Device and method for semi-automatic concrete mixing and for training operators for use thereof

A method for automatically controlling concrete batch mixing cycles and for training an operator to minimize the mixing cycles, comprising the steps of:

• responsive to introduction of water and dry materials for a batch of concrete into a mixer driven by a mixer motor, receiving, by a processor, a first time-related series of real time slump meter values, wherein the first time-related series of real time slump meter values begins synchronously with an introduction of water and dry materials without delaying for the water and dry materials to thoroughly mix together, wherein the real time slump meter values are received from a slump meter associated with a drum-turning motor from the mixer and wherein the real time slump meter values are approximately correlated to an expected slump value of a present state of contents of the mixer;
• detecting, by a processor, an initial peak value among the first time-related series of real time slump meter values, wherein the initial peak represents an increasing trend up to the initial peak followed by a decreasing trend;
• responsive to the detected initial peak value being above a pre-determined target slump meter value, determining, by a processor, a supplemental amount of water to add to the contents of the mixer of the batch of concrete;
• waiting, by a processor, at least a first time period subsequent to the detecting of the initial peak value;
• subsequent to expiration of the first time period and responsive to receiving by the processor a real time slump meter value in excess of the pre-determined target slump meter value, determining, by a processor, a next supplemental amount of water to contents of the mixer of the batch of concrete;
• waiting, by a processor, at least a second time period after expiration of the first time period;
• subsequent to expiration of the second time period and responsive to receiving by the processor an actual real time slump meter value in excess of the pre-determined target slump meter value, determining, by a processor, a next supplemental amount of water to add to the contents of the mixer of the batch of concrete;
• and
• subsequent to the determining of a second supplemental amount of water:
• monitoring, by the processor, one or more subsequently received real time slump meter values;
• detecting, by the processor, a real time slump meter value which meets the pre-determined target slump meter value;
• and
• activating, by the processor, an output signal for completion of the concrete batch.