US4943930A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for non-destructive evaluation of concrete
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1989-11-08
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Granted: 1990-07-24
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Expires: 2009-11-08
Abstract
Abstract The method and apparatus for the non-destructive evaluation of a concrete mass uses the maturity method for evaluating the strength and durability of the concrete mass. The apparatus employs sensors which are implanted in the concrete along with a microprocessor and non-volatile RAM or EEPROM. A microcomputer is used periodically to up load the RAM and to make an evaluation of the concrete mass.
Inventors
- 👤 Farrokh F. Radjy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 10:49
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N3/00; G01N3/02; G01N2203/00; G01N2203/02; G01N2203/0202; G01N2203/0212; G01N2203/0218; G01N2203/06; G01N2203/067; G01N2203/0694; G01N33/00; G01N33/38; G01N33/383
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A method for non-destructive strength evaluation of a concrete mass comprising: (a) implanting an internal temperature sensor in said concrete mass before said concrete mass has hardened; (b) attaching a reference temperature sensor externally to said concrete mass before said concrete mass has hardened; (c) attaching a microprocessor to said internal temperature sensor and to said reference temperature sensor such that signals from said internal temperature sensor and said reference temperature sensor are transmitted to said microprocessor and recorded by said microprocessor, thereby obtaining a temperature profile of said concrete mass; and (d) tapping said microprocessor with a computer thereby down loading said microprocessor into said computer whereby said computer evaluates the strength of said concrete mass.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
117 words
A method for non-destructive strength evaluation of a concrete mass comprising: (a) implanting an internal temperature sensor in said concrete mass before said concrete mass has hardened; (b) attaching a reference temperature sensor externally to said concrete mass before said concrete mass has hardened; (c) attaching a microprocessor to said internal temperature sensor and to said reference temperature sensor such that signals from said internal temperature sensor and said reference temperature sensor are transmitted to said microprocessor and recorded by said microprocessor, thereby obtaining a temperature profile of said concrete mass; and (d) tapping said microprocessor with a computer thereby down loading said microprocessor into said computer whereby said computer evaluates the strength of said concrete mass.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said microprocessor is connected to a memory device selected from the group consisting of a non-volatile RAM and a EEPROM.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the internal and the reference temperature sensors are selected from the group consisting of a thermocouple, and a resistor thermometric device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the tapping of said microprocessor is accomplished by a wire connected between the computer and the microprocessor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the tapping of said microprocessor is accomplished by means of a radio transmitter-receiver connected to said microprocessor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of implanting a sonic sensor in said concrete mass before said concrete mass has hardened and connecting said sonic sensor to said microprocessor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said reference temperature sensor, said internal temperature sensor and said microprocessor are affixed directly to a premade concrete form used to mold said concrete mass such that said microprocessor, said reference temperature sensor and internal temperature sensor are removed from said concrete when said premade concrete form is removed from said concrete mass.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said internal temperature sensor, said reference temperature sensor and said microprocessor are affixed directly to said concrete mass.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
128 words
A method for non-destructive strength evaluation of a concrete mass comprising: (a) implanting a temperature sensor in said concrete mass before said concrete mass has hardened; (b) attaching a reference temperature sensor to said concrete mass; (c) affixing a microprocessor to said concrete mass and connecting said microprocessor to said implanted sensor and said reference sensor, said microprocessor being programmed to periodically record signals from said implanted sensor and said reference sensor; (d) affixing a memory to said concrete mass and connecting said memory to said microprocessor to record data obtained by said microprocessor from said implanted sensor and said reference sensor; and (e) tapping said microprocessor with a computer, thereby up loading said microprocessor into said computer whereby said computer evaluates the strength of said concrete mass.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
128 words
A method for non-destructive strength evaluation of a concrete mass comprising: (a) implanting a temperature sensor in said concrete mass before said concrete mass has hardened; (b) attaching a reference temperature sensor to said concrete mass; (c) affixing a microprocessor to said concrete mass and connecting said microprocessor to said implanted sensor and said reference sensor, said microprocessor being programmed to periodically record signals from said implanted sensor and said reference sensor; (d) affixing a memory to said concrete mass and connecting said memory to said microprocessor to record data obtained by said microprocessor from said implanted sensor and said reference sensor; and (e) tapping said microprocessor with a computer, thereby up loading said microprocessor into said computer whereby said computer evaluates the strength of said concrete mass.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
107 words
An apparatus for non-destructive strength evaluation of a concrete mass comprising: (a) an internal temperature sensor for implanting in said concrete mass; (b) a reference temperature sensor for attaching externally to said concrete mass; (c) a microprocessor connected to said internal temperature sensor and said reference temperature sensor, said microprocessor for recording signals from said internal temperature sensor and said reference temperature sensor; (d) a computer for evaluating signals from said microprocessor; and (e) means for transferring from said microprocessor said signals from said internal temperature sensor and said reference temperature sensor to said computer such that said computer can determine the strength of said concrete mass.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
107 words
An apparatus for non-destructive strength evaluation of a concrete mass comprising: (a) an internal temperature sensor for implanting in said concrete mass; (b) a reference temperature sensor for attaching externally to said concrete mass; (c) a microprocessor connected to said internal temperature sensor and said reference temperature sensor, said microprocessor for recording signals from said internal temperature sensor and said reference temperature sensor; (d) a computer for evaluating signals from said microprocessor; and (e) means for transferring from said microprocessor said signals from said internal temperature sensor and said reference temperature sensor to said computer such that said computer can determine the strength of said concrete mass.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said means for transferring is a radio transmitter-receiver connected to said microprocessor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the means for transferring is wire connecting said microprocessor to said computer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said internal temperature sensor and said reference temperature sensor are selected from the group consisting of a thermocouple, and a resistor thermometric device.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
81 words
An apparatus for non-destructive strength evaluation of a concrete mass comprising: (a) a temperature sensor for implanting in said concrete mass before said concrete mass has hardened; (b) a reference temperature sensor for attaching externally to said concrete mass; (c) a microprocessor for receiving signals from said sensors; (d) a memory for storing said signals obtained from said sensors; and (e) a computer for tapping and evaluating the signals stored in said memory thereby evaluating the strength of said concrete mass.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
81 words
An apparatus for non-destructive strength evaluation of a concrete mass comprising: (a) a temperature sensor for implanting in said concrete mass before said concrete mass has hardened; (b) a reference temperature sensor for attaching externally to said concrete mass; (c) a microprocessor for receiving signals from said sensors; (d) a memory for storing said signals obtained from said sensors; and (e) a computer for tapping and evaluating the signals stored in said memory thereby evaluating the strength of said concrete mass.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising a sonic sensor for implanting in said concrete mass prior to said concrete mass hardening, said sonic sensor connected to microprocessor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
89 words
A premade concrete form for non-destructive strength evaluation of a concrete mass comprising: (a) a premade concrete form for casting concrete; (b) a microprocessor attached to said premade concrete form; (c) an internal temperature sensor connected to said microprocessor for insertion into said concrete mass; (d) a reference temperature sensor connected to said microprocessor; and (e) means for transferring signals stored in said microprocessor from both said internal temperature sensor and said reference temperature sensor to a computer such that the strength of said concrete mass can be evaluated.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
89 words
A premade concrete form for non-destructive strength evaluation of a concrete mass comprising: (a) a premade concrete form for casting concrete; (b) a microprocessor attached to said premade concrete form; (c) an internal temperature sensor connected to said microprocessor for insertion into said concrete mass; (d) a reference temperature sensor connected to said microprocessor; and (e) means for transferring signals stored in said microprocessor from both said internal temperature sensor and said reference temperature sensor to a computer such that the strength of said concrete mass can be evaluated.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The premade concrete form of claim 16 wherein the means for transferring is a radio transmitterreceiver connected to said premade concrete form and said microprocessor.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-07-23 | 1994-01-22 | 1994-07-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-07-23 | 1998-01-22 | 1998-07-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-07-23 | 2002-01-22 | 2002-07-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |