Real time concrete curing assessment system and method

Abstract

An apparatus for assessing real-time concrete curing in-situ using a probe includes a sensor base, contacts, a housing, and a processing element. The sensor base has a bottom surface and a port extending into the bottom surface for releasably receiving the probe. The contacts are located in the port for electrically connecting to the probe. The housing is supported on the sensor base and houses the processing element. The processing element is in communication with the contacts and configured to receive a from the contacts and determine a curing phase of the concrete based on the signal from the contacts.

Description

Real Time Concrete Curing Assessment System and MethodCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The current patent application is a non-provisional patent application which claims priority benefit, with regard to all common subject matter, to identically-titled U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 595,468, filed November 2, 2023. The earlier-filed provisional application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety into the current patent application.FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] The present disclosure relates to autonomous, real time concrete surface and sub-surface internal resistance measurements for determining adequate curing and sawing time, such as for commercial concrete applications.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

[0004] Concrete pavement is designed to provide long service life, however, concrete curing and subsequent sawing during its initial placement dramatically affects long-term durability and stability. Most state Department of Transportation (DOT) entities are limited to the use of liquid membrane curing compounds with manual tools and methodologies directly placed on the external surface of concrete, for quantifying or systematically evaluating quality and curing effectiveness.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In various embodiments, the present disclosure discusses apparatuses, systems, and methods for autonomously detecting and assessing characteristics and properties of concrete, such as permeability and porosity, to determine concrete quality and curing adequacy and inform the user about concrete curing and sawing timing.

[0006] One embodiment of the invention is an apparatus for assessing realtime concrete curing in-situ using a probe. The apparatus includes a sensor base, contacts, a housing, and a processing element. The sensor base has a bottom surface and a port extending into the bottom surface for releasably receiving the probe. The contacts are located in the port for electrically connecting to the probe. The housing is supported on the sensor base and houses the processing element. The processing element is in communication with the probe and configured to receive a signal from the probe to determine the curing status of the concrete based on the received signal.

[0007] Another embodiment of the invention is a method of assessing realtime concrete curing in-situ. The method includes inserting a sensor module into uncured concrete. The sensor module includes a probe inserted at a depth into the concrete from a surface of the concrete. The method further includes measuring, via the sensor module, electrical resistance of the uncured concrete over time; and providing, via the sensor module, an indication of status of concrete curing.

[0008] An apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention includes a sensor base, a housing, and a processor. The sensor base has legs defining a channel therebetween. One of the legs includes a bottom surface, contacts, and a sensor. The bottom surface has a slot formed therein for receiving a probe with electrodes and that is operable to extend below the bottom surface a predetermined distance into the concrete. The contacts are located in the slot for contacting corresponding contacts on the probe. The sensor is located within the channel and includes a temperature sensor, an air pressure sensor, and / or a humidity sensor. The housing is supported by the sensor base and houses the processor. The processor is in communication with the contacts and the sensor and configured to receive a signal from the sensor, receive a signal from the contacts, and determine a curing phase of the concrete based on the signal from the sensor and / or the signal from the contacts.

[0009] This summary is provided for purposes of summarizing various example embodiments of the present disclosure to provide a basic understanding of variousaspects of the teachings herein. Various embodiments, aspects, and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the description and specific examples set forth herein are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present teachings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Embodiments of the current invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

[0011] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a sensor module apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of probes operable to releasably connect to the sensor module apparatus of Fig. 1 ;

[0013] Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the sensor module apparatus of Fig. 1 ;

[0014] Fig. 4 is a lowered perspective view of the sensor module apparatus ofFig. 1 ;

[0015] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a sensor base of the sensor module apparatus of Fig. 1 ;

[0016] Fig. 6 is a lowered perspective view of the sensor module apparatus of Fig. 1 with a grate covering a sensor cavity removed;

[0017] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a bottom housing piece positioned on the sensor base of Fig. 5;

[0018] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an upper housing piece positioned on the bottom housing piece of Fig. 7;

[0019] Fig. 9 is a block diagram depicting selected components of the sensor module apparatus of Fig. 1 ;

[0020] Fig. 10 is a graph depicting an electrical resistance of concrete over time; and

[0021] Fig. 11 is a flowchart depicting exemplary steps of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] The drawing figures do not limit the current invention to the specific embodiments disclosed and described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The following detailed description of the technology references the accompanying drawings that illustrate specific embodiments in which the technology can be practiced. The embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the technology in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the technology. Other embodiments can be utilized and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the current invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the current invention is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

[0024] Turning to FIG. 1 , a sensor module apparatus 10 for assessing real-time concrete curing in-situ using one or more probes 12, 14 is depicted. The concrete may be commercial concrete infrastructure, such as in construction, roadways, or the like. Concrete curing represents a critical stage of construction activities in assessing volume stability and long-term strength and durability. Poor curing yields shrinkage, scaling, and other durability issues. Conversely, proper concrete curing maintains sufficient moisture to promote continuous hydration within concrete. The apparatus 10 is configured to be placed on uncured concrete so that the probes 12, 14 extend into the surface of the concrete to capture and assess real-time concrete properties at and below the concrete surface.

[0025] In one or more embodiments, the probes 12, 14 include one or more peripheral probes 12 and a medial probe 14. The probes 12, 14 may have varying heights and / or varying electrode placements / patterns so that they can capture properties at different depths of the concrete. For example, in one or more embodiments, one or more of the probes 12 has a height so that its electrodes 18, 20on a first side extend to a depth of approximately 5mm in the concrete to provide resistance information closely tied to environmental conditions, including curing compound application quality and drying time. Turning to FIG. 2, in one or more embodiments, one or more of the probes 12 has a height so that its electrodes 22, 24 on a second opposite side extend to a depth of approximately 12.5mm to provide assessment of concrete properties less controlled by environmental conditions and can be correlated to optimal concrete cutting times. In one or more embodiments, one or more of the probes 14 has a height so that its electrodes 26, 28 extend to a depth of approximately 25mm below the surface to capture data representative of the bulk behavior of interior concrete and serve as a benchmark for future curing and sawing measures.

[0026] In one or more embodiments, one or more of the probes 14 includes one or more embedded sensors 30. The embedded sensor 30 may be a temperature sensor, humidity sensor, moisture sensor, or the like. The probes 12, 14 may have any type of electrode and / or embedded sensor without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, in one or more embodiments, one or more of the probes 12, 14 may include a Wenner electrode array disposed thereon for measuring resistance. The use of multiple sensors and / or electrode types in the probes 12, 14 enables multi-modal functionality.

[0027] The probes 12, 14 may be multi-pronged for easy insertion without excessive disturbance of the concrete. The probes 12, 14 may be disposable and ultimately detached from the apparatus 10 and physically embedded in the concrete. In one or more embodiments, the probes 12, 14 are made of circuit board with the electrodes being integrated electrical circuits, allowing physical insertion and connectivity to the unit at one end, with the other end available for direct contact with concrete. Certain portions of one or more of the probes 14 may be encapsulated or laminated with a polymer or the like to alter electrical properties or provide isolation from the concrete.

[0028] Turning to FIG. 3, the apparatus 10 comprises a sensor base 32 that releasably receives the probes 12, 14 and a housing supported on the sensor base 32 and comprising a bottom piece 60, an upper piece 62, and a cap 64 provided forprotecting the overall device 10 allowing additional accessories to be operably connected to the unit 10. In one or more embodiments, the apparatus 10 further includes a control circuitry 72, one or more lights 76, and a projection ring 78. Turning to FIG. 4, the sensor base 32 has a bottom surface with one or more ports extending into the bottom surface for releasably receiving one or more of the probes 12, 14. In one or more embodiments, the sensor base 32 comprises a platform 36 and a plurality of legs 38, 40, 42 extending downward from the platform 36 so that the sensor base 32 can stand over the concrete and operably connect to multi-modal probes physically embedded into the fresh concrete. The platform 36 includes a top surface 44 (depicted in FIG. 5) for supporting the housing and a bottom surface 46 opposite the top surface 44. The bottom surface 44 includes a medial slot 48 for receiving one or more of the probes 12, 14. The slot 48 includes contacts located therein for electrically connecting to the probe.

[0029] The legs 38, 40, 42 define one or more channels 50 therebetween and under the bottom surface 46 of the platform 36. The channels 50 allow optimizing air flow between the apparatus 10 and the concrete. The channels 50 also facilitate secure attachment and embedment of the probes 12, 14 into the concrete. While the embodiments depicted include a tri-pod design, the sensor base 32 may include any number of legs without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0030] One or more of the legs 38, 40, 42 have a slot 52 formed in its bottom surface for receiving one or more of the probes 12, 14. A plurality of contacts are located in the slot 52 for contacting corresponding contacts on the probe.

[0031] Turning to FIG. 6, in one or more embodiments, one or more sensors 54 are attached to one of the legs and located within the channels 50. The sensors 54 may be positioned in cavities 56 formed in the surfaces of the leg that define the channels 50 to allow airflow to the sensors 54. The openings of the cavities 56 may face the channels 50 and covered by a perforated grate 58. The sensors 54 may include a temperature sensor, an air pressure sensor, a humidity sensor, and / or the like.

[0032] Turning back to FIG. 7, the bottom piece 60 of the housing includes one or more walls defining a cylindrical portion 66 and a flange 68 extending from thecylindrical portion 66. The flange 68 includes one or more channels 70 formed therein. In one or more embodiments, the lights 76 are operatively associated with the housing and in communication with the control circuitry. The lights 76 are positioned in the channel 70 formed in the flange 68 of the bottom housing piece 60. In one or more embodiments, the lights 76 comprise a light emitting diode (LED) ring.

[0033] Turning to FIG. 8, the upper piece 62 is configured to receive the cylindrical portion 66 to enclose components of control circuitry 72 therein. The projection ring 78 extends about the cylindrical portion of the bottom piece 60 of the housing and is sandwiched between the bottom and upper pieces 60, 62. The projection ring 78 is configured to direct light from the lights to outside the housing. The lights and projection ring 78 provide a visual status indicator. However, the lights and / or projection ring 78 may configured any number of ways to provide visual status on any surface of the unit 10, either embedded flush to the surface or as a projecting feature, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0034] Turning to FIG. 9, the control circuitry 72 comprises one or more communication elements 80, one or more memory elements 82, one or more position detection devices 84, and one or more processing elements 86. In one or more embodiments, the processing element 86 is configured to determine a curing phase of the concrete. The processing element 86 is in communication with the plurality of contacts 88 that are operable to connect to corresponding contacts 90 of the probes 12, 14. The processing element 86 is also in communication with the sensor 54. The processing element 86 is configured to receive one or more signals from the contacts 88, receive one or more signals from the sensors 54, and determine the curing phase of the concrete based at least on the signals from the contacts 88 and / or the sensors 54.

[0035] For example, the processing element 86 may be configured to determine a curing phase based upon the resistance detected using one or more of the probes 12, 14. Generally, as concrete transitions from liquid to solid, concrete moisture decreases. Moisture decrease is important for two reasons. First, it directly correlates to compressive strength and long-term durability. Secondly, it raises the level of resistance, representing a material’s ability to resist electrical current flow. Resistanceof current flow correlates to material transition. In concrete, resistance is lower in the liquid state versus the solid state. However, as concrete transitions to solid, hydration products grow and interconnect, eventually isolating water-filled pores and emptying them, causing resistance to increase. Further, when water evaporates, resistance increases because air is less conductive than the concrete pore solution. Subsequently, measuring resistance at the surface and multiple depths provides invaluable insight on how well application of curing compounds retain moisture and / or whether lack of curing is causing moisture loss.

[0036] The processing element 86 may be configured to determine the curing phase based on the resistance reaching a certain threshold, by submitting the resistance in a look-up table stored on the memory element 82, by determining a rate of change of the resistance is above a threshold, or the like. The threshold may be associated with an early saw readiness threshold or a conventional saw readiness threshold. In one or more embodiments, the threshold may be defined as when the rate of change of resistance over time increases by a factor of around 3 to around 10. In one or more embodiments, the threshold is defined as when the rate of change of resistance over time increases by a factor of around 4 to around 6. In one or more embodiments, the threshold is defined as when the rate of change of resistance over time increases by a factor of around 5. FIG. 10 depicts an exemplary relationship between the resistance of concrete and the passage of time from which cure status can be derived by the processing element 86.

[0037] The processing element 86 is configured to generate an indicator signal when it determines the cure status reaches one or more threshold. For example, the processing element 86 may be configured to activate one or more lights 76. Additionally or alternatively, the processing element 86 may be configured to transmit the indicator signal via the communication element 80. The processing element 86 may be configured to send a wireless signal, via the communication element 80, representative of the current curing phase of the concrete. The processing element 86 may also be configured to receive a current position of the apparatus 10 and transmit the position of the apparatus 10 along with the cure status.

[0038] In one or more embodiments, the communication element 80 is configured to form communication data links with and between other apparatuses 10 using wired or wireless communication. This enables multiple apparatuses 10 to be embedded within concrete (via probes 12, 14) and communicate with one another over distances commonly encountered in highway construction. Data collected by the probes 12, 14 and the sensor 54 can be aggregated or used individually to gain insight and make future predictions regarding whether curing progress is good, the time period over which curing occurs, and if reapplication of curing compounds is required considering environmental changes and / or execution miscues.

[0039] In one or more embodiments, the control circuity 72 includes a power system 92. The power system 92 may be charging circuitry and include one or more energy storage devices 94, such as a battery, capacitor, or the like. The power system 92 may receive power for storage or use by any suitable source of electrical power, including an external battery, solar panels, or hardwired power to a generator, or the like.

[0040] The flow chart of Fig. 11 depicts the steps of an exemplary method 1100 of assessing real-time concrete curing in-situ. In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the various blocks may occur out of the order depicted in Fig. 11 . For example, two blocks shown in succession in Fig. 11 may in fact be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order depending upon the functionality involved. In addition, some steps may be optional.

[0041] The method 1100 is described below, for ease of reference, as being executed by exemplary devices and components introduced with the embodiments illustrated in Figs. 1 -10. The steps of the method 1100 may be performed by the control system and / or the remote computing device through the utilization of processors, transceivers, hardware, software, firmware, or combinations thereof. However, some of such actions may be distributed differently among such devices or other devices without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Control of the system may also be partially implemented with computer programs stored on one or more non-transient computer-readable medium(s). The computer-readable medium(s) may include one ormore executable programs stored thereon, wherein the program(s) instruct one or more processing elements to perform all or certain of the steps outlined herein. The program(s) stored on the computer-readable medium(s) may instruct processing element(s) to perform additional, fewer, or alternative actions, including those discussed elsewhere herein.

[0042] Referring to step 1101 , the method includes inserting one or more sensor module apparatuses into uncured concrete. This step may include inserting a plurality of probes into the sensor module apparatuses. The one or more probes may be inserted at one or more depths into the concrete from a surface of the concrete. This step may include placing multiple sensor modules apparatuses in communication with one another and / or with a central computing device.

[0043] Referring to step 1102, the method includes measuring, via the one or more sensor module apparatuses, electrical resistance of the uncured concrete over time. The resistance may be measured by the multiple probes at different depths. This step may also include measuring the humidity, air pressure, temperature, or other properties of the environment and / or concrete using one or more embedded sensors on the probes and / or one of the sensors mounted on the sensor modules. This step may include continuously and / or periodically transmitting the collected data to a remote device. This step may include continuously and / or periodically logging the collected data on the memory element.

[0044] Referring to step 1103, the method includes determining whether a threshold has been reached. If the threshold has not been reached, then step 1102 is repeated. If the threshold has been reached, then the method 1100 may proceed to step 1104. The threshold may include a resistance threshold, a rate of increase of the resistance, an increase in the rate of change of the resistance, and / or other data collected by the sensor modules. The threshold may be an indication of readiness for concrete sawing.

[0045] Referring to step 1104, the method includes providing, via the one or more sensor modules, an indication of status of concrete curing. This step may include transmitting via the communication element a wireless signalrepresentative of the status of the concrete curing, a current electrical resistance, and / or a position of the sensor module.

[0046] Referring to step 1105, the method includes activating, via the control circuitry, the lights. This allows users to be visually notified of the curing status of the portion of the concrete proximal to the sensor module with its light on.

[0047] Referring to step 1 106, the method includes collecting data after the threshold has been reached. This step may include continuously and / or periodically transmitting the data after the threshold was reached to a remote device. This step may also include continuously and / or periodically logging the data collected after the threshold was reached on the memory element.

[0048] The method 1100 may include additional, less, or alternate steps and / or device(s), including those discussed elsewhere herein.

[0049] Throughout this specification, references to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or “embodiments” mean that the feature or features being referred to are included in at least one embodiment of the technology. Separate references to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or “embodiments” in this description do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment and are also not mutually exclusive unless so stated and / or except as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description. For example, a feature, structure, act, etc. described in one embodiment may also be included in other embodiments, but is not necessarily included. Thus, the current invention can include a variety of combinations and / or integrations of the embodiments described herein.

[0050] Although the present application sets forth a detailed description of numerous different embodiments, it should be understood that the legal scope of the description is defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this patent and equivalents. The detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment since describing every possible embodiment would be impractical. Numerous alternative embodiments may be implemented, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims.

[0051] Throughout this specification, plural instances may implement components, operations, or structures described as a single instance. Although individual operations of one or more methods are illustrated and described as separate operations, one or more of the individual operations may be performed concurrently, and nothing requires that the operations be performed in the order illustrated. Structures and functionality presented as separate components in example configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component. Similarly, structures and functionality presented as a single component may be implemented as separate components. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements fall within the scope of the subject matter herein.

[0052] Certain embodiments are described herein as including logic or a number of routines, subroutines, applications, or instructions. These may constitute either software (e.g., code embodied on a machine-readable medium or in a transmission signal) or hardware. In hardware, the routines, etc., are tangible units capable of perform ing certain operations and may be configured or arranged in a certain manner. In example embodiments, one or more computer systems (e.g., a standalone, client or server computer system) or one or more hardware modules of a computer system (e.g., a processor or a group of processors) may be configured by software (e.g., an application or application portion) as computer hardware that operates to perform certain operations as described herein.

[0053] In various embodiments, computer hardware, such as a processing element, may be implemented as special purpose or as general purpose. For example, the processing element may comprise dedicated circuitry or logic that is permanently configured, such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or indefinitely configured, such as an FPGA, to perform certain operations. The processing element may also comprise programmable logic or circuitry (e.g., as encompassed within a general-purpose processor or other programmable processor) that is temporarily configured by software to perform certain operations. It will be appreciated that the decision to implement the processing element as special purpose, in dedicated and permanently configured circuitry, or as general purpose (e.g., configured by software) may be driven by cost and time considerations.

[0054] Accordingly, the term “processing element” or equivalents should be understood to encompass a tangible entity, be that an entity that is physically constructed, permanently configured (e.g., hardwired), or temporarily configured (e.g., programmed) to operate in a certain manner or to perform certain operations described herein. Considering embodiments in which the processing element is temporarily configured (e g., programmed), each of the processing elements need not be configured or instantiated at any one instance in time. For example, where the processing element comprises a general-purpose processor configured using software, the general-purpose processor may be configured as respective different processing elements at different times. Software may accordingly configure the processing element to constitute a particular hardware configuration at one instance of time and to constitute a different hardware configuration at a different instance of time.

[0055] The processing element may include processors, microprocessors (single-core and multi-core), microcontrollers, DSPs, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), analog and / or digital application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or the like, or combinations thereof. The processing element may generally execute, process, or run instructions, code, code segments, software, firmware, programs, applications, apps, processes, services, daemons, or the like. The processing element may also include hardware components such as finite-state machines, sequential and combinational logic, and other electronic circuits that can perform the functions necessary for the operation of the current invention. The processing element may be in communication with the other electronic components through serial or parallel links that include address busses, data busses, control lines, and the like.

[0056] Computer hardware components, such as communication elements, memory elements, processing elements, and the like, may provide information to, and receive information from, other computer hardware components. Accordingly, the described computer hardware components may be regarded as being communicatively coupled. Where multiple of such computer hardware components exist contemporaneously, communications may be achieved through signal transmission (e.g., over appropriate circuits and buses) that connect the computer hardware components. In embodiments in which multiple computer hardware components areconfigured or instantiated at different times, communications between such computer hardware components may be achieved, for example, through the storage and retrieval of information in memory structures to which the multiple computer hardware components have access. For example, one computer hardware component may perform an operation and store the output of that operation in a memory device to which it is communicatively coupled. A further computer hardware component may then, at a later time, access the memory device to retrieve and process the stored output. Computer hardware components may also initiate communications with input or output devices, and may operate on a resource (e.g., a collection of information).

[0057] The memory device or element may include data storage components, such as read-only memory (ROM), programmable ROM, erasable programmable ROM, random-access memory (RAM) such as static RAM (SRAM) or dynamic RAM (DRAM), cache memory, hard disks, floppy disks, optical disks, flash memory, thumb drives, universal serial bus (USB) drives, or the like, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the memory element may be embedded in, or packaged in the same package as, the processing element. The memory element may include, or may constitute, a “computer-readable medium”. The memory element may store the instructions, code, code segments, software, firmware, programs, applications, apps, services, daemons, or the like that are executed by the processing element.

[0058] The communication element may generally allow communication with systems and / or external devices. The communication element may include signal or data transmitting and receiving circuits, such as antennas, amplifiers, filters, mixers, oscillators, digital signal processors (DSPs), and the like. The communication element may establish communication wirelessly by utilizing RF signals and / or data that comply with communication standards such as cellular 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, or LTE, WiFi, WiMAX, Bluetooth®, BLE, or combinations thereof. The communication element may be in communication with the processing element and the memory element.

[0059] The position-detection device may comprise a global positioning system (GPS) device and / or real-time kinematic (RTK) technology for determining a position of the portion of the apparatus.

[0060] The various operations of example methods described herein may be performed, at least partially, by one or more processing elements that are temporarily configured (e.g., by software) or permanently configured to perform the relevant operations. Whether temporarily or permanently configured, such processing elements may constitute processing element-implemented modules that operate to perform one or more operations or functions. The modules referred to herein may, in some example embodiments, comprise processing element-implemented modules.

[0061] Similarly, the methods or routines described herein may be at least partially processing element-implemented. For example, at least some of the operations of a method may be performed by one or more processing elements or processing element-implemented hardware modules. The performance of certain of the operations may be distributed among the one or more processing elements, not only residing within a single machine, but deployed across a number of machines. In some example embodiments, the processing elements may be located in a single location (e.g., within a home environment, an office environment or as a server farm), while in other embodiments the processing elements may be distributed across a number of locations.

[0062] Unless specifically stated otherwise, discussions herein using words such as “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,” “presenting,” “displaying,” or the like may refer to actions or processes of a machine (e.g., a computer with a processing element and other computer hardware components) that manipulates or transforms data represented as physical (e.g., electronic, magnetic, or optical) quantities within one or more memories (e.g., volatile memory, non-volatile memory, or a combination thereof), registers, or other machine components that receive, store, transmit, or display information.

[0063] As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a nonexclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0064] The patent claims at the end of this patent application are not intended to be construed under 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless traditional means-plus-function language is expressly recited, such as “means for” or “step for” language being explicitly recited in the claim (s).

[0065] Although the technology has been described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the attached drawing figures, it is noted that equivalents may be employed and substitutions made herein without departing from the scope of the technology as recited in the claims.

[0066] Having thus described various embodiments of the technology, what is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent includes the following:

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:1 . An apparatus for assessing real-time concrete curing in-situ using one or more probes, the apparatus comprising: a sensor base having a bottom surface and one or more ports extending into the bottom surface for releasably receiving the one or more probes; a plurality of contacts located in the one or more ports for electrically connecting to the one or more probes; a housing supported by the sensor base; and one or more processing elements located in the housing and in communication with the plurality of contacts, the one or more processing elements being configured to: receive one or more signals from the plurality of contacts, and determine a curing phase of the concrete based at least on the one or more signals from the plurality of contacts.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sensor base comprises a plurality of legs that define one or more channels therebetween, further comprising one or more sensors in communication with the one or more processing elements and located within the one or more channels.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the one or more sensors comprise at least one of a temperature sensor, an air pressure sensor, or a humidity sensor.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the sensor base comprises a platform from which the plurality of legs extend, the platform having a top surface for supporting the housing and a bottom surface opposite the top surface, the bottom surface defining a medial slot for receiving a medial probe and having a plurality of contacts located in the medial slot for electrically connecting to the medial probe.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the one or more processing elements are configured to determine that the curing phase of the concrete is at or above a threshold, and generate an indicator signal.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a comprising a communication element located in the housing and in communication with the one or more processing elements, the communication element being configured to wirelessly transmit the indicator signal.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a position sensor located in the housing and in communication with the one or more processing elements, the position sensor configured to detect a position thereof, wherein the indicator signal includes a signal representative of the position.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising one or more lights operatively associated with the housing and in communication with the one or more processing elements, wherein the indicator signal activates the one or more lights.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the housing comprises: a bottom piece with one or more walls defining a cylindrical portion and a flange extending from the cylindrical portion and having one or more channels formed therein, the one or more lights being located in the one or more channels, a top piece configured to receive the cylindrical portion, and a projection ring extending about the cylindrical portion and sandwiched between the bottom and top pieces, the projection ring being configured to direct light from the one or more lights to outside the housing.

10. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the threshold is at least one of an early saw readiness threshold or a conventional saw readiness threshold.

11. A method of assessing real-time concrete curing in-situ, the method comprising: inserting one or more sensor modules into uncured concrete, wherein the one or more sensor modules includes one or more probes inserted at one or more depths into the concrete from a surface of the concrete; measuring, via the one or more sensor modules, electrical resistance of the uncured concrete over time; and providing, via the one or more sensor modules, an indication of status of concrete curing.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the indication corresponds to readiness of the concrete for sawing.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the providing the indication of status comprises activating, via the one or more sensor modules, one or more indicator lights.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the providing the indication of status comprises transmitting, via the one or more sensor modules, one or more wireless signals including the indication and a position of the one or more sensor modules.

15. An apparatus for assessing real-time curing of concrete in-situ, the apparatus comprising: a sensor base having a plurality of legs defining one or more channels therebetween, at least one of the plurality of legs comprising: a bottom surface having a slot formed therein for receiving a probe with electrodes and that is operable to extend below the bottom surface a predetermined distance into the concrete, a plurality of contacts located in the slot for contacting corresponding contacts on the probe, and one or more sensors located within the one or more channels, the one or more sensors comprising at least one of a temperature sensor, an air pressure sensor, or a humidity sensor; a housing supported by the sensor base; one or more processors stored in the housing and in communication with the plurality of contacts and the one or more sensors, the one or more processors being configured to: receive one or more signals from the one or more sensors, receive one or more signals from the plurality of contacts, and determine a curing phase of the concrete based at least on the one or more signals from the one or more sensors or the one or more signals from the plurality of contacts.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the sensor base comprises one or more cavities formed in the at least one of the plurality of legs on a surface at least partially defining the one or more channels, and a grate extending over an opening of the one or more cavities, wherein the one or more sensors are positioned within the one or more cavities.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a communication element housed in the housing, wherein the one or more processors is configured to send a wireless signal, via the communication element, representative of the curing phase of the concrete.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising one or more lights supported by the sensor base, wherein the one or more processors is configured to: determine that the curing phase of the concrete is at least one of early saw readiness or conventional saw readiness based upon the curing phase, and activate the one or more lights when the curing phase of the concrete is at least one of the early saw readiness or the conventional saw readiness.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the at least one of the plurality of legs is a first leg, the plurality legs comprising a second leg comprising: a bottom surface having a slot formed therein for receiving a probe with electrodes and that is operable to extend below the bottom surface a predetermined distance into the concrete, and a plurality of contacts located in the slot for contacting corresponding contacts on the probe.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the sensor base comprises a platform from which the plurality of legs extend, the platform having a top surface for supporting the housing and a bottom surface opposite the top surface, the bottom surface defining a medial slot for receiving a medial probe and having a plurality of contacts located in the medial slot for electrically connecting to electrodes of the medial probe.

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