US3769581A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for measuring the dry unit weight of a soil
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1971-10-14
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Granted: 1973-10-30
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Expires: 1991-10-14
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for measuring the dry unit weight of a soil, either directly or with reference to a known soil variable (e.g., the Proctor density) by means of a measuring probe containing two electrodes in the soil under investigation. The measuring probe is energized with a constant a.c., voltage, and is connected in series to a measuring resistance at which a voltage drop occurs proportional to probe current (I). The voltage tapped at measuring resistance overlaps a continuously adjustable part of the said constant a.c. voltage, and, in a phase-sensitive rectifying indicating device, a proportion, continuously adjustable from zero, of the sum voltage obtained by the superposition is superposed on a second component, continuously adjustable from zero, of the constant a.c. voltage.
Inventors
- 👤 F Konig
- 👤 K Konig
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 04:28
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V3/00; G01V3/02; G01V3/06; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/24; G01R; G01R27/00; G01R27/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A method for determining a characteristic (C) of a test sample of soil using first and second examples of a standard soil similar in nature to said test sample, said first and second examples having known characteristics (C1 and C2 respectively) of the same character as characteristic C and comprising the steps of: measuring the conduction current flow (I1) through the first example when an alternating current of a given potential is applied thereto; measuring the conduction current flow (I2) through the second example when an alternating current of the given potential is applied thereto; measuring the conduction current flow (I) through the test sample when an alternating current of the given potential is applied thereto; and computing characteristic Ct with reference to the known characteristics Ct and Ct by means of an electronic circuitry representing the mathematical relation C2/Ct 1 - (1 - C2/C1) (I - I2)/(I1 - I2)
Claim 2
Independent Claim
150 words
A method for determining a characteristic (C) of a test sample of soil using first and second examples of a standard soil similar in nature to said test sample, said first and second examples having known characteristics (C1 and C2 respectively) of the same character as characteristic C and comprising the steps of: measuring the conduction current flow (I1) through the first example when an alternating current of a given potential is applied thereto; measuring the conduction current flow (I2) through the second example when an alternating current of the given potential is applied thereto; measuring the conduction current flow (I) through the test sample when an alternating current of the given potential is applied thereto; and computing characteristic Ct with reference to the known characteristics Ct and Ct by means of an electronic circuitry representing the mathematical relation C2/Ct 1 - (1 - C2/C1) (I - I2)/(I1 - I2)
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said characteristics are the respective dry unit weights.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said characteristics are the respective water contents.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
86 words
An apparatus for carrying out the method of claim 1 and comprising: probe means having spaced electrodes between which current will flow when they are in a conducting medium and voltage is applied thereacross; a source of alternating current; current magnitude detection means; means forming a series circuit through said probe means, said source and said current magnitude detection means so that when the spaced electrodes are in soil a current will flow through said circuit; and analog computer means connected to said magnitude detection means.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
184 words
An apparatus for measuring a particular characteristic of a test sample of soil using first and second examples of a standard soil similar in nature to said test sample, said first and second examples having known characteristicS of the same character as characteristic to be measured, said apparatus comprising: probe means having spaced electrodes between which current will flow when they are in a conducting medium and voltage is applied thereacross, said electrodes being exposed so that they can be inserted in a test soil sample in physical contact with the soil of the test sample; a source of alternating current; current magnitude detection means; means forming a series circuit through said probe means, said source and said current magnitude detection means so that when the spaced electrodes are in soil a current will flow through said circuit; and analog computer means connected to said magnitude detection means for determining said particular characteristic from the magnitude of the current flow through the probe means in the test sample in relation to the magnitude of the current flow through the probe means in the examples.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
184 words
An apparatus for measuring a particular characteristic of a test sample of soil using first and second examples of a standard soil similar in nature to said test sample, said first and second examples having known characteristicS of the same character as characteristic to be measured, said apparatus comprising: probe means having spaced electrodes between which current will flow when they are in a conducting medium and voltage is applied thereacross, said electrodes being exposed so that they can be inserted in a test soil sample in physical contact with the soil of the test sample; a source of alternating current; current magnitude detection means; means forming a series circuit through said probe means, said source and said current magnitude detection means so that when the spaced electrodes are in soil a current will flow through said circuit; and analog computer means connected to said magnitude detection means for determining said particular characteristic from the magnitude of the current flow through the probe means in the test sample in relation to the magnitude of the current flow through the probe means in the examples.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
163 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 5, including means for deriving a first and a second reference voltage signal continuously variable from zero from said source; wherein said detection means produces sample voltage signals indicative of the current flows through the soil sample and examples, the flow through the soil sample being represented by the signal I and the flow through the first and second examples being represented by signals I1 and I2, respectively; and wherein said analog computer means comprises: means connected to receive and superpose said sample signals to said reference signals, particularly for superposing current indicative signal I2 to the first of said reference signals, and produce a first voltage signal continuously variable from zero, means connected to receive said sample signals for superposing said first component signal to a second voltage signal represented by the second of said reference signals, and a phase-sensitive rectifying indicating device connected to the last mentioned means for receiving said superposed voltage signals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said analog computer means includes means connected to said source and said device for deriving a signal from said source, reversing its phase and applying it to said device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein said probe means includes three distinct probes each having a spaced pair of electrodes; and said means forming said series circuit includes a multiposition switch by which each of the distinct probes may alternatively connect in said series circuit.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
156 words
A method for measuring the dry unit weight of a soil in order to determine the degree of consolidation of the soil achieved during constructional work, comprising the steps of a. providing two known samples of said soil of different known degree of consolidation and therefore of different known dry unit weight, b. obtaining electric conductivity values of said known samples and applying a quantity depending thereon to an analog computer designed as a linear interpolating network, and adjusting said network in accordance with said known dry unit weight and conductivity values to produce outputs with said electric conductivity values applied, indicative of the dry unit weight of said samples, c. obtaining an electric conductivity value of a sample of said soil having an unknown dry unit weight and applying a quantity depending thereon to said analog computer, whereby an output as a direct indication of the dry unit weight of said unknown sample is obtained.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
156 words
A method for measuring the dry unit weight of a soil in order to determine the degree of consolidation of the soil achieved during constructional work, comprising the steps of a. providing two known samples of said soil of different known degree of consolidation and therefore of different known dry unit weight, b. obtaining electric conductivity values of said known samples and applying a quantity depending thereon to an analog computer designed as a linear interpolating network, and adjusting said network in accordance with said known dry unit weight and conductivity values to produce outputs with said electric conductivity values applied, indicative of the dry unit weight of said samples, c. obtaining an electric conductivity value of a sample of said soil having an unknown dry unit weight and applying a quantity depending thereon to said analog computer, whereby an output as a direct indication of the dry unit weight of said unknown sample is obtained.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-29 | 1977-04-30 | 1977-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-29 | 1981-04-30 | 1981-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-29 | 1985-04-30 | 1985-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |