Method For Determining Quality Or Evolvement Of A Physical Property Of A Viscous Substance

Abstract

The inventive concept relates to a method of determining the relative ratios or percentages of certain characteristics or properties of viscous substances, wherein moisture content is a key determinant. The method utilizes placement of passive Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) instrumentation into a slurry or existing viscous mixture of substances. The RFID then reads moisture and/or other physical properties of the substance, typically process parameters such as temperature and/or pH. The readings are queried using an interrogator to acquire the data wirelessly. As a planning step, it is necessary to correlate the data with a variety of specially-developed algorithms specific to a viscous mixture associated with a particular process. The acquired readings will then provide a user with instantaneous information which will be determinative of the degree of completeness or maintenance of a certain property of the process.

Claims

1. A method for determination, at any point in time, the quality or phase of a specific physical property of a viscous substance, as the substance progresses through a stages of a particular process, the method comprising: (a) preparing algorithms of compilations of stored data corresponding to historic data showing the effects of temperature, time, moisture content, pH, and other variable conditions on the physical properties of the viscous substance; (b) positioning the viscous substance within or upon a specific container or enclosure; (c) embedding sensors in the interior mass of the viscous substance; (d) obtaining periodic measurements, transmitted from the sensors, of the specific physical properties of the viscous substance, in sequential segments of time; (e) accessing the previously-prepared algorithms for direct comparison with the periodic measurements obtained from the sensors and thereby converting the obtained measurements into a rendering of the stage, or quality, of the specific physical property of the viscous substance; (f) transmitting the conversion of the quality of the specific physical property to a mobile phone, electronic storage device, or desktop computer of an end user.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the viscous substance is a concrete slurry.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the viscous substance is asphalt.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the viscous substance is being transported through a pipeline or conduit.

5. A method for determination, at any point in time, the quality or phase of a specific physical property of a viscous substance, as the substance progresses through a particular process, the method comprising: (a) preparing algorithms of compilations of stored data corresponding to historic data showing the effects of temperature, time, moisture content, pH, and other variable conditions on the physical properties of the viscous substance; (b) providing (i) a container or defined volume of the viscous substance, (ii) a plurality of sensors having electronic tag identifiers, (iii) access to a cloud data storage system, and (iv) at least one interrogator; (c) embedding the sensors within the interior mass of the viscous substance; (d) obtaining periodic measurements, as transmitted from the sensors to the interrogator, of a specific physical property or properties of the viscous substance; (e) accessing the previously-prepared algorithms for direct comparison with the periodic measurements obtained from the sensors; (f) converting the obtained measurements into a rendering of the stage, or quality, of the specific physical property of the viscous substance; (g) transmitting the conversion of the quality of the specific physical property to a mobile phone, electronic storage device, or desktop computer of an end user.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the viscous substance is a concrete slurry.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the viscous substance is asphalt.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the viscous substance is being transported through a pipeline or conduit.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein the periodic measurements of the viscous substance are stored in a data server located remotely from the interrogator.

10. The method of claim 5, wherein the transmission of the conversion of the quality of a physical property is transmitted by conventional electronic communication via a land-line or similar hard-wired connection.

11. The method of claim 5, wherein the transmission of the conversion of the quality of a physical property is stored within the interrogator and intermittently wirelessly sent to a Cloud storage location.

12. A method for determination, at any point in time, the degree of hardness or compressive strength of a viscous substance as the substance progresses through stages of a curing process, the method comprising: (a) preparing algorithms of compilations of stored data corresponding to historic data showing the effects of temperature, time, moisture content, pH, and other variable conditions on the physical properties of the viscous substance; (b) providing (i) a container or defined volume of the viscous substance, (ii) a plurality of sensors having electronic tag identifiers, (iii) access to a cloud data storage system, and (iv) at least one interrogator; (c) inserting a certain number of the plurality of sensors into the substance; (d) initiating an electronic time-keeping mechanism; (e) powering at least one interrogator to receive readings of a multiplicity of the physical properties of the internal mass of the substance, as transmitted by the sensors; (f) communicating, by means of the interrogator, the readings of the physical properties of the substance for storage within an electronic cloud-based network; (g) converting, by means of the data contained in the algorithms, the cloud-stored characteristics into a relative hardness or percentage completion of the curing process; and (h)transmitting the relative hardness or percentage of completion of the curing process to mobile phones, devices, or desktop computers of the ultimate users.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the viscous substance is a concrete slurry.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the viscous substance is asphalt.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the readings of the physical properties of the substance are stored within the interrogator.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the storing step comprises storing the physical properties in a data server located remotely from the interrogator.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the transmission of the conversion of the quality of a physical property is transmitted by conventional electronic communication via a land-line or similar hard-wired connection.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the transmission of the conversion of the quality of a physical property is stored within the interrogator and intermittently wirelessly sent to a Cloud storage location.

19. The method of claim 12, further comprising storing the physical properties of the substance in a data matrix, the data matrix including a plurality of columns for the physical properties sensed at a variety of locations within the volume of the substance.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF DRAWINGS AS EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTIVE CONCEPT

[0028] FIG. 1A is a drawing of a typical sensor 4, showing the sensor pickup area 7 for measurement of a specific property of a viscous substance, along with the left and right antenna sections 5, 6.

[0029] FIG. 1B illustrates a side view 9 of the sensor 4 of FIG. 1A, as seen from the perspective of section line A-A.

[0030] FIG. 2 illustrates a stylized cutout of a block section 10 of any of a variety of specific materials, further showing the cross-sectional direction of view of the section 10.

[0031] FIG. 2A presents a cross-sectional view of a hypothetical section of concrete 11, as would be seen from section line B-B, further showing a generic sensor 12 (sensor specific to concrete) embedded within.

[0032] FIG. 2B shows a cross-sectional view of a section of asphalt 15 with a sensor 16 specific to asphalt embedded near the top surface 17. FIG. 2B further shows the asphalt base layer 18, the aggregate layer 19, and the soil sub-grade 20.

[0033] FIG. 2C presents a stylized view of the interior of a chemical mixing, or reactive, tank 21. Also shown is a sensor 22 embedded with other mix components, these components typically a first chemical agent 23, a second chemical agent 24. Stylized mixing blades, are represented by item 25.

[0034] FIG. 3 depicts the flow of the process of reading the information acquired by a tag 31(a) attached to a sensor 31 embedded within a container 32 of viscous fluid mixture. The information is garnered by an interrogator 33 and transmitted to an internet-based Cloud 37 data storage system.

[0035] FIG. 3A is a stylized presentation of the Cloud 37 which stores, processes, and provides access to the corresponding algorithms 38.

[0036] FIG. 3B represents the electronic consolidation 39 of a variety of algorithms and transmittal to final users.

[0037] FIG. 3C depicts a mobile phone or device 41 for reception of the algorithmic information.

[0038] FIG. 3D illustrates a desktop computer 42 for reception of the algorithmic information.

[0039] FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B show stylized, three-dimensional representations of algorithms that track the variables of temperature, moisture, and pH factor during stages of a process involved with acquiring hardness, or compressive strength, of a specific viscous fluid.

[0040] FIG. 5 presents an integrated flow chart depicting the various process steps necessary for accomplishing a desired condition of particular viscous fluid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0041] The objects, features, and advantages of the inventive concept presented in this application are more readily understood when referring to the accompanying drawings. The drawings, totaling fourteen figures, show the basic components and functions of embodiments and/or methods of use. In the several figures, like reference numbers are used in each figure to correspond to the same component as may be depicted in other figures.

[0042] The discussion of the present inventive concept will be initiated with FIG. 1A. In FIG. 1A there is illustrated a plan view of a typical electronic sensor 4, further equipped with a tag. The tag pickup area 7 is utilized for measurement of a specific property of a viscous fluid 40 (not shown), while the left and right antenna sections 5, 6 are shown integral to the left antenna base 5(a) and right antenna base 6(a). The tag device measures moisture, temperature, pH, or other process parameters, that would be essential to maintenance or completion of a finished product.

[0043] FIG. 1B illustrates a side view 9 of the sensor 4 and further shows an adhesive backing 8 which backing 8 normally comes as standard configuration for off-the-shelf sensors 4 of this type. The sensor 4, in conjunction with a tag, acquires information on the properties of a viscous fluid, or other substance in which the sensor 4 immersed. This information is stored electronically within the tag until electronically interrogated by a compatible device which emits interrogating radio waves. The interrogating device (not shown) is essentially a small, passive Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) emitter that may be mobile or at a stationary location. The information may also be transmitted by conventional electronic communication via a land-line or similar hard-wired connection.

[0044] In the preferred embodiment the sensor 4 is passive. Other embodiments of this inventive concept may be equipped with battery-powered, or locally-powered sensors 4. These are generally known as active tags and may operate at hundreds of meters from an RFID reader.

[0045] In FIG. 2 there is illustrated a hypothetical block of any of a variety of materials 10. Section line B-B, depicts the orientation of a cross-sectional view of any one of different varieties of the block material 10. FIG. 2A specifically represents a cross-sectional view of concrete block material 11. A specific concrete sensor 12, essentially functioning in the same manner as sensors 4 previously described, is embedded near the concrete outer surface 12(a). The concrete rebar 13, along with aggregate 14 typically found in concrete structures is also shown.

[0046] In FIG. 2B there is illustrated a cross-sectional view (an approximation of the view from cross-section line B-B) of a block of asphalt 15. A specific asphalt sensor 16, along with a tag 16(a), functions in the same manner as the sensor 4 previously described. The asphalt sensor 16 is embedded near the surface 17(a) of the asphalt layer 17, directly above the asphalt base layer 18. The asphalt aggregate layer 19 and the soil subgrade 20 are further shown.

[0047] FIG. 2C depicts a stylized view of the interior of a chemical mixing, or reaction, tank 21. A sensor 22, along with its associated tag 22(a)(not shown) is embedded within chemical components, which by way of illustration only, comprise a first chemical 23 and a second chemical 24. Both chemicals 23, 24 are conceivably mixed with other necessary components. FIG. 2C, thus depicts representations of the various constituents that may be included in a mixing/reactive tank 21. Further shown is a mixing blade 25 and a blade axis 26 integral to the reaction tank 21.

[0048] FIG. 3 depicts the process of reading the information acquired by a tag 31(a) attached to a sensor 31 embedded within a container 32 of viscous fluid mixture. The sensor 31 and its tag 31(a), when electronically prompted, picks up data from the changing parameters of the viscous fluid in which it is embedded, the data being in a readily useable form for electronic transmission. An electronic interrogator 33 either automatically, or upon manual actuation, generates electromagnetic radio waves 34 to empower the sensor's tag 31(a). Thus, the interrogator 33 provides minute amounts of power 34 to the sensor 31 and the tag 31(a) shown as FIG. 3. The sensor 31, upon receiving power from the interrogator 33, reads the current conditions of the process and has enough power to send the signal back to the interrogator 33. The interrogator 33 then stores and sends the data wirelessly to a storage location, typically to a Cloud 37 location. In some embodiments, the current conditions of the process may be transmitted by conventional electronic communication via a land-line or similar hard-wired connections.

[0049] In FIG. 3, the depicted sensor 31 functions in the same manner as described earlier for typical sensors 4 of this type, and is embedded in the container 32 of viscous fluid. The viscous fluid could be, by way of illustration, and not limitation, concrete, asphalt, chemical reactants, or other manufacturing or industrial substances. One common characteristic of such viscous fluids is that water, or moisture content, plays a key variable in any curing or manufacturing process. The passive sensor 31 receives electrical power from the interrogator 33 and implements readings of physical properties of the viscous substance, including, but not limited to, moisture, temperature, pH or substance parameters. The sensor 31 then transmits, by radio wave 35, its readings back to the interrogator 33, shown in FIG. 3 as an arrow and broken curvilinear waves.

[0050] With the unique tag 31(a) of the sensor 31, precise readings can be correlated to the location of the sensor 31 within the viscous fluid, or perhaps the unique individual tags of multiple sensors within the fluid. The interrogator 33 may temporarily store, or transmit 36 the readings received from the sensor 31 to a cloud 37 data storage system, as shown in FIG. 3A. The data stored in the cloud 37 is maintained and made available, accessible, and interpretable by means of various algorithms 38.

[0051] A specific algorithm or algorithms 38 translates the data given by the sensor 33 into a useable form depending on the specific process which takes place. FIG. 3B is a representation of the collection and consolidation of specific algorithm 39 generated by means of the immediately preceding examples. As is expected, for accuracy in assessing the attainment of a substance phase for specific processes, it is essential that different algorithms 38 be utilized for instance, with different grades of concrete (2000 psi, 2500 psi, 3000 psi, etc). Further, different algorithms 38 must be computed for the differing grades of asphalt (I-2, I-4, I-5, etc.). It is necessary that custom-designed/calculated algorithms 38 be calculated for other specific processes. FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B provide information on the function of certain algorithms 38 for assessment of each phase or phases of completion of a process.

[0052] Once the data is collected in the Cloud 37 data storage system and the appropriate algorithm 38 translates 39 the collected data, the information is sent to a final user or users (not shown) via appropriate communications means 40 and 40(a). Ultimate end users may acquire the transmitted data 39 by means of mobile phones 41 and desktop computers 42, respectively, shown in FIG. 3C and FIG. 3D.

[0053] In FIG. 4 (comprising FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B) there is shown a three-dimensional, pictorial representations of algorithms correlating moisture, temperature, and/or pH to the relative percentage of completion of a process to achieve hardness, or compressive strength. FIG. 4A relates low moisture and low temperature or pH to a high percentage completion of the process. Percentage completion of the process is represented by 4A1, with 4A2 being moisture content, and 4A3 is temperature.

[0054] FIG. 4B relates high moisture and low temperature or pH to high percentage complete process. Item 4B1 is percentage completion of the process, 4B2 is moisture content, and 4B3 is temperature. Each application in which a sensor will be used to determine the percentage completion of the process will have its own unique algorithm developed.

[0055] A data collection period will be used for collection of results of temperature, moisture, and pH readings over specific times under varying conditions. The resultant rendering of the hardness and strength, or possibly a curing objective 97 of the substance can then be precisely indicated. All the data collected will be plotted until algorithmic graphs are created, as demonstrated with FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B. As an example, assuming concrete slurry is the substance, in FIG. 4B, all moisture readings are on the X-axis represented by axis 4B2. When there is low moisture in concrete, it is expected that the PSI strength of concrete is high. The PSI (or percentage of finished curing process) is in the Z-direction of the 3-dimensional graph, represented by axis 4B1. On the Y-Axis is temperature, represented by axis 4B3.

[0056] In FIG. 4B, the plot, 4B2 is the moisture content axis. At the far left is very low moisture and the far right is very wet. If there were presented a scale from 0.0% to 100.0% moisture, then perhaps in a concrete application, this would translate to a correlated scale of 1.0% to about 15.0% moisture. The most practical utilization of the disclosed inventive concept is to focus on the key parameters in critical ranges, for instance, 0.0% to 30.0% range instead of 0.0% to 100.0% moisture.

[0057] In FIG. 4B, 4B3 represents temperature axis. To the left is low temperature and to the right is high temperature. The temperature range, in Celsius, is between 10.0 and 35.0 degrees. The customarily-designated Z-axis 4B1 depicts the strength of concrete in PSI. Higher readings oin the Z-axis 4B1 translates to higher strength while lower readings in the Z-axis 4B1 represent lower levels of strength. Basically, when the temperature is close to ambient (when concrete is poured it gets hot) and moisture content is low, the current strength of the concrete batch will be high.

[0058] Again, using concrete as the representative substance, when the temperature may be high, there is still curing time left. Only when the moisture content is low and temperature is also relatively low, will the curing of the concrete be complete. Therefore, the moisture reading and temperature, once known, can be plotted and compared to previous data to determine the third variable, the compressive strength of concrete, which would be representative of the percentage of a complete curing process of concrete. Compressive strength could be in pounds per square inch, (psi) or it could be in Newtons per square millimeter (N/mm.sup.2).

[0059] FIG. 5 presents an integrated flow chart depicting the various process steps 60, 70, 80, 90, necessary for accomplishing a desired condition of particular viscous fluid. At process W 60, an interrogator 61 initiates the current time 62 and date 63 and maintains a continuous tracking of elapsed time 64. At process X 70 an interrogator 71 provides power to the applicable sensor 72, which sensor 72 sends its unique tag ID 74, and its reading 76 of temperature 75 back to the interrogator 71.

[0060] At process 80 an interrogator 81 provides power to the applicable sensor 82, which sensor 82 sends both its unique tag ID 84, and the reading 86 of moisture content 85 back to the interrogator 81. At process 90 an interrogator 91 provides power to the applicable sensor 92, which sensor 92 sends its unique tag ID 94, and its reading 96 of pH 79 back to the interrogator 91.

[0061] The culmination and ratios of the above-described processes 60, 70, 80, and 90 all render a cumulative determination of the strength and hardness 97 of the viscous fluid which is being processed.

[0062] The user(s), upon the receipt of usable moisture and related data such as temperature, pH, or other parameters, can then accurately determine the stage of the process being monitored. Over a period of time, when the appropriate stage or completion percentage 97 of a process is determined, the user can make better decisions about the specific process, without additional testing or other complicated, inefficient attempts at guessing.

[0063] While preferred embodiments of the present inventive method have been shown and disclosed herein, it will be obvious to those persons skilled in the art that such embodiments are presented by way of example only, and not as a limitation to the scope of the inventive concept. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions may occur or be suggested to those skilled in the art without departing from the intent, scope, and totality of this inventive concept. Such variations, changes, and substitutions may involve other features which are already known per se and which may be used instead of, in combination with, or in addition to features already disclosed herein. Accordingly, it is intended that this inventive concept be inclusive of such variations, changes, and substitutions, as described by the scope of the claims presented herein.