Pile sensing device and method of using the same

Abstract

A system for monitoring the forming of a solid object having a sensor string positionable in a forming structure before the curing process and a communication line extending along a string axis between a first and second end. The string further including a plurality of sensors joined to the communication line between the ends and each sensor being mounted at a set position on the line. Each sensor having a sensor body and a sensor housing and the sensor body including an electrical connecter to electrically join an electrical structure to the communication line at the set position. The electrical structure including a temperature sensor configured to monitor temperature near the set position and further including an electronic identification code corresponding to the set position of the sensor along the axis. The system further including a transmitting device for selectively communicating the temperature and identification code.

1 - 37 . (canceled) 
     
     
         38 . A method of monitoring a formed solid object, the method including the steps of:
 providing a sensor string, the sensor string including a support line extending along a string axis between a first end and a second end, the sensor string further including a plurality of independent thermal sensors joined to the support line between the first and second ends and fixed to the support line such that the each thermal sensor of the plurality of sensors is in a general known and set position along the support line, each thermal sensor of the plurality of independent thermal sensors being configured to measure temperature in a fixed sensor range extending around the thermal sensor and to operate independently of and generally simultaneously with other thermal sensors of the plurality of thermal sensors, each thermal sensor of the plurality of thermal sensors including a unique electronic identification code corresponding to the set position along the support line, each thermal sensor being configured to produce temperature data;   positioning the sensor string within a formed solid object such that the material of the formed solid object encapsulates the thermal sensors of the sensor string and the thermal sensors of the sensor string form a part of the poured solid object; and,   monitoring temperature readings of said each thermal sensor of the sensor string after the formed solid object is cured.   
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , further including the steps of determining a defect location in the formed solid object by associating temperature changes in the temperature readings with the generally known location of said each thermal sensor. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein said providing step is providing a plurality of the sensor strings, said positioning step including positioning the plurality of sensor strings within the formed solid object. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 38 , further including the step of communicating temperature data to a remote monitoring station for immediate analysis and review. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41 , further including the step of dispatching a service crew to review the formed solid object after said communicating step. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 41 , further including the step of determining road surface conditions based on said monitoring step. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein said monitoring step is generally continuous. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein said monitoring step is periodic. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 38 , further including the step of communicating temperature data to a remote monitoring station and archiving the temperature data for future use. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46 , further including the steps of reviewing the archived data and dispatching a service crew to review the formed solid object. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 46 , further including the steps of reviewing the archived data and determining road surface conditions based on said archived data. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein said monitoring step is generally continuous. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein said monitoring step is periodic.