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:
Aug. 02, 2011
Filed:
Jul. 06, 2007
Applicants:
Gangbing Song, Pearland, TX (US);
Haichang Gu, Houston, TX (US);
Yi-lung MO, Bellaire, TX (US);
Inventors:
Assignee:
The University of Houston System, Houston, TX (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G01M 7/00 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
Abstract
A system for monitoring the health of a structure, e.g., a concrete wall, bridge, pillars, using a smart aggregate is disclosed. The smart aggregate includes a piezoceramic transducer(s) and associated communication links. The transducer is embedded into the structure prior to the manufacture of the structure. The disclosed system can monitor internal stresses, cracks and other physical forces in the structures during the structures' life. The system is capable of providing an early indication of the health of the structure before a failure of the structure can occur.