Concrete Water Metering Segmentation and Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to accurately measure and record the total water added to a concrete load in a concrete truck mixer drum, particularly distinguishing between water added to the mixing drum and water used for external purposes, which can lead to inconsistencies in concrete quality and accountability.
Innovation Solution
A system with check valves and a metering apparatus that connects to both an external water supply and the truck's water tank, allowing separate recording of water added to the drum and water used for external washing, ensuring accurate measurement and compliance with mix design specifications without increasing delivery time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If water is added to the concrete drum using an external hose at the slump rack, then the driver can wash the truck and add water to adjust slump, but it is difficult to track which truck the water went to and whether the water was added to the concrete drum or used to wash the exterior of the truck
Solution Approach 1:
The water supply system is segmented into separate metered lines for washing and for adding water to the drum. Each segment has its own meter, allowing independent tracking of water usage for each purpose. This segmentation enables the system to distinguish between water used for washing versus water added to concrete, resolving the tracking problem while maintaining operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
Meters are introduced as intermediary devices between the water supply and the truck. These meters act as mediators that measure and record water flow, providing information about water usage without interfering with the driver's ability to wash the truck or add water to the drum. The meters translate physical water flow into measurable data for tracking.
2Adaptability or versatility
If water is added from the truck tank, then the driver can adjust slump during transit or at the jobsite, but the water may be used for purposes other than adjusting the concrete such as cleaning chutes and tools
Solution Approach 1:
The water measurement system is segmented into separate metered outlets: one for adding water to the drum and another for external uses like cleaning. This segmentation allows the system to track water used for concrete adjustment separately from water used for cleaning purposes, maintaining measurement precision while preserving the driver's flexibility to use water for multiple purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The metering system provides feedback about water usage quantities to the driver or monitoring system. This feedback mechanism allows tracking of water added to the drum versus water used for cleaning, enabling accountability while maintaining the adaptability to add water at different locations and times based on slump requirements.
3Measurement precision
If a meter is installed on the hose to measure water added to the drum, then water usage can be tracked, but the hose is common for all trucks so it is difficult to track which truck the water went to
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single shared hose and meter for all trucks, the system is segmented to provide separate metered water lines at the slump rack. Each truck receives water through its own dedicated metered connection when positioned at the rack, allowing both accurate measurement and identification of which truck received water. This eliminates the ambiguity of shared resource tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The metering apparatus acts as an intermediary between the water supply and individual trucks. By positioning meters at the point where water is delivered to each truck at the slump rack, the system mediates the water distribution process, ensuring that each truck's water usage is measured and recorded separately, thereby maintaining both measurement precision and truck identification.
4Adaptability or versatility
If water is added after pouring has started, then the purchaser is typically responsible for any negative consequences, but the ready mix concrete supplier is typically responsible for consequences of water added prior to delivery on the jobsite
Solution Approach 1:
The metering system provides feedback not only about water quantity but also about when water is added during the delivery cycle. By recording timestamps and locations of water additions, the system creates an accountability trail that distinguishes between water added before delivery (supplier responsibility) and water added after pouring starts (purchaser responsibility). This feedback mechanism resolves the accountability issue while maintaining timing flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The metering and recording system serves as an intermediary that objectively records water addition events with timestamps and locations. This intermediary documentation provides neutral evidence for determining responsibility, eliminating disputes about when and where water was added, while preserving the operational flexibility to add water at various stages based on slump requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, system, and method for metering the total water added to a concrete load contained in a concrete truck mixing drum. The apparatus includes a coupling for connecting an external water supply, at least two check valves to enable water to be added from either the external water supply or a water tank onboard the truck, and a meter for recording water added to the concrete drum. Separate hoses may be provided for adding water to the drum and for supplying water for use outside the concrete drum.