SYSTEM AND METHODS EMPLOYING NON-NEWTONIAN FLUIDS
First Claim
1. A method for filling openings of an associated, generally horizontal surface, comprising:
- determining at least one property associated with an opening in an associated, generally horizontal surface;
selecting at least one flexible container inclusive of a viscosity engineered fluid in accordance with the at least one property of the opening; and
placing the at least one flexible container in the opening such that a void thereof is substantially filled by the at least one flexible container.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for temporarily filling surface voids, such as cracks, potholes or other surface breaches includes a flexible container, such as a bag. The bag is filled with an engineered viscosity fluid. The fluid properties are chosen in accordance with a particular application in accordance factors including hole properties, anticipated traffic properties and ambient temperature. A bag with appropriate properties is placed in a void, and provides a temporary travel surface. Embodiments include fluids with engineered viscosity properties, including non-Newtonian fluids. Additional embodiments include selectively filled, selectively drained, or multiple bags. Another embodiment includes tubular, flexible containers cut to size in accordance with hole characteristics.
14 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method for filling openings of an associated, generally horizontal surface, comprising:
-
determining at least one property associated with an opening in an associated, generally horizontal surface; selecting at least one flexible container inclusive of a viscosity engineered fluid in accordance with the at least one property of the opening; and placing the at least one flexible container in the opening such that a void thereof is substantially filled by the at least one flexible container. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A system for filling openings of an associated, generally horizontal surface, comprising:
-
at least one flexible container adapted to be received into an opening of an associated, generally horizontal surface; wherein the at least one flexible container includes a non-Newtonian fluid corresponding to a property of the opening disposed therein so as to substantially fill the opening. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A method for temporarily patching holes in a roadway surface, comprising:
-
determining at least one property associated with a hole in a roadway surface; selecting at least one flexible, watertight sealed container inclusive of a shear thickening, non-Newtonian fluid; placing the at least one container in the hole so as substantially fill a void associated therewith; receiving moving, vehicular traffic on an exterior surface of the sealed container disposed in the hole at an impact force such that the non-Newtonian fluid is sufficiently rigid to substantially support vehicle weight without substantial deformation in accordance with a physical property thereof. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification