Patents Assigned to InstroTek, Inc.
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Patent number: 11009450Abstract: A method for quality testing asphalt includes: directing light from a light source to at least one surface of asphalt; detecting light reflected or refracted from the at least one surface of the asphalt using a light detector; and assigning a number indicating the quality of the asphalt in response to detecting light reflected or refracted from the at least one surface of the asphalt.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2019Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: InstroTek, Inc.Inventors: Andrew LaCroix, Lawrence James, Ali Regimand, Dirk Steckmann, Ethan Steckmann
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Patent number: 10753838Abstract: A load and motion measurement system for use with a Hamburg Wheel Tracker device includes: a housing; at least one load cell held in or by the housing; a load platform held in or by the housing and resting on the at least one load cell; and a controller operatively associated with the at least one load cell. The load and motion measurement system is configured to be received in a sample tray that is held in the Hamburg Wheel Tracker device. The controller is configured to determine operational parameters associated with a wheel of the Hamburg Wheel Tracking device that rolls along the load platform. Vertical displacement measurement calibration and verification systems for use with a Hamburg Wheel Tracker device are also described, as are associated kits and methods.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2018Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: InstroTek, Inc.Inventors: Lawrence James, Ali Regimand, Ethan Steckmann, Richard Stacy, Dirk Steckmann, Andrew LaCroix, Adam O'Neill
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Patent number: 10215678Abstract: A system for conducting a maximum specific gravity test includes a sealable container for receiving and holding an asphalt mixture sample, a vacuum pump in fluid communication with the container for evacuating the container, a valve in fluid communication with the container, a shaker for shaking the container, and a controller. The controller can operate the system in a test mode by: (i) turning on the vacuum pump; (ii) automatically monitoring a vacuum pressure in the container with the vacuum pump on; (iii) automatically turning on the shaker when the monitored vacuum pressure reaches a target vacuum pressure value; (iv) automatically opening or closing the valve such that the monitored vacuum pressure in the container is maintained within a target vacuum pressure range for a predetermined period of time with the shaker on; and (v) automatically turning the shaker off at the end of the predetermined period of time.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2016Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: InstroTek, Inc.Inventors: Dirk M. Steckmann, Ali Regimand, Lawrence H. James, Andrew T. LaCroix, Johnny G. Williams, Jr., Adam C. O'Neill
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Patent number: 9964471Abstract: A wheel-tracking test device includes a housing, one or more test chambers in the housing, one or more load arm assemblies, and a drive mechanism. Each test chamber is configured to receive and hold one or more asphalt test samples. Each load arm assembly includes a weighted loading arm and a wheel rotatably connected to the loading arm. The drive mechanism is configured to move the load arm assembly from a load position in which the wheel is on a test sample held in the test chamber and a rest position by retracting the loading arm such that the wheel is lifted off the test sample.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2015Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Assignees: INSTROTEK, INC., MATEST S.P.A. UNIPERSONALEInventors: Ali Regimand, Danilo Guerini, Lawrence H. James, Paola Maestroni, Andrew Thomas LaCroix
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Patent number: 9702626Abstract: An apparatus and method for quickly drying porous materials. A sealable chamber is connected to a cold trap which is connected to a vacuum pump. A sample is placed inside the sealable chamber. The vacuum pump is turned on and air is evacuated through the cold trap to the vacuum pump. An infrared lamp may be used to heat the chamber and sample therein directly or heated air may be allowed to enter the sealable chamber. Air may be drawn directly from the sealable chamber to the vacuum pump bypassing the cold trap. Various parameters may be used to determine if the drying process is complete, including the degree of vacuum achieved in the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2014Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: InstroTek, Inc.Inventors: Tianqing He, Ali Regimand, Lawrence H. James, Peter D. Muse
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Publication number: 20140260525Abstract: A post-road surface maintenance field test device includes a frame, a plurality of wheels connected to the frame, a rotatable brush held at least partially by or within the frame, a drive mechanism configured to rotate the brush, and a collection member. The collection member is held at least partially by or within the frame and resides adjacent the rotatable brush. In operation, as the device is conveyed over a road surface, the drive mechanism rotates the brush and the brush engages loose aggregates and/or aggregates that are weakly bound to a bonding medium and urges the engaged aggregates into the collection member.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: InstroTek, Inc.Inventors: Peter D. Muse, Lawrence H. James, Ali Regimand
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Patent number: 8826564Abstract: An apparatus and method for quickly drying porous materials. A sealable chamber is connected to a cold trap which is connected to a vacuum pump. A sample is placed inside the sealable chamber. The vacuum pump is turned on and air is evacuated through the cold trap to the vacuum pump. An infrared lamp may be used to heat the chamber and sample therein directly or heated air may be allowed to enter the sealable chamber. Air may be drawn directly from the sealable chamber to the vacuum pump bypassing the cold trap. Various parameters may be used to determine if the drying process is complete, including the degree of vacuum achieved in the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2012Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: InstroTek, Inc.Inventors: Tianqing He, Ali Regimand, Lawrence H. James, Peter D. Muse
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Patent number: 8408013Abstract: A portable moisture trap for use with a vacuum pump includes: a housing; a cooling chamber positioned at least partially within the housing including a first inlet port and a second outlet port; a lid that sealably attaches to a top portion of the cooling chamber to seal the cooling chamber; a heat sink residing under the cooling chamber; a thermoelectric device having an upper cooling side and a lower heat generating side residing between the cooling chamber and the heat sink; a fan oriented to blow air upwardly toward the heat sink; and a baffle extending downwardly in the cooling chamber from a location proximate the lid to a location proximate an inner bottom surface of the cooling chamber, with the baffle configured to define a physical barrier to urge air received through the first port to flow down toward the inner bottom surface of the cooling chamber before exiting through the second port, to thereby remove moisture from air traveling through the cooling chamber in response to a vacuum pump in fluidType: GrantFiled: June 30, 2010Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Instrotek, Inc.Inventors: Peter D. Muse, Johnny Gordon Williams, Jr., Ali Regimand, Lawrence H. James
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Patent number: 8312776Abstract: An apparatus and method for determination of susceptibility of asphalt concrete materials to moisture damage. An asphalt sample of known bulk specific gravity (density) is placed inside a chamber filled with water, which is capable of heating the sample to a predetermined temperature. The chamber is pressurized by introduction of air pressure to a flexible membrane that decreases the volume within a chamber containing the sample and water, increasing the pore pressure in the sample. The pressure is then released and allowed to come to ambient pressure. This process is repeated a predetermined number of times (cycles). When a selected number of cycles are complete, the asphalt sample is removed from the chamber and its bulk specific gravity (density) measured again. The difference between the density before and after conditioning is an excellent method of rating the degree at which moisture would deteriorate asphalt samples due to introduction of moisture.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2011Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: InstroTek, Inc.Inventors: Ali Regimand, Lawrence H. James, Peter D. Muse, Keith Landreth, Tianqing He
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Patent number: 8225526Abstract: An apparatus and method for quickly drying porous materials. A sealable chamber is connected to a cold trap which is connected to a vacuum pump. A sample is placed inside the sealable chamber. The vacuum pump is turned on and air is evacuated through the cold trap to the vacuum pump. Because evaporation may lower the temperature inside the sealable chamber, an infrared lamp may be used to heat the chamber and sample therein directly or heated air may be allowed to enter the sealable chamber in response to the vacuum created by the vacuum pump. Air may be drawn directly from the sealable chamber to the vacuum pump bypassing the cold trap. A load cell may be placed in the bottom of the sealable chamber to monitor the weight of a sample to determine if the drying process is complete. Other parameters could be used, including the degree of vacuum achieved in the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2010Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: InstroTek, Inc.Inventors: Tianqing He, Ali Regimand, Lawrence H. James, Peter D. Muse
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Patent number: 8020451Abstract: An apparatus and method for determination of susceptibility of asphalt concrete materials to moisture damage. An asphalt sample of known bulk specific gravity (density) is placed inside a chamber filled with water, which is capable of heating the sample to a pre-determined temperature. The chamber is pressurized by introduction of air pressure to a flexible membrane that decreases the volume within a chamber containing the sample and water, increasing the pore pressure in the sample. The pressure is then released and allowed to come to ambient pressure. This process is repeated a predetermined number of times (cycles). When a selected number of cycles are complete, the asphalt sample is removed from the chamber and its bulk specific gravity (density) measured again. The difference between the density before and after conditioning is an excellent method of rating the degree at which moisture would deteriorate asphalt samples due to introduction of moisture.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2008Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: InstroTek, Inc.Inventors: Ali Regimand, Lawrence H. James, Peter D. Muse, Keith Landreth, Tianqing He
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Patent number: 7098034Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products analyze asphalt samples for anti-stripping agents by: obtaining a sample comprising asphalt binder material; sensing a selected parameter associated with the sample (such as the acidity and/or alkalinity of the sample); and analyzing the sensed parameter to assess at least one of: (a) the presence of at least one anti-stripping agent in the sample; and (b) the level of at least one anti-stripping agent in the sample. The sample can be heated so that it emits exhaust gas and the exhaust gas (directly or indirectly) interrogated to determine its pH, or other constituents or properties, such as ammonia. Pre-defined mathematical relationships can be used to correlate the measured sensed data to the concentrations of the anti-stripping agent(s) in the sample undergoing analysis. The evaluation can be carried out in a generally automated rapid manner so that the test can be completed in about 10 minutes or less. Related devices and kits are also described.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2002Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignee: InstroTek, Inc.Inventors: Tianqing He, Ali Regimand, Peter D. Muse, Lawrence H. James
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Patent number: 6995667Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products configured to track the geographic location of hazmat substances or devices including same, such as nuclear gauges with a radioactive component, include mounting a tracking device in proximity to the substance, the tracking device configured to provide at least one tracking signal that is detectable from a remote location to thereby allow its geographic location to be determined remotely.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2002Date of Patent: February 7, 2006Assignee: InstroTek, Inc.Inventors: Tianqing He, Peter D. Muse, Ali Regimand, Lawrence H. James
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Patent number: 6817243Abstract: Methods of determining an apparent density of a sealant used to encase a material specimen during liquid displacement evaluations include: (a) providing a plurality of material reference samples in an assortment of dimensional ranges and geometrical shapes; (b) obtaining a sealant used to encase material specimens undergoing liquid displacement evaluations; and (c) establishing a plurality of apparent density values for the sealant, one apparent density value for each of the plurality of reference samples identified in the providing step.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2003Date of Patent: November 16, 2004Assignee: InstroTek, Inc.Inventors: Ali Regimand, Lawrence H. James
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Patent number: 6817230Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products determine absorption, specific gravity, and/or porosity of construction materials undergoing analysis corresponding to different measurements of material samples divided from a “parent” construction material sample. Dry and wet weights of the samples are obtained under different conditions. In certain embodiments, the material sample is an aggregate that is held in liquid in a volumetric container and the container with the liquid and aggregate is weighed. Another weight of a second sample can be obtained. The second sample is encased in an evacuated vacuum-sealed bag that is opened while immersed in a liquid bath, at which time the weight can be obtained. The weight data can be used to calculate the parameter of interest.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2003Date of Patent: November 16, 2004Assignee: InstroTek, Inc.Inventors: Lawrence James, Ali Regimand
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Patent number: 6799471Abstract: Apparatus and methods for detection of susceptibility to moisture damage for asphalt mixes. A sample of asphalt mix is placed inside a chamber, which is partially filled with water. An increased air pressure is applied to the chamber. A controlled evacuation of the water from the chamber takes place while the increased pressure is maintained in the chamber. Pressure is released from the chamber and water is returned to the chamber. The cycle is repeated a predetermined number of times. Changes in conductivity and turbidity of the water may be monitored to indicate mixture stripping. When a chosen number of cycles of a pressurized emptying and filling of the chamber is complete, the asphalt sample is removed from the chamber and tested against a controlled sample. The test procedure adapts itself readily to a dual chamber design so that two samples may be tested simultaneously. A vacuum may also be applied to the chamber in addition to pressurizing the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2003Date of Patent: October 5, 2004Assignee: InstroTek, Inc.Inventors: Ali Regimand, Lawrence H. James, Peter D. Muse, Tianging He
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Patent number: D706146Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2012Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: InstroTek, Inc.Inventors: Ali Regimand, Peter D. Muse, Lawrence H. James, Adam C. O'Neill
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Patent number: D738750Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2014Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: InstroTek, Inc.Inventors: Ali Regimand, Peter D. Muse, Lawrence H. James, Adam C. O'Neill
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Patent number: RE45937Abstract: A portable moisture trap for use with a vacuum pump includes: a housing; a cooling chamber positioned at least partially within the housing including a first inlet port and a second outlet port; a lid that sealably attaches to a top portion of the cooling chamber to seal the cooling chamber; a heat sink residing under the cooling chamber; a thermoelectric device having an upper cooling side and a lower heat generating side residing between the cooling chamber and the heat sink; a fan oriented to blow air upwardly toward the heat sink; and a baffle extending downwardly in the cooling chamber from a location proximate the lid to a location proximate an inner bottom surface of the cooling chamber, with the baffle configured to define a physical barrier to urge air received through the first port to flow down toward the inner bottom surface of the cooling chamber before exiting through the second port, to thereby remove moisture from air traveling through the cooling chamber in response to a vacuum pump in fluidType: GrantFiled: March 31, 2015Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: InstroTek, Inc.Inventors: Peter D. Muse, Johnny Gordon Williams, Jr., Ali Regimand, Lawrence H. James
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Patent number: RE46616Abstract: A portable moisture trap for use with a vacuum pump includes: a housing; a cooling chamber positioned at least partially within the housing including a first inlet port and a second outlet port; a lid that sealably attaches to a top portion of the cooling chamber to seal the cooling chamber; a heat sink residing under the cooling chamber; a thermoelectric device having an upper cooling side and a lower heat generating side residing between the cooling chamber and the heat sink; a fan oriented to blow air upwardly toward the heat sink; and a baffle extending downwardly in the cooling chamber from a location proximate the lid to a location proximate an inner bottom surface of the cooling chamber, with the baffle configured to define a physical barrier to urge air received through the first port to flow down toward the inner bottom surface of the cooling chamber before exiting through the second port, to thereby remove moisture from air traveling through the cooling chamber in response to a vacuum pump in fluidType: GrantFiled: March 21, 2016Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: InstroTek, Inc.Inventors: Peter D. Muse, Johnny Gordon Williams, Ali Regimand, Lawrence H. James