Slump Calculation via Rotational and Hydraulic Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile concrete mixing trucks face challenges in accurately calculating and reporting slump, leading to inefficient concrete delivery due to unscientific addition of liquid components, and issues with cold weather management, resulting in structural strength issues and economic losses.
Innovation Solution
A system equipped with rotational and hydraulic sensors to calculate slump, a processor to manage liquid component addition, and configurations for cold weather operation, including sensors and communication systems compatible with industry standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If liquid component is added by guessing and experience, then the operation is simple and quick, but the manufacturing precision of concrete mix composition deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/manual method of guessing water addition with an automated sensor-based system. Sensors detect drum rotation speed and hydraulic pressure, and a processor calculates the precise amount of liquid component needed, eliminating manual guessing while maintaining ease of operation through automatic control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors drum rotation speed and hydraulic pressure during mixing, uses this feedback to calculate current slump, and automatically adjusts liquid component addition to maintain target slump. This closed-loop feedback ensures precise control of concrete mix composition.
2Ease of operation
If slump tests are performed and extra liquid component is added, then the concrete mix achieves required workability, but the loss of time increases due to return trips to depot
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculation of liquid component requirements before mixing begins, based on sensor data from the drum and hydraulic system. This allows the correct amount of liquid to be added initially, preventing the need for later corrections and return trips to the depot.
Solution Approach 2:
The concrete mixing truck is equipped with self-diagnostic capabilities through sensors that monitor mixing parameters in real-time. The system automatically calculates and adjusts liquid component addition, enabling the truck to self-correct mix composition without external intervention or return trips to the depot.
3Ease of operation
If excess liquid component is added to correct slump, then the concrete mix achieves required workability, but the loss of substance increases due to wasted liquid component
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors hydraulic pressure and drum rotation speed to calculate current slump in real-time, allowing precise control of liquid component addition. This feedback mechanism ensures the exact amount of liquid needed is added, preventing waste while maintaining required workability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts liquid component addition based on real-time sensor data regarding drum rotation speed and hydraulic pressure. By changing the addition parameters based on actual mixing conditions, the system achieves precise control and minimizes liquid component waste while ensuring proper concrete workability.
4Manufacturing precision
If sensors are added to calculate slump, then the manufacturing precision of slump calculation improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensors serve multiple functions: they monitor drum rotation speed, detect hydraulic pressure, and provide data for slump calculation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving precise slump measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex manual measurement and testing procedures with electronic sensors and automated processing. This substitution simplifies the overall system by eliminating the need for physical slump tests and manual calculations, despite adding sensors, because the electronic system integrates multiple functions into a unified automated process.
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 system ensures precise slump calculation and reporting, improving concrete delivery efficiency, maintaining structural strength, and managing cold weather conditions effectively, thus enhancing operational economics.
Implementation Method 1
a rotational sensor mounted to the mixing drum and configured to sense a rotational speed of the mixing drum
Implementation Method 2
a hydraulic sensor coupled to the hydraulic drive and configured to sense a hydraulic pressure required to turn the mixing drum
Data Source
AI summary
A system for calculating and reporting slump in a delivery vehicle having a mixing drum 14 and hydraulic drive 16 for rotating the mixing drum, including a rotational sensor 20 configured to sense a rotational speed of the mixing drum, a hydraulic sensor 22 coupled to the hydraulic drive and configured to sense a hydraulic pressure required to turn the mixing drum, and a communications port 26 configured to communicate a slump calculation to a status system 28 commonly used in the concrete industry, wherein the sensing of the rotational speed of the mixing drum is used to qualify a calculation of current slump based on the hydraulic pressure required to turn the mixing drum.