Patent ID: 7637166
Filing Date: 2009-12-29
Classification: E02D,G01N

Abstract:
1. A method of forming a piling with wireless monitoring capabilities, comprising placing strands in a piling form; inserting a sensor package between the strands to position sensors of the sensor package in a piling core area; placing an antenna so that the antenna is embedded flush with one side of the piling near a top of the piling; placing at least one radio transmitter associated with the antenna so that it will be positioned within the piling; securing the sensor package in position using a spring loaded support assembly that is generally vertically inserted into the piling form and resiliently engages at least two opposing ones of the strands via an outwardly directed spring force connecting the sensor package to the antenna via the radio using wires or cable; and casting concrete in the piling form to embed the sensor package and the antenna.