Method and apparatus for determining liquid absorption of aggregate

A method of determining liquid absorption of an aggregate, the method comprising:

• providing a sample of the aggregate;
• adding liquid to the sample;
• subjecting the sample to a light source signal;
• monitoring a light reflected signal reflected from the sample;
• and
• controlling one of addition of liquid to the sample and removal of liquid from the sample as a function of the light reflected signal;
• wherein the controlling step comprises controlling addition of liquid to the sample;
• wherein liquid is added to the sample only until the reflected light signal reaches a predetermined value indicative of the sample being at a saturated surface dry state.

A method of determining liquid absorption of an aggregate, the method comprising:

• providing a sample of the aggregate;
• adding liquid to the sample;
• subjecting the sample to a light source signal;
• monitoring a light reflected signal reflected from the sample;
• and
• controlling one of addition of liquid to the sample and removal of liquid from the sample as a function of the light reflected signal;
• wherein the controlling step comprises controlling removal of liquid from the sample by controlling heating of the sample.

Apparatus for determining liquid absorption of an aggregate, said apparatus comprising:

• a support for supporting a sample of the aggregate;
• a liquid source for adding liquid to the sample;
• a light source which subjects the sample to a light source signal;
• a light sensor which senses a reflected light signal reflected from the sample;
• and
• a processor/controller which controls one of addition of liquid from said liquid source to the sample and removal of liquid from the sample as a function of the reflected light signal.

Apparatus for determining liquid absorption of an aggregate, said apparatus comprising:

• a support for supporting a sample of the aggregate;
• a liquid source for adding liquid to the sample;
• a light source which subjects the sample to a light source signal;
• a light sensor which senses a reflected light signal reflected from the sample;
• and
• a processor/controller which controls one of addition of liquid from said liquid source to the sample and removal of liquid from the sample as a function of the reflected light signal;
• wherein said processor/controller controls addition of liquid from said liquid source to the sample;
• wherein said support is a bowl which contains the sample;
• wherein the bowl includes an island in a center thereof to direct the sample radially outwardly.

Apparatus for determining liquid absorption of an aggregate, said apparatus comprising:

• a support for supporting a sample of the aggregate;
• a liquid source for adding liquid to the sample;
• a light source which subjects the sample to a light source signal;
• a light sensor which senses a reflected light signal reflected from the sample;
• and
• a processor/controller which controls one of addition of liquid from said liquid source to the sample and removal of liquid from the sample as a function of the reflected light signal;
• wherein said processor/controller controls addition of liquid from said liquid source to the sample;
• wherein said support is a bowl which contains the sample;
• wherein said bowl includes a lid thereon;
• wherein said lid includes a dome offset from a center of said lid, and wherein said light source and light sensor are positioned such that the light source signal and the light reflected signal pass through said dome normal to a surface of said dome.

Apparatus for determining liquid absorption of an aggregate, said apparatus comprising:

• a support for supporting a sample of the aggregate;
• a liquid source for adding liquid to the sample;
• a light source which subjects the sample to a light source signal;
• a light sensor which senses a reflected light signal reflected from the sample;
• and
• a processor/controller which controls one of addition of liquid from said liquid source to the sample and removal of liquid from the sample as a function of the reflected light signal;
• wherein said processor/controller controls addition of liquid from said liquid source to the sample;
• wherein said processor/controller processes the reflected light signal as a function of time and controls addition of liquid to the sample such that liquid is added to the sample only until the reflected light signal reaches a predetermined value indicative of the sample being at a saturated surface dry state.

Apparatus for determining liquid absorption of an aggregate said apparatus comprising:

• a support for supporting a sample of the aggregate;
• a liquid source for adding liquid to the sample;
• a light source which subjects the sample to a light source signal;
• a light sensor which senses a reflected light signal reflected from the sample;
• and
• a processor/controller which controls one of addition of liquid from said liquid source to the sample and removal of liquid from the sample as a function of the reflected light signal;
• further including a heater for heating the sample, said processor/controller controlling removal of liquid from the sample by controlling said heater.

Apparatus for determining a saturated, surface-dry state of aggregate, said apparatus comprising:

• a cabinet;
• a bowl for containing a sample of the aggregate;
• a water source in fluid communication with said bowl for adding water to the sample;
• an infrared source for subjecting the sample to an infrared source signal;
• an infrared detector for detecting an infrared reflected signal reflected from the sample;
• and
• a processor/controller which processes the reflected infrared signal as a function of time and controls addition of water to the sample such that water is added to the sample only until the infrared reflected signal reaches a predetermined value indicative of the sample being at a saturated surface dry state.

Apparatus for determining a percentage by weight of water absorbed into an aggregate and hence a percentage by weight of absorption of a binder into the aggregate, said apparatus comprising:

• a cabinet;
• a bowl for containing a sample of the aggregate;
• a pump in said cabinet for pumping water from a water source into said bowl;
• an infrared source for subjecting the sample to an infrared source signal;
• an infrared detector for detecting an infrared reflected signal reflected from the sample;
• a processor/controller which processes the reflected infrared signal as a function of time and controls addition of water to the sample by controlling said pump such that water is added to the sample only until the infrared reflected signal reaches a predetermined value indicative of the sample being at a saturated surface dry state;
• and
• a weight indicating device for measuring the weight of the sample.

Apparatus for determining liquid absorption of an aggregate, said apparatus comprising:

• a support for supporting a sample of the aggregate;
• a liquid source for adding liquid to the sample;
• a light source which subjects the sample to a light source signal;
• a light sensor which senses a reflected light signal reflected from the sample;
• a processor/controller which controls one of addition of liquid from said liquid source to the sample and removal of liquid from the sample as a function of the reflected light signal;
• and
• a weight indicating device for measuring the weight of the sample.

Apparatus for determining liquid absorption of an aggregate, said apparatus comprising:

• a support for supporting a sample of the aggregate;
• a liquid source for adding liquid to the sample;
• a light source which subjects the sample to a light source signal;
• a light sensor which senses a reflected light signal reflected from the sample;
• a processor/controller which processes the reflected light signal as a function of time and controls addition of water to the sample such that water is added to the sample only until the reflected light signal reaches a predetermined value indicative of the sample being at a saturated surface dry state;
• and
• a weight indicating device for measuring the weight of the sample.

Apparatus for determining a saturated, surface-dry satus of an aggregate, said apparatus comprising:

• a cabinet;
• a bowl for containing a sample of the aggregate;
• a water source in fluid communication with said bowl for adding water to the sample;
• an infrared source for subjecting the sample to an infrared source signal;
• an infrared detector for detecting an infrared reflected signal reflected from the sample;
• a processor/controller which processes the reflected infrared signal as a function of time and controls addition of water to the sample such that water is added to the sample only until the infrared reflected signal reaches a predetermined value indicative of the sample being at a saturated surface dry state;
• and
• a weight indicating device for measuring the weight of the sample.

Apparatus for determining liquid absorption of an aggregate, said apparatus comprising:

• a support for supporting a sample of the aggregate;
• a liquid source for adding liquid to the sample;
• a light source which subjects the sample to a light source signal;
• a light sensor which senses a reflected light signal reflected from the sample;
• a processor/controller which controls one of addition of liquid from said liquid source to the sample and removal of liquid from the sample as a function of the reflected light signal;
• further including a heater for heating the sample, said processor/controller controlling removal of liquid from the sample by controlling said heater;
• and
• a weight indicating device for measuring the weight of the sample.

Apparatus for determining liquid absorption of an aggregate, said apparatus comprising:

• a support for supporting a sample of the aggregate;
• a liquid source for adding liquid to the sample;
• an infrared source which subjects the sample to an infrared source signal;
• an infrared detector which detects an infrared reflected signal reflected from the sample;
• and
• a processor/controller which controls one of addition of liquid from said liquid source to the sample and removal of liquid from the sample as a function of the infrared reflected signal;
• further including a heater for heating the sample, said processor/controller controlling removal of liquid from the sample by controlling said heater;
• and
• a weight indicating device for measuring the weight of the sample.

Apparatus for determining liquid absorption of an aggregate, said apparatus comprising:

• a support for supporting a sample of the aggregate;
• a liquid source for adding liquid to the sample;
• an infrared source which subjects the sample to an infrared source signal;
• an infrared detector which detects an infrared reflected signal reflected from the sample;
• a processor/controller which controls one of addition of liquid from said liquid source to the sample and removal of liquid from the sample as a function of the infrared reflected signal;
• further including a heater for heating the sample, said processor/controller controlling removal of liquid from the sample by controlling said heater;
• and
• said infrared source also functioning as said heater for heating the sample, said processor/controller controlling removal of liquid from the sample by controlling said infrared source.