Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an automated concrete pillar repairing device that is providing a means for efficiently repairing a concrete pillar by means of mortar mixture, thereby reducing the labor cost and eliminating the need of manual operations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Generally, a cemented pillar develops cracks after a passage of time due to development of water content in between the pillar or by inappropriate contents of the mortar mixture. These cracks are usually removed by manual operations that includes the process of making mortar mixture by mixing water sand and cement in an accurate quantity and applying the mixture over the crack with the help of trowel. However, this method of repairing pillar does not result in effective repairing of the pillar as the amount of mortar mixture vary while preparing it which could lead to developing a cavity in between the pillar. Hence, a device needs to be developed that is capable of automatically repairing of the cracked pillar by detecting the cracks and filling it appropriately with mortar mixture.

[0003] Conventionally, the repairing process of pillar requires some tools that ease the operation for the user in some extent. These tools include manual operations and a concrete crack repair machine that works in a manner to to fill gaps and cracks, it also helps to blend the cracks with the concrete, another machine includes a crack repair injection machine that pushes the pump to run the machine and Inject foam into the crack location. However, these machines need manual assistance that reduces its efficiency also the amount of mixture of the concrete varies as the mixture is being prepared manually.

[0004] CN101303119B discloses about an invention that includes a light-transferring pole fixing device which is used for fixing the light-transferring pole on electronic equipment case provided with a support; the light-transferring pole fixing device comprises a first bushing sheathed and fixed on the pole, a second bushing fixed on the support and an elastic component used for connecting the first bushing and the second bushing. The first bushing is fixed on the light-transferring pole, and the second bushing is fixed on the case; the elastic component is used for connecting the first bushing and the second bushing; therefore, the light-transferring pole can be assembled in the case in a relative sliding mode and can carry out position adjustment. CN’119 discloses about an invention that includes a light-transferring pole fixing device for repairing cracks present on the pole. However, the cited device lacks in providing a means for preparing accurate amount of mortar mixture for filling the cracks and repairing the pole.

[0005] CN203701634U discloses about an invention that includes a crack repairing device for a building wall, and belongs to the technical field of building construction. According to the device, one end of a grouting pipe core is connected with a high-pressure grouting hose; the high-pressure grouting hose is connected with a high speed motor; the grouting pipe core is inserted into a wall to be repaired through a grouting pre-buried hole formed in a supporting wall; exhaust holes are formed in the upper part of the wall to be repaired; wall supporting pillars are arranged at the lower part of the wall to be repaired; the inner ends of the wall supporting pillars are connected with a pouring bracket. The crack repairing device provided by the utility model can inject grout into a crack through pressure feeding of a high speed motor, improves the water-physical property and mechanical property of the crack, is small in construction influence range and good in reinforcement effect, is provided with the pouring bracket to support and accelerate solidification, is provided with the exhaust holes to exhaust air, and is suitable for treating cracks in a building in various occasions. CN’634 discloses about an invention that includes a crack repairing device for a building wall. However, the cited device lacks in detecting the size and depth of the cracks present over the wall in view of filling the cracks in an effective manner for repairing the wall.

[0006] Conventionally, many devices have been developed that is capable of repairing pillars in an automated manner. However, the above cited prior arts does not provide a means that determines the depth of the cracks that is necessary for assisting the filling of cracks, also the devices are not providing an accurate measurement of mortar mixture that reduces the quality of repaired pole due to which the poles damages more frequently.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that is capable of providing a means for automatically detecting and filling the cracks present on a pillar in an efficient manner by filling the cracks with accurate amount of mortar mixture in view of repairing the pillar.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of detecting and filling the cracks present over a pillar effectively, in view of reducing manual operations and labor cost.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of detecting the exact size and depth of the cracks that leads to exact filling of mixture into the cracks in view of repairing of the pillars.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is providing a means for regulating an appropriate amount of mortar mixture that helps in sealing the cracks present on the pillar without damaging the repaired pillar.

[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention relates to an automated concrete pillar repairing device that is providing a means for repairing cracks present on a cemented pillar by creating cavity onto the pillar having cracks. Additionally, the device is also capable in applying accurate amount of mortar mixture into the cracks, that is allowing for renewing the pillars.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an automated concrete pillar repairing device a housing positioned over a ground surface in proximity to a concrete pillar by means of plurality of motorized wheels arranged beneath the housing to provide translation to the housing over the surface as per requirement, an artificial intelligence based imaging unit installed over the housing and integrated with a processor for capturing and processing images of the concrete pillar to evaluate dimensions of the concrete pillar along with presence of cracked portion over the concrete pillar, a demolition hammer configured with the housing by means of a primary robotic link to remove cracked concrete from the pillar, a laser measurement sensor is installed over the housing and synced with the imaging unit to monitor dimensions of cavity created due to removal of the cracked concrete and evaluates an amount of mortar mixture required to fill the cavity.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device further comprises of a multi-sectioned chamber arranged within the housing and stored with water, sand and cement, an electronic valve is installed with each section of the chamber to open in view of dispensing a regulated amount of the water, sand and cement into a container arranged in continuation to the chamber, a motorized mixer installed in the container to mix the received water, sand and cement to produce the mortar mixture, an electronic nozzle configured with a secondary robotic link installed over the housing and linked with the container, to dispense the evaluated amount of the mortar mixture over the cavity in view of filling the cavity and repairing the pillar, a tertiary robotic link is installed over the housing and configured with a flap to spread the filled concrete in the cavity in view of appropriately repairing the pillar and a proximity sensor is installed with each of the links and synced with the imaging unit to monitor distance of the links from the pillar to regulate movement of the links to suitably repair the pillar.

[0016] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of an automated concrete pillar repairing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0019] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises,” and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0020] As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0021] The present invention relates to an automated concrete pillar repairing device that is capable of refurbishing cracked pillars by detecting the location of cracks and creating cavity into the pillar’s area where refurbishing is required. In addition, the device is also capable of evaluating the exact amount of mortar mixture required for repairing the pillar.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1, an isometric view of an automated concrete pillar repairing device is illustrated, comprising a housing 101 having plurality of motorized wheels 102 arranged beneath the housing 101, an artificial intelligence based imaging unit 103 installed over the housing 101, a demolition hammer 104 configured with the housing 101 by means of a primary robotic link 105, a multi-sectioned chamber 106 arranged within the housing 101, an electronic valve 107 installed with each section of chamber 106, a container 108 arranged in continuation to the chamber 106, an electronic nozzle 109 configured with a secondary robotic link 110 installed over the housing 101, a tertiary robotic link 111 installed over housing 101 and configured with a flap 112.

[0023] The device herein includes a housing 101 that is arranged with plurality of motorized wheels 102 beneath of the housing 101 providing structural support and initially positioned over a ground surface near to a concrete pillar. The motorized wheels 102 work by converting electrical energy into mechanical motion to power a vehicle. The motor comprising of a stator, rotor and shaft to create magnetic field. This magnetic field allows the motor to rotate, the motor is directly connected with the wheel. The rotational motion created by the motor allows the wheels 102 to rotate in view of moving the housing 101 over the ground surface.

[0024] An artificial intelligence based imaging unit 103 is installed over the housing 101 and integrated with a processor for determining the dimensions of concrete pillar along with detecting the presence of cracked portions over the pillar. The processor performs various type of image processing surrounding of the housing 101. The artificial intelligence based imaging unit 103 comprises of a lens, an image sensor and a processor. Light from the surrounding strikes on the lens which is detected by the image sensor. The image sensor converts the photons of the light into an electrical signal. The image sensor is connected to the processor which further transmits the signal to the microcontroller that performs different operations including pre-processing, feature extraction and classification, thereby determining the dimensions of the concrete pillar along with the presence of cracked portion over the pillar.

[0025] Based on the detection of cracks present over the pillars, the microcontroller actuates a demolition hammer 104 configured with the housing 101 by means of a primary robotic link 105 to remove cracked concrete from the pillar. The robotic link 105 allows for the movement of the demolition hammer 104 in continuous forward and backward direction in a forceful manner to remove the cracked cement from the pillar. The robotic link 105 consists of linked segments connected by joints, which is powered by a motor to enable movement of the hammer 104 with respect to the link 105 in all directions via prismatic joints to allow for linear movement of the hammer 104. The hammer 104 is connected with the link 105 by the handle portion, as the robotic link 105 moves in to and fro motion, the hammer 104 also move in view of applying force on the cracked pillar as soon as the hammer 104 strikes the pillar, the cracked cement falls of from the pole crating a cavity on the pillar.

[0026] Due to hammering the cracked concrete, a cavity is created that is detected by a laser measurement sensor that further determines the dimensions of the cavity created. The laser measurement sensor is an electric device that uses a focused light beam to determine the dimension of the cavity. The laser measurement sensor calculates the time interval between the emission of the light pulse to the cavity and the reflection of the pulses from the cavity.

[0027] The sensor emits a laser beam using a laser diode, a lens and a photodetector. The diode in the sensor emits laser pulses that are reflected by the cavity onto the photodetector. The sensor scans the cavity from different angles, thus generating a signal. This signal is transmitted to the microcontroller that interprets the signal and determines the dimensions of the cavity. Based on the detected dimensions of the cavity the microcontroller further evaluates the amount of mortar mixture essential for filling the cavity.

[0028] On determining the amount of mortar mixture required for filling of the cavity, the microcontroller actuates an electronic valve 107 installed with each sections of a multi-sectioned chamber 106 stored with water, sand and cement to open and dispense the water, sand and cement in a container 108 arranged in continuation to the chamber 106. The electronic valve 107 works by using an electromagnet to open and close to regulate the flow of the materials stored. The valve 107 comprises of a coil, a plunger and a motor. The motor rotates by the means of a stator, a rotor and a shaft to generate energy. The energy created is then supplied to the valve 107, where it produces a magnetic field in the coil. The magnetic field causes the plunger to be pulled up, thereby aiding the opening of the valve 107. Upon opening of the valve 107, the evaluated amount of water, sand cement is dispensed into the container 108.

[0029] After receiving the regulated amount of water, sand and cement into the container 108, the microcontroller directs a motorized mixer installed in the container 108 to mix them efficiently for producing the mortar mixture. The motorized mixture comprises of blades and motor. The motor generates a rotational motion that initializes the mixer’s blade to rotate in view of mixing the contents present in the container 108. The rotation of blades ensures even blending of the contents to make a proper consistency of mortar mixture.

[0030] Upon agitating the water, sand and cement and producing mortar mixture, the microcontroller actuates an electronic nozzle 109 is configured with a secondary robotic link 110 that is further installed over the housing 101 and simultaneously linked with the container 108. The secondary robotic link 110 is working in the same manner as the primary robotic link 105 and extending to position the electronic nozzle 109 in proximity to the cavity. The electronic nozzle 109 converts the pressure energy of the mortar mixture into kinetic energy.

[0031] The electronic nozzle 109 comprises a solenoid vale, a nozzle 109 opening, a pump and a motor. The motor rotates by means of a stator, a rotor and a shaft to generate energy. The energy created is then supplied to the coil that creates a magnetic field which further regulates the opening of the solenoid valves that allows the pump to flow the pressurized mortar mixture stored in the container 108 from the nozzle opening over the cavity present on the pillar.

[0032] In continuation, a tertiary robotic link 111 installed over the housing 101 is actuated by the microcontroller that allows the link 111 to move and deploy a flap 112 configured with the tertiary robotic link 111 in view of spreading the filled concrete in the cavity. The tertiary robotic link 111 works in the same way as the primary robotic link 105 and extends for spreading the concrete in the cavity that aids in appropriate repairing of pillars.

[0033] A proximity sensor is installed with each of the links 105, 110, 111 and synced with the imaging unit 103 for monitoring the distance of the links 105, 110, 111 from the pillar. The proximity sensor detects the distance between them, by the means of electromagnetic waves. The proximity sensor comprises of a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter emits the electromagnetic signals towards the links 105, 110, 111 and the pillar. These waves are reflected by the links 105, 110, 111 and pillar that returns to the receiver, by measuring the time waves take to return, the sensor calculates the distance between the links 105, 110, 111 and the pillar. Based on the monitored distance the microcontroller regulates the movement of the links 105, 110, 111 for appropriately repairing the pillar.

[0034] The device is controlled with the power supplied through the battery that provides electricity to all the electrical and electronic components configured with the device. The battery includes of an anode (negative charge) and a cathode (positive charge), the electrolyte which is Potassium hydroxide and Lithium hexafluorophosphate, the separator and the current collectors. To accept and transmit energy the battery is connected to an external circuit. Electrons move through the circuit, while ions move through the electrolyte synchronously thus generating providing energy to the device.

[0035] The proposed device works best in the following manner, where the housing 101 having plurality of motorized wheels 102 that is providing the device a stable and appropriate translation over surface as per requirement. After translating the device at the desirable location the AI based imaging unit 103 captures and processes images around the surrounding for evaluating dimensions and presence of cracked portion over the concrete pillar. Based on the detected cracks the demolition hammer 104 removes cracked concrete from the pillar to create cavity with the help of primary robotic link 105, the cavity created is further detected by the laser measurement sensor after which the microcontroller evaluates the amount of mortar mixture that is required for filling the cavity and dispenses the regulated amount of water, sand and cement stored in the multi-sectioned chamber 106 into a container 108 by the means of electronic valve 107. Upon pouring the contents into the container 108 the motorized mixer blends the content that creates an appropriate consistency of the mortar mixer. After creating mortar mixer, the mixer is dispensed over the cavities present by the help of electronic nozzle 109 configured with the means of the secondary robotic link 110 in view of filling the cavity. In continuation the tertiary robotic link 111 connected with the flap 112 spreads the concrete in the cavity for appropriately repairing the pillars.

[0036] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. , Claims:1) An automated concrete pillar repairing device, comprising:

i) a housing 101 positioned over a ground surface in proximity to a concrete pillar by means of plurality of motorized wheels 102 arranged beneath said housing 101, wherein wheels 102 actuates to provide translation to said housing 101 over said surface as per requirement;
ii) an artificial intelligence based imaging unit 103 installed over said housing 101 and integrated with a processor for capturing and processing images of said concrete pillar, wherein based on said captured images, a microcontroller linked with said imaging unit 103 evaluates dimensions of said concrete pillar along with presence of cracked portion over said concrete pillar;
iii) a demolition hammer 104 configured with said housing 101 by means of a primary robotic link 105 that is actuated by said microcontroller to remove cracked concrete from said pillar, wherein a laser measurement sensor is installed over said housing 101 and synced with said imaging unit 103 to monitor dimensions of cavity created due to removal of said cracked concrete based on which said microcontroller evaluates an amount of mortar mixture required to fill said cavity;
iv) a multi-sectioned chamber 106 arranged within said housing 101 and stored with water, sand and cement, wherein an electronic valve 107 is installed with each section of said chamber 106 that is actuated by said microcontroller to open in view of dispensing a regulated amount of said water, sand and cement into a container 108 arranged in continuation to said chamber 106; and
v) a motorized mixer installed in said container 108 that is actuated by said microcontroller to mix said received water, sand and cement to produce said mortar mixture, wherein an electronic nozzle 109 configured with a secondary robotic link 110 installed over said housing 101 and linked with said container 108, that is directed by said microcontroller to dispense said evaluated amount of said mortar mixture over said cavity in view of filling said cavity and repairing said pillar.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a tertiary robotic link 111 is installed over said housing 101 and configured with a flap 112 that is actuated by said microcontroller to spread said filled concrete in said cavity in view of appropriately repairing said pillar.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a proximity sensor is installed with each of said links 105, 110, 111 and synced with said imaging unit 103 to monitor distance of said links 105, 110, 111 from said pillar based on which said microcontroller regulates movement of said links 105, 110, 111 to suitably repair said pillar.

4) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a battery is associated with said device for powering up electrical and electronically operated components associated with said device.