Patent US3564116A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4979390A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4979390A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for testing relative permeability of materials
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1988-12-01
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Granted: 1990-12-25
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Expires: 2008-12-01
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for testing the relative permeability of materials, particularly concrete structures, comprises a transparent, optically non-distorting head having a gasket, which together with the head defines a head chamber, and which allows the head to be sealed against the structure when a partial vacuum is induced in the head chamber. The decay of the vacuum may be measured, and the rate of decay provides an index of permeability. A liquid may be applied to the surface being tested and will foan to allow identification of cracks and fissures. In alternative embodiment, a fluid is introduced into a secondary chamber defined by a secondary gasket and the head, and the rate of permeation of the fluid into the structure provides a measure of permeability. The vacuum mounted test apparatus allows in-situ testing without requiring the extraction of sample cores from the structure or making invasive attachments to the structure, thus providing a quality control apparatus and method for rapid testing of construction materials.
Inventors
- 👤 Morris Schupack
- 👤 Daniel Schupack
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 09:28
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/04; G01M3/12; G01M3/26; G01N; G01N15/00; G01N15/08; G01N15/082; G01N15/0826; G01N33/00; G01N33/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
202 words
Apparatus for testing relative permeability of a structure, comprising: a transparent head, having an optically non-distorting segment through which said structure may be observed; primary means for resiliently sealing said head against said structure, and a head chamber defined by said head and said primary sealing means; means for providing a partial vacuum in said head chamber; means for generating electrical signals representative of said vacuum in said head chamber; means operatively connected to said vacuum signal generating means for displaying an indication of vacuum; means for generating electrical signals representative of time; means operatively connected to said vacuum signal generating means for determining a change in said vacuum signal and providing an electrical signal representative thereof; means operatively connected to said time signal generating means for determining a change in said time signal and providing an electrical signal representative thereof; means operatively connected to said vacuum change determining means and said time change determining means for dividing said vacuum change electrical signal by said time change electrical signal and generating an electrical signal representative of said divided signals; and means operatively connected to said electrical dividing means for electrically displaying an indication of the rate of any decay of said vacuum.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
202 words
Apparatus for testing relative permeability of a structure, comprising: a transparent head, having an optically non-distorting segment through which said structure may be observed; primary means for resiliently sealing said head against said structure, and a head chamber defined by said head and said primary sealing means; means for providing a partial vacuum in said head chamber; means for generating electrical signals representative of said vacuum in said head chamber; means operatively connected to said vacuum signal generating means for displaying an indication of vacuum; means for generating electrical signals representative of time; means operatively connected to said vacuum signal generating means for determining a change in said vacuum signal and providing an electrical signal representative thereof; means operatively connected to said time signal generating means for determining a change in said time signal and providing an electrical signal representative thereof; means operatively connected to said vacuum change determining means and said time change determining means for dividing said vacuum change electrical signal by said time change electrical signal and generating an electrical signal representative of said divided signals; and means operatively connected to said electrical dividing means for electrically displaying an indication of the rate of any decay of said vacuum.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus for testing relative permeability in accordance with claim 1, wherein said transparent head is generally circular.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus for testing permeability in accordance with claim 1, wherein said transparent head is generally elongated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus for testing relative permeability in accordance with claim 3, wherein said transparent head comprises a curved material for testing curved surfaces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus for testing relative permeability in accordance with claim 1, wherein said primary sealing means comprises an elastomeric gasket having a width from about 0.3 inch to about one inch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus for testing relative permeability in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for providing a partial vacuum comprises: a vacuum pump; tubing connecting said vacuum pump and said pressure gauge, and connecting said pressure gauge with said head chamber; a valve located in said tubing connecting said vacuum pump and said pressure gauge; and a vacuum relief valve operably connected to said head chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
274 words
Apparatus for testing relative permeability of a structure, comprising: a transparent head, having primary means for resiliently sealing said head against said structure comprising elastomeric gaskets having a width from about one-half inch to about one inch, and a head chamber defined by said head and said primary sealing means; an optically non-distorting segment through which said structure may be observed; means for providing a partial vacuum in said head chamber comprising a vacuum pump, tubing connecting said vacuum pump and said pressure gauge and connecting said pressure gauge with said head chamber, a valve located in said tubing connecting said vacuum pump and said pressure gauge, and a vacuum relief valve operably connected with said head chamber; secondary sealing means located inwardly of said primary sealing means for resiliently sealing said head against said structure comprising elastomeric gaskets having a width from about one-half inch to about one inch; a secondary chamber defined by said head and said secondary sealing means; means for providing a fluid to said secondary chamber under pressure comprising a graduated cylinder having its lower end mounted on and connecting with said secondary chamber and having a closed upper end, a fluid injection valve located in said closed upper end, a pressure gauge located to measure the pressure in said graduated cylinder, a pump operably connected to the graduated cylinder for pressurizing the graduated cylinder, and a valve located between said secondary chamber and said graduated cylinder to control the flow of fluid into said secondary chamber; means for measuring the quantity of fluid provided to said secondary chamber; and means for measuring the vacuum in said head chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
274 words
Apparatus for testing relative permeability of a structure, comprising: a transparent head, having primary means for resiliently sealing said head against said structure comprising elastomeric gaskets having a width from about one-half inch to about one inch, and a head chamber defined by said head and said primary sealing means; an optically non-distorting segment through which said structure may be observed; means for providing a partial vacuum in said head chamber comprising a vacuum pump, tubing connecting said vacuum pump and said pressure gauge and connecting said pressure gauge with said head chamber, a valve located in said tubing connecting said vacuum pump and said pressure gauge, and a vacuum relief valve operably connected with said head chamber; secondary sealing means located inwardly of said primary sealing means for resiliently sealing said head against said structure comprising elastomeric gaskets having a width from about one-half inch to about one inch; a secondary chamber defined by said head and said secondary sealing means; means for providing a fluid to said secondary chamber under pressure comprising a graduated cylinder having its lower end mounted on and connecting with said secondary chamber and having a closed upper end, a fluid injection valve located in said closed upper end, a pressure gauge located to measure the pressure in said graduated cylinder, a pump operably connected to the graduated cylinder for pressurizing the graduated cylinder, and a valve located between said secondary chamber and said graduated cylinder to control the flow of fluid into said secondary chamber; means for measuring the quantity of fluid provided to said secondary chamber; and means for measuring the vacuum in said head chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus for testing relative permeability in accordance with claim 7, wherein said transparent head is generally circular.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus for testing relative permeability in accordance with claim 7, wherein said transparent head is generally elongated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus for testing relative permeability in accordance with claim 7, wherein said fluid comprises a penetrating liquid.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus for testing relative permeability in accordance with claim 10 wherein said penetrating liquid comprises a dye.
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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) | 1993-12-24 | 1994-06-25 | 1994-12-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-12-24 | 1998-06-25 | 1998-12-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-12-24 | 2002-06-25 | 2002-12-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |