BRPI0818713B1 - SYSTEM FOR INTRODUCING A RIGID BOOM IN A CONCRETE MIXING TRUCK USING AN ARTICULATED ARM - Google Patents

Description

(54) Title: SYSTEM FOR INTRODUCING A RIG BOOM IN A CONCRETE MIXING TRUCK USING AN ARTICULATED ARM (51) lnt.CI .: B28C 5/46 (30) Unionist Priority: 10/22/2007 US 60 / 981,646 ( 73) Holder (s): L'AIR LIQUIDE - SOCIÉTÉ ANONYME POUR L'ETUDE ET LEXPLOITATION DES PROCEDES GEORGES CLAUDE (72) Inventor (s): STEPHEN BILGER (85) National Phase Start Date: 22/04/2010

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SYSTEM FOR INTRODUCING A RIG BOOM ON A CONCRETE MIXING TRUCK USING AN ARTICULATED ARM

Field of invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus and process for injecting a refrigerant fluid into a concrete mixing container using a system that includes a boom device having an articulated arm.

Foundation

The state of the art for cooling cryogenic concrete is well documented in WO 2006/100550 as deposited by Ar Liquide. As noted in WO 2006/100550, when preparing concrete it is often necessary to cool the concrete mixture since the structural integrity of the resulting concrete is dependent on the temperature at which the concrete is established. Typically, the colder the concrete when poured, the stronger it will be once it is established. Concrete that is poured at high temperatures will often not meet the minimum strength requirements, especially in warm weather climates.

In the past, this problem has been addressed in several ways including 1) cooling the water used in mixing the concrete using a refrigeration unit, ice, or a cryogenic liquid that was mixed with water before mixing the concrete and 2) injecting a cryogenic liquid directly into a truck's concrete mixer cylinder while being mixed in a conventional rotary mixer. The first approach was found to present problems in terms of cost, time, labor intensity, additional equipment, safety problem and final product problems. The second approach discovered Petition 870180059253, of 07/09/2018, p. 10/70

2/50 if you experience problems due to potential damage to the truck mixer cylinder.

In addition, prior art systems basically fall into one of two main categories: those that are manually operated and those that are automated. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages with regard to manufacturing cost, manufacturing time, installation / failure difficulty, operation (achievable productivity, safety, required training, ease of use, etc.), maintenance, storage, service life, etc. Manually intensive systems are typically cheaper, but are less productive and less secure. These systems involve manually positioning and securing a boom to the concrete mixing cylinder before allowing cryogenic liquid (eg, nitrogen) to flow. Once the refrigerant process is complete, it is then necessary to detach and remove the lance, again by hand. Highly automated systems are more productive and safer to operate, but have a higher cost to manufacture and maintain. With these systems, the positioning and the flow of cryogenic liquid are controlled with various electric and / or pneumatic actuators so that no manual intervention is required.

While multiple prior art systems have sought to overcome the problems associated with these systems by providing relatively inexpensive systems that adjust to accommodate the relative position and particular specifications of a given container without manual intervention, there are still problems with these systems. For example, systems such as those disclosed in WO 2006/100550

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3/50 use pneumatic cylinders to control boom insertion and retraction due to the required travel length of approximately 1.52 m or more. The cylinder can be controlled to fully extend or fully retract, but is not able to partially extend / retract. Once the signal to extend the boom is given, the operator can only stop the boom by activating an emergency stop. If the boom or truck is positioned in a way to introduce a collision hazard, the operator often does not have enough time to react to prevent a collision. This collision often results in damage to the boom or mixer and often causes the boom to detach from the pneumatic cylinder. When the boom is detached, it must be manually returned to its proper position which results in significant lost time. The practice of returning the boom to its original position is complicated as it often requires additional labor and equipment to complete the task.

Also, when systems, such as those disclosed in WO 2006/100550 disclose a system that provides a boom that is capable of movement with a certain degree of freedom, such freedom is achieved with the use of multiple actuators that act on the boom that must be coordinated in its operation in order to provide the necessary degree of movement without harming the boom and / or the mixer cylinder.

Consequently, there is a need for a system that includes the benefits of fully automated systems, including a high degree of freedom of

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4/50 boom movement, while simplifying the overall design. Cooling concrete using an automated injection system is desirable as it is safer and allows for increased productivity. The more complex a device is, however, the more expensive it is to manufacture and maintain. In addition, complexity negatively affects manufacturing, installation, and removal times, which adds to the cost of the operation. It is, therefore, the aim of the present invention to provide a system that is simple in design, inexpensive to make and easy to install, remove and maintain. It is also the object to provide a system that eliminates damage to the boom device, particularly the rigid boom, in situations where the concrete mixer truck is repositioned before the completion of the refrigerant injection.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides a system for injecting a refrigerant fluid into a concrete mixing vessel. The system includes a support structure and a boom device that is mounted, preferably mobile, on the support structure. The boom device used in the system comprises an articulated arm and a means that acts on the articulated arm to cause the movement of a rigid boom which is an integral part of the articulated arm. The means acting on the articulated arm can be an electric drive alone or an electric motor alone. The medium acting on the articulated arm provides the ability to exactly position the rigid boom and reduce the chance of a destructive collision between the rigid boom and the concrete mixing vessel. The medium acts on the articulated arm in such a way

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5/50 way to allow non-linear rotary movement of the rigid boom relative to the support structure and the concrete mixing container. This non-linear rotary movement results from the rotating movements of the various components of the articulated arm in relation to each other (movements that encompass the combined movement through the X and Z axis at the same time). More specifically, the extension or retraction of the driver or rotary control of the motor allows the control of the angle of the rigid boom while controlling the movement of insertion and retraction of the rigid boom in the concrete mixing container. The present invention also relates to a process for injecting a refrigerant fluid into a concrete mixing vessel using the system of the present invention.

Description of the figures

Figure 1 illustrates a side view of an injection system of one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a front view of an injection system according to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 3 illustrates a modality of the boom device of the present invention in which the actuator is present on the external side of the vertical support member and further includes the range of movement of the upper lift arm on pivot 300A and the range of movement of the guide arm boom on pivot 300D in order to raise or lower the rigid boom by way of the upper pivot 300B and lower pivot 300 C.

Figure 3a illustrates an alternative modality of

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6/50 boom device of the present invention in which the driver is present on the inside of the vertical support member.

Figure 4 illustrates an embodiment of the mounting bracket that can be used to join the boom device to the crossbeam member of a support structure.

Figure 5 illustrates the front view of the self-seat safety mechanism (spring loaded safety support) if the concrete mixing vessel moves while the boom is inserted (the truck moves away before the boom is retracted).

Figure 5a illustrates an alternative front view of the self-seat safety mechanism (spring loaded safety support) if the concrete mixing vessel moves while the boom is inserted (the truck moves away before the boom is retracted) .

Figure 6 illustrates a side view of a safety support modality that connects the lower guide arm

0 to the vertical support member where rotation and subsequent separation of the safety support in a counterclockwise motion away from the vertical support member occurs when the rigid boom comes into contact with any part of the mixer cylinder or hopper of the mixing vessel of concrete.

Figure 6a illustrates a side view of an alternative embodiment of the safety support that connects the actuator and the vertical support member in which the rotation and subsequent separation of the safety support in a counter-clockwise motion away from the second safety support

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7/50 safety occurs when the rigid boom comes into contact with any part of the mixer cylinder or concrete mixing hopper.

Figure 7 illustrates a side view of an embodiment 5 of an alternative support configuration where the mounting support is positioned between the vertical support member and the lower guide arm as shown with respect to the third and fourth modalities.

Figure 8 illustrates how the force exerted on the 10 rigid boom in examples where the rigid boom cannot be retracted from the concrete mixing vessel occurs without damaging the rigid boom (although the use of a safety support) as depicted with respect to to the third modality and the fourth modality.

Figure 8a illustrates an alternative modality to that of

Figure 8 as represented with respect to the first modality and the second modality.

Figure 9 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention that includes the position of the injection system, including the path of the rigid boom, with respect to injecting a refrigerant into a container, such as the concrete mixer of a concrete truck.

Figure 10 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention that shows the positioning of the rigid boom at a typical insertion point in the concrete mixing container.

Detailed description of the invention

The system of the present invention provides an apparatus and a process for injecting a refrigerant into a concrete mixing vessel. The system comprises a

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8/50 boom device which is mounted, preferably mobile mounted, on a support structure. The boom device includes an articulated arm and a means acting on the articulated arm. Through the use of the means acting on the articulated arm of the boom device, it is possible to control the angle, as well as the insertion and retraction movement of the rigid boom in relation to the concrete mixing container. In one embodiment of the present invention, the medium comprises an electric actuator alone which acts on the articulated arm. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the medium comprises an electric motor (instead of an electric drive). The articulated arm is preferably counterbalanced to minimize the load on the driver and the required driver capacity in modes that include a driver and to minimize the load on the engine in modes including a motor. The counterweight also works to increase the stability of the boom device of the system as it moves the center of gravity of the boom device to be in line with the center of gravity of the support structure. Since the rigid boom of the present invention is an integral part of the articulated arm, it does not require a means to travel on rollers as in WO 2006/100550 and therefore does not have to be isolated to prevent the accumulation of ice.

This is an advantage as the ice can interfere with the insertion and retraction process, and can make the boom stand out from its support.

At the system gift invention, the structure in Support understands a set leg and an beam in 30 member transversal. 0 set of leg has two or more

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9/50 legs that support the cross member beam of the support structure. The cross member beam and the two or more legs are positioned with respect to each other in such a way that they define a corridor that is of sufficient height (H) and width (L) to allow a concrete mixing truck to pass through the Hall. For example, in a four-legged embodiment, two legs would support one end of the cross member beam while the other two legs would provide support for the opposite end of the cross member beam with space below the cross member beam and between each set of two legs defining the corridor through which the concrete mixer truck could pass. This in turn allows the concrete mixer truck to be pulled under the injection system and positioned in order to have the refrigerant fluid injected into the concrete mixer container of the concrete mixer truck. Note that with respect to the legs of the support structure, these legs are intended to include legs that comprise not only a structural component, but also legs that include structural components for support, such as transverse beams at the base of the leg or tripod support structures in the base of the legs. In yet a further embodiment of the present invention, each of the legs (or each of its supporting structures) has a wheel attached to it which allows for easy movement of the entire system, the support structure and the boom device, from one position to another position. Such wheels are preferably wheels having multiple positions with rotating closing casters and cast wheels of one

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10/50 plastic, such as polyurethane and the like.

The support structure of the present invention can be made of any suitable material that is sufficient in strength to readily support the weight and movement of the present system boom device. For example, the support structure can be made of materials, such as carbon steel, aluminum, or any alloy that is sufficient in strength to support the weight of the boom device over time. Support structures of the type that can be used in the present system also include commercially available support structures, such as trestle cranes. Trestle cranes are available in a variety of sizes, including with a variety of different beam sizes. Note that the means for mounting the boom device of the present system to the cross member beam of the support structure can be configured to adapt to a variety of different beam sizes thereby allowing the use of a variety of commercially available gantry cranes.

The support structure can be of a fixed height and width or it can include a way to change the length of the aisle in this way allowing the support structure aisle to be adjusted to accommodate the size of variable cement mixer trucks. As used here, the term space means to include adjustments to the height of the support structure alone, the width of the support structure alone, or the height and width of the support structure. In the modalities where height and width can be adjusted, such support structures would allow height and width adjustment by adjusting the position of the beam.

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11/50 cross member in relation to the legs of the support structure. Note that in one embodiment, the cross member beam and legs will typically contain drilled holes to receive screws in this way allowing the cross member beam and legs to be screwed together at different heights and widths.

In addition to a support structure, the system of the present invention further includes a boom device comprising an articulated arm and a means for manipulating (moving) the articulated arm. The articulated arm includes a variety of elongated structures or components that are pivotally connected to each other and that when in motion have a wide and diverse range of movement (one because of the rotating union of the components with respect to other changes in the position of the rigid boom on the range of movement, it allows the rigid boom to follow a non-linear path, for example, between the fully retracted position of the driver and the fully extended position of the driver). More specifically, the articulated arm of the present invention comprises at least one rigid boom, an upper lifting arm, a lower guide arm, and a vertical support member pivotally connected to the other in a specific manner to allow this large and varied range of motion . The rigid lance of the present invention can be made of a material that withstands exposure to the refrigerant. Consequently, the rigid boom is preferably made of steel, aluminum, or any cryogenically compatible rigid material. The upper lifting arm, the lower guide arm and the vertical support member of the present

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12/50 invention on the other hand does not come directly in contact with the refrigerant. Therefore, it is possible to have these components made of the same materials as the rigid boom or because of the weight and / or cost factor, these components are made of a cheaper and / or lighter material, such as composite materials, wood, inflexible plastic hard or similar.

The rigid boom of the articulated arm is an elongated component having two ends, a fluid receiving end and a fluid outlet end. The rigid boom includes a fluid path that runs the length of the rigid boom. This fluid path is in the form of a tube that extends from the fluid receiving end to the fluid outlet end and makes up the main body of the rigid boom and allows free flow of a refrigerant fluid through the fluid path. While the refrigerant can be discharged from the fluid outlet end of the rigid boom into the concrete mixing vessel without the benefit of a nozzle, in some embodiments, an injection nozzle is coupled to the fluid path at the fluid outlet end of the boom rigid. This injection nozzle allows more control of the refrigerant injection into the concrete mixing vessel of the concrete mixing truck. The injection nozzles can include an angle to help better direct the coolant into the concrete mixing vessel. Such nozzles are readily known in the art and can include any known nozzle that is capable of being used with the particular refrigerant of the present invention.

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13/50

An additional component of the present system is a source of the refrigerant fluid. While a variety of refrigerants can be used in the system of the present invention, such as ice water and cryogenic fluids, preferred refrigerants are cryogenic fluids, such as nitrogen and argon with nitrogen being the most preferred cryogenic fluid. The source of refrigerant can be contained in any manner known in the art. When the refrigerant is a cryogenic fluid, the cryogenic fluid can be contained in any container or container that is known to hold cryogenic fluids including, but not limited to, composite, steel or aluminum cylinders for packaging such cryogenic fluids. The coolant is removed from the coolant source and injected into the fluid receiving end of the rigid boom. Coolant flows from the coolant source to the fluid receiving end of the rigid boom through a fluid line. The injection of the refrigerant fluid is controlled through the use of an automated valve that can be located anywhere between the source of the refrigerant fluid and the fluid outlet end / injection nozzle attached to the rigid boom together with a means to extract the fluid refrigerant, such as pressure, one or more pumps or gravity. Such fluid lines can be any type of hose or tube that is capable of handling refrigerant fluids, especially cryogenic fluids. After the refrigerant is injected into the fluid receiving end of the rigid boom, it flows along the

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14/50 fluid from the rigid boom and into the concrete mixing vessel via the first outlet end and optionally attached to the injection nozzle.

The articulated arm also comprises an upper lifting arm that acts as a lever to position the boom. The upper lifting arm has a first end, a second end and a support point between the first end and the second end. The support point is the position where the upper lift arm is pivotally connected to the vertical support member. The rigid boom of the articulated arm is pivotally connected to the upper lift arm between the support point and the second end of the upper lift arm. A counterweight is connected between the fulcrum and the first end of the upper lift arm. The upper lift arm's support point allows the swivel connection of the upper lift arm to the rigid boom to move in a semicircular motion (travels along an arc or curve in a two-dimensional plane with respect to the center of the arc or curve; see Figure 3 for an illustration) with respect to the swivel connection of the upper lifting arm to the vertical support member (travels along a different arc or curve in a two-dimensional plane with respect to the center of the arc or curve; see Figure 3 for an illustration).

As noted, the upper lifting arm's support point is still pivotally connected to the upper end of the vertical support member. The vertical support member of the articulated arm also includes an end

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Bottom 15/50 which is connected directly or indirectly to the lower guide arm of the articulated arm. The manner in which the components of the boom device come together at this point (at or near the lower end of the vertical support member) can be represented by a variety of different modalities.

The first embodiment involves the swivel connection of the vertical support member directly to the first end of the lower guide arm and the use of a driver as the means to move the articulation arm. In this particular embodiment, a mounting bracket for the boom device is preferably positioned at the bottom of the rear or external surface of the vertical support member. The vertical support member can form a portion of the mounting bracket, in which case a mounting support member will be screwed to the lower portion of the vertical support member to allow an open space between the mounting support member and the vertical support member where the cross-member beam will be positioned. As described below, a variety of additional components, such as mounting brackets, bearings and / or claws can be arranged within the space to securely hold the cross member beam between the vertical support member and the support member. Assembly. Alternatively, the mounting bracket may be an individual bracket that is rigidly attached to the lower end of the vertical support member. Also, in order to allow protection of the boom device from damage caused by the concrete mixing truck moving away before the completion of the fluid injection

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16/50 refrigerant in this particular mode, the boom device driver will include a safety support as described below.

The second embodiment is shown in Figure 3A. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in which a mounting bracket is positioned between the lower portion of the vertical support member and the first end of the lower guide arm. The lower portion of the vertical support member may serve as a portion of the mounting bracket for attaching the boom device to the cross-member beam of the support structure or may simply have an individual mounting bracket rigidly attached thereto. In addition, in this embodiment, the first end of the lower guide arm is pivotally connected to one or more points along the mounting bracket. Like the first modality above, in order to allow protection of the boom device from damage caused by the concrete mixing truck moving away before the completion of the refrigerant injection, the boom device driver will also include a safety bracket.

In the third (and most preferred) embodiment of the present invention, a safety support pivotably connects the vertical support member to the lower guide arm. More specifically, a safety bracket that is pivotally connected at one or more points along the safety bracket to one or more points along the lower end of the vertical support member and is further pivotally connected at one or more different points to the along the safety bracket to one or more points along the first end of the guide arm

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Bottom 17/50 as shown in Figures 3 and 6. In this case, the purpose of the safety support is to allow the lower guide arm to move away from the vertical support member when the concrete mixer truck moves away before the rigid boom is retracted from to prevent damage to the rigid boom or concrete mixing vessel. The safety support is positioned on what is considered to be the internal surface of the vertical support member (the surface face that is closest to the rigid boom). In this particular embodiment, a mounting bracket for the boom device is located on the outside of the vertical support member (the surface that is furthest from the rigid boom).

The fourth embodiment provides not only a first safety support to be positioned between the vertical support member and the lower guide arm, but also for a mounting bracket to be positioned between the vertical support member and the lower guide arm. In this particular embodiment as shown in Figure 7, the mounting bracket is positioned between the lower end of the vertical support member and one end of the safety support. Consequently, the vertical support member is part of or is rigidly attached to the mounting bracket at one or more points along the mounting bracket and the safety bracket is pivotally connected at one or more points along the safety bracket at the side opposite the mounting bracket and at another point along the safety bracket to the lower guide arm. Similar to the third modality, the purpose of the first safety support is to allow the lower guide arm to move away from the

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18/50 assembly when the concrete mixer truck moves away before the rigid boom is retracted to prevent damage to the rigid boom or concrete mixing vessel.

For each of the modalities noted above, the second end of the lower guide arm is pivotally connected to the rigid boom at a point between the fluid outlet end of the rigid boom and the swivel connection of the rigid boom to the upper lift arm. The swivel connection of the lower guide arm to the rigid boom is such that it also allows the swivel connection to move in a circular motion with respect to the first end of the lower guide arm (see Figure 3 for the bow illustration).

The boom device of the present invention further comprises a means for manipulating or moving the articulated arm of the boom device. This medium is selected from an electric drive or an electric motor. The preferred modality uses an electric actuator that acts on the articulated arm, the electric actuator being joined by one end of the electric actuator (either directly or through a safety support as noted in modalities 1 and 2 above) to the vertical arm support member articulated and at the end opposite the upper lifting arm. The positioning of this joint can vary depending on the specific embodiment of the invention. More specifically, the electric actuator can be positioned on the front or inner side of the vertical support member (on the side closest to the rigid boom as shown in Figure 3A) or on the rear or outer side of the vertical support member (on the most away from the spear

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19/50 rigid as shown in Figure 3). In the first example, one end of the driver is joined to the front or inner side of the vertical support member between the lower end of the vertical support member and the point where the vertical support member is pivotally connected at the support point of the lift arm higher. In this same embodiment, the opposite end of the driver is joined to the upper lifting arm at a point between the support point and the second end of the upper lifting arm. These connections are such that when the actuator shaft is extended or retracted, the actuation of the upper lift arm causes the components of the articulated arm to rotate in a non-linear motion or shape which, therefore, allows the resulting control of the boom angle rigid at the same time allowing the movement of insertion and retraction of the rigid boom in the concrete mixing container for the injection of refrigerant. In this particular modality (with the actuator being positioned on the front or internal surface of the vertical support member), the rigid boom is removed from the concrete mixing container when the actuator is fully extended. Also in this modality, while the driver can be directly attached to the vertical support member, in some modalities as noted with respect to the first modality and the second modality above, a security support will be interdisposed between and thus providing an indirect connection of the member of vertical support at the driver end.

In an alternative and more preferred embodiment, one end of the driver is attached to the rear surface or

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20/50 external of the vertical support member between the lower end of the vertical support member and the support point. In this same embodiment, the opposite end of the driver is joined to the upper lifting arm at a point between the first end of the upper lifting arm and the support point. These connections are also such that when the actuator shaft is extended or retracted, the actuation of the upper lift arm causes the remaining components of the articulated arm to rotate in a non-linear motion that allows the resulting control of the rigid boom angle to the same time allowing the insertion and retraction movement of the rigid boom in the concrete mixing container for the injection of fluid. In this particular modality (with the actuator being positioned on the rear or external surface of the vertical support member), the rigid boom is removed from the concrete mixing container when the actuator is fully retracted. This second mode is preferred for two separate reasons: the driver shaft is protected from external exposure when the system is not in use since the shaft is retracted and the weight of the driver is shifted to the rear side of the vertical support system thereby providing additional stability to the system since the center of gravity of the boom device is better centered or in line with the center of gravity of the support structure, by bringing the center of gravity of the two components in line with each other this gives additional balance to the entire system. Also in this modality, while the driver can be directly attached to the vertical support member, in some modalities, a

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21/50 security will be interposed in the middle and thus provides an indirect connection from the vertical support member to the end of the actuator.

Note that in the modalities that include an actuator with a safety bracket, if the mixing truck moves forward when the rigid boom is extended, the boom device will counter-move. The boom will rotate counterclockwise on the pivot connecting the rigid boom to the lower guide arm (see Figure 8a). This rotation will exert a downward force on the upper lift arm and the driver. To prevent damage to the upper lift arm and driver, the safety bracket will rotate clockwise and allow the upper lift arm and driver to move down in response to force. The safety bracket will also include a spring. This spring will return the support to its original position once the boom releases the concrete mixing container. In each of these modes, the mounting bracket is located on the external surface of the vertical support member (the surface furthest from the surface in front of the rigid boom).

The electric actuator used in the above modes is a linear or electromechanical actuator. Using this type of actuator, it is possible to stop at a chosen position within the range of motion instead of having to do the full range of motion as is experienced with other types of actuators. Consequently, using the electric actuators of the present invention, it is possible to more precisely position the rigid boom with respect to the concrete mixing container. Furthermore, with regard to

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22/50 to the first modality and the second modality discussed above, the electric actuator is preferably a spring loaded electric actuator (one that includes a safety support with the spring directly attached to the actuator at the point where it connects to the vertical support member) to allow the opposite movement of the boom device. The reverse movement occurs in situations when the concrete mixing truck moves away from the system before the rigid boom is retracted. This spring loaded mechanism therefore prevents damage to the boom device (particularly the rigid boom) and will automatically return the electric actuator to its original position once the rigid boom has left the truck hopper. Note that the spring can optionally be present in the modes where a safety support is located between the lower guide arm and the vertical support member (the third and fourth modes).

An alternative means of controlling the movement of the boom is with a single electric motor that indirectly acts on one of the pivots of the boom device. The engine can be joined at any pivot point on the boom device. Manipulating one of the pivot points causes movement at that point which consequently changes the angle of all components of the boom device due to their pivoting relationship to each other. Preferably, the motor acts at the support point. The preferred motor is a stepper motor as it is required to control the rotation of the motor shaft precisely in order to control the movement of the boom device. This control is achieved with the use of a gearbox or a traction chain or

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23/50 any other means known in the art for such engines.

The actual operation of the system of the present invention for injecting refrigerant can be achieved by manual means, but the preferred method is by automated means. The system preferably includes an electronic controller that is capable of receiving a variety of signals (signal source depending on the type of system). The controller can be any controller that is readily known in the art, such as a programmable logic controller (PLC), a programmable automatic controller (PAC), a computer, a distributed control system (DCS), programmable relays and the like. In a more specific embodiment of the present invention, the electronic controller is communicatively coupled to the medium to manipulate the articulated arm of the boom device (the electric actuator or the electric motor). In yet an additional modality, the electronic controller is communicatively coupled not only to the actuator or motor of the boom device, but also to one or more of the necessary or optional components of the system, such as a support structure actuator, a fluid source refrigerant, one or more sensors on the rigid boom or other parts of the system and one or more cameras. The electronic controller can be in wireless communication (for example, infrared, RF, Bluetooth, etc.) or wired with one or more necessary or optional components of the system.

The actual position of the electronic controller is not a critical aspect of the invention. More specifically, in one mode, the electronic controller can be mounted to the

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24/50 system support structure. It is also contemplated that the electronic controller may be remotely located from the system. In a particular preferred embodiment, the electronic controller is positioned to allow the driver of a concrete truck to reach from the concrete truck's cab window and enter commands to the electronic controller, while still being close enough to the system to allow the rigid boom to enter. into the mixer container and inject a coolant into it. In such examples, the electronic controller can also be a portable device that is in wireless communication (for example, infrared, RF, Bluetooth, etc.) with the injection system. The handheld device can be operated from any position including the cab of the concrete mixer truck.

The electronic controller can generally be configured to operate each of the respective components in an automated manner (for example, according to a pre-programmed sequence stored in memory) or according to explicit user input. The electronic controller can also be equipped with a programmable central processing unit, a memory, a mass storage device, relays and well-known support circuits, such as power supplies, clocks, cache, input / output circuits and the like . Optionally, the electronic controller can also include a code-operated locking mechanism that can be used to enable the system. Once enabled, an operator can control the operation of the injection system by entering commands on the electronic controller. With such

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25/50 purpose, an electronic controller mode includes a control panel. The control panel can include a keyboard, switches, buttons, a touch screen, etc. In yet an additional mode, the operator is required to enter a pass code on the control panel in order to operate the system. The electronic controller can also include, or be connected to, a card reader. The data read from a card by the card reader can be used to determine whether the card owner is an authorized operator.

Consequently, the electronic controller can have a network connection to a database accessed to verify the cardholder's authorization by comparing the information read from the card to the information stored in the database. In yet an additional embodiment, the electronic controller has a wireless receiver (for example, RF receiver) that can detect a signal from a wireless transmitter associated with a particular operator. Based on the wireless signal, the controller can determine whether the particular operator is an authorized user. Consequently, in the present system, any number of authentication control devices and / or access control devices are contemplated. The electronic controller can also be configured to track various information regarding the use of the present system. Consequently, the identity of the operator and other usage information (for example, time and date, amount of refrigerant, temperatures, etc.) can be tracked. The controller may also include an output device (for example, a screen and / or a speaker) that provides information to the operator including, for example, information about the progress of the cycle.

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26/50 current injection.

In the operation of the electronic controller of a particular modality of the present system, the electronic controller issues commands to one or more components of the system and, in some cases, receives feedback from the components. For example, with respect to the injection of the refrigerant, the electronic controller sends control signals to the single driver of the boom device to orient the rigid boom at a desired position / angle while at the same time positioning the rigid boom in the concrete mixing vessel. . Once the rigid boom is correctly positioned, the electronic controller issues a command to open the appropriate valve on the coolant source, where coolant is allowed to flow from the coolant source and finally out of the injection nozzle and into the coolant container. concrete mix. Once the refrigerant injection is complete, the electronic controller issues an additional command to close the appropriate valve on the refrigerant source. Once the valve is closed, the remaining refrigerant that is downstream of the valve is allowed to drain from the injection nozzle into the concrete mixing container and the rigid boom is then retracted. At this point, the injection is complete.

The electronic controller can also work to assist in the actual insertion of the rigid boom into the concrete mixing container. More specifically, in an embodiment of the present invention, the electronic controller is also communicatively coupled to detect the equipment that is configured to facilitate the insertion of the rigid boom into the concrete mixing container. Such

Petition 870180059253, of 07/09/2018, p. 35/70 / 50 equipment includes, but is not limited to, one or more sensors and one or more cameras. The sensors can be of any type of detection device or configured system that will allow the detection of the rigid boom in relation to the proximity of the surface (external and internal) of the concrete mixing container. Illustrative sensors include acoustic sensors and optical sensors (for example, laser). During the operation of the system, the sensors detect a relative distance / position of the container and provide the detected distance / position information to the electronic controller. For example, the electronic controller then responds by emitting signals to the boom device driver in this way allowing adjustment in the orientation of the rigid boom (the electronic controller indirectly makes the appropriate adjustments to the orientation of the rigid boom) during the continued extension (insertion) of the rigid boom in the concrete mixing container. In this way, the electronic controller and one or more sensors define a closed loop return system configured to ensure that the rigid boom avoids contacting the concrete mixing container and ends up in a desired position within the concrete mixing container. Alternatively, or in addition to one or more sensors, one or more cameras can be provided to capture and transmit photos (via, for example, video feed) to an output device. The system operator can then observe the operation of the rigid boom through the output device and in certain instances replace the electronic controller to make the necessary adjustments.

In yet another modality of the present system,

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28/50 the electronic controller is also communicatively coupled to the temperature detection equipment that can also be represented by one or more sensors. The temperature sensors could be any type of temperature sensors contemplated in the art, such as a contact type or non-contact device. Generally, a type of contact element could be internal or external to the concrete mixing vessel. The contact type temperature probe could be a temperature measurement element in contact with the outer surface of the concrete mixing truck cylinder to take skin temperature readings. Illustrative contact elements include thermocouples and thermistors. Regardless of the type of contact element, it can be constructed such that the contact is maintained during the rotation of the cylinder, that is, being loaded by spring or using a brush-type probe having sufficient flexibility to adapt to the outer surface of the cylinder while rotating. It is also contemplated that the contact element may be in direct contact with

0 the concrete mixture. An example of a non-contact temperature measurement device is an infrared sensor. Infrared measuring devices are well known and are able to measure the temperature of the object (eg concrete mix) from a distance.

The infrared sensor can be mounted on the system (for example, on the rigid boom) in a way that the infrared light can be projected into the mixture in order to take a temperature reading of the concrete mixture. In one embodiment, the infrared measuring device may include a laser sight to facilitate aiming the light

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29/50 infrared at a desired point. In operation, the temperature sensor measures the temperature of the mixture (for example, concrete mixture) contained in the container during a mixing operation. If the mixer or concrete mix becomes too cold, the controller stops the system. In one embodiment, the operator first enters a desired temperature (target temperature) of the mixture to be cooled, before the injection of refrigerant begins. Once the target temperature is reached, the controller can issue a command to stop the flow of refrigerant, and immediately or shortly after retracting the rigid boom from the container. It is also contemplated that the temperature of the refrigerant fluid flowing through the rigid lance is measured.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the electronic controller receives a signal to an inclinometer mounted on the upper lifting arm, the lower guide arm or the pivoting support of the boom device. The inclinometer provides an angle reading from the upper lift arm or lower guide arm to the electronic controller, which in turn acts on this information to make a determination as to when to stop the actuator or motor (when the desired insertion angle is reached). The inclinometer can also be used in some cases to prevent the driver or motor from retracting or inserting beyond a particular point.

In yet an additional modality, a potentiometer is used to judge the actuation length of the actuator. While the potentiometer measures the desired reading (the resistance), the electronic controller that receives this

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30/50 reading determines when to eliminate movement in this way by limiting the scale.

While the sensors above (potentiometers and inclinometers) can be used to activate the electronic controller, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other means such as external limit switches can also be used to achieve the same result.

Using an electronic controller in the system of the present invention, if the rigid boom encounters an obstacle during insertion of the rigid boom into the concrete mixing container, the actuator (through the spring loaded safety support used in various modalities) will rotate freely. The electronic controller records a peak current in the driver (due to the driver needing more energy to overcome the obstacle) and drives the rigid boom to retract. This prevents damage to the system and will allow automatic restoration while the boom separates from the obstacle. Limit switches can be used to achieve the same result.

As noted above, the boom device can be permanently mounted or movably mounted to the cross-member beam of the support structure. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the boom device can be permanently mounted to the crossbeam member using a variety of means known in the art, such as screws, brackets or trolleys. In addition, those of ordinary skill in the art may further recognize that the boom device can be movably mounted to the crossbeam member

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31/50 using a variety of means, including individual supports with rollers and / or couplings or low friction guides to join the boom device to the cross member beam. The means for permanently or movably joining the boom device to the cross member beam can be by joining the vertical support member with a mounting bracket to secure the boom device to the cross member beam. This mounting bracket can be permanently or movably mounted to the cross member beam by any means known in the art, or it can allow the brackets to be loosened to manually or with the aid of energy slide the boom device along the cross member beam of a position to another position. The boom device can also be slidably mounted to the cross member beam on one or more roller bearings or low-friction guides that are positioned within the support. In one embodiment, four roller bearings are used. Each roller bearing can be arranged inside, and run through the beam, or a rail attached to the beam. In yet a further embodiment, the vertical support beam comprises a portion of the mounting bracket in which a mounting support member is joined with the vertical support member to define a passageway in which at least a portion of the cross-member beam is willing. As in the above modality, this modality can also include rollers and / or couplings or low friction guides. While any type of support known in the art can be used to make this connection, supports, such as the type illustrated in Figure 6, are preferred. In this mounting bracket, as noted, the

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32/50 vertical support member serves to provide the coating to which a mounting support member is joined by two or more elongated screws. As further shown in Figure 6, within the passage defined by screwing the vertical support member to the mounting support member, a roller system is also mounted that guides the boom device along the cross-member beam of the support structure. In addition, a sub- or second mounting bracket comprising two sub-mounting bracket members with one sub-member rigidly attached to the mounting-support member and the other rigidly attached to the vertical support member may also be seated within the mounting bracket. a passage in which at least a portion of the cross-member beam is positioned. Often these types of sub- or second support are used for further stabilization. The bidirectional lateral movement of the boom device through the cross member beam is thus possible. The boom device can be moved through the cross member beam manually by the operator or through a support structure driver that is attached to the cross member beam. Alternatively, it is contemplated that a drive device, such as a motor connected to the roller bearing, a mechanical arm, or an operator could control the bidirectional movement of the boom device. Thus, while the boom device moves along the support structure, the rigid boom moves along the cross member beam so that the rigid boom can be better aligned with the opening of the

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33/50 concrete mixing container. A commercially available trolley can also be used to achieve the above.

The present invention also comprises a process for cooling a concrete mixture. The first step in the process involves providing a system to inject a coolant into the concrete mix. The system to be used in the process of the present invention is the system as described above. More specifically, the system comprises a support structure having connected to it a boom device comprising an articulated arm and a means for driving the articulated arm. The articulated arm includes a rigid boom comprising a fluid receiving end, a fluid outlet end, a fluid path in the form of a tube that extends from the fluid receiving end to the fluid outlet end and allows the flow of coolant through it and an optional injection nozzle fluidly coupled to the fluid path at the fluid outlet end of the rigid boom. The boom device is movably disposed on the support structure and capable of moving the rigid boom in a non-linear manner. The system also comprises a coolant fluid source fluidly coupled to the fluid path of the rigid boom.

In the process of the present invention, the second step involves positioning the fluid outlet / injection nozzle end of the rigid boom relative to an opening in a concrete mixing vessel. This position is adjusted through the actuator or motor acting on the articulated arm in this way allowing the extension of the rigid boom and subsequent insertion of at least one end of

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34/50 fluid outlet / injection nozzle from the rigid boom into the concrete mixing vessel. In those situations where the concrete mixer trucks will be the same types of concrete mixer trucks (the same height, width and angle of the concrete mixing container), it is possible to preserve the injection parameters to allow repeated boom placement rigid for similar trucks without the need to recalculate or adjust placement. Once the fluid outlet end / injection nozzle of the rigid boom is inserted into the concrete mixing vessel, a coolant is then injected into the concrete mixing vessel flowing the refrigerant fluid from the fluid source to the receiving end of the boom. rigid, along the fluid path of the rigid boom and out of the fluid outlet end through the injection nozzle (when present) and into the concrete mixing vessel. The start and stop of injection of this refrigerant can be controlled through the use of a valve positioned along the fluid line between the refrigerant source and the fluid outlet end / injection nozzle of the rigid boom.

When necessary, the position of the fluid outlet end / injection nozzle of the rigid boom can be adjusted by sending respective command signals from an electronic controller as described above. Adjustment can be performed first by detecting a relative position of the rigid boom and opening using the detection equipment as illustrated above and then responsively moving the rigid boom into position

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Desired 35/50 relative to the opening. More specifically, a command signal is sent from the electronic controller to the driver or motor of the boom device that is coupled to the support structure. The resulting movement by the driver or motor in this way allows the rigid boom to achieve a desired angular orientation of the rigid boom relative to the opening of the concrete mixing container. Alternatively, the rigid boom is adjusted by emitting command signals from an electronic controller that is operated from a cement truck cab. In yet a further embodiment of the process of the present invention, the conditions of the concrete mix are monitored. This monitoring may include monitoring the temperature of the concrete mixture. This can be accomplished by mounting one or more temperature sensors on the rigid boom.

Once the injection is complete, the valve is closed in this way interrupting the flow of refrigerant. Once the remaining refrigerant has drained from the rigid boom, the rigid boom is removed from the concrete mixing vessel and the process is complete.

For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference is made to the detailed description, made in conjunction with the accompanying figures, in which similar elements are given the same reference numbers or analogues. Figures 1 and 2 of the present invention illustrate a side view and a front view, respectively, of a system (100) for injecting a refrigerant fluid into a concrete mixing container (502) comprising a mounted boom device (190),

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36/50 permanently or movably, in a support structure (116). The embodiment illustrated in these figures is a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this system (100), the boom device (190) has a rigid boom (102) configured to inject a refrigerant fluid that flows along a fluid line (122) from a coolant source (120) into a container (for example, concrete mixing container (502), as shown in Figure 9). The rigid boom (102) is pivotally attached to an upper lifting arm (104) and a lower guide arm (108). These connections, together with the connection to the vertical support member (110) allow the rigid boom (102) to be moved in and out of the concrete mixing container (502) in a non-linear manner. The non-linear form of movement achieved allows not only the movement of the rigid boom (102) inside and outside the concrete mixing container (502), but also the positioning of an injection nozzle (112) (or fluid outlet end) of the rigid boom when there is no injection nozzle) located at one end (the fluid outlet end) of the rigid boom (102) with respect to the surface of the concrete mixing container (502).

The rigid boom (102) is capable of non-linear movement as defined by the lengths of the components or elongated members of the articulated arm. In Figure 3, the boom device (190) comprises an articulated arm (102, 104,

108, and 110) and one actuator (302) with a trigger (302) used being located on the side or outer surface of member support vertical (110) of the articulated arm. THE 30 Figure 3a provides a modality alternative where O

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37/50 used driver (302) is positioned on the side or internal surface of the vertical support member (110) of the articulated arm. The articulated arm components include a rigid boom (102) having a fluid injection end (102A) and a fluid outlet end (102B), an upper lifting arm (104) having a first end (104A) and a second end (104B), a lower guide arm (108) having a first end (108A) and a second end (108B), and a vertical support member (110) having an upper end (110A) and a lower end (110B) ). With respect to these components, as shown in Figures 3 and 3a, the fluid receiving end (102A) of the rigid boom (102) is pivotally connected to the second end (104B) of the upper lift arm (104). The upper lift arm (104) is further pivotally connected to the upper end (110A) of the vertical support member (110) at a point between said first end (104A) of said upper lift arm (104) and the second end (104B) of the upper lifting arm (104). The second end (108B) of said lower guide arm (108) is pivotally connected to the rigid boom (102) at a point between the fluid outlet end (102B) of the rigid boom (102) and the rotating connection of the rigid boom ( 102) to the upper lifting arm (104). In Figure 3, the first end (108A) of the lower guide arm (108) is indirectly connected to the lower end (110B) of the vertical support member (100). The indirect connection is the result of placing a safety support (304)

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38/50 between the vertical support member (110) and the lower guide arm (108). In Figure 3a, a mounting bracket (314) is positioned between the vertical support member (110) and the lower guide arm (108). The first end (108A) of the lower guide arm (108) is therefore pivotally connected to the mounted support (314).

In each of the above modes, the upper lifting arm (104) pivots pivotably on the pivot (300A) to raise or lower the rigid boom (102) via the upper pivot (300B). To adjust the path of the travel boom (102), there are several positions (not shown) along the upper lift arm (104) for the pivot (300B) (not shown). The lower guide arm (108) guides the rigid boom (102) throughout the movement through the lower pivots (300C and 300D). It is also provided that the lower guide arm (108) has multiple positions (not shown) to attach to the rigid boom (102) to additionally adjust the travel path if required. As still shown in Figures 3 and 3a, the support point (300A) of the upper lift arm (104) allows the swivel connection (300B) of the upper lift arm (104) to the rigid boom (102) to move in one motion semicircular (as illustrated in the arc or curve 105) with respect to the swivel connection (300A) of the upper lifting arm to the vertical support member (travels along a differential arc or curve in a two-dimensional plane with respect to the center of the arc). At the same time, the second end (108B) of the lower guide arm (108) is pivotally connected (300C) to the rigid boom (102) at a point between the fluid outlet end (102B) of the boom

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39/50 rigid (102) and the swivel connection (300B) from the rigid boom (102) to the upper lift arm (104). The swivel connection (300C) of the lower guide arm (108) to the rigid boom (102) is such that it also allows the swivel connection (300C) to also move in a circular motion with respect to the first end (108A) of the lower guide arm ( 108) to form an arc or curve (as illustrated in arc or curve 109).

In Figures 3 and 3a, the connection of the rigid boom (102) to the 10 upper lifting arm (104) and the lower guide arm (108) is secured through the use of pivoting brackets (310). The lance (102) is rigid and acts as a member of the articulated arm in addition to transporting the refrigerant. Since the pivoting supports (310) are connected at two separate points along the rigid boom (102) and follow two separate curved paths, the rigid boom path (102) is non-linear. Pivoting brackets (310) can be positioned anywhere along the rigid boom (102) using any known means to join or secure two components together including, but not limited to, the use of U-bolts or claws.

As further illustrated in Figures 3 and 3a, the actuation of the upper lift arm (104) by the driver (302) is aided by the addition of a counterweight (106) which is joined at or near the first end (104A) of the lift arm top (104). For optimal system stability (100), the counterweight (106) also maintains the center of gravity of the boom device (190) close to the center line of the Z axis of the crossbeam member (200). As further detailed in Figure 3, the actual weight of the

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40/50 counterweight (106) can be distributed to achieve optimum stability. The drive can also be aided by the addition of counterweight springs or counterweight air suspensions (not shown) acting on the upper lift arm (104).

The two embodiments shown in Figures 3 and 3a each include a safety support (304). In the embodiment represented by Figure 3, the safety support (304) pivotally connects the lower guide arm (108) of the articulated arm to the vertical support member (110). In this modality, through the use of the safety support (304), it is possible to allow the lower guide arm (108) to move away from the vertical support member (110) when the concrete mixing truck (504) moves away before the rigid boom ( 102) be retracted. This actual situation showing the position of the safety support when it is moved away from the vertical support member is shown in Figure 8. Figure 5 still provides a front view of the safety support (304) of Figure 3. In Figure 5, from the front view the support (314B) is visible behind the vertical support member (110).

The safety support (304) can be seen in front of the vertical support member (110). The safety support (304) is attached to the lower guide arm (108) in the position noted by (304a) and to the vertical support member (110) in the position noted by (304B). This modality also includes an air suspension (308) to reset the safety support. Figure 6 further provides a side view of the safety support (304) while it is attached to the vertical support member (110) and the lower guide arm (108) during a safety event. Note that the air suspension

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41/50 (308) is attached to the vertical support member (110) and the security support (304) to reset the security support. Figure 6 still provides the orientation of the safety support (304) with respect to the vertical support member (110) and lower guide arm (108) when force is being exerted on the lower guide arm (108) to the point that makes the support of safety (304) detach from the vertical support member (110).

In the particular modality shown in Figure 3, the

10 support in Assembly (314) is located in surface external of member support vertical (110). An modification additional to this involves placing the support of Assembly (314) between the support of security (304) and the

vertical support member (110) as represented by the fourth embodiment discussed above and shown in Figure 7. In this particular embodiment, the mounting bracket (314) is rigidly joined on one side to the vertical support member (110) and pivotally joined on the side opposite the safety support (304). The safety support (304) is also pivotally joined at a different point to the lower guide arm (108).

In Figure 3a, the mounting bracket (314) is positioned between the lower end (110B) of the vertical support member (110) and the first end (108A) of the lower guide arm (108). The support is rigidly attached to the vertical support member (110) and pivotally connected along the opposite side of the mounting support (314) to the lower guide arm (108). Figure 4 provides a more detailed mounting bracket structure (314) including the roller bearings (312) that can be

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42/50 used to help maintain the stability of the boom device (190). In Figure 4, the mounting bracket sub-member (314A) is also included to provide more stability. The safety support (304) is not attached to the lower guide arm (108) in this embodiment, however it serves to attach the driver (302) to the vertical support member (110). In this particular embodiment, a second safety support (306) is seated within the first safety support (304). In this embodiment, the driver (302) is forced into the vertical support member (110) in a situation where the truck (504) moves away before the rigid boom (102) is retracted. More specifically, the safety support (304) rotates clockwise, pushes the second safety support (306) which compresses the air suspension (308). This actual situation that shows the position of the safety support when it is pulled out of the vertical support member is shown in Figure 8a. In the situation where the rigid boom (102) is being inserted and comes into contact with part of the concrete mixing container (502) due to misalignment of the rigid boom (102) and the concrete mixing truck (504), the driver (302 ) will pull and rotate the safety bracket (304) away from the second safety bracket (306) on its shared pivot (304B). Separating both safety brackets (304 and 306) will cause an electronic controller switch (118) to signal the rigid boom (102) to retract.

Figure 5a provides a front view of the safety support of Figure 3a. In Figure 5a, the relationship of the safety supports (304 and 306) is readily visible with

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43/50 in relation to the vertical support member (110) and the air suspension (308). Figure 6a provides a side view of the security bracket (304) which has an additional security bracket (306) seated on the first security bracket (304).

As additionally shown in Figures 1 and 2, the boom device (190) of the present invention is supported by a support structure (116) comprising the support legs (201) and a cross member beam (200). The support structure (116) can be an adjustable height and width trestle crane, whose height (H) and width (L) define an opening or aisle (210) that allows the concrete mixer truck (504) to pass under of the cross member beam (200) and between the support legs (201).

The coolant source (120), fluid line (122), valve (124), and injection nozzle (112) are all as described in W02006 / 100550A1, the relevant part that is incorporated by reference here. In Figure 1, the coolant source (120) is remotely positioned.

Alternatively, the coolant source (120) can be mounted to the system (100) as shown in Figure 2. Regardless of the position, the coolant source (120) is fluidly coupled to the system (100) with a fluid line ( 122) which allows the refrigerant to be supplied for injection into the concrete mixing vessel (502) through the rigid boom (102). In the particular noted embodiment, the coolant source (120) can be turned off and on using a valve (124) attached to the vertical member support (110). While the valve

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44/50 (124) is shown situated adjacent to the vertical member support (110), it should be appreciated that the valve (124) can be located anywhere between the coolant source (120) and the fluid outlet end (102B) or injection nozzle (112) of the rigid boom (102) as long as the refrigerant is supplied for injection into the concrete mixing vessel (502). In addition, the system (100) noted in Figures 1 and 2 also includes an electronic controller (118) that is capable of sending and receiving signals. Consequently, it is possible for the electronic controller (118) to send a signal to the valve (124) which will allow the valve (124) to be opened when it is time to inject the refrigerant and a separate signal to the valve (124) which will allow the valve (124) to be closed when the injection process is finished.

As noted previously, the rigid boom (102) can also include an injection nozzle (112) to release the refrigerant. The injection nozzle (112) projects from the boom at an angle Θ. In one embodiment, the angle Θ is approximately an angle of 22 ° from the plane of the rigid boom (102). The Θ angle allows the refrigerant to enter the concrete mixing vessel (502) in a direction that prevents contact and damage to the vessel walls. In alternative embodiments, the injection nozzle (112) is not present or is detachable to allow the injection nozzles (112) from different angles and sizes to be quickly joined as is appropriate for a particular application. The refrigerant used can be any type known in the art, such as liquid nitrogen, argon, or chilled water.

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45/50

The boom device of the present invention is joined to the cross member beam (200) of the support structure (116) using a mounting bracket (314) as shown in Figures 3 and 3a. As previously noted, the mounting bracket (314) can use the lower end (110B) of the vertical support member (110) as a portion of the mounting bracket (314). In the embodiment determined in Figure 6, the mounting bracket (314) comprises a mounting bracket sub-member (314B) which is screwed or welded to the vertical support member (110). The mounting bracket member (314C) and the mounting bracket sub-member (314A) are either screwed or welded together. The two sub-members are joined in such a way to provide a passage between the two sub-members (314A and 314B). The mounting bracket can also include one or more sets (a total of two to eight) of roller bearings (312) as shown in Figure 4 which also helps stabilize the boom device (190) on the cross member beam (200 ), as well as helping to move the boom device (190) through the cross member beam (200) when necessary. An alternative mounting bracket configuration (314) would exclude the cross members (314A and 314B) and screw the mounting bracket (314C) directly to the vertical member (110).

25 In addition, a middle for the lateral movement bidirectional (206) as shown in Figure 2 is optionally included to align the spear rigid (102) with the container mixture in concrete (502). In this particular modality, this is performed for one middle 30 comprising a beam transverse (202) that

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46/50 pushes and pulls the boom device (190) along the cross member beam (200). This is aided by the use of two or more roller bearings (312) on the mounting bracket (314) as mentioned above or by using a low friction guide placed along the cross member beam (200) (low guide) friction not shown). The boom device (190) can be attached to the bridge crane beams of various sizes by increasing or decreasing the distance between the mounting bracket in Figure 4 and the vertical support member (110). The driver (202) is joined to the cross member beam (200) at its fixed end with a means consisting of one or more beam claws and driver support structure (not shown).

As additionally shown in Figure 9, path (508) illustrates the start position of the fluid outlet end (102B) (or injection nozzle (112)) of the rigid boom (102) and its range of motion as it enters the container concrete mix (502). Note that the rotation of the pivots (300A and 300D) is clearly noted by the resulting arcs (105 and 109, respectively) while the rigid boom (102) travels along the path (508). When the rigid boom (102) is close to its fully inserted position, the rigid boom (102) experiences the greatest variation in the angle of the rigid boom (102). In the preferred mode, when the desired angle is reached, the electronic controller (118) will signal the driver (302) to stop and the injection process will begin. The electronic controller (118) can be used to signal the opening of the valve (124) that allows the injection of the refrigerant fluid. THE

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The variation of the rigid boom angle (102) is approximately 25 degrees to approximately 60 degrees from the horizontal axis, preferably from approximately 30 degrees to approximately 55 degrees from the horizontal axis (the X axis).

An alternative means of adjusting the boom angle is to adjust the position of the limit switches (not shown) located on the driver (302). This method, however, requires more manual intervention if insertion point adjustments are required once the system (100) is installed.

In addition to the rigid boom angle (102), the cooling time is also a parameter. Depending on the size of the cylinder or product being cooled, different cooling times may be required. The operator thus has the ability to adjust the time that the valve (124) is opened during the injection process. As noted previously, temperature sensors (not shown) can also be included on the walls of the concrete mixing container (502) or on the tip of the rigid boom (102).

If the rigid boom (102) cannot retract (due to a power failure, driver failure, etc.) and is in the position inserted into the concrete mixing container (502), then the concrete mixing truck 504 can go forward and exert force F1 to the rigid boom (102) without damaging the rigid boom (102) (see Figures 8 and 8A). As provided for the first and second modes, the rigid boom (102) rotates counterclockwise while exiting the funnel (506), the upper lift arm (104) will rotate clockwise and

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48/50 exerts force F2 on the actuator (302) (see Figure 8a). The driver (302) will then rotate the safety bracket (304) clockwise to allow the rigid boom (102) to move. The safety bracket (304) pushes on a second safety bracket (306) which is spring loaded (308) and will return the driver (302) to its original position once the rigid boom (102) is free from the hopper. truck (506) (see the first mode and the second mode). With respect to Figure 8, the upper lift arm remains fixed. Therefore, force F2 is exerted on the safety support of the lower guide arm (see the third and fourth modes). The lower guide arm (108) will move the safety support (304) away from the vertical support member (110) on the pivot (304A). A spring is connected to the safety bracket (304) to help the safety bracket (304) return to its seated position once the rigid boom (102) releases the hopper (506) from the concrete mixer truck (504) .

An alternative mechanism allowing the truck (504) to depart while the rigid boom (102) is inserted is intended to be part of an additional arm (not shown) connecting pivots (300B and 300C) to which the rigid boom (102) is attached with a spring loaded coupling.

While the truck leaves, the rigid boom (102) would separate from the articulated arm as permitted by the coupling until the rigid boom (102) is free from the truck funnel (506). The coupling spring would then return the rigid boom (102) to its original position.

For the first and second modes, if the boom

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49/50 rigid (102) contacting any part of the concrete mixing container (502) or funnel (506) during the insertion process and experiencing a force that restricts its movement, the actuator (302) will rotate the support ( 304) counterclockwise away from the support (306) (see Figure 6A). This separation will cause a controller switch (118) to reverse the movement of the driver (retract) so that the truck (504) or boom device (190) can be repositioned. The alternative mechanism mentioned above would allow the rigid boom (102) to separate from the arm (not shown) in case the movement of the rigid boom (102) is obstructed. This separation would trigger an electronic controller switch (118), which would initiate the retraction process so that the truck (504) and / or the boom device (190) can be correctly positioned.

It is also envisaged that a current sensor switch or transducer (not shown) will be implemented to trigger the retraction process in the event the boom encounters an obstruction. The switch or controller would detect the largest load on the driver (302) and the signal controller (118) would remove the rigid boom (102) from the concrete mixing container (502).

It will be understood that many additional changes in the details, materials, steps and arrangement of parts, which have been described here in order to explain the nature of the invention, can be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the added claims . Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to specific modalities in

Petition 870180059253, of 07/09/2018, p. 58/70

50/50 examples given above.

Petition 870180059253, of 07/09/2018, p. 59/70

1/10

Claims (4)

1/14 | —► FIG 2 FIG 2 FIGURE 1 1. System (100) for injecting the refrigerant into a concrete mixing container (502), the system (100) comprises: 5 A) a support structure (116) comprising: a) a leg assembly having two or more support legs (201); and b) a cross-member beam (200) supported between two or more legs (201); 10 the two or more legs (201) and the cross member beam (200) being positioned with respect to each other in such a way to define a corridor (210) of sufficient height (H) and width (L) between the two or more legs (201) and below the cross member beam (200) 15 to allow a concrete mixing truck (504) to pass through the aisle (210); and B) a boom device (190) positioned on the cross member beam (200) of the support structure (116), the boom device (190) characterized by the fact that 20 comprises: a) an articulated arm that includes a rigid lance (102) that allows a refrigerant fluid to flow completely through it; and b) a means to drive the articulated arm to cause the articulated arm to rotate in a non-linear motion thereby controlling the angle of the rigid boom (102) while at the same time controlling the insertion and retraction movement of the rigid boom (102 ) in the concrete mixing vessel (502) for the injection of 30 coolant fluid in the mixing container Petition 870180059253, of 07/09/2018, p. 60/70 2/14 124 Ο FIGURE 2 2. System, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the means for activating the articulated arm is selected from an electric actuator (302) and an electronic motor. 5 3. System according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that in the articulated arm, the first end (108A) of the lower guide arm (108) is pivotally connected at one or more points along a safety support ( 304) which is still pivotally 10 connected at one or more different points along the safety support (304) to the lower end (110B) of the vertical support member (110) and where the safety support (304) still includes a spring (308). 4. System according to claim 3, 15 characterized by the fact that one end of the driver (302) is joined to the vertical support member (110) between the lower end (110B) of the vertical support member (110) and the point (300A) where the vertical support member (110) is pivotally connected to the lift arm 20 upper (104) and the other end of the driver (302) is joined to the upper lifting arm (104) at a point (300A) between where the upper lifting arm (104) is connected to the vertical support member (110) and the first end (104A) of the upper lift arm (104), 25 such that when the actuator shaft (302) is extended or retracted, the actuation of the upper lift arm (104) causes pivoting movements of the articulated arm components in a non-linear motion thereby controlling the angle of the rigid boom (102) while at 30 same time controls the movement of insertion and retraction of the Petition 870180059253, of 07/09/2018, p. 63/70 5/10 rigid boom (102) in the concrete mixing container (502) for the injection of the refrigerant in the concrete mixing container (502). 5. System according to claim 4, 5 characterized by the fact that the driver (302) is positioned on the external surface of the vertical support member (110). 6. System according to claim 5, characterized by the fact that the boom device (190) 10 further comprises a mounting bracket (314) for joining the boom device (190) to the cross member beam (200) of the support structure (116), the mounting bracket (314) is formed by joining the outer surface of the end bottom (110B) of the vertical support member 15 (110) to a mounting support member (314C) to form a passage between the vertical support member (110) and the member member mounting bracket (314C) in which the at least partially transversal (200) is positioned. 20 7. System of wake up with claim 6, characterized by the fact that the mounting bracket (314) still comprises a first support sub-member mounting bracket (314A) attached to the mounting bracket member (314C) and a second mounting bracket sub-member (314B) 25 joined to the vertical support member (110) in such a way as to define a passage between the first mounting support sub-sub (314A) and the second mounting support sub-sub (314B) in which the cross member beam (200) is at least partially positioned. 8. System, according to claim 3, Petition 870180059253, of 07/09/2018, p. 64/70 6/10 characterized by the fact that the actuation of the upper lift arm (104) is aided by a counterweight (106) which is joined at or near the first end (104A) of the upper lift arm (104) to 5 counterbalance and minimize the required load and capacity of the electric actuator (302). 9. System, according to claim 8, characterized by the fact that the system still comprises an electronic controller (118) configured to emit and 10 receive command signals to drive the boom device (190). 10. System, according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that the electronic controller (118) is programmed with a sequence of fluid injection 15 refrigerant that, when executed, guides the rigid boom (102) relative to an opening of the concrete mixing container (502) and inserts at least one injection nozzle (112) of the rigid boom (102) into the concrete mixing container (502). 11. System according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that the rigid boom (102) still comprises one or more sensors to send signals to the electronic controller (118) when the rigid boom (102) encounters an obstacle. 12. System according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the boom device (190) is movably mounted on the cross-member beam of the support structure and further comprises a means for allowing bidirectional lateral movement of the 30 boom (190) along the cross member beam. Petition 870180059253, of 07/09/2018, p. 65/70 7/10 13. System, in wake up with The claim 1, characterized by fact that The rigid boom (102) is pivotally united to i arm in top lift (104) and the arm guide bottom (108) through the use of pivoting supports boom (310). 14. System, in wake up with The claim 1, characterized by fact that the angle of the rigid boom (102) ranges from 30 degrees to 55 degrees from horizontal axis. 15. System, in wake up with The claim 1, characterized by fact that The support structure comprises a beam member (200) and two legs (201). 16. System, in wake up with The claim 1, characterized by fact of which c i fluid soda is a cryogenic fluid. 17. System, in a deal with The claim 16, characterized by fatc i that the cryogenic fluid is selected from argon and nitrogen. 18. System, in wake up with The claim 2, 20 characterized by the fact that the first end (108A) of the lower guide arm (108) is pivotally connected directly to the lower end (110B) of the vertical support member (110) and the means for driving the articulated arm comprises an electric actuator ( 302) 25 having an axis that is capable of extending and retracting where an end of the driver (302) is joined to the vertical support member (110) between the lower end (110B) of the vertical support member (110) and the point ( 300A) where the vertical support member (110) is pivotally connected 30 to the upper lifting arm (104) and the other Petition 870180059253, of 07/09/2018, p. 66/70 8/10 driver end (302) is joined to the upper lift arm (104) at a point (300A) between where the upper lift arm (104) is connected to the vertical support member (110) and the first end ( 104A) of the upper lift arm (104), such that when the driver shaft (302) is extended or retracted, the actuation of the upper lift arm (104) causes the pivoting arm components to rotate in a non-linear motion thereby controlling the angle of the rigid boom (102) while at the same time controlling the insertion and retraction movement of the rigid boom (102) in the concrete mixing vessel (502) for injection of the refrigerant into the concrete mixing vessel (502 ). 19. System according to claim 18, characterized by the fact that the boom device (190) still comprises a mounting bracket (314) for joining the boom device (190) to the cross-member beam (200) of the support structure (116), the mounting bracket (314) is formed by joining the outer surface of the lower end (110B) of the vertical support member (110) to a mounting support member (314C) to form a passage between the vertical support member (110) and the mounting support member (314C) in which the cross member beam (200) is at least partially positioned. 20. System according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that the first end (108A) of the lower guide arm (108) connected 30 pivotally at one or more points along a support Petition 870180059253, of 07/09/2018, p. 67/70 9/10 mounting (314) which is rigidly joined at one or more different points to the lower end (110B) of the vertical support member (110) and the means for driving the articulated arm comprises an electric drive (302) having a 5 axis which is capable of extending and retracting where an end of the driver (302) is joined to the vertical support member (110) between the lower end (110B) of the vertical support member (110) and the point (300A) where the vertical support member (110) is pivotally connected 10 to the upper lift arm (104) and the other end of the driver (302) is joined to the upper lift arm (104) at a point (300A) between where the upper lift arm (104) is connected to the support member vertical (110) and the lifting arm The upper 15 (104) is attached to the rigid boom (102), such that when the drive shaft (302) is extended or retracted, the actuation of the upper lifting arm (104) causes the pivoting arm components to rotate in one nonlinear motion that way 20 controlling the angle of the rigid boom (102) while at the same time controlling the movement of insertion and retraction of the rigid boom (102) in the concrete mixing container (502) for injection of the refrigerant in the concrete mixing container (502) . 25 21. System according to claim 20, characterized by the fact that the boom device (190) still comprises a safety support (304) which is positioned between the vertical support member (110) and the end of the driver ( 302) attached to the support member 30 vertical (110). Petition 870180059253, of 07/09/2018, p. 68/70 10/10 22. System according to claim 2, characterized in that the first end (108A) of the lower guide arm (108) is pivotally connected at one or more points along a support 5 security (304) which is still pivotably connected at one or more different points along a mounting bracket (314) which is positioned between the security bracket (304) and the vertical support member (110) and the means for operating the articulated arm comprises a 10 electric actuator (302) having an axis that is capable of extending and retracting where an end of the actuator (302) is joined to the vertical support member (110) between the lower end (110B) of the vertical support member (110 ) and the point (300A) where the vertical support member 15 (110) is pivotally connected to the upper lift arm (104) and the other end of the driver (302) is joined to the upper lift arm (104) at a point (300A) between where the upper lift arm (104) is connected to the vertical support member (110) and the The upper lift (104) is attached to the rigid boom (102), such that when the drive shaft (302) is extended or retracted, the actuation of the upper lift arm (104) causes the pivoting arm components to rotate in a nonlinear motion that way 25 controlling the angle of the rigid boom (102) while at the same time controlling the insertion and retraction movement of the rigid boom (102) in the concrete mixing container (502) for the injection of the refrigerant in the concrete mixing container (502 ). Petition 870180059253, of 07/09/2018, p. 69/70 2/10 concrete (502); wherein the rigid boom (102) of the articulated arm has a fluid receiving end (102A), a fluid outlet end (102B), a fluid path in the 5 forms a tube which extends from the fluid receiving end (102A) to the fluid outlet end (102B) and allows a refrigerant fluid to flow completely, wherein when the refrigerant fluid is injected into the fluid receiving end (102A ) of the rigid boom (102), the fluid 10 refrigerant flows along the fluid path of the rigid boom (102) and into the concrete mixing container (502) through the fluid outlet end (102B); wherein the components comprising the articulated arm include the rigid boom (102) in combination with: A) an upper lifting arm (104) having a first end (104A) and a second end (104B); b) a lower guide arm (108) having a first end (108A) and a second end (108B); and C) a vertical support member (110) having an upper end (110A) and a lower end (110B); and where the fluid receiving end (102A) of the rigid boom (102) is pivotally connected to the second 25 end (104B) of the upper lift arm (104), the upper lift arm (104) is further pivotally connected to the top end (110A) of the vertical support member (110) at a point between the first end (104A) of the upper lift arm (104) 30 and the second end (104A) of the lifting arm Petition 870180059253, of 07/09/2018, p. 61/70 3/14 124 110B '108A FIGURE 3 Upper 3/10 (104), the second end (108B) of the lower guide arm (108) is pivotally connected to the rigid boom (102) at a point between the fluid outlet end (102b) of the rigid boom (102) and the swivel connection of the rigid boom (102) to the upper lifting arm (104), and the first end (108A) of the lower guide arm (108) is connected directly or indirectly to the vertical support member (110) in a selected manner : i) the first end (108A) of the lower guide arm (108) is pivotally connected directly to the vertical support member (110); ii) the first end (108A) of the guide arm bottom (108) is pivotally connected in one or more points to long mounting bracket (314) what is united on a or more different points to the end bottom (110B) of member vertical support (110); iii) the first end (108A) of the lower guide arm (108) is pivotally connected at one or more points along a safety support (304) which is 20 still pivotably connected at one or more different points along the safety support (304) to the lower end (110B) of the vertical support member (110); and iv) the first end (108A) of the lower guide arm 25 (108) is pivotally connected at one or more points along a first safety support (304) which is still pivotably connected at one or more different points along a mounting bracket (314) that is positioned between the safety bracket (304) and the member 30 vertical support (110). Petition 870180059253, of 07/09/2018, p. 62/70 4/10 4/14 106