Patents by Inventor James B. Sisson

James B. Sisson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6289725
    Abstract: A method of determining matric potential of a sample, the method comprising placing the sample in a container, the container having an opening; and contacting the sample with a tensiometer via the opening. An apparatus for determining matric potential of a sample, the apparatus comprising a housing configured to receive a sample; a portable matric potential sensing device extending into the housing and having a porous member; and a wall closing the housing to insulate the sample and at least a portion of the matric potential sensing device including the porous member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Bechtel BWXT Idaho, LLC
    Inventors: Joel M. Hubbell, James B. Sisson
  • Patent number: 6263726
    Abstract: A sidewall tensiometer to in situ determine below-grade soil moisture potential of earthen soil includes, a) a body adapted for insertion into an opening in earthen soil below grade, the body having lateral sidewalls; b) a laterally oriented porous material provided relative to the body lateral sidewalls, the laterally oriented porous material at least in part defining a fluid chamber within the body; c) a pressure a sensor in fluid communication with the fluid chamber; and d) sidewall engaging means for engaging a portion of a sidewall of an earth opening to laterally urge the porous material into hydraulic communication with earthen soil of another portion of the opening sidewall. Methods of taking tensiometric measurements are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Bechtel BWXT Idaho, LLC
    Inventors: Joel M. Hubbell, James B. Sisson
  • Patent number: 5969242
    Abstract: A method of measuring a parameter in a well, under isobaric conditions, including such parameters as hydraulic gradient, pressure, water level, soil moisture content and/or aquifer properties the method as presented comprising providing a casing having first and second opposite ends, and a length between the ends, the casing supporting a transducer having a reference port; placing the casing lengthwise into the well, second end first, with the reference port vented above the water table in the well; and sealing the first end. A system is presented for measuring a parameter in a well, the system comprising a casing having first and second opposite ends, and a length between the ends and being configured to be placed lengthwise into a well second end first; a transducer, the transducer having a reference port, the reference port being vented in the well above the water table, the casing being screened across and above the water table; and a sealing member sealing the first end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Idaho Technologies Company
    Inventors: Joel M. Hubbell, James B. Sisson
  • Patent number: 5915476
    Abstract: A monitoring well including a conduit defining a passageway, the conduit having a proximal and opposite, distal end; a coupler connected in fluid flowing relationship with the passageway; and a porous housing borne by the coupler and connected in fluid flowing relation thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Idaho Technologies Company
    Inventors: Joel M. Hubbell, James B. Sisson
  • Patent number: 5758538
    Abstract: A tensiometer to in situ determine below-grade soil moisture, potential of earthen soil includes, a) an apparatus adapted for insertion into earthen soil below grade, the apparatus having a below-grade portion, and, comprising; b) a porous material provided in the below-grade portion, the porous material at least in part defining a below-grade first fluid chamber; c) a first fluid conduit extending outwardly of the first fluid chamber; d) a first controllable isolation valve provided within the first fluid conduit, the first controllable isolation valve defining a second fluid chamber in fluid communication with the first fluid chamber through the first fluid conduit and the isolation valve, the first controllable isolation valve being received within the below-grade portion; and e) a pressure transducer in fluid communication with the first fluid chamber, the pressure transducer being received within the below-grade portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Idaho Technologies Company
    Inventors: Joel M. Hubbell, Earl D. Mattson, James B. Sisson
  • Patent number: 5644947
    Abstract: A portable tensiometer to in situ determine below-grade soil moisture potential of earthen soil includes, a) a body having opposing first and second ends and being adapted for complete insertion into earthen soil below grade; b) a porous material provided at the first body end, the porous material at least in part defining a fluid chamber within the body at the first body end, the fluid chamber being fluidically sealed within the body but for the porous material; c) a degassed liquid received within the fluid chamber; d) a pressure transducer mounted in fluid communication with the fluid chamber; e) the body, pressure transducer and degassed liquid having a combined mass; f) a flexible suspension line connected to the body adjacent the second body end, the flexible line being of sufficient strength to gravitationally freely self suspend the combined mass; and c) the combined mass being sufficient to effectively impart hydraulic communication between below-grade earthen soil contacted by the porous material un
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Lockheed Idaho Technologies Company
    Inventors: Joel M. Hubbell, James B. Sisson
  • Patent number: 5520248
    Abstract: An earthen material hydraulic conductivity determining apparatus includes, a) a semipermeable membrane having a fore earthen material bearing surface and an opposing rear liquid receiving surface; b) a pump in fluid communication with the semipermeable membrane rear surface, the pump being capable of delivering liquid to the membrane rear surface at a plurality of selected variable flow rates or at a plurality of selected variable pressures; c) a liquid reservoir in fluid communication with the pump, the liquid reservoir retaining a liquid for pumping to the membrane rear surface; and d) a pressure sensor in fluid communication with the membrane rear surface to measure pressure of liquid delivered to the membrane by the pump. Preferably, the pump comprises a pair of longitudinally opposed and aligned syringes which are operable to simultaneously fill one syringe while emptying the other. Methods of determining the hydraulic conductivity of earthen material are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Lockhead Idaho Technologies Company
    Inventors: James B. Sisson, Thomas K. Honeycutt, Joel M. Hubbell
  • Patent number: 4209563
    Abstract: A method of forming an elastic cloth structure comprising fibers of synthetic, organic, relatively elastomeric polymer and fibers of a synthetic, organic, elongatable, but relatively nonelastic polymer. The relatively elastomeric fibers and the elongatable but relatively nonelastic fibers are forwarded for well dispersed random lay down of an unbonded web with random fiber crossings on a porous forming surface. Some of the fiber crossings are then bonded to provide a coherent bonded cloth web and the web is stretched to elongate some of the fibers in at least one direction. The web is then released so that retraction by the relatively elastomeric fibers provides looping and bunching of the elongated relatively nonelastic fibers to thereby provide a low modulus of elasticity in the direction in which the web was worked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1980
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: James B. Sisson