Abstract: A method and apparatus for installing a groundwater sampling device into the ground includes a generally cylindrical housing open at top and bottom end portions and defining a recess therein. An expendable tip member is removably connected to the bottom and portion of the housing. A well tubing or casing is positioned generally centrally in the recess and includes top and bottom end portions. An elongated spiral-wound cylinder is slidably positioned in the recess of the housing and in a surrounding relationship to the tubing. The tubing is attached to the tip member at the bottom end portion thereof and includes a lower section having a plurality of perforations about the periphery thereof to allow fluid to enter the interior of the tubing.

Abstract: A device for measuring the concentration changes of a vapor at various moisture contents ranging from saturation to dry and under different confining stress as it diffuses through a porous media which includes a porous central housing having a central space and a fluid conveying line extending into the central space of the central housing and an outer housing which encompasses for containment of the central housing and is positioned in an outward spaced relation from the central housing to form a medial space, between the external housing and the internal housing and having a second fluid conveying line extending into the medial space.

Abstract: A compact, portable cone penetrometer for determining the shear resistance of soil measures the compressive force on the penetrometer in penetrating the ground by a load cell and the depth of penetration of the ground by an ultrasonic proximity sensor. The outputs of the load cell and the proximity sensor are stored in the memory of a data logger/processor, from which the field data may later be transferred to a digital computer for averaging and tabulating of the data.

Abstract: A digital computer computes the optimum air pressure in the tires of a vehicle which minimizes fuel consumption, tire wear, and road deterioration, and transmits to a pressurized air supply system an output signal for adjusting the tire pressure to this optimum tire pressure. The computer uses input from sensors including both vehicle speed and acceleration.

Abstract: A method for digitally constructing variable width cartographic lines, the invention provides an algorithm for generating symbolized lines using multiply-stroked centerline data. The algorithm allows generation of software which utilizes trigonometric functions and which can be implemented in applications using vector data with vector or raster plotters. The algorithm further accounts for basic cartographic principles, existing algorithm characteristics and hardware constraints imposed by specific output devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for directly measuring the hydraulic conductivity of porous materials at various degrees of saturation, the invention involves determination of the rate of rotation under dynamic equilibrium of concentric cylinders having a partially saturated porous material disposed in an annular space between the concentric cylinders, the rate of rotation being directly related to the hydraulic conductivity of the material. The hydraulic conductivity of the material can thus be determined without the need for measuring fluid discharge and piezometric head gradient as is necessary in prior art determination of hydraulic conductivity.