CPC B28C 5/422 (2013.01) [B28C 5/4217 (2013.01); B28C 5/4272 (2013.01)] | 15 Claims |
15. A method for detecting concrete buildup in a concrete mixer, the method comprising:
providing, by a control system, a first input to a drum drive system of the concrete mixer to rotate a drum of the concrete mixer at a target speed while the drum is empty and clean;
acquiring, by the control system from a sensor, first operating data regarding operation of the drum drive system in response to the first input to determine a baseline operating characteristic of the drum drive system;
providing, by the control system, a second input to the drum drive system to rotate the drum at the target speed following one or more uses of the concrete mixer and while the drum is empty;
acquiring, by the control system, second operating data regarding operation of the drum drive system in response to the second input to determine a current operating characteristic of the drum drive system;
acquiring, by the control system from a temperature sensor, temperature data regarding a temperature of at least one of a component of the drum drive system or a working fluid within the drum drive system;
refraining, by the control system, from providing the first input and the second input while the temperature does not satisfy a temperature threshold;
at least one of:
(i) providing, by the control system, a temperature notification in response to the temperature not satisfying the temperature threshold; or
(ii) providing, by the control system, a third input to the drum drive system to rotate the drum at a nominal speed in response to the temperature not satisfying the temperature threshold; and
providing, by the control system, a buildup notification indicating that there is a buildup of drum contents within the drum in response to a difference between the baseline operating characteristic and the current operating characteristic exceeding a threshold differential.
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