Abstract: Process and system for managing a mix design catalog of a concrete producer that involves collecting slump curve data obtained during in-transit monitoring of delivered concrete loads made from a plurality of various mix designs, wherein each mix design is identified by a different identification code (regardless of whether components are different), clustering slump curve data having same movement characteristics according to assigned strength value, and selecting a mix design to produce, to display, or both to produce and to display, from among the two or more slump data curves of individual mix designs within the same data curve cluster. The selection is based on same movement characteristic and assigned strength value, and at least one factor relative to cost, performance, physical aspect, quality, or other characteristic of the concrete mix or its components. Exemplary methods for generating new mix designs are also set forth.

Abstract: A mixing drum drive includes first, second, and third rotational speed reduction stages, an electric motor having a length similar to its diameter, a component for fastening the electric motor, and a bearing by which a component for fastening a mixing drum is rotatable. A component with a gear of the first rotational speed reduction stage is configured to be driven by the electric motor and a further component with a gear of the first rotational speed reduction stage drives a component with a gear of the second rotational speed reduction stage. A further component with a gear of the second rotational speed reduction stage drives a component with a gear of the third rotational speed reduction stage and a further component with a gear of the third rotational speed reduction stage drives the component for fastening the mixing drum.

Abstract: A cleaning system is disclosed for cleaning concrete residue from a concrete mixer truck. The cleaning system may include a water delivery system having one or more conduits configured to deliver pressurized water to one or more spray headers positioned at various back-end portions of the truck. The cleaning system further includes one or more valves configured to control the flow of pressurized water through the one or more conduits to the one or more spray headers. In various embodiments, the one or more valves are manually operable to control the release of water to the spray headers. In other embodiments, the one or more valves are controlled by a computing device through an electrical coupling such as a communication bus. The cleaning system may be configured to clean different portions of the truck using different sets of spray headers at different times as part of a washing protocol.

Abstract: Method and system for motoring and obtaining information about quantity and characteristics of cementitious material In a rotating mixing drum. The present invention involves analysis of a sequence of values corresponding to a waveform reflecting the hydraulic pressure required to turn a concrete mixing drum at successive instances during rotation. Preferred embodiments involve the conversion of this time-domain data into the frequency-domain. Behavior of multiple harmonics can be examined in real time and further information obtained regarding physical properties of the concrete. Rheology or other properties can be adjusted by introducing a liquid into the concrete, based on a comparison between time-domain and/or frequency-domain values derived from a sample concrete in the drum and previously stored time-domain and/or frequency-domain values, which are preferably correlated with physical characteristics of concrete, such as slump, slump flow, load weight, and other factors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drum drive for a truck mixer with a vehicle drive train and a mixing drum, wherein the drum drive can be driven by at least one electric motor.

Abstract: A concrete mixing apparatus having a truck, an engine, a frame, and a drum rotatably associated with the truck automates the need for increasing the throttle on the primary power source to increase speed of the secondary system so that the speed of rotation of the drum may be increased to a desired level. The apparatus is equipped to set speed of rotation of the drum, count rotations of the drum and set time of rotation of the drum based on a signal sent from a sensor. The truck may include a push button operation for selecting “mix” or “maintain” or “pour” or some other function which selection automatically causes the apparatus to rotate the drum at a predetermined speed and/or for a predetermined time.

Abstract: A system for managing a concrete 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, a temperature sensor for sensing temperature of the 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. Temperature readings are further used to qualify or evaluate a load. Also, water purge connections facilitate cold weather operation.

Abstract: A concrete batch plant is disclosed including a frame and a transit mixer drum having an open end and a closed end. The drum is configured to be utilized both with the concrete batch plant and on a transit mixer truck. The drum may be pivotally coupled to the frame of the concrete batch plant for movement between a first position in which the open end is positioned to receive cement from a cement supply and to receive aggregate from an aggregate supply and a second position in which the open end is positioned to discharge the mixed cement and aggregate. Further, the drum may be a polymeric drum including an interior surface formed by a plurality of complementary molded helical polymeric sections joined along a helical seam.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drum drive for a truck mixer with a vehicle drive train and a mixing drum, wherein the drum drive can be driven by at least one electric motor.

Abstract: A composite, heavy duty rotary concrete mixing drum (16) for coupling to a vehicle having a drivetrain (18) for rotating the drum (16) comprises a wall and a drive ring. The wall defines a first end of the drum and a second end of the drum. The drive ring (39) is coupled to the first end of the drum and includes a hub (108, 252) and a plurality of extensions (110, 254). The hub is operatively coupled to the drivetrain. The plurality of extensions (110, 254) extend outwardly from the hub (108, 252) into the wall of the drum. At least one of the extensions includes an aperture (121, 126) extending therethrough. Rotation of the hub by the second drivetrain causes rotation of the drum.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for improving the operational performance of a moving cement mixer vehicle with a rotatable mixing drum by automatically stopping the rotation of the mixing drum at select moments. The system may include a sensor adapted to deliver a signal indicative of an operational parameter, such as steering angle of the vehicle, and a processing unit adapted to receive the signal from the sensor and deliver a control signal based on the signal for stopping rotation of the mixing drum.

Abstract: A system for routing telephone calls from a calling party instrument to a called party instrument and involving at least one internet protocol network includes: (a) a first internet protocol interface apparatus effecting a first communicative coupling between the calling party instrument and the at least one internet protocol network; (b) a second internet protocol interface apparatus effecting routing telephone calls according to routing criteria to establish a second communicative coupling between the at least one internet protocol network and the called party instrument; and (c) a call routing system apparatus coupled with the second internet protocol interface apparatus and storing information relating to a geographical or geospatial relationship of calling party instruments and called party instruments. The second internet protocol interface apparatus and the call routing system apparatus cooperate to establish the routing criteria.

Abstract: An auxiliary control station for a rear dispensing concrete truck that controls the truck's steering, braking, and throttle. A seat with controls accessible from the seat may be positioned outside of the cab, such as to allow control of the truck from a position with an unobstructed view of the rear of the truck. The concrete dispensing chute may be modified so as to allow mechanical control of the left and right swing of the chute. The auxiliary control station also controls the drum and positioning of the chute.

Abstract: An automated apparatus for preparing material samples includes a rotatable drum support assembly, a drum rotatably contacting the drum support assembly, a fan, and a powered drive mechanism. The drum includes a hollow main section and first and second hollow end sections attached to the main section. The first hollow end section includes a first end wall tapering to a first outer aperture. The second hollow end section includes a second end wall tapering to a second outer aperture. The fan is mounted approximate to the first outer aperture for establishing forced air flow through the drum toward the second outer aperture. The drive mechanism rotatably communicates with the drum support assembly for rotating the drum. The apparatus is useful for preparing samples such as paving materials for test such as the determination of specific gravity and absorption.

Abstract: A system for controlling the speed of an engine in a vocational application is implemented within a mobile cement mixer. The system permits operation of the engine at a high rpm PTO speed to drive the mixing drum at a recommended speed for optimal full mixing of aggregate within the drum. The system maintains the engine at this high rpm only for a predetermined time period necessary for full mixing. After expiration of the time period, the system directs the engine governor to drop the engine speed to low idle, thereby preventing overworking of the cement, reducing the abrasive effect of the aggregate on the interior of the mixing drum, and improving engine fuel economy. In one embodiment, the system permits operator entry of drum rotation speed and total drum revolutions, which are then used to calculate the time period value.

Abstract: A mobile cement mixer is provided with a programmed controller that automatically causes the mixing of concrete to follow a predefined mixing regime that is interruptable by an operator but will resume the mixing regime at the appropriate stage.

Abstract: A combination continuous/batch asphalt plant includes mechanisms and controls which permit it to be hot-stopped when operating in the continuous mode.

Abstract: A tandem waterwheel type trommel apparatus having a laterally-disposed drain-off drum and a laterally-disposed classifying drum combined through a short pipe to form a main body, which is rotatably disposed on a base and is connected to a drive unit. A front end plate and a rear end plate each having a doughnut-like shape are respectively provided at the front and rear ends the drain-off drum. A plurality of buckets are provided in the drain-off drum, and gutters are provided on the back side of upper end portions of the buckets. The gutters communicate with drain holes formed in the rear end plate. A fixed shoot is provided which extends through the drain-off drum to the classifying drum. The classifying drum has a cylindrical portion and a truncated-cone portion. A circumferential member of truncated-cone portion is made porous while a circumferential member of the cylindrical portion is formed of a wire netting. A screw is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion.

Abstract: A drive and bearing arrangement for a rotatable member such as a concrete mixing drum has a first drive mechanism for providing a rotational drive force to the drum, a primary bearing coupled to the primary drive mechanism and the drum for supporting an end of the drum, an auxiliary bearing for selectively and alternatively supporting the end of the drum in the event of failure of the primary bearing, and an auxiliary drive mechanism for providing a drive force to the drum when the end of the drum is supported by the auxiliary bearing. In one embodiment, the arrangement includes a drive flange coupled to the output of a transmission which includes the primary bearing, and a driven flange which is coupled to the rotatable drum. Auxiliary bearings are provided between the first and second flanges. A removable locking element is provided to rigidly lock the drive and driven flanges together when the primary bearing is rotatably supporting the end of the drum.

Abstract: In the case of a mixer for constructional materials or the like, comprising a driven drum which is rotatably mounted on a yoke pivoting on a frame and is able to be driven by means of a frame-mounted drive device including an air-cooled electric motor which is arranged in an encapsulating means, provided with a switch and plug unit and having an air intake opening and an air outlet opening and which is adapted via a countershaft to drive a drive shaft which is associated with the drum and whose axis of rotation is in alignment with the pivot axis of the yoke, wherein the encapsulating means is constituted by a housing means accommodating the motor and the countershaft transmission, and having an air intake opening in communication with a flow reversing intake duct and whose outlet opening leads into a spent air duct which ends outside the housing means and is designed to prevent access therethrough, simple and low-cost means are utilized to ensure that the mixer has a comparatively high degree of safety and e

Abstract: A small mixer vehicle structured as a trailer has clutching mechanics for frictionally revolving a rotatable drum during towing and for both manual and powered auxiliary drum turning when the trailer is parked. For manual drum turning, an attachable crank is provided. The crank attachment also accepts connection by a hydraulic motor which is remotely powered by an auxiliary pump. The trailer drum support structure has mechanics for placing the drum in a tilted position for unloading and for returning the drum to a horizontal towing position. A tow bar attached to the trailer includes adjustable mechanics for leveling the trailer.

Abstract: An aggregate collecting apparatus. A meter which measures the gross weight of the rotary drum is linked to the speed change gear for the rotary drum in such a manner as to be operationally connectable therewith so that the speed of rotation of the drum can be varied in accordance with variations in the amount of sludge charged in the drum. The upstream and downstream edges of a trommel in the rotary drum are intermittently twisted in each of opposite directions so that gravel clogging the trommel is automatically removed.

Abstract: A trailer for transporting and mixing concrete or similar products, comprising a wheeled frame and a mixing drum mounted to the wheeled frame for rotation in a first direction for mixing concrete and in a second direction for discharging concrete from the drum. A unidirectional driving connection is provided between a wheel of the frame and the mixing drum for rotating the drum in the concrete mixing direction as a result of movement of the wheeled frame. An electric motor is also provided on the frame for rotating the drum in the concrete discharging direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a concrete mixer truck having a mixer drum adapted to be rotated by the traction motor of the vehicle through an auxiliary transmission of the traction motor transmission. It is an object of the invention to ensure that the power supplied by the traction motor is effectively available for traction purposes under conditions of increased power demand, such as starting and accelerating, and/or that the torque of the mixer drum does not interfere with gear shift operations. To this effect the invention provides a control means adapted to disconnect the mixer drum rotating transmission from the traction motor transmission during predetermined travel conditions, i.e. under conditions defined by an increased power demand for locomotion of the vehicle. Also included in these conditions is each gear shift operation, as at this instance the torque of the mixer drum is prevented from influencing the rotary speed of the speed shift transmission.

Abstract: A light weight, inexpensive rotary drum mixing device is provided in which an essentially pear shaped drum, open at the small end and having an axially elongated socket at the large end, is rotatably supported on a unitary base having a transversely extended forward end and an upwardly and angularly extending rear end providing a bearing portion detachably engageable with said socket to rotatably support the drum at an inclination of about 35.degree., readily engageable means on the bearing portion and socket for preventing unintended axial movement, the forward end of the frame being slightly forward of the center of gravity of the rotatably supported drum to firmly support the same as drum contents are being mixed by rotation of the drum, and providing a pivot fulcrum for tilting the assemblage to discharge contents of the drum, and groove means adjacent the large end of the drum facilitating application of circumferential force to impart controlled rotation to the drum.

Abstract: A control system is provided for a garbage truck with a revolving receptacle having an adjusting pump which is remotely controlled by a control card having special control characteristics for the hydraulic system.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a compact variable height, concrete truck having a concrete mixing barrel which may be positioned in a raised position for maximum load transportation and concrete mixing and pouring, and which may be positioned in a lowered position for reduced load tranportation and concrete mixing and pouring and for low clearance truck storage. The raising and lowering of the barrel is performed by an elevation device mounted at the rear of the truck which causes the barrel to be pivoted in a vertical plane about a pivot point at the lower end of the barrel. Lock apparatus are provided for supporting the barrel in both a raised and a lowered position.

Abstract: A light weight, inexpensive rotary drum mixing device is provided in which an essentially pear shaped drum, open at the small end and having an axially elongated socket protruding from the large end, is rotatably supported on a unitary base having a transversely extended forward end and an upwardly and angularly extending rear end providing a bearing portion detachably engageable with said socket to rotatably support the drum at an inclination of about 35.degree., readily engageable means on the bearing portion and socket for preventing unintended axial movement, the forward end of the frame being slightly forward of the center of gravity of the rotatably supported drum to firmly support the same as drum contents are being mixed by rotation of the drum, and providing a pivot fulcrum for tilting the assemblage to discharge contents of the drum, and means externally of the drum facilitating application of circumferential force to impart controlled rotation to the drum.

Abstract: A portable concrete mixing and transport device comprises a trailer having wheels and a drum supported above the wheels, said drum being movable into and out of engagement with the wheels. Concrete mix carried in the drum is agitated by pulling the trailer with the drum in contact with the wheels, causing the drum to rotate. The drum may be tilted to allow pouring of the mix. The device allows for convenient and inexpensive transport and mixing of small quantities of concrete.

Abstract: A rotary drum comprising a bearing ring loosely arranged on the drum shell and spacer plates arranged between the ring and the shell, a pair of elements for axially holding a spacer plate in position being provided at one end of each spacer plate, one retaining element being arranged on the drum shell and the other retaining element being arranged on the spacer plate. This construction enables the spacer plates to be readily replaced and the radial clearance to be changed without any need to loosen a retaining element fixed on the drum shell.

Abstract: A concrete mixer drive for a hand wheeled barrow type of mixer, the drive comprising an electric motor mounted on the main supporting bearing of the mixer bowl, and a multiple reduction belt drive from the motor to a pinion driving the main bowl.

Abstract: A rotary drum for the heat treatment of bulk goods, with the drum being mounted by means of thrust rings. Wedges are arranged on the outer periphery of the shell of the rotary drum, the wedges being disposed opposite to one another at a spacing corresponding approximately to the width of the thrust ring. Those inclined surfaces of the wedges which inclined surfaces face toward each other cooperate with insert pieces, the insert pieces being fastened on the thrust ring and being provided with counterwedge surfaces. The inclined surfaces of the wedges and the counterwedge surfaces are arranged on the outer periphery of the shell of the rotary drum successively flip symmetrically.

Abstract: A mixer particularly designed for light, domestic use is provided. The mixer includes a base frame, a mixing drum, and a handle, all of which are readily assembled and disassembled for easy transportation, even in an automobile. The drum is supported on the base frame with a three-point suspension, including an axle rotatably carried by the base frame and two rollers on the base frame which engage the drum in a position spaced from the axle toward a discharge opening of the drum. The drum is of one-piece construction and has a ring gear formed of integral, circumjacent teeth, with the axis of rotation of the drum and the gear being at an angle to the horizontal. An electric motor is mounted on the base frame directly below the drum and has a drive shaft parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum and gear with a pinion gear engagable with the integral, circumjacent drum teeth. The drum can be readily lifted off the base frame and the handle also can separated therefrom.

Abstract: A gear guard is provided and specifically a guard for a pinion gear which meshes with a larger gear. The guard is specifically designed for use with a cement mixer and includes a U-shaped portion extending around part of the pinion gear and an elongate portion extending therefrom along a ring gear on the mixing drum in a direction from the U-shaped portion opposite to the direction in which the ring gear rotates.

Abstract: A switch harness is provided for a cement mixer. The cement mixer has a motor housing which encloses an electric motor and the drive components for the mixer drum. A switch harness is located in the housing and includes an on-off motor switch which is accessible outside of the housing. The harness also has a power cord extending outside the housing for connection with an extension cord. The switch harness has an electrical outlet within the housing for receiving the motor cord.

Abstract: A device for driving and supporting the drum of a concrete mixer truck comprises a casing fixedly mounted on the truck chassis by stud bolts, and a driving shaft connected in driving relationship with the drum by a universal coupling consisting of a driving member concentrically connected to the driving shaft and rotatably supported through a self-aligning roller bearing by the casing, and a driven member fixed to the drum and in driving engagement with the driving member with a spherical bearing disposed therebetween. All the driven member, self-aligning roller bearing and spherical bushing are concentrically arranged to rotate about a common center of rotation, and the connecting means is arranged on a reference plane in which the center of rotation lies.

Abstract: A system and method to control concrete production employs a loading station and a mixing truck having a rotatable mixing drum for travelling between the loading station and a job site. A control system is provided to insure that properly proportional ingredients loaded into the mixing drum at the loading station are mixed for a predetermined appropriate programmable interval of time, whether the mixing truck remains at the loading station or is in transit to the job site. The control system comprises a first portion installed at the loading station and a second portion mounted on the mixing truck, which portions are coupled together when the mixing truck is at the loading station. The first portion of the control system comprises a first time switch unit for controlling the entire time cycle (loading time and mixing time) in a first program and a second time switch unit for controlling only the loading time in a second program.

Abstract: A portable concrete mixing and transport device comprises a trailer having wheels and a drum supported above the wheels, said drum being movable into and out of engagement with the wheels. Concrete mix carried in the drum is agitated by pulling the trailer with the drum in contact with the wheels, causing the drum to rotate. The drum may be tilted to allow pouring of the mix. The device allows for convenient and inexpensive transport and mixing of small quantities of concrete.