Patents Assigned to Soilmoisture Equipment Corp.
-
Patent number: 8909484Abstract: An apparatus for testing a porous medium is provided. The apparatus includes a liquid processing subsystem and a liquid weighing subsystem. The liquid processing subsystem is interfaced with the medium in a manner that establishes liquid contact there-between. The liquid processing and liquid weighing subsystems are sealably interconnected via an interconnecting liquid tube. The liquid weighing subsystem stores a liquid which flows therefrom, through the tube, through the liquid processing subsystem, and into the medium until it is saturated with the liquid. The liquid weighing subsystem automatically measures the weight of the liquid stored therein on an ongoing basis and uses these measurements to determine one or more hydraulic properties of the medium.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2012Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Soilmoisture Equipment Corp.Inventors: Ali Farsad, Thomas G. Macfie, Whitney Skaling, Gregory T. Hart
-
Patent number: 8901939Abstract: An open sensor is provided for testing a split sample of a composite medium. The open sensor generally includes a longitudinal section of a tube and a plurality of serpentine conductors which are successively layered on top of each other. The interior surface of the tube section forms a trough into which the split sample of the composite medium can be disposed. The number of serpentine conductors is two or greater.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2013Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Soilmoisture Equipment Corp.Inventor: Whitney Skaling
-
Publication number: 20130335104Abstract: An open sensor is provided for testing a split sample of a composite medium. The open sensor generally includes a longitudinal section of a tube and a plurality of serpentine conductors which are successively layered on top of each other. The interior surface of the tube section forms a trough into which the split sample of the composite medium can be disposed. The number of serpentine conductors is two or greater.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2013Publication date: December 19, 2013Applicant: Soilmoisture Equipment Corp.Inventor: Whitney Skaling
-
Publication number: 20130080074Abstract: An apparatus for testing a porous medium is provided. The apparatus includes a liquid processing subsystem and a liquid weighing subsystem. The liquid processing subsystem is interfaced with the medium in a manner that establishes liquid contact there-between. The liquid processing and liquid weighing subsystems are sealably interconnected via an interconnecting liquid tube. The liquid weighing subsystem stores a liquid which flows therefrom, through the tube, through the liquid processing subsystem, and into the medium until it is saturated with the liquid. The liquid weighing subsystem automatically measures the weight of the liquid stored therein on an ongoing basis and uses these measurements to determine one or more hydraulic properties of the medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2012Publication date: March 28, 2013Applicant: SOILMOISTURE EQUIPMENT CORP.Inventors: Ali Farsad, Thomas G. Macfie, Whitney Skaling, Gregory T. Hart
-
Publication number: 20120319704Abstract: A sensor is provided for testing a porous medium. The sensor includes a plurality of porous elements, a number of electrically conductive interface plates which is one greater than the quantity of elements, and the same number of conductors. Each element operates as a discrete variable capacitor, exhibits a different known liquid release curve, and includes a first axial opening. The elements are stacked one on top of another. Each plate includes a second axial opening. The plates are axially distributed within the sensor such that the first and second axial openings combine to form a longitudinal cavity that extends from the sensor's proximal end to its distal end, and each element is sandwiched between a different pair of plates. A distal end of each conductor is attached to a different one of the plates, and a proximal end is routed through the cavity to the sensor's proximal end.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2011Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: SOILMOISTURE EQUIPMENT CORP.Inventors: Whitney Skaling, Steve Riley
-
Publication number: 20110128026Abstract: A sensor is provided for testing a composite medium. The sensor includes a tube and three or more conductors which are wound in a continuously parallel helix around the tube such that the conductors are interleaved. The tube is non-porous and electrically insulative. Both the proximal end and the distal end of the tube are open. Each turn of each conductor is equally spaced from the adjoining turns of the other conductors, and the conductors have a common helical length. The sensor can also include a first cap which seals the proximal end of the tube and a second cap which seals the distal end of the tube such that the interior of the tube is always filled with air.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2009Publication date: June 2, 2011Applicant: Soilmoisture Equipment Corp.Inventor: Whitney Skaling
-
Publication number: 20110057672Abstract: A sensor is provided for testing a porous medium using time-domain reflectometry. The sensor includes an inner conductor, an outer conductor and a ceramic material interposed there-between. The inner conductor runs along a longitudinal axis of the sensor. The outer conductor has a hollow axial interior and is oriented around the inner conductor. The ceramic material is solid, porous, exhibits a known liquid release curve and fills an axial gap between the inner and outer conductors. A dielectric substance can be applied to an exterior surface of the inner conductor to enable the testing of a porous medium which is highly dissipative. The inner conductor can be permeable and have a hollow axial interior. A hydrophobic material can also be interposed between the inner and outer conductors.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2009Publication date: March 10, 2011Applicant: Soilmoisture Equipment Corp.Inventor: Whitney Skaling
-
Publication number: 20080271521Abstract: The present invention is embodied in a tensiometer apparatus and process that employs novel techniques for performing the required routine service operation of refilling a sealable measurement chamber of the apparatus with liquid from a reservoir using a novel, piston-type, “jet-action” plunger mechanism. These novel techniques result in a tensiometer which is easier to use, requires no tools for assembly or replacement of parts, and is easier and lower cost to manufacture and maintain. These novel techniques also result in a tensiometer which has improved measurement sensitivity and accuracy, higher reliability and a longer operating lifetime than conventional tensiometers.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2007Publication date: November 6, 2008Applicant: Soilmoisture Equipment Corp.Inventors: Whitney Skaling, Percy E. Skaling
-
Patent number: 6632534Abstract: A probe adapted for use with a time domain reflectrometry device in primarily measuring the moisture content in soils and other mediums. This probe can however be used in may differing measurement applications involving materials of specific dielectric constants as well as apparent dielectric constants that are derived from a matrix of several differing dielectrics. In the probe according to the present invention, the inner core of the probe is composed of an inner conductive element, a conductor that is used to transmit a broadband pulse. A dielectric liquid, solid or gel surrounds this inner conductive core, and assists in retaining broadband signal strength. The dielectric material is then encased in a metallic outer shell that serves as a protective housing for the probe. This outer shell is electronically transparent to the electromagnetic pulse transmitted by the active inner conductive core and surrounding dielectric.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2001Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Soilmoisture Equipment Corp.Inventors: Whitney Skaling, Laszlo Rudolics
-
Patent number: 5646537Abstract: A waveguide assembly adapted for use with a time domain reflectrometry device for use in measuring the moisture content in soils and other mediums. A waveguide assembly comprised of a plurality of waveguide conductors (probes) for insertion into the soil are connected to a coaxial cable. An electronic stepped pulse travels through the coaxial cable and, due to an impedance mismatch where the coaxial cable and the waveguide assembly are joined, a downgoing beginning reference wave or reflection is produced. The beginning reference wave provides a starting point for measuring the accumulated time delay as the electronic pulse continues to travel through the waveguide assembly. An ending reflection wave is created as the electronic pulse reaches the end of the waveguide assembly and transmits into the surrounding soil.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 1996Date of Patent: July 8, 1997Assignee: Soilmoisture Equipment Corp.Inventors: Whitney Skaling, Percy E. Skaling
-
Patent number: 5420517Abstract: A waveguide assembly adapted for use with a time domain reflectrometry device for use in measuring the moisture content in soils and other mediums. A waveguide assembly comprised of a plurality of waveguide conductors (probes) for insertion into the soil are connected to a coaxial cable. An electronic stepped pulse travels through the coaxial cable and, due to an impedance mismatch where the coaxial cable and the waveguide assembly are joined, a downgoing beginning reference wave or reflection is produced. The beginning reference wave provides a starting point for measuring the accumulated time delay as the electronic pulse continues to travel through the waveguide assembly. An ending reflection wave is created as the electronic pulse reaches the end of the waveguide assembly and transmits into the surrounding soil.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 1993Date of Patent: May 30, 1995Assignee: Soilmoisture Equipment Corp.Inventors: Whitney Skaling, Percy E. Skaling