Abstract: A system for determining a property of a paving-related material is provided. Such a system comprises a measuring device for selectively and directly measuring the property. A computer device is capable of executing a software program product and communicating with the measuring device. The computer device directs the measuring device to measure the property of the paving-related material according to a parameter determined by the software program product, and to receive data comprising the measured property from the measuring device. A communication element operably engaged between the measuring device and the computer device allows communication therebetween. The communication element is configured to allow the computer device to be spaced apart from the measuring device, thereby allowing the computer device to be prepared, to include the parameter and to manipulate the data, in spaced apart relation with respect to the measuring device. An associated method is also provided.

Abstract: A nuclear density gauge includes a base and at least one gamma radiation detector mounted at a predetermined location relative to an axis extending longitudinally of the base. The gauge further includes a gamma radiation source and a source mount that mounts the gamma radiation source for movement along a path between an active first position located at a first longitudinal distance from the detector and an active second position located at a second longitudinal distance from the detector. In this way, gamma radiation is detected emanating from the source and backscattered from the underlying material sample through a first path of travel when the source mount is at the first active position and through a second path of travel when the source mount is at the second active position. The source mount may also move the source from the active first and second positions to an inactive third position shielded by gamma radiation shielding material.

Abstract: A method of obtaining a material property of a pavement material from a microwave field generally includes generating a microwave frequency electromagnetic field of a first mode about the pavement material. The frequency response of the pavement material in the electromagnetic field can be measured, such as by a network analyzer. The measurement of the frequency response permits correlating the frequency response to a material property of the pavement material sample, such as the density. A method of correcting for the roughness of a pavement material divides the pavement into a shallow layer and a deep layer. Two planar microwave circuits measure the permittivity of the shallow and deep layer. The permittivities are correlated to correct for roughness. An apparatus for obtaining the density of a pavement sample includes a microwave circuit and a network analyzer. The network analyzer measures the frequency response to determine the density of the pavement material.

Abstract: A collar to be worn on an object or a large or small animal has been designed incorporating (D)GPS technology. The operation of the device includes programming the three dimensional boundary into the memory of the device and simply installing the collar on the animal. As the animal approaches the preprogrammed boundary, a first alarm sounds when the subject is within an arbitrary user defined distance, and a second more drastic alarm such as a shock correction is applied when the subject approaches a second position closer to the boundary. Means to easily program the device are also included in the system. The device has the capability to call or transmit important information such as location, speed, identity, and medical parameters etc to a station automatically or when polled. All necessary analog and digital circuitry, microprocessor, programming, communications hardware are integrated into the collar.

Abstract: A method is provided for nondestructively determining a material property of a porous sample. A first vessel is evacuated to a sub-atmospheric pressure, while a test pressure, greater than the sub-atmospheric pressure, is established in a second vessel containing the sample. The pressures of the first and second vessels are equalized by opening a valve mechanism therebetween. The resulting pressure change in the second vessel exhibits an initial pressure drop followed by a transition to an equalization pressure. The envelope volume of the sample is determined from a minimum pressure attained by the second vessel upon initial opening of the valve mechanism, wherein the minimum pressure is related to the initial pressure drop. The envelope density of the sample is thus a quotient of the mass and the envelope volume of the sample. The absolute density and relative absorption of the sample may also be determined and an associated system is provided.

Abstract: A system adapted to determine a property of a paving-related material is provided. Such a system comprises a central computing system housing database, such as a geographic information system (GIS). A measuring device for selectively and directly measuring the property of the paving-related material is remotely disposed with respect to the central computing system and operably engaged with a locating device, such as a global positioning system (GPS) device, for determining a location of the measuring device when the property of the paving-related material is selectively measured thereby.

Abstract: A method is provided for nondestructively determining a material property of a porous sample. A first vessel is evacuated to a sub-atmospheric pressure, while a test pressure, greater than the sub-atmospheric pressure, is established in a second vessel containing the sample. The pressures of the first and second vessels are equalized by opening a valve mechanism therebetween. The resulting pressure change in the second vessel exhibits an initial pressure drop followed by a transition to an equalization pressure. The envelope volume of the sample is determined from a minimum pressure attained by the second vessel upon initial opening of the valve mechanism, wherein the minimum pressure is related to the initial pressure drop. The envelope density of the sample is thus a quotient of the mass and the envelope volume of the sample. The absolute density and relative absorption of the sample may also be determined and an associated system is provided.

Abstract: A system adapted to determine a property of a paving-related material is provided. Such a system comprises a central computing system housing database, such as a geographic information system (GIS). A measuring device for selectively and directly measuring the property of the paving-related material is remotely disposed with respect to the central computing system and operably engaged with a locating device, such as a global positioning system (GPS) device, for determining a location of the measuring device when the property of the paving-related material is selectively measured thereby.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for accurately determining weight loss of a sample during heating in a furnace. The method includes the steps of placing a sample in a heated furnace, heating the sample while measurements of sample weight are made, determining rate function from the sample weight measurements, producing a weight loss correction factor using the rate function and using the weight loss correction factor to obtain a corrected weight loss for the sample.

Abstract: A collar to be worn on an object or a large or small animal has been designed incorporating (D)GPS technology. The operation of the device includes programming the three dimensional boundary into the memory of the device and simply installing the collar on the animal. As the animal approaches the preprogrammed boundary, a first alarm sounds when the subject is within an arbitrary user defined distance, and a second more drastic alarm such as a shock correction is applied when the subject approaches a second position closer to the boundary. Means to easily program the device are also included in the system. The device has the capability to call or transmit important information such as location, speed, identity, and medical parameters etc to a station automatically or when polled. All necessary analog and digital circuitry, microprocessor, programming, communications hardware are integrated into the collar.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for accurately determining weight loss of a sample during heating in a furnace. The method includes the steps of placing a sample in a heated furnace, heating the sample while measurements of sample weight are made, determining rate function from the sample weight measurements, producing a weight loss correction factor using the rate function and using the weight loss correction factor to obtain a corrected weight loss for the sample.

Abstract: An apparatus for pyrolysis of a bituminous paving mix is provided, comprising an oven having a bottom wall, a top wall, and side walls defining a combustion chamber, a sample support within the combustion chamber, an infrared heater mounted within the oven and arranged for emitting infrared radiation towards the sample holder so as to heat a sample of paving mix by means of radiation heat transfer, an air inlet positioned for emitting air into the combustion chamber, and an outlet positioned to provide for the circulation of air and combustion gases through the combustion chamber. The apparatus may further include a blower located on the downstream side of the outlet for inducing flow into the combustion chamber by the inlet and out of the combustion chamber by the outlet. A variable speed blower controller may be used to vary the blower speed during paralysis of the paving mix.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for accurately determining weight loss of a sample during heating in a furnace. The method includes the steps of placing a sample in a heated furnace, heating the sample while measurements of sample weight are made, determining rate function from the sample weight measurements, producing a weight loss correction factor using the rate function and using the weight loss correction factor to obtain a corrected weight loss for the sample.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for calibrating nuclear gauges and confirming gauge calibrations that provide the accuracy of multiple block calibration methods without requiring multiple standardized calibration blocks of known density. The apparatus includes a support for receiving a nuclear gauge of the type having a radiation source and a radiation detector and a variable radiation filter operatively associated with the support for providing variable attenuation of radiation emitted from the radiation source. The variable radiation filter includes a block having an eccentrically located cavity and positioned for rotation about the central axis of the cavity. The filter may further include a fixed mass for further attenuating radiation discharge by the radiation source such that the energy spectrum produced by the filter substantially matches the energy spectrum of a solid block of material, such as a standardized calibration block.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for assaying an asphalt-containing composite material by irradiating the sample using a radiation source having a tunable preselected wavelength selected to closely approximate the absorbance wavelength of a particular material or materials found in the composite material to reduce the overall time and temperatures ordinarily needed to combust and assay such samples.