SYSTEM FOR ADDING LIQUID COLOR PIGMENT TO CONCRETE IN A VOLUMETRIC TYPE MIXER

Abstract

A pigment and concrete mixer includes a pigment tank fluidly connected to a mixing auger by a hose. A pump is configured to pump pigment from the pigment tank to the mixing auger. A motor is operable to control the pump and adjust a flow rate of the pigment within the hose. The present invention adds color pigment to concrete in controlled flow for consistent color throughout concrete mix. The flow is adjusted to different rates for different color variation.

Claims

1. A pigment and concrete mixer comprising: a pigment tank; a hose running from the pigment tank to a mixing auger; a pump configured to pump pigment from the pigment tank to the mixing auger; and a motor operable to control the pump and adjust a flow rate of the pigment within the hose.

2. The pigment and concrete mixer of claim 1, wherein the pump is a peristaltic pump.

3. The pigment and concrete mixer of claim 1, wherein the motor is a hydraulic motor comprising a hydraulic control valve and hydraulic pumps.

4. The pigment and concrete mixer of claim 3, further comprising a controller operable to control the hydraulic control valve and thereby control a speed of the motor to adjust the flow rate of the pigment within the hose.

5. The pigment and concrete mixer of claim 4, further comprising a speed sensor and a digital output coupled to the speed sensor, wherein the speed sensor detects the speed of the motor and the digital output displays a numerical speed of the motor.

6. A method of mixing pigment with concrete comprising: providing a pigment pump comprising: a pigment tank; a hose running from the pigment tank; a pump coupled to the hose; and a motor coupled to the pump; and pumping pigment from the pigment tank through the hose and into a concrete mixing auger of a volumetric type mixer, wherein a flow rate of the pigment within the hose is adjustable by controlling a speed of the motor.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the pump is a peristaltic pump.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the motor is a hydraulic motor comprising a hydraulic control valve and hydraulic pumps.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the flow rate is adjustable via a controller controlling the hydraulic control valve and thereby controlling the speed of the motor to adjust the flow rate of the pigment within the hose.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein a speed sensor detects the speed of the motor and a digital output displays a numerical speed of the motor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The FIGURE is a schematic view of an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

[0015] Referring to the FIGURE, the present invention includes a system to dispense color pigment to a mixing auger on a volumetric type mixer. The system to dispense color pigment to a mixing auger on a volumetric type mixer includes a pigment tank 10 fluidly connected to a mixing auger 28 by a hose 12. A pump 14 is configured to pump pigment from the pigment tank 10 to the mixing auger 28. A motor 16 is operable to control the pump 14 and adjust a flow rate of the pigment within the hose 12. The present invention adds color pigment to concrete in controlled flow for consistent color though out concrete mix. The flow is adjusted to different rates for different color variation.

[0016] The pigment tank 10 may be a cylindrical cone and may be made of plastic. The pump 14 may be a bidirectional pump. Initially, the color pigment is pumped from a shipping container into the pigment tank 10 through the hose 12. The pump 14 is then reversed, and color pigment is pumped into the mixing auger 28.

[0017] In certain embodiments, the pump 14 is a peristaltic pump and the hose 12 is a peristaltic hose. The motor 16 may be a hydraulic motor having a hydraulic control valve 20 and hydraulic hoses 18. A controller 26 is operable to control the hydraulic control valve 20 and thereby control a speed of the motor 16 to adjust the flow rate of the pigment within the hose 12. The use of hydraulic motor 16, pump 14, and control valves 20 gives consistent flow of color pigment.

[0018] The present invention may further include a digital output 22 coupled to a speed sensor 24. The speed sensor 24 detects the speed of the motor 16 and the digital output 22 displays a numerical speed of the motor 16. Therefore, a user may visually see the speed of the motor 16 and therefore know the flow rate of the color pigment. The speed of the hydraulic motor 16 controls the flow rate of the color pigment. The present invention also allows for adding high viscosity liquid to the mixer at controlled and monitored rate.

[0019] A method of mixing pigment with concrete may include the following. Provide the pigment tank 10, hose 12, pump 14, and motor 16 described above. Pump pigment from a pigment container to the pigment tank 10. Pump pigment from the pigment tank 10 through the hose 12 and into a concrete mixing auger 28. A controlled amount of concrete is mixed with the pigment in the mixing auger 28 to create the colored concrete. A flow rate of the pigment within the hose 12 is adjustable by controlling a speed of the motor.

[0020] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.