative of pressure exerted on the probe by the concrete constituents, the pressure values of the first set being taken at different circumferential positions of the probe during a single rotation of the drum.
B28C 5/42 - Apparatus specially adapted for being mounted on vehicles with provision for mixing during transport
B28C 7/00 - Controlling the operation of apparatus for producing mixtures of clay or cement with other substancesSupplying or proportioning the ingredients for mixing clay or cement with other substancesDischarging the mixture
B28C 7/02 - Controlling the operation of the mixing
B60B 3/16 - Attaching disc body to hub by bolts or the like
C04B 40/00 - Processes, in general, for influencing or modifying the properties of mortars, concrete or artificial stone compositions, e.g. their setting or hardening ability
The method for determining density of fresh concrete inside a drum of a mixer truck involves a probe mounted inside the drum, extending in a radial orientation of the drum and being moved circumferentially as the drum rotates. The method has: receiving first and second pressure values indicative of normal pressures exerted on the probe by the fresh concrete at corresponding and different first and second circumferential positions of the drum during rotation of the drum; and determining a density value of the fresh concrete based on the volume of the probe and on a difference between the first and second pressure values.
G01N 9/16 - Investigating density or specific gravity of materialsAnalysing materials by determining density or specific gravity by observing bodies wholly or partially immersed in fluid materials by observing the depth of immersion of the bodies, e.g. hydrometers the body being pivoted
G01N 9/26 - Investigating density or specific gravity of materialsAnalysing materials by determining density or specific gravity by measuring pressure differences
41.
Systems and methods for monitoring calibration of moisture sensors
A method and system for calibrating moisture sensors in a concrete production plant are disclosed. The moisture sensor is in communication with a computer database through a transceiver. The moisture sensor records numerous readings of moisture for aggregate used in concrete production, which are stored in the database. Separately, a manual sample of aggregate taken from the production line is determined to have a moisture content, which is the baseline for calibrating the sensor. This record is also entered into the database. The moisture sensor reading and the manual sample record are compared for multiple iterative readings to determine whether a sensor requires further calibration.
The method of handling fresh concrete generally includes the steps of receiving a viscosity value of the fresh concrete and a pressure value of a pressure exerted on a Theological probe moving in the fresh concrete; using a processor, accessing at least two calibration data sets, the at least two calibration data sets including combinations of different reference pressure values and associated reference workability values for a corresponding one of at least two reference viscosity values; determining a viscosity difference value by comparing the received viscosity value to the at least two reference viscosity values; and determining a workability value of the workability of the fresh concrete based on the reference workability values associated with reference pressure values corresponding to the received pressure value in the at least two calibration data sets and on the viscosity difference value; and handling the fresh concrete based on the determined workability value.
B28C 7/02 - Controlling the operation of the mixing
G01N 11/14 - Investigating flow properties of materials, e.g. viscosity or plasticityAnalysing materials by determining flow properties by moving a body within the material by using rotary bodies, e.g. vane
The method of handling fresh concrete generally includes the steps of receiving a viscosity value of the fresh concrete and a pressure value of a pressure exerted on a Theological probe moving in the fresh concrete; using a processor, accessing at least two calibration data sets, the at least two calibration data sets including combinations of different reference pressure values and associated reference workability values for a corresponding one of at least two reference viscosity values; determining a viscosity difference value by comparing the received viscosity value to the at least two reference viscosity values; and determining a workability value of the workability of the fresh concrete based on the reference workability values associated with reference pressure values corresponding to the received pressure value in the at least two calibration data sets and on the viscosity difference value; and handling the fresh concrete based on the determined workability value.
B28C 7/02 - Controlling the operation of the mixing
G01N 11/14 - Investigating flow properties of materials, e.g. viscosity or plasticityAnalysing materials by determining flow properties by moving a body within the material by using rotary bodies, e.g. vane
The probe can include a base and a resistance member extending from the base and onto which a resistance pressure is imparted by a rheological substance when the resistance member is submerged and moved therein. Rheological properties can be obtained using values indicative of the resistance pressure both in a low speed range and in a high speed range.
G01N 11/14 - Investigating flow properties of materials, e.g. viscosity or plasticityAnalysing materials by determining flow properties by moving a body within the material by using rotary bodies, e.g. vane
G01N 11/10 - Investigating flow properties of materials, e.g. viscosity or plasticityAnalysing materials by determining flow properties by moving a body within the material
G01N 11/00 - Investigating flow properties of materials, e.g. viscosity or plasticityAnalysing materials by determining flow properties
The rheological probe generally has a base; an inner member fixedly connected to the base and extending away from the base, the inner member having in succession a base portion proximate to the base, and a tip away from the base, and a deformable portion located between the base portion and the tip; a shell member covering the inner member, the shell member having a proximal portion being pivotally connected to the base for pivoting about a pivot axis when subjected to a resistance pressure imparted by a relative movement of the probe in a rheological substance, and a distal portion, the distal portion being engaged with the tip, the shell member having mating features being pivotally engaged with corresponding features of the base, the mating features being located on transversally opposite sides of the proximal portion; and a deformation sensor mounted to the deformable portion.
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
G01N 11/10 - Investigating flow properties of materials, e.g. viscosity or plasticityAnalysing materials by determining flow properties by moving a body within the material
The rheological probe generally has a base; an inner member fixedly connected to the base and extending away from the base, the inner member having in succession a base portion proximate to the base, and a tip away from the base, and a deformable portion located between the base portion and the tip; a shell member covering the inner member, the shell member having a proximal portion being pivotally connected to the base for pivoting about a pivot axis when subjected to a resistance pressure imparted by a relative movement of the probe in a rheological substance, and a distal portion, the distal portion being engaged with the tip, the shell member having mating features being pivotally engaged with corresponding features of the base, the mating features being located on transversally opposite sides of the proximal portion; and a deformation sensor mounted to the deformable portion.
G01N 11/10 - Investigating flow properties of materials, e.g. viscosity or plasticityAnalysing materials by determining flow properties by moving a body within the material
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
47.
METHOD FOR DETERMINING DENSITY OF FRESH CONCRETE, COMPUTING DEVICE AND SYSTEM THEREFORE
There is disclosed a computer-implemented method for determining a density value of a fresh concrete sample using an acoustic probe assembly. The acoustic probe assembly has an acoustic path, an acoustic emitter configured to emit an acoustic signal along the acoustic path, and an acoustic receiver configured to receive the acoustic signal after propagation along the acoustic path. The acoustic probe assembly is configured and adapted to generate an electromagnetic signal indicative of a duration of time taken by the acoustic signal to travel from the acoustic emitter to the acoustic receiver across the fresh concrete sample. The method generally has a step of determining the duration of time based on the electromagnetic signal, a step of matching the duration to a density value using reference data, and a step of displaying the density value.
G01N 9/24 - Investigating density or specific gravity of materialsAnalysing materials by determining density or specific gravity by observing the transmission of wave or particle radiation through the material
G01N 29/00 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic wavesVisualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object
There is disclosed a computer-implemented method for determining a density value of a fresh concrete sample using an acoustic probe assembly. The acoustic probe assembly has an acoustic path, an acoustic emitter configured to emit an acoustic signal along the acoustic path, and an acoustic receiver configured to receive the acoustic signal after propagation along the acoustic path. The acoustic probe assembly is configured and adapted to generate an electromagnetic signal indicative of a duration of time taken by the acoustic signal to travel from the acoustic emitter to the acoustic receiver across the fresh concrete sample. The method generally has a step of determining the duration of time based on the electromagnetic signal, a step of matching the duration to a density value using reference data, and a step of displaying the density value.
G01N 9/24 - Investigating density or specific gravity of materialsAnalysing materials by determining density or specific gravity by observing the transmission of wave or particle radiation through the material
G01N 29/00 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic wavesVisualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Technical probe for monitoring concrete load properties, and software for concrete producers for monitoring load properties, which enables concrete producers to take corrective action during mix, loading, transport, discharge and return to plant, sold as a unit
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Providing technology solutions in the nature of temporary use of online non-downloadable software for managing quote-to-cash concrete batch operations, scheduling and monitoring concrete and aggregate loads, and reporting volumes of concrete and aggregate produced and delivered, all in the ready-mix concrete and aggregate industry
51.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING CALIBRATION OF MOISTURE SENSORS
A method and system for calibrating moisture sensors in a concrete production plant are disclosed. The moisture sensor is in communication with a computer database through a transceiver. The moisture sensor records numerous readings of moisture for aggregate used in concrete production, which are stored in the database. Separately, a manual sample of aggregate taken from the production line is determined to have a moisture content, which is the baseline for calibrating the sensor. This record is also entered into the database. The moisture sensor reading and the manual sample record are compared for multiple iterative readings to determine whether a sensor requires further calibration.
The method can determine a density of concrete based on the measured buoyancy of a buoy immersed in fresh concrete contained in a ready mix drum and rotatable therein as the drum is rotated, the method can include obtaining a first measurement of a force applied to the buoy while the buoy is being moved tangentially in the fresh concrete, obtaining a second measurement of a force applied to the buoy while the buoy is being moved tangentially in the fresh concrete by rotation of the cylindrical wall, obtaining an indication of the buoyancy of the buoy in the concrete including factoring out the yield effect based on at least the first measurement and the second measurement.
G01N 9/10 - Investigating density or specific gravity of materialsAnalysing materials by determining density or specific gravity by observing bodies wholly or partially immersed in fluid materials
G01N 9/26 - Investigating density or specific gravity of materialsAnalysing materials by determining density or specific gravity by measuring pressure differences
G01N 9/14 - Investigating density or specific gravity of materialsAnalysing materials by determining density or specific gravity by observing bodies wholly or partially immersed in fluid materials by observing the depth of immersion of the bodies, e.g. hydrometers the body being built into a container
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
G01N 9/08 - Investigating density or specific gravity of materialsAnalysing materials by determining density or specific gravity by measuring buoyant force of solid materials by weighing both in air and in a liquid
G01N 9/36 - Analysing materials by measuring the density or specific gravity, e.g. determining quantity of moisture
53.
Methods and systems using concrete mix temperature measurement
The temperature of concrete can be monitored by a temperature probe. Typically, large volumes of concrete such as are typically carried in mixer trucks or mixed in industrial concrete production drums have a relatively stable, or slowly varying temperature, given the high thermal capacity of concrete. A sudden change in temperature can thus be attributed to an external event. A sudden addition of even a relatively small amount of water for instance, which has an even higher thermal capacity, can produce a notable sudden change in temperature. Examples where the detection of the addition of water can be particularly useful in the production and/or transport of concrete are provided herein. Moreover, if the temperature of the added water is known, and the quantity of concrete is also known, the sudden difference in temperature can be correlated to a volume of added water.
A method and system for system for rapidly determining the predicted strength of concrete prior to pouring the concrete is disclosed herein. The system and process provides for a database storing concrete family characteristics that may be updated as actual strength of poured concrete is determined. The process also allows construction workers to pour concrete with a keener knowledge of the resulting concrete strength.
B28C 5/00 - Apparatus or methods for producing mixtures of cement with other substances, e.g. slurries, mortars, porous or fibrous compositions
B28C 7/02 - Controlling the operation of the mixing
B28C 7/04 - Supplying or proportioning the ingredients
B28C 9/04 - General arrangement or layout of plant the plant being mobile
C04B 40/00 - Processes, in general, for influencing or modifying the properties of mortars, concrete or artificial stone compositions, e.g. their setting or hardening ability
55.
SYSTEM AND PROCESS FOR MIXING CONCRETE HAVING DESIRED STRENGTH CHARACTERISTICS
A method and system for system for rapidly determining the predicted strength of concrete prior to pouring the concrete is disclosed herein. The system and process provides for a database storing concrete family characteristics that may be updated as actual strength of poured concrete is determined. The process also allows construction workers to pour concrete with a keener knowledge of the resulting concrete strength.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Computer software for use on handhelds, tablets and other mobile computing devices, namely, software for order creation, electronic signature capture, dispatch, messaging, credit card payment processing, and managing or receiving alerts, notifications, messages, reports relating to order creation or management; Computer software for the field of construction materials and distribution, to manage order and ticket related transactional data, and produce notifications and reports; Computer e-commerce software to allow users to perform electronic business transactions via a global computer network
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Computer software for use on handhelds, tablets and other mobile computing devices, namely, software for generating and tracking sales quotes and forecasts, for tracking customers and prospects, for managing sales activities, and for estimating costs and expenses; Computer software for the field of construction materials and distribution, to manage job, project, and quote related transactional data, provide statistical analysis, and product notifications and reports; Computer software for use in customer relationship management (CRM); Computer e-commerce software to allow users to perform electronic business transactions via a global computer network
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Computer software for use in permitting customers to view and receive information and notifications regarding orders, deliveries, and account information; Computer software for the field of construction materials and distribution, to manage order, delivery, and account related transactional data, and produce notifications and reports; Computer software for use in customer relationship management (CRM); Computer e-commerce software to allow users to perform electronic business transactions via a global computer network
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Computer software, namely, software programs for monitoring logistics, equipment status, information about vehicular assets in the concrete industry, and information about production processes in the concrete industry; software programs for remotely accessing server-based information and computing platforms in the concrete industry
60.
Probe and method for obtaining rheological property value
The probe can include a base and a resistance member extending from the base and onto which a resistance pressure is imparted by a rheological substance when the resistance member is submerged and moved therein. Rheological properties can be obtained using values indicative of the resistance pressure both in a low speed range and in a high speed range.
B28C 7/00 - Controlling the operation of apparatus for producing mixtures of clay or cement with other substancesSupplying or proportioning the ingredients for mixing clay or cement with other substancesDischarging the mixture
G01N 11/14 - Investigating flow properties of materials, e.g. viscosity or plasticityAnalysing materials by determining flow properties by moving a body within the material by using rotary bodies, e.g. vane
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
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Computer software and hardware for use in materials monitoring within the concrete, bulk and construction materials industries; computer hardware and software for measuring and managing the composition of a load of concrete; computer hardware and software for tracking, recordation and reconciling of sources of water with respect to a load of concrete
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
computer hardware and computer software that provides concrete producers vehicle status signaling, text messaging, and concrete reporting and management system
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
computer software, namely, software used by customers of concrete manufacturers to track and monitor order information, account information, and delivery information with respect to concrete products
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
computer software, namely, software used by concrete manufacturers to track and monitor order, account, dispatching, location, and delivery information with respect to concrete products
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Computer software, namely, dispatching software used by concrete producers for (1) recording and tracking job quotation information, (2) producing, recording, and tracking order entries and ticketing, (3) scheduling concrete deliveries, and (4) tracking, monitoring, and recording concrete delivery truck movement and activity; computer hardware and computer software designed to control the mixture of ingredients used in the concrete production process
