Acoustic Probe Assembly for Fresh Concrete Density Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the density of fresh concrete, especially when it has low workability, face challenges in accurately measuring buoyancy due to the sensor's inability to float freely, limiting their effectiveness in assessing compressive strength.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using an acoustic probe assembly within a mixer truck to measure the time taken by an acoustic signal to travel through the fresh concrete, coupled with reference data based on the concrete's composition, to determine density, allowing for accurate density calculations even in low-workability scenarios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a buoyancy sensor is used to determine density of fresh concrete, then the measurement method is simple and direct, but the sensor cannot float freely when the concrete has low workability, leading to measurement failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical buoyancy-based measurement system with an acoustic measurement system. Instead of relying on a physical sensor floating in the concrete, the system uses acoustic waves propagating through the concrete to determine density. This substitution eliminates the requirement for the sensor to float freely while maintaining density measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces acoustic waves as an intermediary medium to transfer information about concrete density. Rather than directly measuring buoyancy with a physical sensor, the system uses acoustic signal propagation characteristics (velocity, attenuation) as intermediaries that reflect the concrete's density properties, enabling indirect but accurate measurement.
2Device complexity
If traditional buoyancy methods are used for low workability concrete, then the equipment is simple, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates due to sensor inability to float
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the simple mechanical buoyancy sensor with an acoustic measurement system that uses sound wave propagation. This substitution increases device complexity slightly but dramatically improves measurement precision for low workability concrete, as acoustic waves are not affected by the concrete's viscosity or workability characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from direct mechanical buoyancy to acoustic wave propagation characteristics. By measuring acoustic velocity and attenuation instead of mechanical floatation, the system adapts to different concrete workability conditions while maintaining measurement accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If acoustic measurement with reference data is used, then density determination accuracy is improved, but the system complexity increases due to multiple sensors and data processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the acoustic measurement system multi-functional by using the same acoustic sensors and processing system for multiple concrete properties (density, compressive strength prediction, composition analysis). This universality justifies the increased device complexity by providing multiple measurement capabilities from a single integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-storing reference data for various concrete compositions and pre-processing acoustic signal calibration. This allows the system to quickly determine density by comparing measurements against pre-established reference databases, reducing real-time computational complexity while maintaining high accuracy.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables precise determination of fresh concrete density, thereby improving the assessment of compressive strength, even when traditional methods fail due to low workability, ensuring better quality control during concrete handling and pouring.
Implementation Method 1
measuring a time, indicative of a duration taken by an acoustic signal to travel from an acoustic emitter to an acoustic receiver across a fresh concrete sample
Data Source
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AI summary
There is disclosed a computer-implemented method for determining a density value of a fresh concrete sample using an acoustic probe assembly. The acoustic probe assembly has an acoustic path, an acoustic emitter configured to emit an acoustic signal along the acoustic path, and an acoustic receiver configured to receive the acoustic signal after propagation along the acoustic path. The acoustic probe assembly is configured and adapted to generate an electromagnetic signal indicative of a duration of time taken by the acoustic signal to travel from the acoustic emitter to the acoustic receiver across the fresh concrete sample. The method generally has a step of determining the duration of time based on the electromagnetic signal, a step of matching the duration to a density value using reference data, and a step of displaying the density value.