A method for controlling operation of a manure arrangement (10) that includes a manure storage structure (3), an agitator (11), and an agitator motor (8) arranged to actuate the agitator (11). The method including monitoring (S1), while mixing manure in the manure storage structure (3) with the agitator (11), a load quantity indicative of a load on the agitator motor (8). The method further including controlling (S2) operation of the manure arrangement (10) based on the monitored load quantity. A manure arrangement (10) arranged to perform the method is provided.

A computer-implemented method and a computer-based product and monitoring system for contactless assessment of rheological properties of a fluid cement-based product, the method performing a first analysis which obtains the rotation speed of the mixing blades (31) of a truck-mounted concrete mixer drum (30) and detects the variation of the speed constituting a first parameter, performing a second analysis which obtains at least a sequence of images of the fluid product contained within the mixer drum (30), identifies particles, shapes, groups of particles, contours, and/or slope of the fluid product within the collection of sequential images, detects variations of speed and displacement direction of the particles and shapes, constituting a second parameter, performing a third analysis that detects a correlation between each first and second parameters from which the system calculates at least one parameter of rheological properties of the fluid product.

A computer-implemented method and a computer-based product and monitoring system for contactless assessment of rheological properties of a fluid cement-based product, the method performing a first analysis which obtains the rotation speed of the mixing blades (31) of a truck-mounted concrete mixer drum (30) and detects the variation of the speed constituting a first parameter, performing a second analysis which obtains at least a sequence of images of the fluid product contained within the mixer drum (30), identifies particles, shapes, groups of particles, contours, and/or slope of the fluid product within the collection of sequential images, detects variations of speed and displacement direction of the particles and shapes, constituting a second parameter, performing a third analysis that detects a correlation between each first and second parameters from which the system calculates at least one parameter of rheological properties of the fluid product.

A control system for mixing materials for livestock feed including a container that receives the materials, agitators that mix the materials in the container, a driveline that drives the agitators at an output speed with an output torque, a power source that provides an input speed at an input torque, a continuously variable transmission that connects the driveline and the power source and having a hydrostatic loop to provide a speed ratio between the input speed and the output speed, a plurality of sensors positioned between the power source and the agitators that provides mixing signals commensurate to mixing parameters, and an electronic control unit configured to receive the mixing signals, extract mixing parameter values from the mixing signals, and actuate the continuously variable transmission and adjust the speed ratio based on the mixing parameter values to enhance efficiency of the mixing of the materials.

Disclosed is an apparatus and method for providing asymmetric oscillations to a container. The container may include a fluid, a particle, and/or a gas. A vibration driver attached to the container provides asymmetric oscillations. A controller connected to the vibration driver controls an amplitude, frequency, and shape of the asymmetric oscillations. An amplifier amplifies the asymmetric oscillations in response to the controller. A sensor disposed on the vibration driver provides feedback to the controller.

An apparatus for mixing bone cement for use in orthopedic surgeries includes a mixing region and an agitator for mix the cement ingredients. A temperature sensing means of apparatus determines when that the cement mix can no longer be used. The apparatus can be operated or acted on by a power tool for the mixing of the bone cement. The power tool and/or mixing apparatus may include a mechanical torque limiter that inhibits the agitator as a result of mixing torque exceeding a threshold value. A timer of the apparatus may be started by a sensor of the apparatus or by the user in response to a mechanical torque value. When the timer is complete, a cue by the apparatus signals to the user that the mixed cement is ready and able to be applied.

A rotor assembly for a rotary mixer is disclosed. The rotor assembly includes a main drive configured to rotatably drive the rotor assembly, a main drive clutch enclosed in a drivetrain housing of the main drive, an actuation valve operably coupled to the main drive clutch, the actuation valve configured to actuate the main drive clutch between at least a first position and a second position, a rotor drum, a rotor drive gearbox having an input and an output, the gearbox output operably coupled to the rotor drum, a main drive belt rotatably coupled to the main drive clutch and the rotor drive gear box input such that a rotation of the main drive clutch imparts a rotation on the rotor drive gear box, and a speed sensor operably coupled to the rotor drum, the speed sensor measuring a rotational speed of the gearbox and generating a rotor speed signal, wherein based on when the rotor speed signal is below a predetermined rotor speed threshold the actuation valve is activated to rotate the main drive clutch a predetermined amount between the first position and the second position.

Viscosity and other properties are determined at desired temperatures in drilling mud and other fluids by using a versatile cavitation device which, operating in the cavitation mode, mixes and heats the fluid to a specified temperature, and, operating in the shear mode, acts as a spindle for application of Couette principles to determine viscosity as a function of shear stress and shear rate. The invention obviates the practice of adjusting rheology of a drilling fluid by passing it through the drill bit. Drilling fluid may be managed by a “straight-through” method to the well, or by placing the cavitation device in a loop which isolates an aliquot of known volume and circulating the fluid through the loop including the cavitation device. A controller may be programmed to manage the viscosity and other properties at various temperatures by controlling the power input and angular rotation of the “spindle” (which has cavities on its cylindrical surface), and feeding viscosity-adjusting agents and other additives to the fluid. Data may be collected from the loop and used in the “straight-through” mode until it is determined that conditions require a new set of data, or the loop may be used continuously. The system may be used with a supplemental viscometer, density meter, and other instruments.

Viscosity and other properties are determined at desired temperatures in drilling mud and other fluids by using a versatile cavitation device which, operating in the cavitation mode, mixes and heats the fluid to a specified temperature, and, operating in the shear mode, acts as a spindle for application of Couette principles to determine viscosity as a function of shear stress and shear rate. The invention obviates the practice of adjusting rheology of a drilling fluid by passing it through the drill bit. Drilling fluid may be managed by a “straight-through” method to the well, or by placing the cavitation device in a loop which isolates an aliquot of known volume and circulating the fluid through the loop including the cavitation device. A controller may be programmed to manage the viscosity and other properties at various temperatures by controlling the power input and angular rotation of the “spindle” (which has cavities on its cylindrical surface), and feeding viscosity-adjusting agents and other additives to the fluid. Data may be collected from the loop and used in the “straight-through” mode until it is determined that conditions require a new set of data, or the loop may be used continuously. The system may be used with a supplemental viscometer, density meter, and other instruments.

Viscosity and other properties are determined at desired temperatures in drilling mud and other fluids by using a versatile cavitation device which, operating in the cavitation mode, mixes and heats the fluid to a specified temperature, and, operating in the shear mode, acts as a spindle for application of Couette principles to determine viscosity as a function of shear stress and shear rate. The invention obviates the practice of adjusting rheology of a drilling fluid by passing it through the drill bit. Drilling fluid may be managed by a “straight-through” method to the well, or by placing the cavitation device in a loop which isolates an aliquot of known volume and circulating the fluid through the loop including the cavitation device. A controller may be programmed to manage the viscosity and other properties at various temperatures by controlling the power input and angular rotation of the “spindle” (which has cavities on its cylindrical surface), and feeding viscosity-adjusting agents and other additives to the fluid. Data may be collected from the loop and used in the “straight-through” mode until it is determined that conditions require a new set of data, or the loop may be used continuously. The system may be used with a supplemental viscometer, density meter, and other instruments.