Patent Publication Number: US-2021162630-A1

Title: Concrete buildup detection

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/555,348, filed Aug. 29, 2019, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/727,898, filed Sep. 6, 2018, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Concrete mixer vehicles are configured to receive, mix, and transport wet concrete or a combination of ingredients that when mixed form wet concrete to a job site. Concrete mixer vehicles include a rotatable mixer drum that mixes the concrete disposed therein. 
     SUMMARY 
     One embodiment relates to a concrete mixer system. The concrete mixer system includes a control system. The control system includes one or more processors and one or more memory devices. The one or more memory devices store instructions thereon that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: store a baseline pressure of a working fluid and a temperature threshold for the working fluid, provide a first input to a drum drive system to rotate a drum of a concrete mixer at a first speed where the drum drive system includes a fluid pump driven by an engine to provide the working fluid to a fluid motor fluidly coupled to the fluid pump to rotate the drum, acquire temperature data from a temperature sensor indicative of a current temperature of the working fluid as the drum rotates at the first speed, provide a second input to the drum drive system to rotate the drum at a second speed greater than the first speed in response to the current temperature being greater than or equal to the temperature threshold, acquire pressure data from a pressure sensor indicative of a current pressure of the working fluid as the drum rotates at the second speed, and provide a buildup notification indicating that there is a buildup of drum contents within the drum in response to a difference between the baseline pressure and the current pressure exceeding a threshold differential. 
     Another embodiment relates to a concrete mixer system. The concrete mixer system includes a control system. The control system includes one or more processors and one or more memory devices. The one or more memory devices store instructions thereon that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: provide a first input to a drum drive system to rotate a drum of a concrete mixer at a target speed while the drum is empty and clean, acquire operating data regarding an operating characteristic of the drum drive system to determine a baseline operating characteristic of the drum drive system in response to the first input, provide a second input to the drum drive system to rotate the drum at the target speed following one or more uses of the concrete mixer and while the drum is empty, acquire the operating data regarding the operating characteristic of the drum drive system to determine a current operating characteristic of the drum drive system in response to the second input, and provide a buildup notification indicating that there is a buildup of drum contents within the drum in response to a difference between the baseline operating characteristic and the current operating characteristic exceeding a threshold differential. 
     Still another embodiment relates to a method for detecting concrete buildup in a concrete mixer. The method includes providing, by a control system, a first input to a drum drive system of the concrete mixer to rotate a drum of the concrete mixer at a target speed while the drum is empty and clean; acquiring, by the control system from a sensor, first operating data regarding operation of the drum drive system in response to the first input to determine a baseline operating characteristic of the drum drive system; providing, by the control system, a second input to the drum drive system to rotate the drum at the target speed following one or more uses of the concrete mixer and while the drum is empty; acquiring, by the control system, second operating data regarding operation of the drum drive system in response to the second input to determine a current operating characteristic of the drum drive system; and providing, by the control system, a buildup notification indicating that there is a buildup of drum contents within the drum in response to a difference between the baseline operating characteristic and the current operating characteristic exceeding a threshold differential. 
     This summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, inventive features, and advantages of the devices or processes described herein will become apparent in the detailed description set forth herein, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a concrete mixer truck with a drum assembly and a control system, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a detailed side view of the drum assembly of the concrete mixer truck of  FIG. 1 , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of a drum drive system of the concrete mixer truck of  FIG. 1 , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a power flow diagram for the concrete mixer truck of  FIG. 1  having a drum drive system that is selectively coupled to a transmission with a clutch, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of a drum drive system of the concrete mixer truck of  FIG. 1 , according to another exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a first graphical user interface provided by an interface of the concrete mixer truck of  FIG. 1 , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a second graphical user interface provided by an interface of the concrete mixer truck of  FIG. 1 , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is a graph illustrating a calibration test performed by the drum drive systems of  FIGS. 3 and 5 , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is a graph illustrating a buildup detection test performed by the drum drive systems of  FIGS. 3 and 5 , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is a first notification provided by the drum drive systems of  FIGS. 3 and 5 , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  is a second notification provided by the drum drive systems of  FIGS. 3 and 5 , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  is a third notification provided by the drum drive systems of  FIG. 3 , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 13  is a method for performing a calibration test using the drum drive systems of  FIGS. 3 and 5 , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 14  is a method for performing a buildup detection test using the drum drive systems of  FIGS. 3 and 5 , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before turning to the figures, which illustrate certain exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, a concrete mixer vehicle includes a drum assembly having a mixer drum, a drum drive system, and a drum control system. The drum control system may be configured to perform a calibration test while the mixer drum is empty and clean to determine a baseline operating characteristic (e.g., a baseline pressure, a baseline voltage, a baseline current, etc.) of the drum drive system. The drum control system may be further configured to perform a buildup detection test following use of the mixer drum, but while the mixer drum is emptied of its contents (e.g., all wet concrete has been discharged, etc.) to determine a current operating characteristic (e.g., a current pressure, a current voltage, a current amount of current draw, etc.) of the drum drive system. In some embodiments, the drum control system only performs the calibration test and/or the buildup detection test if a temperature of a fluid (e.g., hydraulic fluid, etc.) within the drum drive system is above a threshold fluid temperature. In some embodiments, the drum control system only performs the calibration test and/or the buildup detection test if a temperature of a drum motor is above a threshold motor temperature. After obtaining the current operating characteristic, the drum control system is configured to determine whether a difference between the baseline operating characteristic and the current operating characteristic exceeds a predefined threshold differential and, if so, provide a notification indicating that there is concrete buildup within the mixer drum. 
     According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , a vehicle, shown as concrete mixer truck  10 , includes a drum assembly, shown as drum assembly  100 , and a control system, shown as drum control system  150 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the concrete mixer truck  10  is configured as a rear-discharge concrete mixer truck. In other embodiments, the concrete mixer truck  10  is configured as a front-discharge concrete mixer truck. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the concrete mixer truck  10  includes a chassis, shown as frame  12 , and a cab, shown as cab  14 , coupled to the frame  12  (e.g., at a front end thereof, etc.). The drum assembly  100  is coupled to the frame  12  and disposed behind the cab  14  (e.g., at a rear end thereof, etc.), according to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . In other embodiments, at least a portion of the drum assembly  100  extends in front of the cab  14 . The cab  14  may include various components to facilitate operation of the concrete mixer truck  10  by an operator (e.g., a seat, a steering wheel, hydraulic controls, a user interface, switches, buttons, dials, etc.). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 3, and 4 , the concrete mixer truck  10  includes a prime mover, shown as engine  16 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the engine  16  is coupled to the frame  12  at a position beneath the cab  14 . The engine  16  may be configured to utilize one or more of a variety of fuels (e.g., gasoline, diesel, bio-diesel, ethanol, natural gas, etc.), according to various exemplary embodiments. According to an alternative embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 5  and described in more detail herein, the prime mover additionally or alternatively includes one or more electric motors and/or generators, which may be coupled to the frame  12  (e.g., a hybrid vehicle, an electric vehicle, etc.). The electric motors may consume electrical power from an on-board storage device (e.g., batteries, ultra-capacitors, etc.), from an on-board generator (e.g., an internal combustion engine, a genset, etc.), and/or from an external power source (e.g., overhead power lines, etc.) and provide power to systems of the concrete mixer truck  10 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the concrete mixer truck  10  includes a power transfer device, shown as transmission  18 . In one embodiment, the engine  16  produces mechanical power (e.g., due to a combustion reaction, etc.) that flows into the transmission  18 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the concrete mixer truck  10  includes a first drive system, shown as vehicle drive system  20 , that is coupled to the transmission  18 . The vehicle drive system  20  may include drive shafts, differentials, and other components coupling the transmission  18  with a ground surface to move the concrete mixer truck  10 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the concrete mixer truck  10  includes a plurality of tractive elements, shown as wheels  22 , that engage a ground surface to move the concrete mixer truck  10 . In one embodiment, at least a portion of the mechanical power produced by the engine  16  flows through the transmission  18  and into the vehicle drive system  20  to power at least a portion of the wheels  22  (e.g., front wheels, rear wheels, etc.). In one embodiment, energy (e.g., mechanical energy, etc.) flows along a first power path defined from the engine  16 , through the transmission  18 , and to the vehicle drive system  20 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 and 5 , the drum assembly  100  of the concrete mixer truck  10  includes a drum, shown as mixer drum  102 . The mixer drum  102  is coupled to the frame  12  and disposed behind the cab  14  (e.g., at a rear and/or middle of the frame  12 , etc.). As shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , the drum assembly  100  includes a second drive system, shown as drum drive system  120 , that is coupled to the frame  12 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the concrete mixer truck  10  includes a first support, shown as front pedestal  106 , and a second support, shown as rear pedestal  108 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the front pedestal  106  and the rear pedestal  108  cooperatively couple (e.g., attach, secure, etc.) the mixer drum  102  to the frame  12  and facilitate rotation of the mixer drum  102  relative to the frame  12 . In an alternative embodiment, the drum assembly  100  is configured as a stand-alone mixer drum that is not coupled (e.g., fixed, attached, etc.) to a vehicle. In such an embodiment, the drum assembly  100  may be mounted to a stand-alone frame. The stand-alone frame may be a chassis including wheels that assist with the positioning of the stand-alone mixer drum on a worksite. Such a stand-alone mixer drum may also be detachably coupled to and/or capable of being loaded onto a vehicle such that the stand-alone mixer drum may be transported by the vehicle. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the mixer drum  102  defines a central, longitudinal axis, shown as axis  104 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the drum drive system  120  is configured to selectively rotate the mixer drum  102  about the axis  104 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the axis  104  is angled relative to the frame  12  such that the axis  104  intersects with the frame  12 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the axis  104  is elevated from the frame  12  at an angle in the range of five degrees to twenty degrees. In other embodiments, the axis  104  is elevated by less than five degrees (e.g., four degrees, three degrees, etc.) or greater than twenty degrees (e.g., twenty-five degrees, thirty degrees, etc.). In an alternative embodiment, the concrete mixer truck  10  includes an actuator positioned to facilitate selectively adjusting the axis  104  to a desired or target angle (e.g., manually in response to an operator input/command, automatically according to a control scheme, etc.). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the mixer drum  102  of the drum assembly  100  includes an inlet, shown as hopper  110 , and an outlet, shown as chute  112 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the mixer drum  102  is configured to receive a mixture, such as a concrete mixture (e.g., cementitious material, aggregate, sand, etc.), with the hopper  110 . The mixer drum  102  may include a mixing element (e.g., fins, etc.) positioned within the interior thereof. The mixing element may be configured to (i) agitate the contents of mixture within the mixer drum  102  when the mixer drum  102  is rotated by the drum drive system  120  in a first direction (e.g., counterclockwise, clockwise, etc.) and (ii) drive the mixture within the mixer drum  102  out through the chute  112  when the mixer drum  102  is rotated by the drum drive system  120  in an opposing second direction (e.g., clockwise, counterclockwise, etc.). 
     According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , the drum drive system is a hydraulic drum drive system. As shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , the drum drive system  120  includes a pump, shown as pump  122 ; a reservoir, shown as fluid reservoir  124 , fluidly coupled to the pump  122 ; and an actuator, shown as drum motor  126 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the pump  122  and the drum motor  126  are fluidly coupled. According to an exemplary embodiment, the drum motor  126  is a hydraulic motor, the fluid reservoir  124  is a hydraulic fluid reservoir, and the pump  122  is a hydraulic pump. The pump  122  may be configured to pump fluid (e.g., hydraulic fluid, etc.) stored within the fluid reservoir  124  to drive the drum motor  126 . 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the pump  122  is a variable displacement hydraulic pump (e.g., an axial piston pump, etc.) and has a pump stroke that is variable. The pump  122  may be configured to provide hydraulic fluid at a flow rate that varies based on the pump stroke (e.g., the greater the pump stroke, the greater the flow rate provided to the drum motor  126 , etc.). The pressure of the hydraulic fluid provided by the pump  122  may also increase in response to an increase in pump stroke (e.g., where pressure may be directly related to work load, higher flow may result in higher pressure, etc.). The pressure of the hydraulic fluid provided by the pump  122  may alternatively not increase in response to an increase in pump stroke (e.g., in instances where there is little or no work load, etc.). The pump  122  may include a throttling element (e.g., a swash plate, etc.). The pump stroke of the pump  122  may vary based on the orientation of the throttling element. In one embodiment, the pump stroke of the pump  122  varies based on an angle of the throttling element (e.g., relative to an axis along which the pistons move within the axial piston pump, etc.). By way of example, the pump stroke may be zero where the angle of the throttling element is equal to zero. The pump stroke may increase as the angle of the throttling element increases. According to an exemplary embodiment, the variable pump stroke of the pump  122  provides a variable speed range of up to about 10:1. In other embodiments, the pump  122  is configured to provide a different speed range (e.g., greater than 10:1, less than 10:1, etc.). 
     In one embodiment, the throttling element of the pump  122  is movable between a stroked position (e.g., a maximum stroke position, a partially stroked position, etc.) and a destroked position (e.g., a minimum stroke position, a partially destroked position, etc.). According to an exemplary embodiment, an actuator is coupled to the throttling element of the pump  122 . The actuator may be positioned to move the throttling element between the stroked position and the destroked position. In some embodiments, the pump  122  is configured to provide no flow, with the throttling element in a non-stroked position, in a default condition (e.g., in response to not receiving a stroke command, etc.). The throttling element may be biased into the non-stroked position. In some embodiments, the drum control system  150  is configured to provide a first command signal. In response to receiving the first command signal, the pump  122  (e.g., the throttling element by the actuator thereof, etc.) may be selectively reconfigured into a first stroke position (e.g., stroke in one direction, a destroked position, etc.). In some embodiments, the drum control system  150  is configured to additionally or alternatively provide a second command signal. In response to receiving the second command signal, the pump  122  (e.g., the throttling element by the actuator thereof, etc.) may be selectively reconfigured into a second stroke position (e.g., stroke in an opposing second direction, a stroked position, etc.). The pump stroke may be related to the position of the throttling element and/or the actuator. 
     According to another exemplary embodiment, a valve is positioned to facilitate movement of the throttling element between the stroked position and the destroked position. In one embodiment, the valve includes a resilient member (e.g., a spring, etc.) configured to bias the throttling element in the destroked position (e.g., by biasing movable elements of the valve into positions where a hydraulic circuit actuates the throttling element into the destroked positions, etc.). Pressure from fluid flowing through the pump  122  may overcome the resilient member to actuate the throttling element into the stroked position (e.g., by actuating movable elements of the valve into positions where a hydraulic circuit actuates the throttling element into the stroked position, etc.). 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the concrete mixer truck  10  includes a power takeoff unit, shown as power takeoff unit  32 , that is coupled to the transmission  18 . In another embodiment, the power takeoff unit  32  is coupled directly to the engine  16 . In one embodiment, the transmission  18  and the power takeoff unit  32  include mating gears that are in meshing engagement. A portion of the energy provided to the transmission  18  flows through the mating gears and into the power takeoff unit  32 , according to an exemplary embodiment. In one embodiment, the mating gears have the same effective diameter. In other embodiments, at least one of the mating gears has a larger diameter, thereby providing a gear reduction or a torque multiplication and increasing or decreasing the gear speed. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the power takeoff unit  32  is selectively coupled to the pump  122  with a clutch  34 . In other embodiments, the power takeoff unit  32  is directly coupled to the pump  122  (e.g., without clutch  34 , etc.). In some embodiments, the concrete mixer truck  10  does not include the clutch  34 . By way of example, the power takeoff unit  32  may be directly coupled to the pump  122  (e.g., a direct configuration, a non-clutched configuration, etc.). According to an alternative embodiment, the power takeoff unit  32  includes the clutch  34  (e.g., a hot shift PTO, etc.). In one embodiment, the clutch  34  includes a plurality of clutch discs. When the clutch  34  is engaged, an actuator forces the plurality of clutch discs into contact with one another, which couples an output of the transmission  18  with the pump  122 . In one embodiment, the actuator includes a solenoid that is electronically actuated according to a clutch control strategy. When the clutch  34  is disengaged, the pump  122  is not coupled to (i.e., is isolated from) the output of the transmission  18 . Relative movement between the clutch discs or movement between the clutch discs and another component of the power takeoff unit  32  may be used to decouple the pump  122  from the transmission  18 . 
     In one embodiment, energy flows along a second power path defined from the engine  16 , through the transmission  18  and the power takeoff unit  32 , and into the pump  122  when the clutch  34  is engaged. When the clutch  34  is disengaged, energy flows from the engine  16 , through the transmission  18 , and into the power takeoff unit  32 . The clutch  34  selectively couples the pump  122  to the engine  16 , according to an exemplary embodiment. In one embodiment, energy along the first flow path is used to drive the wheels  22  of the concrete mixer truck  10 , and energy along the second flow path is used to operate the drum drive system  120  (e.g., power the pump  122 , etc.). By way of example, the clutch  34  may be engaged such that energy flows along the second flow path when the pump  122  is used to provide hydraulic fluid to the drum motor  126 . When the pump  122  is not used to drive the mixer drum  102  (e.g., when the mixer drum  102  is empty, etc.), the clutch  34  may be selectively disengaged, thereby conserving energy. In embodiments without clutch  34 , the mixer drum  102  may continue turning (e.g., at low speed) when empty. 
     The drum motor  126  is positioned to drive the rotation of the mixer drum  102 . In some embodiments, the drum motor  126  is a fixed displacement motor. In some embodiments, the drum motor  126  is a variable displacement motor. In one embodiment, the drum motor  126  operates within a variable speed range up to about 3:1 or 4:1. In other embodiments, the drum motor  126  is configured to provide a different speed range (e.g., greater than 4:1, less than 3:1, etc.). According to an exemplary embodiment, the speed range of the drum drive system  120  is the product of the speed range of the pump  122  and the speed range of the drum motor  126 . The drum drive system  120  having a variable pump  122  and a variable drum motor  126  may thereby have a speed range that reaches up to 30:1 or 40:1 (e.g., without having to operate the engine  16  at a high idle condition, etc.). According to an exemplary embodiment, increased speed range of the drum drive system  120  having a variable displacement motor and a variable displacement pump relative to a drum drive system having a fixed displacement motor frees up boundary limits for the engine  16 , the pump  122 , and the drum motor  126 . Advantageously, with the increased capacity of the drum drive system  120 , the engine  16  does not have to run at either high idle or low idle during the various operating modes of the drum assembly  100  (e.g., mixing mode, discharging mode, filling mode, etc.), but rather the engine  16  may be operated at a speed that provides the most fuel efficiency and most stable torque. Also, the pump  122  and the drum motor  126  may not have to be operated at displacement extremes to meet the speed requirements for the mixer drum  102  during various applications, but can rather be modulated to the most efficient working conditions (e.g., by the drum control system  150 , etc.). 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the drum drive system  120  includes a drive mechanism, shown as drum drive wheel  128 , coupled to the mixer drum  102 . The drum drive wheel  128  may be welded, bolted, or otherwise secured to the head of the mixer drum  102 . The center of the drum drive wheel  128  may be positioned along the axis  104  such that the drum drive wheel  128  rotates about the axis  104 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the drum motor  126  is coupled to the drum drive wheel  128  (e.g., with a belt, a chain, a gearing arrangement, etc.) to facilitate driving the drum drive wheel  128  and thereby rotate the mixer drum  102 . The drum drive wheel  128  may be or include a sprocket, a cogged wheel, a grooved wheel, a smooth-sided wheel, a sheave, a pulley, or still another member. In other embodiments, the drum drive system  120  does not include the drum drive wheel  128 . By way of example, the drum drive system  120  may include a gearbox that couples the drum motor  126  to the mixer drum  102 . By way of another example, the drum motor  126  (e.g., an output thereof, etc.) may be directly coupled to the mixer drum  102  (e.g., along the axis  104 , etc.) to rotate the mixer drum  102 . 
     According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the drum drive system  120  of the drum assembly  100  is configured to be an electric drum drive system. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the drum drive system  120  includes the drum motor  126 , which is electrically powered to drive the mixer drum  102 . By way of example, in an embodiment where the concrete mixer truck  10  has a hybrid powertrain, the engine  16  may drive a generator (e.g., with the power takeoff unit  32 , etc.), shown as generator  130 , to generate electrical power that is (i) stored for future use by the drum motor  126  in storage (e.g., battery cells, etc.), shown as energy storage source  132 , and/or (ii) provided directly to drum motor  126  to drive the mixer drum  102 . The energy storage source  132  may additionally be chargeable using a mains power connection (e.g., through a charging station, etc.). By way of another example, in an embodiment where the concrete mixer truck  10  has an electric powertrain, the engine  16  may be replaced with a main motor, shown as primary motor  26 , that drives the wheels  22 . The primary motor  26  and the drum motor  126  may be powered by the energy storage source  132  and/or the generator  130  (e.g., a regenerative braking system, etc.). 
     According to the exemplary embodiments shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the drum control system  150  for the drum assembly  100  of the concrete mixer truck  10  includes a controller, shown as drum assembly controller  152 . In one embodiment, the drum assembly controller  152  is configured to selectively engage, selectively disengage, control, and/or otherwise communicate with components of the drum assembly  100  and/or the concrete mixer truck  10  (e.g., actively control the components thereof, etc.). As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the drum assembly controller  152  is coupled to the engine  16 , the primary motor  26 , the pump  122 , the drum motor  126 , the generator  130 , the energy storage source  132 , a pressure sensor  154 , a temperature sensor  156 , a speed sensor  158 , a motor sensor  160 , an input/output (“I/O”) device  170 , and/or a remote server  180 . In other embodiments, the drum assembly controller  152  is coupled to more or fewer components. By way of example, the drum assembly controller  152  may send and/or receive signals with the engine  16 , the primary motor  26 , the pump  122 , the drum motor  126 , the generator  130 , the energy storage source  132 , the pressure sensor  154 , the temperature sensor  156 , the speed sensor  158 , the motor sensor  160 , the I/O device  170 , and/or the remote server  180 . In some embodiments, the functions of the drum control system  150  described herein may be performed by the remote server  180  or the drum control system  150  and the remote server  180  in combination (e.g., the drum control system  150  gathers and transmits data to the remote server  180 , which then subsequently performs the data analytics described herein, etc.). By way of example, components of the drum control system  150  may be positioned locally on the concrete mixer truck  10 . By way of another example, components of the drum control system  150  may be positioned remotely from the concrete mixer truck  10  (e.g., on the remote server  180 , etc.). By way of yet example, components of the drum control system  150  may be positioned locally on the concrete mixer truck  10  and remotely from the concrete mixer truck  10 . 
     The drum assembly controller  152  may be implemented as hydraulic controls, a general-purpose processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), a digital-signal-processor (DSP), circuits containing one or more processing components, circuitry for supporting a microprocessor, a group of processing components, or other suitable electronic processing components. According to an exemplary embodiment, the drum assembly controller  152  includes a processing circuit having a processor and a memory. The processing circuit may include an ASIC, one or more FPGAs, a DSP, circuits containing one or more processing components, circuitry for supporting a microprocessor, a group of processing components, or other suitable electronic processing components. In some embodiments, the processor is configured to execute computer code stored in the memory to facilitate the activities described herein. The memory may be any volatile or non-volatile computer-readable storage medium capable of storing data or computer code relating to the activities described herein. According to an exemplary embodiment, the memory includes computer code modules (e.g., executable code, object code, source code, script code, machine code, etc.) configured for execution by the processor. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the drum assembly controller  152  is configured to facilitate detecting the buildup of concrete within the mixer drum  102 . By way of example, over time after various concrete discharge cycles, concrete may begin to build up and harden within the mixer drum  102 . Such buildup is disadvantageous because of the increased weight of the concrete mixer truck  10  and decreased charge capacity of the mixer drum  102 . Such factors may reduce the efficiency of concrete delivery. Therefore, the concrete that has built up must be cleaned from the interior of the mixer drum  102  (i.e., using a chipping process). Typically, the buildup is monitored either (i) manually by the operator of the concrete mixer truck  10  (e.g., by inspecting the interior of the mixer drum  102 , etc.) or (ii) using expensive load cells to detect a change in mass of the mixer drum  102  when empty. According to an exemplary embodiment, the drum assembly controller  152  is configured to automatically detect concrete buildup within the mixer drum  102  using sensor measurements from more cost effective sensors and processes. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the drum assembly controller  152  is configured to facilitate implementing or initiating a calibration test to identify baseline performance of the drum drive system  120  when the mixer drum  102  is clean and free of buildup (e.g., the concrete mixer truck  10  is brand new, after the mixer drum  102  has been cleaned/chipped out completely, etc.). After one or more uses of the mixer drum  102  and while the mixer drum  102  is empty, the drum assembly controller  152  is configured to facilitate implementing or initiating a buildup detection test to reevaluate the performance of the drum drive system  120  relative the baseline identified during the calibration test and determine if concrete buildup is present and/or sufficient enough to warrant notifying the operator. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , a first graphical user interface, shown as home GUI  200 , may be displayed to an operator of the concrete mixer truck  10  by the I/O device  170 . To access the buildup detection features, the operator may select a button of the home GUI  200 , shown as buildup button  210 . Selecting buildup button  210  may direct the operator to a second graphical user interface, shown as buildup GUI  300 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the buildup GUI  300  includes a first button, shown as calibration button  310 , a first box, shown as baseline box  320 , a second box, shown as threshold differential box  330 , and a second button, shown as buildup detection button  340 . According to an exemplary embodiment, selecting the calibration button  310  initiates the calibration test, selecting the buildup detection button  340  initiates the buildup detection test, the baseline box  320  displays a baseline operating characteristic regarding operation of the drum drive system  120  that is recorded as a result of performing the calibration test (e.g., hydraulic fluid pressure, motor voltage, motor current draw, etc.), and the threshold differential box  330  displays a threshold differential that a current operating characteristic of the drum drive system  120  is permitted to deviate from the baseline operating characteristics before concrete buildup is treated as sufficient to require action to be taken (e.g., chip out the mixer drum  102 , notify the operator, etc.). In some embodiments, the threshold differential is preset by a manufacturer of the concrete mixer truck  10  (e.g., based on the configuration, model, capacity, etc. of the concrete mixer truck  10 ). In some embodiments, the threshold differential is selectively adjustable (e.g., set, determined, etc.) by the operator of the concrete mixer truck  10  (e.g., based on preferences, company policy, etc.). 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , a first graph, shown as calibration graph  400 , illustrates the calibration test that is performed by the drum assembly controller  152  on the drum drive system  120  (e.g., in response to the operator selecting the calibration button  310 , etc.). According to an exemplary embodiment, the drum assembly controller  152  is configured to initiate the calibration test by applying a step input  410  to the drum drive system  120  to quickly spin up the mixer drum  102  (e.g., to a max speed thereof, etc.). By way of example, in a hydraulic drum drive system embodiment, the drum assembly controller  152  may be configured to provide the step input  410  to the pump  122  to maximize the flow of hydraulic fluid provided to the drum motor  126  and, thereby, drive the mixer drum  102  at a high speed. By way of another example, in an electric drum drive system, the drum assembly controller  152  may be configured to provide the step input  410  to the drum motor  126  to drive the mixer drum  102  at the high speed. Following the application of the step input  410 , the drum assembly controller  152  is configured to monitor an operating characteristic response  420  of the drum drive system  120  and determine a peak or maximum value of the operating characteristic response  420 , shown as baseline operating characteristic  430 . By way of example, in a hydraulic drum drive system embodiment, the baseline operating characteristic  430  may be a peak pressure of the fluid at the outlet of the pump  122  measured by the pressure sensor  154  (e.g., in this example approximately 1025 psi, etc.). By way of another example, in an electric drum drive system embodiment, the baseline operating characteristic  430  may be a peak voltage and/or a peak current of the drum motor  126  measured by the motor sensor  160 . The drum assembly controller  152  may be configured to record the baseline operating characteristic  430  and populate baseline box  320  with the recorded baseline operating characteristic  430 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , a second graph, shown as buildup detection graph  500 , illustrates the buildup detection test that is performed by the drum assembly controller  152  on the drum drive system  120  (e.g., in response to the operator selecting the buildup detection button  340 , etc.). According to an exemplary embodiment, the drum assembly controller  152  is configured to initiate the buildup detection test by applying a step input  510  to the drum drive system  120  to quickly spin up the mixer drum  102  (e.g., to a max speed thereof, etc.). By way of example, in a hydraulic drum drive system embodiment, the drum assembly controller  152  may be configured to provide the step input  510  to the pump  122  to maximize the flow of hydraulic fluid provided to the drum motor  126  and, thereby, drive the mixer drum  102  at a high speed. By way of another example, in an electric drum drive system, the drum assembly controller  152  may be configured to provide the step input  510  to the drum motor  126  to drive the mixer drum  102  at the high speed. According to an exemplary embodiment, the step input  510  of the buildup detection test is the same as the step input  410  of the calibration test. Following the application of the step input  510 , the drum assembly controller  152  is configured to monitor an operating characteristic response  520  of the drum drive system  120  and determine a peak or maximum value of the operating characteristic response  520 , shown as current operating characteristic  530 . By way of example, in a hydraulic drum drive system embodiment, the current operating characteristic  530  may be a peak pressure of the fluid at the outlet of the pump  122  measured by the pressure sensor  154  (e.g., in this example approximately 1450 psi, etc.). By way of another example, in an electric drum drive system embodiment, the current operating characteristic  530  may be a peak voltage and/or a peak current of the drum motor  126  measured by the motor sensor  160 . The drum assembly controller  152  may be configured to record the current operating characteristic  530 . 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the drum assembly controller  152  is configured to compare the baseline operating characteristic  430  determined using the calibration test to the current operating characteristic  530  determined using the buildup detection test, and determine a differential therebetween. The drum assembly controller  152  is then configured to compare the differential to the pre-stored, preset, predetermined, etc. threshold differential (e.g., from the threshold differential box  330 , etc.). As shown in  FIG. 10 , the drum assembly controller  152  is configured to provide a first notification, shown as pass notification  600 , to the operator with the I/O device  170  indicating that sufficient concrete buildup has not accumulated within the mixer drum  102  in response to the differential being less than the threshold differential. As shown in  FIG. 11 , the drum assembly controller  152  is configured to provide a second notification, shown as buildup notification  700 , to the operator with the I/O device  170  indicating that sufficient concrete buildup has accumulated within the mixer drum  102  in response to the differential being greater than the threshold differential. In some embodiments, the drum assembly controller  152  is configured to transmit the results of the buildup detection test to the remote server  180  (e.g., for evaluation by a fleet manager, using any suitable wireless communication protocol, etc.). 
     In some embodiments, the drum assembly controller  152  is configured to perform the calibration test and/or the buildup detection test only when a minimum hydraulic fluid temperature within the drum drive system  120  has been established (i.e., to ensure consistent viscosity of the hydraulic fluid between tests and, therefore, more accurate results between tests). In some embodiments, the drum assembly controller  152  is configured to perform the calibration test and/or the buildup detection test only when a minimum motor temperature of the drum motor  126  has been established. Drum assembly controller  152  may thereby be configured to monitor the temperature of the hydraulic fluid and/or the drum motor  126  within the drum drive system  120  with the temperature sensor  156 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , in instances when the hydraulic fluid temperature within the drum drive system  120  is less than a minimum hydraulic fluid temperature threshold, the drum assembly controller  152  is configured to provide a third notification, shown as temperature notification  800 , to the operator with the I/O device  170 . In some embodiments, the temperature notification  800  is used to inform the operator that they must warm the hydraulic fluid further before attempting to initiate the calibration test and/or the buildup detection test (e.g., by running the mixer drum  102  longer, etc.). In other embodiments, the drum assembly controller  152  is configured to automatically rotate the mixer drum  102  at a nominal speed until the minimum hydraulic fluid temperature threshold is achieved, and then the drum assembly controller  152  may proceed with the testing (e.g., the calibration test, the buildup detection test, etc.) automatically in response to the fluid temperature exceeding the minimum hydraulic fluid temperature threshold. It should be understood that a nominal speed as used herein may be any speed that the operator chooses and/or any speed that the drum assembly controller  152  is programmed to implement. A nominal speed is not meant to only mean a minimum or low speed, but may include such meaning. The nominal speed may be lower than, higher than, or even the same as the speed the mixer drum  102  is driven at during the calibration test and the buildup detection test. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 13 , a method  1300  for performing the calibration test is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. According to an exemplary embodiment, the calibration test is performed when the mixer drum  102  is either new or has been completely cleaned (i.e., there is no or substantially no concrete buildup within the mixer drum  102 ). At step  1302 , a control system (e.g., the drum assembly controller  152 , etc.) is configured to initiate the calibration test (e.g., in response to an operator selecting the calibration button  310 , etc.). At step  1304 , the control system is configured to drive a mixer drum (e.g., the mixer drum  102 , etc.) at a first speed or nominal speed with a drum drive system (e.g., the drum drive system  120 , etc.). At step  1306 , the control system is configured to determine if a temperature of hydraulic fluid within the drum drive system is above a threshold temperature (e.g., using the temperature sensor  156 , etc.). If the temperature of the hydraulic fluid is less than the threshold temperature, the control system is configured to (i) return to step  1304  to continue operating the mixer drum at the nominal speed and/or provide a notification to an operator regarding the temperature (e.g., the temperature notification  800 , etc.) (step  1308 ). If the temperature of the hydraulic fluid is greater than the threshold temperature, the control system is configured to proceed to step  1310 . In some embodiments, steps  1304 - 1308  are optional (e.g., in embodiments where the drum drive system  120  is an electric drum drive system that does not include a hydraulic system used to drive the mixer drum  102 , etc.). In some embodiments, the control system is alternatively configured to determine if a temperature of a motor (e.g., the drum motor  126 , etc.) within the drum drive system is above a threshold temperature before proceeding (e.g., in embodiments where the drum drive system  120  is an electric drum drive system, etc.). 
     At step  1310 , the control system is configured to apply a step input (e.g., the step input  410 , etc.) to the drum drive system (e.g., to the pump  122  in a hydraulic drum drive system embodiment, to the drum motor  126  in an electric drum drive system embodiment, etc.) to ramp the speed of the mixer drum from the nominal speed to a second speed or an increased speed (e.g., a maximum speed, etc.). At step  1312 , the control system is configured to record a first characteristic (e.g., the baseline operating characteristic  430 , a peak hydraulic pressure, a peak voltage, a peak current, etc.) while operating the mixer drum at the increased speed. In some embodiments, the mixer drum is operated at the increased speed for less than one minute (e.g., ten seconds, twenty seconds, forty seconds, etc.). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 14 , a method  1400  for performing the buildup detection test is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. According to an exemplary embodiment, the buildup detection test is performed (i) following the calibration test of method  1300 , (ii) after one or more uses of the mixer drum  102 , and (iii) when the mixer drum  102  has been completely discharged of its contents (i.e., other than the concrete that may have hardened to the wall/fins of the mixer drum  102 ). At step  1402 , the control system is configured to initiate the buildup detection test (e.g., in response to an operator selecting the buildup detection button  340 , etc.). At step  1404 , the control system is configured to drive the mixer drum at the first speed or the nominal speed with the drum drive system. At step  1406 , the control system is configured to determine if the temperature of hydraulic fluid within the drum drive system is above the threshold temperature. If the temperature of the hydraulic fluid is less than the threshold temperature, the control system is configured to (i) return to step  1404  to continue operating the mixer drum at the nominal speed and/or provide the notification to the operator regarding the temperature (step  1408 ). If the temperature of the hydraulic fluid is greater than the threshold temperature, the control system is configured to proceed to step  1410 . In some embodiments, steps  1404 - 1408  are optional (e.g., in embodiments where the drum drive system  120  is an electric drum drive system, etc.). In some embodiments, the control system is alternatively configured to determine if the temperature of the motor within the drum drive system is above the threshold temperature before proceeding (e.g., in embodiments where the drum drive system  120  is an electric drum drive system, etc.). 
     At step  1410 , the control system is configured to apply the step input (e.g., the step input  510 , etc.) to the drum drive system (e.g., to the pump  122  in a hydraulic drum drive system embodiment, to the drum motor  126  in an electric drum drive system embodiment, etc.) to ramp the speed of the mixer drum from the nominal speed to the second speed or the increased speed (e.g., a maximum speed, etc.). At step  1412 , the control system is configured to record a second characteristic (e.g., the current operating characteristic  530 , a peak hydraulic pressure, a peak voltage, a peak current, etc.) while operating the mixer drum at the increased speed. At step  1414 , the control system is configured to determine if the second characteristic is greater than the first characteristic by more than a threshold amount. If the second characteristic is greater than the first characteristics by less than the threshold amount, the control system is configured to provide a notification (e.g., the pass notification  600 , etc.) that there is no buildup detected within the mixer drum (step  1416 ). If the second characteristic is greater than the first characteristics by more than the threshold amount, the control system is configured to provide a notification (e.g., the buildup notification  700 , etc.) that buildup is detected within the mixer drum (step  1418 ). In some embodiments, the control system is additionally or alternatively configured to provide an indication of the results to a server (e.g., the remote server  180 , etc.). 
     As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially”, and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the disclosure as recited in the appended claims. 
     It should be noted that the term “exemplary” and variations thereof, as used herein to describe various embodiments, are intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such terms are not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples). 
     The term “coupled” and variations thereof, as used herein, means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent or fixed) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members coupled directly to each other, with the two members coupled to each other using a separate intervening member and any additional intermediate members coupled with one another, or with the two members coupled to each other using an intervening member that is integrally formed as a single unitary body with one of the two members. If “coupled” or variations thereof are modified by an additional term (e.g., directly coupled), the generic definition of “coupled” provided above is modified by the plain language meaning of the additional term (e.g., “directly coupled” means the joining of two members without any separate intervening member), resulting in a narrower definition than the generic definition of “coupled” provided above. Such coupling may be mechanical, electrical, or fluidic. 
     References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below”) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure. 
     The hardware and data processing components used to implement the various processes, operations, illustrative logics, logical blocks, modules and circuits described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose single- or multi-chip processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or, any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor also may be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. In some embodiments, particular processes and methods may be performed by circuitry that is specific to a given function. The memory (e.g., memory, memory unit, storage device) may include one or more devices (e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash memory, hard disk storage) for storing data and/or computer code for completing or facilitating the various processes, layers and modules described in the present disclosure. The memory may be or include volatile memory or non-volatile memory, and may include database components, object code components, script components, or any other type of information structure for supporting the various activities and information structures described in the present disclosure. According to an exemplary embodiment, the memory is communicably connected to the processor via a processing circuit and includes computer code for executing (e.g., by the processing circuit or the processor) the one or more processes described herein. 
     The present disclosure contemplates methods, systems and program products on any machine-readable media for accomplishing various operations. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented using existing computer processors, or by a special purpose computer processor for an appropriate system, incorporated for this or another purpose, or by a hardwired system. Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure include program products comprising machine-readable media for carrying or having machine-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example, such machine-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of machine-readable media. Machine-executable instructions include, for example, instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing machines to perform a certain function or group of functions. 
     Although the figures and description may illustrate a specific order of method steps, the order of such steps may differ from what is depicted and described, unless specified differently above. Also, two or more steps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence, unless specified differently above. Such variation may depend, for example, on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise, software implementations of the described methods could be accomplished with standard programming techniques with rule-based logic and other logic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps, comparison steps, and decision steps. 
     It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the concrete mixer truck  10 , the drum assembly  100 , the drum control system  150 , and the systems and components thereof as shown in the various exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Additionally, any element disclosed in one embodiment may be incorporated or utilized with any other embodiment disclosed herein. Although only one example of an element from one embodiment that can be incorporated or utilized in another embodiment has been described above, it should be appreciated that other elements of the various embodiments may be incorporated or utilized with any of the other embodiments disclosed herein.