US4745805A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process and device for the measurement of the flow of raw sap in the stem of a plant such as a tree
Assignee: Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique
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Filing: 1986-05-30
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Granted: 1988-05-24
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Expires: 2006-05-30
Abstract
Abstract A process for the measurement of the flow of raw sap in the stem of a tree or other plant, and a device for the embodiment of the process. According to this process, two holes of small diameter are made in the stem, preferably one above the other, and a heating probe equipped with a thermocouple is introduced into the upper hole at the level of the sap-wood, and a non-heating probe is introduced into the lower hole. Comparison of the temperature allows a flow index K to be obtained which gives the value and which is related to the flow u by a law of type K=A u exp. B, where A and B are constants.
Inventors
- 👤 Andre F. Granier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 18:41
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/0098
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A device for measuring variations in raw sap flow in a sap-wood-containing plant stem which comprises: a heating temperature probe having a stable heating circuit and a thermocouple measuring device with hot and cold junctions, a non-heating temperature probe having a thermocouple measuring device with hot and cold junctions, a temperature-monitoring instrument having terminals, and means for recording voltage at the terminals; the heating temperature probe comprising a rigid tubular core surrounded by windings of a heating wire, the windings being surrounded by a heat distributing tube, the composition of which has high thermal conductivity; the length of the windings and that of the distributing tube being approximately equal to the thickness of the sap wood of the plant stem, and the tubular core containing a supply wire for said windings.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
131 words
A device for measuring variations in raw sap flow in a sap-wood-containing plant stem which comprises: a heating temperature probe having a stable heating circuit and a thermocouple measuring device with hot and cold junctions, a non-heating temperature probe having a thermocouple measuring device with hot and cold junctions, a temperature-monitoring instrument having terminals, and means for recording voltage at the terminals; the heating temperature probe comprising a rigid tubular core surrounded by windings of a heating wire, the windings being surrounded by a heat distributing tube, the composition of which has high thermal conductivity; the length of the windings and that of the distributing tube being approximately equal to the thickness of the sap wood of the plant stem, and the tubular core containing a supply wire for said windings.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the heat distributing tube is an aluminum tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device according to claim 1 having a cable which connects the thermocouple junctions of the two probes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
A combination of a device according to claim 1 and a sap-wood-containing plant stem wherein both the heating temperature probe and the non-heating temperature probe are in the sap wood and the two probes are displaced from each other by a sufficient distance to preclude heat released by the heating probe from having an appreciable affect on the non-heating probe.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A combination according to claim 4 wherein the two probes are vertically displaced from each other, and the heating probe is above the non-heating probe.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US4016758A
Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-05-24 | 1991-11-23 | 1992-05-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-05-24 | 1995-11-23 | 1996-05-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-05-24 | 1999-11-23 | 2000-05-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |