The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 11, 2016
Filed:
Oct. 11, 2013
Verifi Llc, West Chester, OH (US);
Richard K. Jordan, Littleton, MA (US);
Mark F. Roberts, North Andover, MA (US);
Eric P. Koehler, Boston, MA (US);
GCP Applied Technologies Inc., Cambridge, MA (US);
Abstract
The invention provides a method and system for detecting 'sneak' additions of water or other fluid into the mixing drum of a concrete delivery vehicle having an automated rheology (e.g., slump) monitoring system. Sneak fluid additions are detected based on continuous rheology monitoring, even where valves and flow meters on the delivery vehicle are not used for the fluid addition. The invention is effective for monitoring additions by truck drivers who might add water from an undocumented water source (e.g., hose) along the delivery route or at the site, to hasten pouring, placement, and finishing at the time of delivery. Once sneak fluid addition is detected, the methods and system provide for reporting in the form of alerts, alarms, or other indications that sneak fluid addition has occurred, including monitor graphs or printouts confirming existence and/or extent of sneak fluid added into the vehicle mixing drum.