Sensing device, sensing device system, and methods for measuring a characteristic of a concrete mixture and for predicting a performance characteristic of a concrete mixture

• US 10,386,354 B2
• Filed: 01/31/2017
• Issued: 08/20/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: QuipIP, LLC
• Original Assignee: QuipIP, LLC
• Inventors: Radjy, Farrokh F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zhong, Xin Y
• Application Number:
  US15/420,635
• Publication Number:
  US 20170219553A1
• Time in Patent Office: 931 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 25/00 Investigating or analyzing materials by the use of thermal means G01N3/00 - G01N23/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/383 Concrete, cement

Abstract

A sensing device includes a concave side adapted to conform to a curvature of an outer side of a standard concrete test cylinder, a temperature sensor, and a humidity sensor. In one embodiment, the sensing device includes a capillary needle disposed on the concave side. The capillary needle comprises a humidity sensor. The sensing device is attached to the side of a concrete test cylinder, temperature and humidity measurements are obtained by the sensing device, and a prediction of maturity and strength of the concrete is generated based on the temperature and humidity measurements.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a cylinder having a diameter of at least four (4) inches, the cylinder being adapted to hold concrete;

a ring that defines 360 degrees and encircles an outer side of the cylinder, the ring having a diameter of at least four (4) inches; and

a sensing device disposed on the outer side of the cylinder and attached to the ring, the sensing device comprising;

a concave side adapted to conform to a curvature of the outer side of the cylinder;

a second side opposite the concave side;

an internal volume adapted to hold one or more sensor elements; and

a sensor element removably disposed within the internal volume of the sensing device, the sensor element comprising a temperature sensor adapted to obtain temperature measurements; and

a connector disposed on the second side of the sensing device, the connector having a hole adapted to receive the ring.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a transmitter adapted to transmit the temperature measurements to a second device.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a humidity sensor;

a capillary needle disposed on the concave side;

wherein the humidity sensor connects via the capillary needle to moisture in the concrete.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the capillary needle has a length substantially equal to a thickness of a side of the cylinder.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor element further comprises:

a humidity sensor; and

a transmitter adapted to transmit the temperature measurements to a second device.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the concave side further comprises a plurality of holes adapted to allow heat to pass between an external environment of the system and the internal volume.