Patent Abstract:
An embodiment of a water control apparatus is disclosed that may be used with a concrete mixing assembly. The apparatus may include flowmeter unit and a normally closed valve unit. The normally closed valve unit may be in fluid communication with, and removably connected to, the flowmeter unit. A control unit may be provide that may monitor the flowmeter unit and electronically control the opening and close of the normally closed valve unit. A switch may be also provided that may electrically communicate with the control unit. The activation of the switch being operable to cause the normally closed valve to open and result in the flow of water into a concrete mixing drum that is in fluid communication with the normally closed valve.

Full Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/862,672, which was filed on Oct. 24, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. 
     
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Described herein is an embodiment of a water control apparatus that may be used in connection with a commercial mixing assembly or vehicle (e.g., a concrete mixer truck). More specifically, described herein is a water control assembly that may, alone or in combination with a concrete mixer vehicle or assembly, operate to monitor water volume usage vehicle/assembly operator use, manually or automatically control the addition of water to a mix, and/or transmit status data to a remote location. 
       REFERENCE TO RELATED ART 
       [0003]    Concrete mixer trucks typically have two water flows that are of concern to the operator. One flow is the adding of water to the concrete batch. The second flow is the washing of the truck chute after the concrete has been dispensed. Issues related to these duel concerns have been found to manifest in a number of ways. 
         [0004]    By way of example only, the ready-mix concrete used in construction applications m,ay typically be prepared at a batch plant and then transported by truck in a rotating drum to a job site. As the truck travels to a job site, the curing process for the concrete is underway. Therefore, it may be necessary for the driver (during travel or when at the job site) to add extra water to the batch so that the concrete maintains sufficient fluidity for pouring. However, this extra water may reduce the strength of the resulting concrete, or (if too much water is added) even ruin the load. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, it would be advantageous to have a system that may accurately measure/control the amount of water being added to a mix (i.e., the slump) to ensure that the mix is within (or says within) a predetermined water-cement ratio (WCM). 
         [0006]    By way of another example, when preparing a concrete batch, it is know that modern mixing vehicles may use a manually operable valve arrangement that permits the operator to fill the mixing drum with the slump. These manual valve arrangements may include flowmeters that indicate the amount of water being added to the mix. However, as mentioned above, these same mixing vehicles may also include a manually operable assembly that permits the vehicle operator to add water to the slump while in route. Specifically, the vehicles may include a lever (or the like) in the vehicle cab that allows the operator to add water to the mix from a pressurized tank of water mounted on each vehicle. The water being added in route may go through a flowmeter. However, when the flowmeter is positioned outside the vehicle cabin the operator has no way of knowing exactly how much water has been added. Further, currently available systems may also allow the operator to manually “crack” the valve open just enough to allow water to flow into the mix, but at a pressure or flow rate that is to low to be detected by the flowmeter (e.g., less than about 5 gallons per minute). Therefore, it may be possible for the operator to add water to the slump in a manner that is not detected by the flowmeter. In addition, over time the flowmeter itself may be subject to a variety of harsh conditions (e.g., acid wash, icing on cables, leaking connector, meter hanging up due to entrained dirt, and compressed air over ranging) that may damage or even destroy the meter. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, it would be advantageous to have a water control system that allows better control and monitoring of the addition of water to the mix during all stages of production and delivery. It would also be advantageous to have a system whereby the stages of a mixing job could be tracked and reported to a remote location, such as a central tracking station. Indeed, such a system would address a long felt need in the industry for a reliable means of monitoring and controlling water use on mixer vehicles and assemblies. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The water control apparatus disclosed herein overcomes the issues raised by the prior art. The apparatus includes a flowmeter that may monitor the amount of water added to a mixer drum when a solenoid valve is actuated to allow flow into the drum. The flowmeter may be a non-mechanical flowmeter. Therefore, dirt, external corrosives, and compressed air do not affect the flowmeter&#39;s operation. The flowmeter is also accurate to 1%, thereby meeting the requirements of the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration FP-03 552.05. The solenoid valve may be actuated by a button in the truck cab, which replaces the manual valve usually located next to the driver. The solenoid valve is either fully on or fully off. Therefore, the ability for an operator to manually “crack” open a valve so that the flow is below a rate where it can be sensed by a flowmeter is eliminated. The amount of water being added may also be recorded by a control unit and transmitted to a remote location for record keeping. 
         [0009]    More specifically, a water control apparatus that may be used with a commercial mixing vehicle may include a flowmeter unit in fluid Communication with a water source, an (optional) normally open valve unit, and a normally closed valve unit. The normally open valve unit may be removably connected to the flowmeter unit. The normally closed valve unit may likewise be removably connected to the normally open valve unit. Alternatively, the normally closed valve unit may be removably connected to the flowmeter unit, or to a conduit (not shown) positioned between the flowmeter unit and the normally closed valve unit. T he valve units may each include a power-actuated valve that may he triggered in response to commands from a control unit. The control unit may be activated by a switching device positioned in the vehicle cabin. 
         [0010]    In operation, for example with a mixer truck, the normally open value unit may have a hose (or the like) and spray nozzle attached to permit a user to wash out tie truck and mixing equipment. A second hose or conduit may be connected at one end to the normally closed value unit and terminate at an opposite end in the mixer drum of the truck. Water may, therefore. The communicated from a source (e.g., a fixed water tank, truck mounted drum, etc.) to the flowmeter unit where the rate and/or volume of the water passing through the unit may be measured. Such measurements may be indicated on a display associated with the switching device. Water passing though the flowmeter unit may next pass through the normally open valve unit, and then on to the normally closed value unit. 
         [0011]    Activation of the switching device by a user may result in the control unit causing the valve of the normally open valve unit to close, and the valve of the normally closed valve unit to open. Alternatively, the valves may he automatically actuated as Just described by the control unit using on board software and/or hardware programmed to cause water to be added at predetermined times or following predetermined events. Opening of the valve of the normally closed valve unit may thus cause an amount of water to be easily communicated from a water source and into the mixer drum of the mixer truck. 
         [0012]    As a still further alternative, it will be appreciated that the control unit may be programmed to prevent the opening of the valve of the normally closed valve unit where the addition of water would cause the mix to exceed a predetermined water-cement ratio. 
         [0013]    It will also be appreciated that a user of the water control apparatus would be prevented from manually “cracking” a valve open to add water to the mix. Indeed, since the power-actuated valves of the valve units are always either full open, or full closed. The flow rate of water through the flowmeter unit is maximized and the resulting accuracy of the water rate/volume measurement is increased. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    Reference will now be made to the attached figures wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout and wherein: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a planar environment side view showing an embodiment of a water control apparatus mounted on a mix truck, the apparatus being depicted as larger than normal for purposes of clarity; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a perspective side view of a an embodiment of a water control apparatus; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a perspective side view of the embodiment of a water control apparatus of  FIG. 2  showing solenoids (or the like) mounted on the apparatus valves and a control unit; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a perspective end view of the embodiment of a water control apparatus of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a perspective, partially exploded side view of the embodiment of a water control apparatus of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a perspective, partially exploded top and side view of the embodiment of a water control apparatus of  FIG. 9 ; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a perspective side view of a normally closed valve unit. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 7 , a water control apparatus  10 , which may be used with a commercial mixing vehicle  100  having a mixer drum  102 , may include a flowmeter unit  12  in fluid communication with a water source  104 , an (optional) normally open valve unit  14 , and a normally closed valve unit  16 . The normally open valve unit  14  may be removably connected to the flowmeter unit  12 . The normally closed valve unit  16  may likewise be removably connected to the normally open valve unit  14 . Alternatively, the normally closed valve  16  unit may be removably connected to the flowmeter unit  12 , or to a conduit (not shown) positioned between the flowmeter unit  12  and the normally closed valve unit  16 . The valve units  14 ,  16  may each include a power-actuated valve  18 ,  20 . Specifically, valves  16 ,  18  may each be a solenoid  19 ,  21  controlled valve. Further, each valve  18 ,  20  may be actuated in response to a command(s) from a control unit  22  that may be activated by a remotely positioned switching device  24 . The apparatus  10  may be powered by connecting the switching device  22  of the apparatus to the vehicle  100  power system. Alternatively, a lithium ion battery (not shown) or the like could be integrated into the control unit  22 . Each of the units  12 ,  14 ,  16  may have a molded plastic body formed using a variety of commercial known methods. However, it will also be appreciated that the units  12 ,  14 ,  16  may be constructed from a series of welded pipes outfitted with a flowmeter and the requisite valve assemblies. 
         [0023]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2 through 7 , the flowmeter unit  12  of the water control apparatus  10  may include a fluid conduit (not shown) that extends through the unit  12  and defines a water intake opening (not shown) on one side  26  of the unit  12  and a water outflow opening  28  on an opposite side  30  of the unit  12 . A flowmeter  32  that communicates with the fluid conduit and is capable of measuring low psi flow rates may be mounted on a face  34  of the unit  12 . The flowmeter  32  may, for example, be a COOLPOINT® vortex shedding type meter manufactured by Universal Flow Monitors of Hazel Park, Mich. The intake opening (not shown) of the unit  12  may be threaded, or include other manner of connector necessary to secure the unit  12  to a water conduit or hose  106 . However, as best shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the water outflow opening  28  may include a female connector  35  having series of grooves  36  that, as will be discussed below, permit the normally open valve unit  14 , or the normally closed valve unit  16  to be removably secured to the flowmeter unit  12 . 
         [0024]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2 through 6 , a recess  38  may be defined in another lace  40  of the flowmeter unit  12  into which may be mounted the control unit  22 . The control unit  22  may be electrically connected to, and include hardware and/or software that permit tile control and monitoring of the flowmeter  32  and the valves  18 ,  20 . Further, the control unit  22  may be electrically connected to, and triggered by, the switching device  24 . 
         [0025]    Therefore, as mentioned above, when activated via the switching device  24  the control unit  22  may operate to cause the valve  18  of the normally open valve  16  to close, and the valve  20  of the normally closed valve unit  16  to open. Additionally, or alternatively, the control unit  22  may operate to cause the valve  20  of the normally closed valve unit  16  to automatically open or close to allow (or prevent) an amount of water to flow into the concrete mixing drum. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the control unit  22  may be programmed to maintain the concrete in the drum within predetermined water—cement ratio over a predetermined time. The control unit  22  may also include a global positioning system (GPS) receiver  27  and a radio transmitter  29  for transmitting data (e.g., flow meter information, valve open/close status) to a remote station. 
         [0026]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the switching device  24  may include a housing  38  having a toggle switch  44 , a display  46  and known electronics (not shown). As shown, the switching device  24  may be positioned within the cabin of a mixer truck  100 . However, it will also be appreciated that one or more switching devices  24  may be positioned in a variety of locations on the truck  100 , or integrated into the control unit  22 . 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , as discussed above, activation of the toggle switch  44  may operate to transmit a command to the control unit  22 . The toggle switch  44  may be biased into an of position such that the valve  18  of the normally open valve unit  14  and the valve  20  of the normally closed valve unit  16  remain, respectively, in an open or closed orientation. The display  46  may function to indicate the volume of fluid/water flowing through the flowmeter unit  12  as measured by the flowmeter  32 , and monitored by the control unit  22 . 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2 through 6 , the normally open valve unit  14  may include a three-way fluid (or branching) conduit (not shown) that may extend through the unit  14 . Specifically, the conduit may define a water intake opening  48  on one side  50  of the unit  14 , a first water outflow opening on the opposite side  54  of the unit  14 , and a second water outflow opening  56  in a face  58  of the unit  14 . The power-actuated valve  16  may communicate with the three-way fluid conduit and may be mounted on a face  60  of the unit  14 . 
         [0029]    As best shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the water intake opening  48  may include a male connector  62  having a plurality of tongues  64 . As such, it will he appreciated that the male connector  62  of the valve unit  14  may be removably fitted to the female connector  35  of the flowmeter unit  12 . The first water outflow opening of the normally open valve unit  14  may also define a female connector similar to the female connector  35  of the flowmeter unit  12 . 
         [0030]    Still referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the second water outflow opening  56  may be closed off by a removable knockout portion (not shown). Alternatively, the opening  56  may be threaded or include a fitting or connector such that a hose or the like may be connected to the valve unit  14  at the opening  56 . 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2 through 7 , the normally closed open valve unit  16  may also include a conduit (not shown) that may extend through the unit  16 . Specifically, the conduit may define a water intake opening  68  on one side  70  of the unit  16  and a water outflow opening  72  on an opposite side  74  of the unit  16 . The power actuated valve  18  may be mounted on a face  76  of the unit  14  and communicate with the conduit. 
         [0032]    As best shown in  FIGS. 5 through 7 , the water intake opening  68  of the valve unit  16  may include a male connector  78  having a plurality of tongues  80 . As such, it will be appreciated that the male connector  78  of the valve unit  16  may be removably titled to the female connector (not shown) of the normally open valve unit  14 . The opening  72  of the valve unit  16  may be threaded or include a fitting or connector such that a hose or the like may be connected to the valve unit  16  at the opening  72 . For example, as mentioned above a conduit or hose  108  extending from the apparatus  10  to the mixer drum  102  of the mixer truck  100  may be attached to the apparatus  10  at the opening  72 . 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 7 , in operation, a user should first be assured that the flowmeter unit  12  of the apparatus  10  is connected to a source of water  102  at the opening water intake opening (not shown) the side  26  of the unit  12 . The user should also connect a conduit to the opening  72  of the normally closed valve unit  16 . Then, once connected, a user may trigger the toggle switch  44  of the switching device  24 . Upon activation of the switch  44 , the control unit  22  may command the valve  16  of the normally open valve unit  14  (if present) to close off flow to the second water out flow opening  56  and command the valve  18  of the normally closed valve unit to open—causing water to flow through the water outflow opening  72 . As discussed above, the volume of water flowing through the apparatus may be measured by the flowmeter  32 , monitored by the control unit  22 , and indicated on the display  46  of the switching device  26 . 
         [0034]    In additional, the radio transmitter  29  of the control  22  may function to transmit a signal to a remote location indicating that the valve  20  of the normally closed valve unit  16  has been opened. More specifically, when used in connection with a commercial mixing vehicle, a signal may be transmitted to indicate that an operator had commenced filling the mixing drum  102  with water. Further, the control unit  22  may transmit a second signal upon detection of fluid/water flowing through the flowmeter  32  when the normally closed valve  20  is in a closed position. Specifically, such a state would indicate that an operator of the mixing vehicle had completed a job and was now using water to clean off his or her vehicle using the nozzle  106 . 
         [0035]    Having thus described my invention, various additional improvement and embodiments will become know to those of skill in the art that to not depart from the scope of the appended claims

Technology Classification (CPC): 1