Pipeline air pocket detection system
AssigneeSchwing America, Inc.
InventorsAlexander Krasny, Thomas M. Anderson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of detecting an air pocket in a concrete pump and minimizing the effect of the nozzle and boom reaction as the air pocket reaches the end of the boom. The hydraulic pressure of the pump is monitored to determine when a pump stroke contains air. Upon detection of air in a pump stroke, an alarm is sounded and the pump is slowed to minimize the effect of the air pocket when it reaches the nozzle of the boom.
Claims24
A method of controlling operation of a concrete pump, the method comprising:
- sensing a non-concrete pumping stroke containing air;
- and
- reducing a pumping rate of the concrete pump during at least a portion of time in which an air pocket associated with the non-concrete pumping stroke is pumped through a boom to a nozzle.
A method of controlling flow of concrete through a concrete pump as the concrete is pumped from a hopper through a boom to a nozzle, the method comprising;
- sensing a non-concrete pumping stroke;
- determining a first number of pumping strokes corresponding to the number of pump strokes required for the non-concrete pumping stroke to pass through the boom and reach the nozzle;
- and
- reducing a pumping speed of the concrete pump before the first number of pumping strokes has occurred.
A method for determining when a pumping stroke in a concrete pump contains air, the method comprising:
- sensing the beginning of a pumping stroke;
- monitoring a hydraulic pressure associated with the pumping stroke;
- and
- determining based on the hydraulic pressure whether the pumping stroke contains air.
A method of controlling the pumping of concrete through a boom, the method comprising:
- monitoring a pump stroke of the concrete pump to detect the presence of air in the pump stroke;
- and
- sounding an alarm upon detection of air in the pump stroke.
A method of detecting air in a concrete pump, the method comprising:
- collecting hydraulic pressure data from the concrete pump as the pump is pumping concrete;
- and
- comparing the hydraulic pressure data to a pressure curve.
A method of controlling a concrete pump, the method comprising:
- collecting hydraulic pressure data from the pump during a pump stroke;
- determining based on the hydraulic pressure data whether the pump stroke is a concrete stroke or a non-concrete stroke containing air;
- and
- controlling a speed of the pump in response to the non-concrete stroke.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.