Patents by Inventor Mark F. Robert

Mark F. Robert has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11130714
    Abstract: Disclosed are dosing methods for mitigating the deleterious effect of clays, which are born or conveyed by sand aggregates, crushed rock, gravel, and other aggregates used in the manufacture of concrete, upon the dosage efficiency of cement dispersants added into concrete. Instead of introducing the entire clay mitigation agent (CMA) into the aggregate material before or during batching in the cement batch plant in a singular, upfront dose, the present invention comprises administering CMA doses on at least two instances in a rotatable truck-mounted mixer drum, wherein at least 21%-100% of the total CMA added into the concrete is added after initial batching of water, cement binder, and clay-bearing aggregates in the rotatable truck-mounted mixer drum during the transit portion of the delivery between initial batching at the cement batch plant and the pour event at the job site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Verifi LLC
    Inventors: Nathan A. Tregger, Mark F. Roberts, Kati Hazrati
  • Publication number: 20210291403
    Abstract: Described are a method and system for initiating a majority percentage of chemical admixture dosage into a delivered concrete load preferably just before arrival of the concrete delivery truck at the delivery pour site, such that a maximized slump (or slump flow, or other slump characteristic) increase occurs just before discharge/pour. The invention employs a concrete slump management system having a processor that is programed to consider time of pour (discharge) and stored data that includes dosage response (change of slump characteristic) of the concrete mix due to past additions in the same type of concrete mix, and thus maximizes pre-pour increase in slump characteristic while minimizing or avoiding the risk of overshooting the slump target as well as limiting the time required for adjusting concrete to attain the target slump value at the jobsite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Gregory A. Goldstein, Mark F. Roberts, Nathan A. Tregger, Byong-wa Chun, Kati Hazrati
  • Publication number: 20210094876
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for manufacturing cement wherein ground particles of cement and calcium sulfate are subjected to infrared sensors, laser sensors, or both, so that emanated, irradiated, transmitted, and/or absorbed energy having wavelengths principally within the range of 700 nanometers to 1 millimeter can be monitored and compared to stored data previously obtained from ground cement and sulfate particles and preferably correlated with stored strength, calorimetric, or other data values, such that adjustments can be made to the mill processing conditions, such as the form or amounts of calcium sulfate (e.g., gypsum, plaster, anhydride), or cement additive levels. The strength and other properties of cement can be thus adjusted, and its quality can be more uniform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Elise Berodier, Nathan A. Tregger, Josephine H. Cheung, David F. Myers, Li Zhang, Dorota Kazmierczak, Lawrence R. Roberts, Denise A. Silva, Richard Sibbick, Jeffrey Thomas, Mark F. Roberts, Riccardo Stoppa, Elizabeth Burns
  • Publication number: 20210035036
    Abstract: Described are a method and system for coordinating the delivery and placement of concrete loads at a job site, and more particularly to adjusting a set time value or value range of the concrete loads, thereby to facilitate finishing or other concrete placement activities. In exemplary embodiments, the adjustments can be made based on an assessment of previously placed concrete loads. The set time values or value ranges of the concrete can be monitored and adjusted to achieve desired properties during installation and/or in its hardened state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Nathan A. Tregger, Mark F. Roberts, Jason Straka, Elise Berodier, Greg Austin, Robert Hoopes
  • Publication number: 20210031407
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining volume of a concrete mix load in a mixer drum based on use of an in-and-out sensor probe which submerges into and exits from the concrete during drum rotation and which provides data to a processor used for calculating volume based on the data. To provide for concavity, convexity, and/or cascading surface flow effects that can hinder accurate determination of the concrete load volume, the processor may be configured to compare original batch volume and/or rheology of the concrete load monitored during drum rotation. The calibration of load volume value, highly useful for monitoring or admixture dosing purposes, can be done based on comparison of real-time data with historic data gathered over time and stored in processor-accessible memory. Further exemplary embodiments also take into account the speed and/or tilt of the drum (due to roadway conditions), concrete mix design, and other factors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Mark F. Roberts, Nathan A. Tregger
  • Publication number: 20200402619
    Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary process and system for managing a mix design catalog of a concrete producer that involves collecting slump curve data obtained during in-transit monitoring of delivered concrete loads made from a plurality of various mix designs, wherein each mix design is identified by a different identification code (regardless of whether components are different), clustering slump curve data having same movement characteristics according to assigned strength value, and selecting a mix design to produce, to display, or both to produce and to display, from among the two or more slump data curves of individual mix designs within the same data curve cluster. The selection is based on same movement characteristic and assigned strength value, and at least one factor relative to cost, performance, physical aspect, quality, or other characteristic of the concrete mix or its components. Exemplary methods for generating new mix designs are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Nathan A. Tregger, Mark F. Roberts, Lawrence R. Roberts, Gregory A. Goldstein
  • Publication number: 20200353645
    Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus and method for measurement and monitoring of physical properties of materials, such as liquids, and more particularly to acoustic instruments, methods, and systems that automatically measure air content in real-time within liquids, including concrete, mortar, or other hydratable cementitious mix suspensions using resonant electroacoustic transducers that have their radiating surfaces in contact with the liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Donald P. Massa, Dawn F. Stancavish, Nathan A. Tregger, Mark F. Roberts, David F. Myers, Stephen P. Klaus
  • Publication number: 20200262105
    Abstract: A method and system for concrete monitoring calibration using truck-mounted mixer drum jump speed data selectively assimilated from previous deliveries. The method involves measuring energy at a first drum speed and a second drum speed. Slump is calculated using low speed energy/speed/slump curve data, or pre-stored equation wherein slump is derived as a function of slope of the line. The energy, speed, slump relationship in the provided concrete is compared to at least two pre-stored data curves across drum speed ranges of 15 0.5 RPM-6 RPM and 6 RPM-20 RPM, to ascertain whether the provided concrete matches any of the stored curve data; either activating the monitoring system for all drum speed ranges where a match is confirmed or allowing the monitoring system to calculate slump only at low drum speeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Nathan A. Tregger, Mark F. Roberts, Kati Hazrati, Greg A. Goldstein
  • Patent number: 10647026
    Abstract: A system and process for detecting dynamic segregation in concrete rotated within a mixer drum, such as mounted on a delivery truck. A system processor is programmed to monitor an instantaneous and averaged rheology parameter and to deploy protocols for detecting segregation. A first protocol comprises monitoring the averaged slump during and immediately after a jump in drum speed of at least plus or minus four rotations per minute and detecting when a change in the averaged slump value meets or exceeds a threshold; and a second protocol comprises monitoring the instantaneous slump when the mixer drum is rotating at a constant speed for at least three successive rotations and detecting when the instantaneous slump value meets or exceeds a threshold limit. Once segregation is detected, one or more operations can be initiated, such as initiating an alarm or adjusting the mix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Inventors: Richard K. Jordan, Mark F. Roberts, Yan Glina, Nathan A. Tregger, Lawrence R. Roberts, Eric P. Koehler
  • Publication number: 20200101477
    Abstract: A nozzle, including a support member and a nozzle boot surrounding at least a portion of the support member, the nozzle boot having a nozzle boot inlet and a nozzle boot outlet spaced from the nozzle boot inlet and a volume between the nozzle boot inlet and the nozzle boot outlet, the nozzle boot being expandable upon the introduction of fluid into the volume, and collapsible upon withdrawal of fluid from the volume. Also disclosed is a method of removing unwanted concrete from a surface by creating tensile stress to concrete adhered to that surface by causing the surface to expand, and a system for injecting fluid (s) into a rotating drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Andrew Fuller, John Aho, James Bleck, Mark F. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20190256428
    Abstract: Disclosed are dosing methods for mitigating the deleterious effect of clays, which are born or conveyed by sand aggregates, crushed rock, gravel, and other aggregates used in the manufacture of concrete, upon the dosage efficiency of cement dispersants added into concrete. Instead of introducing the entire cement mitigation agent (CMA) into the aggregate material before or during batching in the mix plant in a singular, upfront dose, the present invention comprises administering a clay mitigation agent (CMA) on at least two instances in a mixer, wherein at least 21%-100% of the total CMA added into the concrete is added after initial batching of water, cement binder, and clay-bearing aggregates to form the concrete slurry in the mixer during the transit portion of the delivery between initial batching at the mix plant and the pour event at the job site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Nathan A. Tregger, Mark F. Roberts, Kati Hazrati
  • Patent number: 10363684
    Abstract: Disclosed are method and system for treating concrete in mixing drums of delivery vehicles having automated rheology (e.g., slump) monitoring systems programmed to dose fluids into concrete based on the monitored rheology. The present invention takes into account a Revolution-To-Discharge value (“RTD”) which reflects drum rotations needed to move concrete towards and through the mixing drum opening from which concrete is discharged, and also takes into consideration a Volume-Per-Revolution-Upon-Discharge (“VPRUD”) value which reflects the relation between the rate of discharge and rheology (e.g., slump) of concrete upon discharge. The invention is especially useful for reclaiming concrete in the drum after delivery and can confirm rheology based upon peak (maximum) discharge pressure. The present inventors found surprisingly that discharge pressure readings are useful for recalibrating automated rheology monitoring systems as well as for reporting and/or treating the remainder concrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: VERIFI LLC
    Inventors: Mark F. Roberts, Richard K. Jordan, Roy J. Cooley, Eric P. Koehler, Meriem Bahira
  • Patent number: 10329202
    Abstract: Disclosed are dosing methods for mitigating the deleterious effect of clays, which are born or conveyed by sand aggregates, crushed rock, gravel, and other aggregates used in the manufacture of concrete, upon the dosage efficiency of cement dispersants added into concrete. Instead of introducing the entire cement mitigation agent (CMA) into the aggregate material at a quarry or upon batching in the mix plant in a singular, upfront dose, the present invention comprises combining at least 51% and up to 100%, and, most preferably, at least 75% and up to 100%, of the total dosage amount of the CMAs into a given concrete mix batch during the transit portion of the delivery between initial batching at the mix plant and the pour event at the job site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: VERIFI LLC
    Inventors: Nathan A. Tregger, Mark F. Roberts, Kati Hazrati
  • Publication number: 20190126510
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for detecting hardened concrete buildup in a mixer drum which is substantially devoid of plastic concrete. An exemplary method involves monitoring the hydraulic pressure required to rotate the drum through at least two successive rotations at constant speed, using a hydraulic pressure sensor on hydraulic charge side, discharge side, or preferably both sides of the hydraulic motor which turns the mixer drum; and detecting when the pressure/time data curve indicates eccentric behavior of the mixer drum, whereby an alarm or other indication is provided to confirm that the hardened concrete buildup in the truck is not acceptable. The buildup detection method and system of the present invention does not require the use of an automated slump monitoring system, but can be implemented in combination with such systems with favorable results and advantages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Mark F. Roberts, Yan Glina, Richard K. Jordan, Gregory A. Goldstein, Howard Livingston, Nathan A. Tregger
  • Publication number: 20190105802
    Abstract: A system and process for detecting dynamic segregation in concrete rotated within a mixer drum, such as mounted on a delivery truck. A system processor is programmed to monitor an instantaneous and averaged rheology parameter (e.g., instantaneous and averaged slump values) and to deploy one or more protocols for detecting the occurrence of segregation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Inventors: Richard K. Jordan, Mark F. Roberts, Yan Glina, Nathan A. Tregger, Lawrence R. Roberts, Eric P. Koehler
  • Patent number: 10183418
    Abstract: A system and process for detecting dynamic segregation in concrete rotated within a mixer drum, such as mounted on a delivery truck. A system processor is programmed to monitor an instantaneous and averaged rheology parameter and to deploy protocols for detecting segregation. A first protocol comprises monitoring the averaged slump during and immediately after a jump in drum speed of at least plus or minus four rotations per minute and detecting when a change in the averaged slump value meets or exceeds a threshold; and a second protocol comprises monitoring the instantaneous slump when the mixer drum is rotating at a constant speed for at least three successive rotations and detecting when the instantaneous slump value meets or exceeds a threshold limit. Once segregation is detected, one or more operations can be initiated, such as initiating an alarm or adjusting the mix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: VERIFI LLC
    Inventors: Richard K. Jordan, Mark F. Roberts, Yan Glina, Nathan A. Tregger, Lawrence R. Roberts, Eric P. Koehler
  • Patent number: 9952246
    Abstract: A gyroscopic rotational monitoring system may be utilized for monitoring one or more properties of rotatable container or vessel, and/or one or more properties of a displaceable material contained in the rotatable vessels. An exemplary aspect relates to the use of a gyroscope and periodicity sensor (e.g., accelerometer) to determine rotational speed of a concrete mixing drum, so that the slump or other property of the concrete can be monitored or adjusted such as by dosing with water, chemical admixtures, or mixture thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Verifi LLC
    Inventors: Richard K. Jordan, Yan Glina, Mark F. Roberts, Eric P. Koehler
  • Publication number: 20170297223
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for adjusting concrete rheology requiring only that load size and target rheology value be selected initially rather than requiring inputs into and consultation of a lookup table of parameters such as water and hydration levels, mix components, temperature, humidity, aggregate components, and others. Dosage of particular rheology-modifying agent or combination of rheology-modifying agents is calculated based on a percentage of a nominal dose calculated with reference to a nominal dose response (“NDR”) curve or profile. The NDR profile is based on a correlation between a rheology value (e.g., slump, slump flow, yield stress) and the rheology-modifying agent(s) dose required to change rheology value by one unit (e.g., slump change from 2 to 3 inches) such that exemplary methods can employ corrective dosing based on the NDR and the measured deviation by the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Eric Koehler, Mark F. Robert, Roy J. Cooley, Steve Verdino
  • Patent number: 9789629
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for adjusting concrete rheology requiring only that load size and target rheology value be selected initially rather than requiring inputs into and consultation of a lookup table of parameters such as water and hydration levels, mix components, temperature, humidity, aggregate components, and others. Dosage of particular rheology-modifying agent or combination of rheology-modifying agents is calculated based on a percentage of a nominal dose calculated with reference to a nominal dose response (“NDR”) curve or profile. The NDR profile is based on a correlation between a rheology value (e.g., slump, slump flow, yield stress) and the rheology-modifying agent(s) dose required to change rheology value by one unit (e.g., slump change from 2 to 3 inches) such that exemplary methods can employ corrective dosing based on the NDR and the measured deviation by the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: VERIFI LLC
    Inventors: Eric Koehler, Mark F. Roberts, Roy J Cooley, Steve Verdino
  • Publication number: 20170217047
    Abstract: System and method of the invention involves use of a sensor-containing body which is mounted and/or rotatably disposed along the longitudinal rotational axis of a concrete mixer drum at the close end, the sensor-containing body being connected to a conduit for introducing water, chemical admixture, gas, and/or cleansing fluid through the closed end of the drum into the mixer drum. Numerous heretofore unrealized combinations of advantages and benefits are provided within the concrete industry by the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Craig K. Leon, Kati Hazrati, Nathan A. Tregger, Eric P. Koehler, Tuan Hoang, Mark F. Roberts