# US 9,038,477 B2 · Method, apparatus and system for testing the self-sealing capabilities of a concrete sample > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,038,477 B2 - Document ID: US9038477B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/470,220 - Filed: 2012-05-11 - Published: 2013-01-10 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2011-05-12 - Assignees: Khi Capital Inc. - Applicants: Kevin Yuers; Rishi Gupta; Alireza Biparva - Inventors: Kevin Yuers; Rishi Gupta; Alireza Biparva - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9038477B2 ## CPC - G01N 33/38: Concrete; Lime; Mortar; Gypsum; Bricks; Ceramics; Glass - 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 A method, apparatus and system for testing the self-sealing properties of a concrete sample. The method may include providing an apparatus for creating a consistent and reproducible crack in a concrete sample and creating a consistent and reproducible crack in the concrete sample with the apparatus. The method may further include providing a fluidic delivery system that provides a consistent flow of fluid for testing the self-sealing properties of the concrete sample and testing the self-sealing properties of the concrete sample with the system. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for testing self-sealing properties of a concrete sample, the method comprising: providing an apparatus for creating a consistent and reproducible crack in the concrete sample, said apparatus comprising a base, first and second opposed support structures projecting from said base, a top member moveable relative to said support structures and being opposed to said base, and first and second opposed stabilizers, each said stabilizer being connectable to said support structures by a biasing device operable to fasten said each stabilizer to said support structures, said biasing device comprising a spring such that said stabilizers resiliently engage the concrete sample; creating a consistent and reproducible crack in the concrete sample with said apparatus; providing a fluidic delivery system that provides a flow of fluid for testing the self-sealing properties of the concrete sample; and testing the self-sealing properties of the concrete sample with said fluidic delivery system. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein creating a consistent and reproducible crack in the concrete sample with said apparatus comprises: placing the concrete sample in said apparatus such that the concrete sample is centrally aligned relative to first and second force members of said apparatus, said first force member being connected to said base and said second force member being connected to said top member; connecting said first and second stabilizers to said first and second support structures to resiliently engage the concrete sample; placing said apparatus into a hydraulic press so that said press engages said top member; and operating said press until the crack is created in the concrete sample. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2 wherein operating said press until the crack is created in the concrete sample comprises contacting the concrete sample with respective cutting blades of said first and second force members. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein providing a fluidic delivery system that provides a flow of fluid for testing the self-sealing properties of the concrete sample comprises providing said fluidic delivery system comprising: a tank for containing a constant head of said fluid; a fluidic distribution device for controlling said flow of fluid, said fluidic distribution device being connected to said tank; a conduit for transporting said fluid to the concrete sample, said conduit being connectable to said fluidic distribution device and to the concrete sample; a platform for holding the concrete sample; and a fluidic collection device for collecting said fluid after said fluid flows through the concrete sample, said fluidic collection device being disposed underneath said platform. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4 wherein providing said fluidic delivery system comprises providing said fluidic delivery system when said fluidic distribution device comprises a valve for controlling the volume of said flow of fluid from said fluidic distribution device. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4 wherein providing said fluidic delivery system comprises providing said fluidic delivery system when said conduit is removably connectable to a fluidic coupling dimensioned for being secured to the concrete sample. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4 wherein providing said fluidic delivery system comprises providing said fluidic delivery system when said fluidic collection device is operable to indicate the volume of said fluid having passed through the concrete sample. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein testing the self-sealing properties of the concrete sample with said fluidic delivery system comprises: applying a continuous bead of waterproof substance to the outside of the concrete sample along the crack; securing a waterproof jacket around the outside of the concrete sample; standing the concrete sample vertically upright; securing a fluidic coupling to said waterproof jacket adjacent the top portion of the concrete sample; affixing said fluidic coupling to said fluidic delivery system; operating said fluidic delivery system to produce a flow of fluid; and recording a flow rate of said fluid after said fluid passes through the concrete sample. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 wherein operating said fluidic delivery system to produce a flow of fluid comprises passing said fluid from said fluidic delivery system to said fluidic coupling. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 further comprising holding the concrete sample by a platform such that said fluid passing through the concrete sample passes into a fluidic collection device. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising connecting said first and second stabilizers to said first and second support structures to resiliently engage the concrete sample. ### Claim 12 An apparatus for creating a crack in a concrete sample to facilitate testing self-sealing properties of the concrete sample, the apparatus comprising: a base; first and second opposed support structures projecting from said base; a top member moveable relative to said support structures and being opposed to said base; first and second opposed stabilizers, each of which are connectable to said first and second opposed support structures by a biasing device operable to fasten each said stabilizer to said support structures, said biasing device comprising a spring such that said stabilizers resiliently engage the concrete sample; and a first force member connected to said base and a second force member connected to said top member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said first and second support structures are removably connectable to said base. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said first and second support structures comprise respective notches for receiving said top member, said top member being moveable within said notches. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The apparatus of claim 12 wherein each of said first and second force members comprises a cutting blade. ### Claim 16 An apparatus for creating a crack in a concrete sample to facilitate testing the self-sealing properties of the concrete sample, the apparatus comprising: a base; first and second opposed support structures projecting from said base; a top member moveable relative to said support structures and being opposed to said base; first and second opposed stabilizers, each of which are connectable to said first and second opposed support structures; and a first force member connected to said base and a second force member connected to said top member, wherein each of said first and second force members comprises a ball bearing. ### Claim 17 A method of creating a crack in a concrete sample to facilitate testing the self-sealing properties of the concrete sample, the method comprising: placing the concrete sample in a jig such that the concrete sample is centrally aligned relative to first and second force members of said jig, said jig comprising a base, first and second opposed support structures projecting from said base, a top member moveable relative to said support structures and being opposed to said base, first and second opposed stabilizers each of which are connectable to said first and second opposed support structures, said first force member connected to said base and said second force member connected to said top member; connecting said first and second stabilizers to said first and second support structures to engage the concrete sample; placing said jig into a hydraulic press so that said press engages said top member; and operating said press until the crack is created in the concrete sample, wherein operating said press until the crack is created in the concrete sample comprises contacting the concrete sample with respective ball bearings of said first and second force members.