Mobile Lance Assembly for Liquid Nitrogen Cooling of Concrete Mixtures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for cooling concrete mixtures are costly, labor-intensive, and pose safety concerns, while traditional injection systems are cumbersome and expensive, damaging truck mixer drums.
Innovation Solution
A mobile apparatus with a pivotally attached arm support assembly, an arm assembly, and a lance assembly that can be inserted into a cement mixer to introduce liquid nitrogen for cooling the concrete mixture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional cooling methods (refrigeration units, ice, or cryogenic liquid mixed with water) are used, then the concrete can be cooled to achieve required strength, but the process becomes costly, time-consuming, and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of liquid nitrogen from liquid to gas state when introduced into the concrete mixture. This phase change absorbs heat efficiently, cooling the concrete without requiring mixing with water. The liquid nitrogen evaporates directly within the mixture, providing rapid cooling while maintaining concrete integrity and avoiding the inefficiencies of conventional methods.
2Temperature
If stationary injectors are used for introducing cryogenic liquid into the mixer drum, then injection can be achieved, but structural adjustments are required for different mixer sizes and the system becomes cumbersome and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic, movable injection system that can be positioned and adjusted to accommodate different mixer drum sizes and configurations. Rather than requiring structural adjustments to stationary injectors, the system uses movable components that can be dynamically repositioned, simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining adaptability across various concrete mixer types.
Solution Approach 2:
The injection apparatus is designed with universal applicability to work with different sizes and types of concrete mixer drums. The system incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable components that allow a single device to serve multiple functions across various mixer configurations, eliminating the need for specialized stationary injectors for each mixer size.
3Temperature
If traditional injection systems are used, then cryogenic liquid can be introduced into the mixer, but the systems increase the potential damage to the truck mixer drum
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates protective measures in the injection system design that cushion against potential damage to the mixer drum. The injection apparatus is designed to control the introduction of cryogenic liquid, preventing direct contact that could cause thermal shock or mechanical damage to the drum. Protective barriers and controlled delivery mechanisms are built into the system beforehand to prevent harmful effects.
4Temperature
If ice is used as a partial replacement for water in mixing, then cooling can be achieved, but the concrete's characteristics such as slump measurement are negatively impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cooling function from the water component of the concrete mixture. Instead of cooling the water before mixing or using ice that would alter the mixture composition and characteristics, the system introduces liquid nitrogen separately as a dedicated cooling agent. This separation allows cooling to occur without interfering with the concrete's compositional stability or characteristics such as slump measurement.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The mobile apparatus efficiently and safely cools concrete mixtures, reducing costs and labor, while being transportable and adaptable to different mixer sizes without damaging the equipment.
Implementation Method 1
the lance assembly is configured to move along the arm assembly, and wherein the lance assembly is configured to fold against the arm assembly for transport
Implementation Method 2
Introducing liquid nitrogen into the concrete mixer and thereby mixing with the cement mixture
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for cooling a concrete mixture, including a mobile base, and an arm support assembly. The arm support assembly is pivotally attached to the mobile base, and wherein the arm support assembly is configured to fold against the mobile base for transport. An arm assembly, wherein the arm assembly is configured to move along the arm support assembly, and wherein the arm assembly is configured to fold against the arm support assembly for transport. A lance assembly, wherein the lance assembly is configured to be inserted into a cement mixer, wherein the lance assembly is configured to fold against the arm assembly for transport. A method for cooling a concrete mixture, including positioning the lance and cement truck to enter the opening of a cement truck. Inserting the lance into the cement truck and introducing liquid nitrogen into the concrete mixer and thereby mixing with the cement mixture.