US3593966A - Added-fluid-metering system - Google Patents

Added-fluid-metering system Download PDF

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Publication number
US3593966A
US3593966A US860637A US3593966DA US3593966A US 3593966 A US3593966 A US 3593966A US 860637 A US860637 A US 860637A US 3593966D A US3593966D A US 3593966DA US 3593966 A US3593966 A US 3593966A
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Prior art keywords
motor
signal
voltage
transducer
mixer
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Expired - Lifetime
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US860637A
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English (en)
Inventor
Lonnie E Munroe
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Columbia Machine Inc
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Columbia Machine Inc
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B28—WORKING CEMENT, CLAY, OR STONE
    • B28C—PREPARING CLAY; PRODUCING MIXTURES CONTAINING CLAY OR CEMENTITIOUS MATERIAL, e.g. PLASTER
    • B28C7/00—Controlling the operation of apparatus for producing mixtures of clay or cement with other substances; Supplying or proportioning the ingredients for mixing clay or cement with other substances; Discharging the mixture
    • B28C7/02—Controlling the operation of the mixing
    • B28C7/022—Controlling the operation of the mixing by measuring the consistency or composition of the mixture, e.g. with supply of a missing component
    • B28C7/026—Controlling the operation of the mixing by measuring the consistency or composition of the mixture, e.g. with supply of a missing component by measuring data of the driving system, e.g. rotational speed, torque, consumed power

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a metering system for controlling the amount of fluid delivered to a motor-driven mixer container for blending with dry material, such as a dry concrete mix, in the container. More specifically, the invention pertains to a control system which monitors the power consumption of the motor driving the container, and shuts off the flow of water when the level of power consumption reflects that a proper amount of water has been added.
  • a number of systems have been devised in the prior art to overcome the above problem and to control fluid feed to a mixer.
  • systems have been designed for continuously measuring the electrical conductivity of a concrete mixture, which increases as the mixture becomes moremoist, as an indication of wetness of the mix.
  • Other systems have been provided for the same purpose wherein the density of a mix is sensed as an indication of water content.
  • water is selectively added through a conduit from a supply to a rotary-type mixing container under the control of a solenoid-actuated supply valve.
  • the mixing container may be stationed or truck mounted and is rotatably driven by suitable means such as a three-phase electric motor.
  • a transducer is provided to monitor the power consumption of the motor and to produce a DC control voltage signal directly proportional thereto.
  • a second signal is provided from a metered DC reference voltage source adapted to be adjusted by the operator to a desired calibrated value which corresponds to the proper amount of water to be added.
  • a voltage comparator receives both signals as inputs and produces a trigger signal output having either a positive or a negative polarity as determined by the relative levels of the input signals.
  • a power amplifier and latching circuit responsive to the trigger signals, is provided to selectively energize the solenoid of the water supply valve and control water delivery.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the system of the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a load sensor power transducer circuit utilized in the system
  • FIG. 3A is an illustrative circuit diagram used to explain the voltage states in a portion of the load transducer under a first set of conditions
  • FIG. 3B is an illustrative circuit diagram used to explain the voltage states in the same portion of the load transducer under a second set of conditions.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a power amplifier and latching circuit used in the system.
  • a mixing container 1 is diagrammatically shown to include a mix barrel 3 having an open top end 4 and a discharge orifice 5.
  • a three-phase motor 7 is provided to rotate the barrel by means of shaft 9 when the motor is energized from three-phase input lines T1, T2, T3, respectively.
  • a water source 10 is provided to furnish water to the mixing container through conduit 12 and supply valve 14.
  • the mixing container may be of any suitable type, for example either stationed or truck mounted.
  • the gate of supply valve 114 is electrically controlled, being responsive to the energization of a solenoid contained within the valve which receives power from a latching circuit 15, via lines 16, 17.
  • a transducer 18 is provided to monitor the power consumption of motor 7; deriving an input via terminal 26 from supply line T3, as well as an input via terminal 27 from supply lines T1, T2 through balancing resistors 2d, 25. in addition, transducer 18 receives inputs via terminals 30, 31 from resistor R32 bridging a probe 33 which comprises a conventional current transformer. It should be apparent that terminals 26, 27 receive a voltage which is substantially the same as and in phase with that existing across the phase of motor 7 connected to line T3. Input terminals 3%, 31 receive a voltage signal proportional to the in-phase component of current in line T3. Consequently, the transducer is provided at its inputs with the parameters which reflect power consumption in motor 7.
  • transducer 18 which is a DC voltage substantially proportional to motor power, serves as one input to a conventionalvoltage comparator 35; while a second input to the comparator is derived from a metered adjustable DC reference source 37.
  • the comparator output is a fixed negative voltage when the magnitude of the signal received from transducer 18 exceeds that of the signal from source 37, and changes to a fixed positive voltage when the motor power declines to produce a signal from transducer 18 having a magnitude less than that of the reference signal.
  • the comparator output is used to trigger the which is negligible for purposes of effective circuit operation.
  • the latching circuit in response to the presence of sufficient water in the mix.
  • the latching circuit includes a control panel 40 having a control switch and three indicator lights. As shown the control switch may be moved from an off position to either an automatic or a manual position to achieve control of the mixer in a manner'to be explained.
  • the indicator lights are energizedto indicate, respectively, wet enough, water on, and mix ready. The significance of these indicators will also become more apparent from a description of .the operation of a cycle. v
  • transducer 18 receives inputs via terminals 26, 27 from lines T3 and T1, T2, and also via terminals 30, 31.
  • the inputs 26, 27 are connected across the primary 44 of a transformer 45, with the secondary 47 of the transformer being connected in parallel with resistors R48, R49.
  • a first circuit loop is defined from the upper terminal of secondary 47 including diode 54, the parallel combination of resistor R55 and capacitor CS6, on through bridging resistor R32, and resistor R48.
  • a similar circuit loop is defined from the lower terminal of secondary 47 including diode 58, the parallel combination of resistor R59 and capacitor C60, and returning through resistors R32 and R49.
  • diode 54 is poled to permit conduction on alternate negative half cycles of current through secondary 47 (i.e., with the bottom end of secondary 47 positive relative'to the top end in FIG. 2), while diode 58 is poled to permit conduction on position half cycles.
  • the transducer described is in effect a low cost, high-output watt transducer.
  • the voltage appearing on the secondary of transformer 45 is derived from a resistive load and is 'compared to the probe voltage which is slightly out of phase depending upon the'power factor of the motor.
  • the voltage from the probe would be entirely inphase with the transformer voltage and would produce a maximum difference in charge between capacitor C56 and capacitor C60 in a manner to be explained. It is this voltage difference that is monitored at the output terminal 65 as an indication of the motor power consumption.
  • FIGS. 3A and 3B the manner in which the transformer voltage is compared to the probe voltage is more easily understood.
  • Fig 3A shows instantaneous voltage conditions which exist in the transducer circuit during the first positive half .cycle of operation. With, for example, 20 volts appearing across each of R48, R49, a positive 5 volts appearing across R32 from the probe, no current flows in the upper loop and current flows in the lower loop. It should be apparent that a C56 is uncharged and that C60 is charged to a value of I transformer voltage and probe voltage are aiding in the upper loop and therefore, C56 charges to a value of 25 volts of the polarity shown. However, C60 has no current flow in its loop, is unaffected and instantaneously retains its 15 volt charge.
  • the probe voltage aids the voltage charging C56 and bucks the voltage charging C60.
  • the transducer produces the DC output from 0 to 10 volts depending upon the power actually consumed by the motor, caused by motor load exclusive of reactive current which produces a negative voltage output when the reverse is true.
  • FIG. 4 a schematic diagram of a power amplifier and latching circuit utilized in the system described is shown within the dotted outline.
  • the output of comparator 35 is supplied to the base of NPN transistor 70 via a biasing resistor 71.
  • the emitter of transistor 70 is connected to ground while the collector is connected through a lamp 73 to a source of positive DC voltage.
  • the collector of transistor 70 is also connected to the base of NPN transistor 75 via a biasing resistor 76.
  • the emitter of transistor 75 is connected to ground while the collector is connected to terminal of switch 82 as well as to the cathode of a diode 84.
  • Diode 84 is connected in parallel with variable resistor 85 and has its anode connected to the emitter of a unijunction transistor 86.
  • a firing capacitor 87 is connected between the emitter of the unijunction transistor and ground while the lower base of the unijunction element is connected to the gate of a silicon-controlled rectifier 88.
  • Thecathode of SCR 88 is connected to ground while the anode is connected through a lamp 90 to terminal 81, a switch 82.
  • the lower base of unijunction transistor 86 is also connected to ground via a resistor 92 while the upper base is connected to the positive voltage source via resistor 93.
  • switch 82 of the circuit of FIG. 4 is set in the off position and comparator 35, with motor power at a low level, provides a positive output signal which holds transistor 70 in a normally conducting state.
  • Transistor 75 is in a nonconductive state and coil 95 and lamps 90, 96 are not energized.
  • the motor load increases and the resulting negative signal from comparator 35 biases transistor 70 to a nonconductive state, thereby providing a more positive level at the base of transistor 75.
  • the reference control signal has been preset by the operator to a desired value determined by empirical methods or by running an experimental batch, for example.
  • the reference signal exceeds the transducer signal, the resultant switching of the comparator output signal from a negative to a positive level biases transistor 70 to conduction again and lights lamp 73 to indicate the mix is sufficiently wet.
  • the base of transistor 75 becomes more negative and transistor 75 cuts off. With transistor 75 nonconductive, coil 95 is deenergized stopping water flow through valve 14 and extinguishing lamp 96.
  • capacitor 87 is no longer short circuited by transistor 75 and begins charging through adjustable timing resistor 85. After a predetermined period corresponding to a desired mixing interval the charge on capacitor 87 reaches a value sufficient to trigger unijunction transistor 86 and fire silicon-controlled rectifier 88. Firing of the SCR completes the circuit to light lamp 90 as an indication that the mix is ready for placement.
  • An added-fluid-metering system comprising an electric control value for selectively controlling the flow of fluid from a fluid source to a load, electric motor means for conditioning the load, transducer means for monitoring the power consumption of said motor'due to the load and producing an indicating signal in response thereto, means for producing a second signal corresponding to a desired fluid value, comparator means responsive to said indicating signal and said second signal for producing a trigger signal when the magnitude of said indicating signal exceeds the magnitude of said record signal, and latching circuit means responsive to said trigger signal for selectively operating said control valve.
  • a fluid-metering system as described in claim I further including a mix-ready-indicating lamp, a source and timing circuit means responsive to said trigger signal for supplying said source to said lamp.
  • An added-fluid-metering system as described in claim 1 wherein said motor is adapted to be energized from a three-phase supply and said transducer means includes probe means for sensing the current supplied to a first phase of said motor and producing a third signal proportional thereto, transformer means for sensing the voltage supplied to the first phase of said motor and producing a fourth signal proportional thereto, and storage means for combining the in-phase portions of said third and fourth signals to produce said DC indicating signal.
  • a metering system as described in claim 3 further including a wet-enough-indicating lamp and circuit means for ener gizing said lamp in response to said trigger signal.
  • Apparatus for monitoring and controlling the flow of liquid into an electrically motor-driven mixer wherein the introduction of liquid into the mixer affects the power required to drive the motor for the mixer, and the amount of such powerrequired is related to the amount of liquid in the mixer, said apparatus comprising l conduit means adapted to connect said mixer to a liquid supply including an electrically operable valve means placeable selectively in open and closed states,
  • transducer means adapted to be operatively connected to said motor operable to produce an indicating signal which reflects the level of power supplied to the motor
  • circuit means operatively interconnecting said transducer and said valve means, operative with said transducer producing an indicating signal reflecting power supplied the motor above a certain level to place said valve means in one of its said states, and
  • Apparatus as described in claim 6 further including adjustable means for establishing said certain power level.
  • said circuit means further includes a comparator responsive to said DC voltage and said DC reference voltage for controlling the states of said valve means.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
  • Accessories For Mixers (AREA)
  • Control Of Non-Electrical Variables (AREA)
US860637A 1969-09-24 1969-09-24 Added-fluid-metering system Expired - Lifetime US3593966A (en)

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US86063769A 1969-09-24 1969-09-24

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CA (1) CA922403A (ja)

Cited By (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4125332A (en) * 1977-09-14 1978-11-14 Slurry Systems, Inc. Method and apparatus for mixing liner material for moisture retention basins
US4226542A (en) * 1979-04-05 1980-10-07 Weigh-Tech, Inc. Cement slurry reclamation system and method
US4314451A (en) * 1980-10-27 1982-02-09 Airco, Inc. Controlling temperature of a cryogenically refrigerated product
US4335966A (en) * 1979-12-22 1982-06-22 Elba-Werk Maschinen-Gesellschaft Mbh & Co. Method of preparing concrete mixtures
WO1984000948A1 (en) * 1982-09-02 1984-03-15 David J Miller Apparatus and method for unloading bulk materials
US4544275A (en) * 1983-03-23 1985-10-01 Ingrid Hudelmaier Concrete mixer truck
US4738350A (en) * 1982-09-02 1988-04-19 Miller Formless Co., Inc. Apparatus for unloading bulk materials
EP0305574A1 (de) * 1987-09-03 1989-03-08 Wolfgang Tartsch Unternehmensberatung KG Verfahren und Schaltungsanordnung zur Steuerung der Konsistenz von Frischbeton in stationären Betonmischanlagen
US5137365A (en) * 1990-12-18 1992-08-11 Blend-Rite Industries, Inc. Water metering system for concrete mixer
US5191966A (en) * 1982-09-02 1993-03-09 Miller Formless Co., Inc. Apparatus and method for unloading bulk materials
WO2005009708A2 (en) * 2003-07-24 2005-02-03 Lafarge North America Inc. Method and apparatus for adjusting a slump in and washing concrete mixing trucks
US20070185636A1 (en) * 2004-02-13 2007-08-09 Rs Solutions Llc Method and system for calculating and reporting slump in delivery vehicles
US20080308167A1 (en) * 2007-04-13 2008-12-18 Kelly Hines Method and device for dispensing liquids
US20100061181A1 (en) * 2005-06-28 2010-03-11 Don Malackowski Motorized bone cement mixer capable of monitoring the state of the cement as it is mixed
US7999687B1 (en) 2007-06-07 2011-08-16 Mickelsen Jamie D Alarm system for cement trucks
US8746954B2 (en) 2007-06-19 2014-06-10 Verifi Llc Method and system for calculating and reporting slump in delivery vehicles
US20150084230A1 (en) * 2012-04-27 2015-03-26 Mitsui Chemicals Tohcello, Inc. Method for manufacturing encapsulating material sheet for solar battery
US9518870B2 (en) 2007-06-19 2016-12-13 Verifi Llc Wireless temperature sensor for concrete delivery vehicle

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2954215A (en) * 1956-10-19 1960-09-27 Superlite Builders Supply Comp Moisture control apparatus
US3129928A (en) * 1961-06-16 1964-04-21 Butler Bin Company Water feed control system for concrete mixers
US3300193A (en) * 1965-07-12 1967-01-24 Industrial Nucleonics Corp Control apparatus for material mixers
US3423238A (en) * 1966-01-17 1969-01-21 Staley Mfg Co A E Slurry make-up system
US3463461A (en) * 1966-03-28 1969-08-26 Dresser Ind Automatic tempering

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2954215A (en) * 1956-10-19 1960-09-27 Superlite Builders Supply Comp Moisture control apparatus
US3129928A (en) * 1961-06-16 1964-04-21 Butler Bin Company Water feed control system for concrete mixers
US3300193A (en) * 1965-07-12 1967-01-24 Industrial Nucleonics Corp Control apparatus for material mixers
US3423238A (en) * 1966-01-17 1969-01-21 Staley Mfg Co A E Slurry make-up system
US3463461A (en) * 1966-03-28 1969-08-26 Dresser Ind Automatic tempering

Cited By (33)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4125332A (en) * 1977-09-14 1978-11-14 Slurry Systems, Inc. Method and apparatus for mixing liner material for moisture retention basins
US4226542A (en) * 1979-04-05 1980-10-07 Weigh-Tech, Inc. Cement slurry reclamation system and method
US4335966A (en) * 1979-12-22 1982-06-22 Elba-Werk Maschinen-Gesellschaft Mbh & Co. Method of preparing concrete mixtures
US4314451A (en) * 1980-10-27 1982-02-09 Airco, Inc. Controlling temperature of a cryogenically refrigerated product
US5351805A (en) * 1982-09-02 1994-10-04 Miller Formless Co. Inc. Method and apparatus for unloading bulk materials
WO1984000948A1 (en) * 1982-09-02 1984-03-15 David J Miller Apparatus and method for unloading bulk materials
US4738350A (en) * 1982-09-02 1988-04-19 Miller Formless Co., Inc. Apparatus for unloading bulk materials
US5191966A (en) * 1982-09-02 1993-03-09 Miller Formless Co., Inc. Apparatus and method for unloading bulk materials
US4544275A (en) * 1983-03-23 1985-10-01 Ingrid Hudelmaier Concrete mixer truck
EP0305574A1 (de) * 1987-09-03 1989-03-08 Wolfgang Tartsch Unternehmensberatung KG Verfahren und Schaltungsanordnung zur Steuerung der Konsistenz von Frischbeton in stationären Betonmischanlagen
US5137365A (en) * 1990-12-18 1992-08-11 Blend-Rite Industries, Inc. Water metering system for concrete mixer
WO2005009708A2 (en) * 2003-07-24 2005-02-03 Lafarge North America Inc. Method and apparatus for adjusting a slump in and washing concrete mixing trucks
WO2005009708A3 (en) * 2003-07-24 2005-05-06 Lafarge North America Inc Method and apparatus for adjusting a slump in and washing concrete mixing trucks
US20050174879A1 (en) * 2003-07-24 2005-08-11 Lafarge North America Method and apparatus for adjusting a slump in and washing concrete mixing trucks
US20070185636A1 (en) * 2004-02-13 2007-08-09 Rs Solutions Llc Method and system for calculating and reporting slump in delivery vehicles
US8727604B2 (en) 2004-02-13 2014-05-20 Verifi Llc Method and system for calculating and reporting slump in delivery vehicles
US8118473B2 (en) * 2004-02-13 2012-02-21 Verifi, LLC System for calculating and reporting slump in delivery vehicles
US20100312438A1 (en) * 2004-02-13 2010-12-09 Rs Solutions, Llc Method and System for Calculating and Reporting Slump in Delivery Vehicles
US20100312406A1 (en) * 2004-02-13 2010-12-09 Rs Solutions, Llc Method and System for Calculating and Reporting Slump in Delivery Vehicles
US20100061181A1 (en) * 2005-06-28 2010-03-11 Don Malackowski Motorized bone cement mixer capable of monitoring the state of the cement as it is mixed
US9559624B2 (en) 2005-06-28 2017-01-31 Stryker Corporation Control module for a motorized surgical tool, the module including a trigger sensor, a motor rotor sensor and a control circuit that are sealed from the ambient environment
US11666343B2 (en) 2005-06-28 2023-06-06 Stryker Corporation Navigated surgical system
US8657482B2 (en) 2005-06-28 2014-02-25 Stryker Corporation Method of mixing bone cement with a power tool including monitoring the mixing of the cement based on data regarding characteristics of components forming the cement and the current drawn by the power tool
US11076866B2 (en) 2005-06-28 2021-08-03 Stryker Corporation Navigated surgical system including override option
US10517610B2 (en) 2005-06-28 2019-12-31 Stryker Corporation Auxiliary unit for surgical tool
US10004517B2 (en) 2005-06-28 2018-06-26 Stryker Corporation Motorized surgical tool with sensor assembly in the handle for monitoring the rotational orientation of the motor rotor
US20080308167A1 (en) * 2007-04-13 2008-12-18 Kelly Hines Method and device for dispensing liquids
US8550690B2 (en) * 2007-04-13 2013-10-08 Construction Research & Technology Gmbh Method and device for dispensing liquids
US7999687B1 (en) 2007-06-07 2011-08-16 Mickelsen Jamie D Alarm system for cement trucks
US9518870B2 (en) 2007-06-19 2016-12-13 Verifi Llc Wireless temperature sensor for concrete delivery vehicle
US8746954B2 (en) 2007-06-19 2014-06-10 Verifi Llc Method and system for calculating and reporting slump in delivery vehicles
US9757888B2 (en) * 2012-04-27 2017-09-12 Mitsui Chemicals Tohcello, Inc. Method for manufacturing encapsulating material sheet for solar battery
US20150084230A1 (en) * 2012-04-27 2015-03-26 Mitsui Chemicals Tohcello, Inc. Method for manufacturing encapsulating material sheet for solar battery

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA922403A (en) 1973-03-06
JPS5219103B1 (ja) 1977-05-26

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