# US 2025/0146946 A1 · Device and method for detection of alkali-silica reactivity on concrete structures > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2025/0146946 A1 - Document ID: US20250146946A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 18/934,582 - Filed: 2024-11-01 - Published: 2025-05-08 - Earliest claimed: 2023-11-03 - Applicants: Board of Trustees of Western Michigan University - Inventors: Upul Attanayake; Naveen Ranasinghe; Harsha Amunugama - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20250146946A1 ## CPC - G01N 21/77: by observing the effect on a chemical indicator - G01N 21/8851: {Scan or image signal processing specially adapted therefor, e.g. for scan signal adjustment, for detecting different kinds of defects, for compensating for structures, markings, edges (G01N21/8806 and G01N21/93 - G01N21/95692 take precedence; optical measurement of dimensions G01B11/00; optical scanning G02B26/10; image transformation G06T3/00; computerised image enhancement G06T5/00; image processing per se for flaw detection G06T7/0002)} - G01N 21/643: {non-biological material} - G01N 33/383: {Concrete or cement} - G01N 2021/7786: {Fluorescence} - G01N 2021/889: {providing a bare video image, i.e. without visual measurement aids} - G01N 2201/06193: Secondary in situ sources, e.g. fluorescent particles - G01N 2201/102: Video camera - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract Embodiments of the disclosure include a remote inspection system for detecting and assessing the alkali-silica reaction (ASR) in situ in concrete, the system including an image acquisition device capable of excluding ambient light from a concrete surface and being placed against and imaging the concrete surface, the image acquisition device comprising a mirrorless camera and daylight and short-range UV light sources wherein the light sources and mirrorless camera are capable of being controlled remotely. Aspects of the present disclosure includes a method of inspecting in situ the level of ASR present in concrete, including placing an image acquisition device as described above. In yet another aspects, the method further includes acquiring at least one image of said concrete surface prior to treatment with uranyl acetate to assess natural fluorescence in the concrete and acquiring at least one image of said concrete surface after treatment with uranyl acetate. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A remote inspection system for detecting and assessing the alkali-silica reaction (ASR) in concrete, comprising: an image acquisition device capable of excluding ambient light from a concrete surface and being placed against and imaging said concrete surface, comprising a mirrorless camera, and daylight and short-range UV light sources wherein said light sources and mirrorless camera are capable of being controlled remotely. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The remote inspection system of claim 1, further comprising: a remote controller device capable of operating said mirrorless camera and said daylight and short-range UV light sources. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The remote inspection system of claim 1, wherein the image acquisition device further comprises a motorized, wireless controlled camera slider, wherein said mirrorless camera is capable of moving along said motorized camera slider to image different parts of the concrete after said image acquisition device is placed on the concrete surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The remote inspection system of claim 1, wherein said mirrorless camera is a high-definition camera and is capable of being attached to additional lenses or camera mounts. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The remote inspection system of claim 1, wherein the bottom of the image acquisition device further comprises a gasket capable of molding itself to the concrete surface to block ambient light. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The remote inspection system of claim 1, wherein the image acquisition device further comprises handles to aid a user in manipulating the device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The remote inspection system of claim 2, wherein the remote controller device further comprises a display capable of viewing images and/or controlling said mirrorless camera and day and UV lights. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The remote inspection system of claim 7, wherein the remote controller and image acquisition device are capable of each being used by different users during analysis of concrete surfaces. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The remote inspection system of claim 1 further comprising: a post-processing system capable of helping to diagnose the level of ASR present in an image of said concrete surface. ### Claim 10 A method of inspecting in situ the level of ASR present in concrete, comprising: placing an image acquisition device capable of excluding ambient light on the surface of said concrete, said image acquisition device comprising a mirrorless camera and daylight and short-range UV light sources wherein said light sources and mirrorless camera are capable of being controlled remotely. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 further comprising: acquiring at least one image of said concrete surface prior to treatment with uranyl acetate to assess natural fluorescence in the concrete, and acquiring at least one image of said concrete surface after treatment with uranyl acetate. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 further comprising: analyzing said images for the presence of the color signatures of ASR. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein said image acquisition device further comprises a radio receiver that is capable of receiving communications to control said mirrorless camera and light sources. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising a remote controller device capable of controlling said mirrorless camera and light sources. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the image acquisition device further comprises a motorized, wireless controlled camera slider, wherein said mirrorless camera is capable of moving along said motorized camera slider to image different parts of the concrete after said image acquisition device is placed on the concrete surface. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the mirrorless camera is a high-definition camera and is capable of being attached to additional lenses or camera mounts. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the bottom of the image acquisition device further comprises a gasket capable of molding itself to the concrete surface to block ambient light. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein said remote controller device further comprises a display capable of viewing images and/or controlling said mirrorless camera and day and UV lights. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the remote controller and image acquisition device are capable of each being used by different users during analysis of concrete surfaces. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein said analyzing said images for the presence of the color signatures of ASR uses a post-processing system capable of helping to diagnose the level of ASR present in an image of said concrete surface.