Paving related measuring device incorporating a computer device and communication element therebetween and associated method

• US 8,682,605 B2
• Filed: 02/06/2012
• Issued: 03/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Troxler Electronic Laboratories, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Troxler Electronic Laboratories, Inc.
• Inventors: Troxler, Robert E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, John H
• Application Number:
  US13/367,018
• Publication Number:
  US 20120136617A1
• Time in Patent Office: 778 Days
• Field of Search: 702/33, 702/127, 702/134, 702/137, 702/159, 702/166, 702/171, 702/172, 702/189, 701/70, 701/204, 701/207, 342/357.07, 340/573.3, 340/539.13, 73/78, 731/46, 738/644.5, 404/75, 404/84.1, 404/84.5, 250/253
• US Class Current: 702/137
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 2555/10 Design or test methods for bitumen or asphalt mixtures, e.g. series of measures, procedures or tests to obtain a bitumen or asphalt mixture having preset defined properties, general or international test methods, procedures or standards
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 19/00 Machines, tools or auxiliary devices for preparing or distributing paving materials, for working the placed materials, or for forming, consolidating, or finishing the paving surface stabilisation E01C21/00; apparatus specially adapted for reconditioning or repairing paving E01C23/00
• CPC Class Codes: E02D 1/00 Investigation of foundation soil in situ investigation involving boring or specially adapted to earth drilling E21B25/00, E21B49/00; investigating or analysing materials by determining their chemical or physical properties, in general G01N, e.g. sampling G01N1/00
• CPC Class Codes: E02D 1/022 by investigating mechanical properties of the soil E02D1/027 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E02D 1/025 combined with sampling
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 9/00 Investigating density or specific gravity of materials; Analysing materials by determining density or specific gravity
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/02 using radio waves using satellite radio beacon systems for determining position G01S19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]

Abstract

A system for determining a property of a paving-related material is provided. Such a system comprises a measuring device for selectively and directly measuring the property. A computer device is capable of executing a software program product and communicating with the measuring device. The computer device directs the measuring device to measure the property of the paving-related material according to a parameter determined by the software program product, and to receive data comprising the measured property from the measuring device. A communication element operably engaged between the measuring device and the computer device allows communication therebetween. The communication element is configured to allow the computer device to be spaced apart from the measuring device, thereby allowing the computer device to be prepared, to include the parameter and to manipulate the data, in spaced apart relation with respect to the measuring device. An associated method is also provided.

Claims

1. An apparatus adapted to determine a property of a paving-related material, said apparatus comprising:

a nuclear density gauge for selectively and directly measuring and determining at least one of a density and a density-related parameter of the paving-related material; and

a locating device operably engaged with the nuclear density gauge for determining a location of the nuclear density gauge , the locating device being configured to cooperate with the nuclear density gauge to produce data comprising the at least one of the density and the density related parameter of the paving-related material and a corresponding location of the nuclear density gauge.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the nuclear density gauge is adapted to directly measure the at least one of the density and the density-related parameter of at least one of a soil, an aggregate, and an asphalt paving mix.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a computer device capable of communicating with the nuclear density gauge and the locating device and configured to receive the data therefrom, the computer device being further adapted to be capable of communicating the data with a computing system remotely disposed with respect to the apparatus, for incorporation of the data into a database housed by the computing system.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the computer device is further adapted to receive input from an operator thereof.

5. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the computer device is further adapted to communicate with the computing system via at least one of a wireless and a wireline network.

6. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the computer device is further adapted to be capable of accessing the database and receiving data therefrom.

7. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the computer device is further adapted to direct the data from the nuclear density gauge and the locating device to a third party device without allowing the data to be modified by an operator of the computer device.

8. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the computer device is further configured to associate a time and date stamp with the data when the at least one of the density and the density related parameter is measured by the nuclear density gauge.

9. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the computer device is further configured to be capable of manipulating the data.

10. An apparatus according to claim 1 comprising, in combination with the nuclear density gauge, a measuring device selected from the group consisting of a seismic pavement analyzer, a stiffness gauge, a falling weight deflectometer, a ground penetrating radar device, a radio frequency device, an electromagnetic device, a microwave device, and combinations thereof.

11. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the locating device is further configured to be capable of indicating the location of the nuclear density gauge, independently of the property measurement, so as to allow the nuclear density gauge to be located and tracked.

12. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the locating device comprises a global positioning system (GPS) device.

13. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the nuclear density gauge and the locating device is adapted to receive a communication from at least one of a computing system and a computer device.