US4099406A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for automatically testing fluid absorption rates of soil
Assignee: HAMMER IND Inc
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Filing: 1977-03-07
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Granted: 1978-07-11
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Expires: 1997-03-07
Abstract
Abstract A device for the automatic determination and recordation of rates of fluid absorption in soils, including a plurality of conductive probes which are positioned at various levels with regard to a provided water level such that as the water level drops, the time to accomplish the drop is recorded. The device provides a pair of timing and time recording devices interconnected with the probes such that two individual time sequences may be recorded.
Inventors
- 👤 Melvin A. Fulkerson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 09:11
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/02; G01N27/04; G01N27/06; G01N33/00; G01N33/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
234 words
A device for timing fluid absorption into soils to establish a rate of absorption, said device including: a. a first, electrically conductive, longitudinally extending probe, of a first predetermined length and having a first and a second end; b. a second, electrically conductive, longitudinally extending probe, of a second predetermined length shorter than that of said first probe and having a first and a second end; c. a third, electrically conductive, longitudinally extending probe, of a third predetermined length shorter than that of said second probe and having a first and a second end; d. means for mounting said first ends of said probes in generally planar relation such that said second ends of said probes will be displaced unequally from said mounting means; e. means supporting said mounting means with respect to the soil to be tested such that said probes may extending downwardly into a test hole into the soil to be tested; f. a first timing means connected to said first and third probes and controlled by the conductivity therebetween for actuation of said first timing means in response to conduction between said probes provided by fluid within the test hole; and, g. a second timing means connected to said first and second probes and controlled by the conductivity therebetween for actuation of said second timing means in response to conduction between said probes provided by fluid within the test hole.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
234 words
A device for timing fluid absorption into soils to establish a rate of absorption, said device including: a. a first, electrically conductive, longitudinally extending probe, of a first predetermined length and having a first and a second end; b. a second, electrically conductive, longitudinally extending probe, of a second predetermined length shorter than that of said first probe and having a first and a second end; c. a third, electrically conductive, longitudinally extending probe, of a third predetermined length shorter than that of said second probe and having a first and a second end; d. means for mounting said first ends of said probes in generally planar relation such that said second ends of said probes will be displaced unequally from said mounting means; e. means supporting said mounting means with respect to the soil to be tested such that said probes may extending downwardly into a test hole into the soil to be tested; f. a first timing means connected to said first and third probes and controlled by the conductivity therebetween for actuation of said first timing means in response to conduction between said probes provided by fluid within the test hole; and, g. a second timing means connected to said first and second probes and controlled by the conductivity therebetween for actuation of said second timing means in response to conduction between said probes provided by fluid within the test hole.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The structure set forth in claim 1 and switching means deactivating said first timing means upon a loss of conductivity between said first and third probes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The structure set forth in claim 2 and switching means activating said second timing means upon a loss of conductivity between said first and third probes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The structure set forth in claim 3 and said switching means deactivating said second timing means upon a loss of conductivity between said first and second probes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The structure set forth in claim 1 and said first timing means connected to an operative indicator device for indication of the operative mode thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The structure set forth in claim 1 and said second timing means connected to an operative indicator device for indication of the operative mode thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
The structure set forth in claim 1 and switching means connected to said probes and said first and second timing means, said switching means arranged to activate and deactivate said first timing means in response to conduction between said first and third probes and activating said second timing means upon deactivation of said first timing means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The structure set forth in claim 7 and said switching means deactivating said second timing means when conduction between said first and second probes is interrupted.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The structure set forth in claim 1 and said supporting means including a longitudinally extending housing member surrounding said probes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The structure set forth in claim 9 and said probes being spaced within said housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The structure set forth in claim 9 and said housing being of a non-electrically conductive material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The structure set forth in claim 10 and said first probe being arranged to extend from one lower end of said housing to the upper end thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The structure set forth in claim 9 and one of said second or third probes being vertically adjustable within said housing.
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) | 1981-07-10 | 1982-01-09 | 1982-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-07-10 | 1986-01-09 | 1986-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-07-10 | 1990-01-09 | 1990-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |