Autonomous Drone Concrete Curing System
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Solution Overview
Problem
The curing of concrete is a temperamental process, and improper hydration conditions, especially during the early curing period, can lead to adverse effects such as cracking, spalling, curling, and loss of strength. Existing methods for controlling concrete curing are often slow to respond and lack real-time data for adjustments, making them ineffective in managing curing conditions over a wide area.
Innovation Solution
The use of autonomous drones equipped with sensors and application systems to monitor and manage the curing of concrete. These drones can apply moisture and curing agents non-contactually and provide real-time data on curing conditions, allowing for immediate adjustments to ensure optimal hydration and prevent defects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional passive controls (membranes, curing compounds) are used to prevent curing failures, then concrete protection is provided, but real-time monitoring and adjustment capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where sensors continuously monitor curing conditions (temperature, humidity, moisture content) and transmit data to a control system. This enables real-time assessment of curing effectiveness and automatic adjustment of curing measures, transforming passive protection into an active, responsive system that maintains optimal curing conditions throughout the process.
2Measurement precision
If laboratory testing methods (ASTM C 156) are used to evaluate curing effectiveness, then standardized measurements are obtained, but field relevance and real-time applicability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical contact methods (membranes, compounds requiring manual application) with wireless sensor networks and automated monitoring systems. This substitution enables precise measurement of curing parameters in real-time field conditions without disrupting the natural curing process, providing data that is both accurate and directly applicable to actual construction environments.
3Loss of information
If active control devices (maturity meters) are deployed for real-time monitoring, then curing data is obtained, but coverage area and response speed are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the monitoring system into multiple independent sensor nodes distributed across the concrete surface. Each node independently measures local curing conditions and transmits data to a central system. This segmentation enables comprehensive coverage of large areas while maintaining real-time monitoring capabilities, overcoming the limitations of single-point maturity meters.
4Reliability
If passive curing controls are used, then initial concrete protection is provided, but responsiveness to atmospheric changes is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-regulating curing system where sensors automatically detect changes in atmospheric conditions (temperature, humidity, wind speed) and trigger appropriate responses without human intervention. The system adjusts curing parameters in real-time based on environmental feedback, enabling rapid adaptation to atmospheric changes while maintaining continuous concrete protection.
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
The autonomous drone system enables real-time monitoring and adjustment of concrete curing conditions, improving hydration uniformity and preventing defects such as cracking and loss of strength. This leads to higher quality concrete with enhanced durability and reduced construction costs.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor may be any type of sensor known in the art, including, but not limited to, ground penetrating radar (GPR) sensors that sense the moisture content, temperature, and other conditions of the concrete non-contactually
Implementation Method 2
The drone may include a pump and one or more nozzles that apply moisture, a curing aid (e.g., an evaporation inhibitor), or another chemical (e.g., a finishing aid, a cutting aid, a hardener/densifier, a silane, another protective surface treatment, etc.) to the concrete
Data Source
AI summary
Automated systems for managing the curing of concrete employ drones that may be employed without contacting a surface of the concrete. The drones may include sensing drones, which may monitor one or more conditions of the concrete as it cures, application drones, which may apply moisture, curing aids, and/or other chemicals to the concrete to control the manner in which the concrete cures, and/or support drones that may carry conduits that extend between a source of moisture, a curing aid, and/or another chemical and an application drone to prevent the conduits from contacting the surface of the concrete. Such a system may also include a central control unit that receives information about the curing concrete and uses that information to manage curing of the concrete, including coordination of the movement and operation of various drones used to manage curing of the concrete.