The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 26, 2002
Filed:
Aug. 22, 2000
Roger W. Earle, Sr., Dubuque, IA (US);
Eric T. Garz, Platteville, WI (US);
Peter O. Lee, Dubuque, IA (US);
Mark D. Lockwood, Dubuque, IA (US);
Jason J. Schmitt, Sherrill, IA (US);
Barnstead-Thermolyne Corporation, Dubuque, IA (US);
Abstract
A method of determining liquid absorption of an aggregate comprises providing a sample of the aggregate, adding liquid to the sample, subjecting the sample to a light source signal, monitoring a light reflected signal reflected from the sample and controlling addition of liquid to the sample as a function of the light reflected signal. The apparatus comprises a support for supporting a sample of the aggregate, a liquid source for adding liquid to the sample, a light source which subjects the sample to a light source signal, a light sensor which senses a reflected light signal reflected from the sample and a processor/controller which controls addition of liquid from the liquid source as a function of the reflected light signal. The light source is preferably an infrared source and the light sensor is preferably an infrared detector. The sample is weighed in a dry state and in the saturated surface dry (“SSD”) state and the percent by weight of aggregate water absorption and hence aggregate binder absorption and/or bulk specific gravity is then calculated. A weighing device can be incorporated directly into the apparatus.