Method and apparatus for providing real time air measurement applications in wet concrete

• US 10,156,547 B2
• Filed: 10/18/2012
• Issued: 12/18/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cidra Concrete Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Cidra Corporate Services, Inc.
• Inventors: Biesak, John, Loose, Douglas H., Davis, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rivera Vargas, Manuel A
• Application Number:
  US14/350,711
• Publication Number:
  US 20140297204A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,252 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/74 Devices for measuring flow of a fluid or flow of a fluent solid material in suspension in another fluid
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 17/00 Methods or apparatus for determining the capacity of containers or cavities, or the volume of solid bodies measuring linear dimensions to determine volume G01B
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/012 Phase angle
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/0232 Glass, ceramics, concrete or stone
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/02433 Gases in liquids, e.g. bubbles, foams
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/0251 Solidification, icing, curing composites, polymerisation
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/02827 Elastic parameters, strength or force
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/024 by measuring propagation velocity or propagation time of acoustic waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/045 by imparting shocks to the workpiece and detecting the vibrations or the acoustic waves caused by the shocks measuring resonant frequency G01H13/00; measuring strength properties by application of mechanical stress G01N3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/2468 Probes with delay lines
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/42 by frequency filtering or by tuning to resonant frequency
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/44 Processing the detected response signal , e.g. electronic circuits specially adapted therefor digital signal processing per se G06F17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/4436 with a reference signal amplitude comparison G01N29/48
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/4472 Mathematical theories or simulation
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/50 using auto-correlation techniques or cross-correlation techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/383 Concrete, cement

Abstract

Apparatus is provided having an acoustic-based air probe with an acoustic source configured to provide an acoustic signal into a mixture of concrete; and an acoustic receiver configured to be substantially co-planar with the acoustic source, to respond to the acoustic signal, and to provide signaling containing information about the acoustic signal injected into the mixture of concrete.

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising:

a handheld acoustic-based air probe configured with

an acoustic source configured to provide an acoustic signal injected into a mixture of concrete; and

an acoustic receiver configured to respond to the acoustic signal, and provide signaling containing information about the acoustic signal injected into the mixture of concrete;

wherein the handheld acoustic-based air probe comprises at least one spacer struts configured to connect a first member of the handheld acoustic-based air probe having the acoustic source to a second member of the handheld acoustic-based air probe having the acoustic receiver, so as to form a space in-between configured for receiving a portion of the mixture of the concrete when first and second members of the handheld acoustic-based air probe are dipped into the mixture of concrete and the acoustic signal is transmitted through the mixture.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the handheld acoustic-based air probe comprises a sealed assembly configured to contain the acoustic source in a sealing manner.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the vibration isolated actuator block comprises a voice coil actuator moving coil assembly with an accelerometer transducer and a stationary voice coil actuator field assembly.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the sealed assembly comprises hemisphere vibration mounts configured between an alignment cap and the vibration isolated actuator block and also configured between the vibration isolated actuator block and the acoustic source.

5. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the sealed assembly comprises a spring seal, including a cast urethane spring seal, configured between the acoustic source and an acoustic source retaining member, and a photo-etched flexure configured between the acoustic source and the acoustic source retaining member.

6. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the sealed assembly comprises a temperature sensor configured to respond to the temperature of the mixture.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a signal processor configured to

receive the signaling containing information about the acoustic signal injected into the mixture of concrete;

and

determine the measurement of air percentage in the mixture of concrete based at least partly on a dual frequency technique that depends on the relationship between the acoustic signal injected and the signaling received.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the dual frequency technique includes, or takes the form of, the signal processor being configured to determine the measurement of air percentage in the mixture of concrete based at least partly on mixing a reference signal with a detected signaling using a phase sensitive lock-in approach.

9. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the dual frequency technique includes, or takes the form of, the signal processor being configured to determine the measurement of air percentage in the mixture of concrete based at least partly on correlating the acoustic signal injected and the signaling received.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the signal processor is configured to determine a time of propagation of the reference signal in the mixture of concrete and then a speed of sound measurement, based at least partly on the signal phase difference determined along with the frequency.

11. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the handheld acoustic-based air probe comprises a second acoustic receiver configured to respond to the acoustic signal, and provide further signaling containing information about the acoustic signal injected into the mixture of concrete.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the second acoustic receiver is configured on the sealed assembly so as to receive the acoustic signal that is reflected from the mixture of concrete.

13. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acoustic source and the acoustic receiver are configured on one end of the handheld acoustic-based air probe.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the handheld acoustic-based air probe comprises another end configured with some combination of device handles, a normal pressure sensor connector, an accelerometer connector and a temperature and drive connector.

15. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one spacer struts comprises three spacer struts that are triangularly arranged and equally-spaced to connect the acoustic source and acoustic receiver so as to form the space in-between.

16. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one spacer struts comprises a wiring channel for providing a wire from the acoustic receiver.

17. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the handheld acoustic-based air probe comprises a sealed end cap assembly configured to contain the acoustic receiver in a sealing manner.

18. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a signal processor configured to

receive the signaling containing information about the acoustic signal injected into the mixture of concrete;

and

determine a gas volume fraction of the mixture of concrete based at least partly on a speed of sound measurement of the acoustic signal that travels through the mixture, using a SONAR-based technique.

19. Apparatus comprising:

an acoustic-based air probe having;

an acoustic source configured to provide an acoustic signal into a mixture of concrete; and

an acoustic receiver configured to be substantially co-planar with the acoustic source, to respond to the acoustic signal, and to provide signaling containing information about the acoustic signal injected into the mixture of concrete;

wherein the acoustic source comprises a floating mass.

20. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the acoustic-based air probe comprises a planar probing surface having a first aperture formed therein configured to receive part of the acoustic source.

21. Apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the planar probing surface has at least one second aperture formed therein configured to receive part of the acoustic receiver.

22. Apparatus according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the planar probing surface is configured as a hardened steel face plate.

23. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the acoustic source comprises a piston module assembly having a rigid hardened steel piston configured to be coupled to a piston shaft.

24. Apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the acoustic-based air probe comprises a vibration isolated actuator block assembly having a stationary voice coil actuator field assembly in combination with a voice coil actuator field assembly having an accelerometer transducer, the vibration isolated actuator block assembly being configured to drive the piston shaft.

25. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the apparatus comprises dosing apparatus configured to respond to the signaling, and provide a control signal to control the dosing of a chemical to be added or subtracted from the mixture.

26. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the apparatus comprises a stationary mixer having a wall with the acoustic-based air probe arranged therein, including where the stationary mixer is configured with a central chemical dosing location to allow for an even distribution of chemicals into the mixing.

27. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the apparatus comprises a concrete pump boom having a wall with the acoustic-based air probe arranged therein.

28. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the apparatus comprises a precast form having a wall with the acoustic-based air probe arranged therein.

29. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the apparatus comprises a ready mix truck rotating drum mixer having a wall with the acoustic-based air probe arranged therein.

30. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the apparatus comprises a ready mix truck chute having a wall with the acoustic-based air probe arranged therein.

31. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the acoustic-based air probe comprises a protective polyurethane rubber member arranged in the at least one second aperture.

32. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the acoustic receiver comprises a dynamic pressure transducer.

33. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the acoustic receiver is configured to receive acoustic signals having a frequency in a range of about 100-500 Hz, including 330 Hz.

34. Apparatus comprising:

an acoustic-based air probe having;

an acoustic source configured to provide an acoustic signal into a mixture of concrete; and

an acoustic receiver configured to be substantially co-planar with the acoustic source, to respond to the acoustic signal, and to provide signaling containing information about the acoustic signal injected into the mixture of concrete;

wherein the apparatus forms part of a handheld device, having the acoustic-based air probe on one end and a handle on the other end.

35. Apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the acoustic-based air probe comprises a planar probing surface having a first aperture formed therein configured to receive part of the acoustic source.

36. Apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the planar probing surface has at least one second aperture formed therein configured to receive part of the acoustic receiver.

37. Apparatus according to claim 35 or 36, wherein the planar probing surface is configured as a hardened steel face plate.

38. Apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the apparatus comprises a signal processor configured to

receive the signaling containing information about the acoustic signal injected into the mixture of concrete;

and

determine the measurement of air percentage in the mixture of concrete based at least partly on a dual frequency technique that depends on the relationship between the acoustic signal injected and the signaling received.

39. Apparatus according to claim 38, wherein the dual frequency technique includes, or takes the form of, the signal processor being configured to determine the measurement of air percentage in the mixture of concrete based at least partly on mixing a reference signal with a detected signaling using a phase sensitive lock-in approach.

40. Apparatus according to claim 38, wherein the dual frequency technique includes, or takes the form of, the signal processor being configured to determine the measurement of air percentage in the mixture of concrete based at least partly on correlating the acoustic signal injected and the signaling received.

41. Apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the acoustic source comprises a piston module assembly having a rigid hardened steel piston configured to be coupled to a piston shaft.

42. Apparatus according to claim 41, wherein the acoustic-based air probe comprises a vibration isolated actuator block assembly having a stationary voice coil actuator field assembly in combination with a voice coil actuator field assembly having an accelerometer transducer, the vibration isolated actuator block assembly being configured to drive the piston shaft.

43. Apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the acoustic receiver comprises a dynamic pressure transducer.

44. Apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the acoustic receiver is configured to receive acoustic signals having a frequency in a range of about 100-500 Hz, including 330 Hz.

45. Apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the apparatus comprises a signal processor configured to

receive the signaling containing information about the acoustic signal injected into the mixture of concrete;

and

determine a gas volume fraction of the mixture of concrete based at least partly on a speed of sound measurement of the acoustic signal that travels through the mixture, using a SONAR-based technique.

46. Apparatus comprising:

an acoustic-based air probe having;

an acoustic source configured to provide acoustic signal into a mixture of concrete; and

an acoustic receiver configured to be substantially co-planar with the acoustic source, to respond to the acoustic signal, and to provide signaling containing information about the acoustic signal injected into the mixture of concrete;

wherein the acoustic-based air probe comprises a fluid/media temperature sensor for providing the temperature of the mixture of concrete.

47. Apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the acoustic-based air probe comprises a planar probing surface having a first aperture formed therein configured to receive part of the acoustic source.

48. Apparatus according to claim 47, wherein the planar probing surface has at least one second aperture formed therein configured to receive part of the acoustic receiver.

49. Apparatus according to claim 47 or 48, wherein the planar probing surface is configured as a hardened steel face plate.

50. Apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the acoustic source comprises a piston module assembly having a rigid hardened steel piston configured to be coupled to a piston shaft.

51. Apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the acoustic-based air probe comprises a vibration isolated actuator block assembly having a stationary voice coil actuator field assembly in combination with a voice coil actuator field assembly having an accelerometer transducer, the vibration isolated actuator block assembly being configured to drive the piston shaft.

52. Apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the acoustic-based air probe comprises a protective polyurethane rubber member arranged in the at least one second aperture.

53. Apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the acoustic receiver comprises a dynamic pressure transducer.

54. Apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the acoustic receiver is configured to receive acoustic signals having a frequency in a range of about 100-500 Hz, including 330 Hz.

55. Apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the acoustic source comprises a floating mass.

56. Apparatus comprising:

an acoustic-based air probe having;

an acoustic source configured to provide and acoustic signal into a mixture of concrete; and

an acoustic receiver configured to be substantially co-planar with the acoustic source, to respond to the acoustic signal, and to provide signaling containing information about the acoustic signal injected into the mixture of concrete;

wherein the acoustic-based air probe comprises a planar probing surface having a first aperture formed therein configured to receive part of the acoustic source;

wherein the planar probing surface has at least one second aperture formed therein configured to receive part of the acoustic receiver; and

wherein the acoustic-based air probe comprises a protective polyurethane rubber member arranged in the at least one second aperture.

57. Apparatus according to claim 56, wherein the acoustic source comprises a piston module assembly having a rigid hardened steel piston configured to be coupled to a piston shaft.

58. Apparatus according to claim 57, wherein the acoustic-based air probe comprises a vibration isolated actuator block assembly having a stationary voice coil actuator field assembly in combination with a voice coil actuator field assembly having an accelerometer transducer, the vibration isolated actuator block assembly being configured to drive the piston shaft.

59. Apparatus according to claim 56, wherein the planar probing surface is configured as a hardened steel face plate.

60. Apparatus according to claim 56, wherein the acoustic receiver comprises a dynamic pressure transducer.

61. Apparatus according to claim 56, wherein the acoustic receiver is configured to receive acoustic signals having a frequency in a range of about 100-500 Hz, including 330 Hz.

62. Apparatus according to claim 56, wherein the acoustic source comprises a floating mass.

63. Apparatus comprising:

an acoustic-based air probe having;

an acoustic source configured to provide an acoustic signal into a mixture of concrete; and

an acoustic receiver configured to be substantially co-planar with the acoustic source, to respond to the acoustic signal, and to provide signaling containing information about the acoustic signal injected into the mixture of concrete;

wherein the acoustic-based air probe comprises a voice coil temperature sensor for providing the temperature of a stationary voice coil actuator field assembly.

64. Apparatus according to claim 63, wherein the acoustic-based air probe comprises a planar probing surface having a first aperture formed therein configured to receive part of the acoustic source.

65. Apparatus according to claim 63, wherein the acoustic-based air probe comprises a protective polyurethane rubber member arranged in the at least one second aperture.

66. Apparatus according to claim 63, wherein the acoustic receiver comprises a dynamic pressure transducer.

67. Apparatus according to claim 63, wherein the acoustic source comprises a floating mass.

68. Apparatus comprising:

an acoustic-based air probe having;

an acoustic source configured to provide an acoustic signal into a mixture of concrete; and

an acoustic receiver configured to be substantially co-planar with the acoustic source, to respond to the acoustic signal, and to provide signaling containing information about the acoustic signal injected into the mixture of concrete;

wherein the acoustic-based air probe comprises two acoustic receivers, including two dynamic pressure transducers, including where one of the two acoustic receivers is redundant.