US4762991A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Probe for optically monitoring progress of in-situ vitrification of soil
Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute Inc
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Filing: 1987-05-29
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Granted: 1988-08-09
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Expires: 2007-05-29
Abstract
Abstract A detector system for sensing the progress of an ISV process along an expected path comprises multiple sensors each having an input port. The input ports are distributed along the expected path of the ISV process between a starting location and an expected ending location. Each sensor generates an electrical signal representative of the temperature in the vicinity of its input port. A signal processor is coupled to the sensors to receive an electrical signal generated by a sensor, and generate a signal which is encoded with information which identifies the sensor and whether the ISV process has reached the sensor's input port. A transmitter propagates the encoded signal. The signal processor and the transmitter are below ground at a location beyond the expected ending location of the ISV process in the direction from the starting location to the expected ending location. A signal receiver and a decoder are located above ground for receiving the encoded signal propagated by the transmitter, decoding the encoded signal and providing a human-perceptible indication of the progress of the ISV process.
Inventors
- 👤 Craig L. Timmerman
- 👤 Kenton H. Oma
- 👤 Karl C. Davis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 23:19
CPC Classifications
B; B09; B09C; B09C1/00; B09C1/06; B09C1/067; E; E02; E02D; E02D3/00; E02D3/11; E21; E21B; E21B47/00; E21B47/06; E21B47/07
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
192 words
A detector system for sensing the progress of an ISV process along an expected path through a body of vitrifiable soil, the detector system comprising: a plurality of sensors each having an input port, the input ports being distributed along the expected path of the ISV process between a starting location and an expected ending location, each sensor being operative to generate an output signal representative of the temperature in the vicinity of its input port, signal processor and transmitter means coupled to the sensors for receiving an output signal generated by a sensor, generating a signal which is encoded with information which identifies the sensor and information which is representative of the temperature in the vicinity of the input port of the sensor, and propagating the encoded signal, the signal processor and transmitter means being below ground at a location beyond the expected ending location of the ISV process in the direction from the starting location to the expected ending location, and signal receiver and decoder means located outside the body of soil for receiving the encoded signal propagated by the signal processor and transmitter means and decoding the encoded signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
192 words
A detector system for sensing the progress of an ISV process along an expected path through a body of vitrifiable soil, the detector system comprising: a plurality of sensors each having an input port, the input ports being distributed along the expected path of the ISV process between a starting location and an expected ending location, each sensor being operative to generate an output signal representative of the temperature in the vicinity of its input port, signal processor and transmitter means coupled to the sensors for receiving an output signal generated by a sensor, generating a signal which is encoded with information which identifies the sensor and information which is representative of the temperature in the vicinity of the input port of the sensor, and propagating the encoded signal, the signal processor and transmitter means being below ground at a location beyond the expected ending location of the ISV process in the direction from the starting location to the expected ending location, and signal receiver and decoder means located outside the body of soil for receiving the encoded signal propagated by the signal processor and transmitter means and decoding the encoded signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
86 words
A detector system according to claim 1, wherein each sensor comprises: an optical fiber having first and second opposite ends, the first end of the optical fiber constituting the input port of the sensor and the second end of the fiber being below ground at a location beyond the expected ending location of the ISV process in the direction from the starting location to the expected ending location, and a photodetector positioned to receive light emitted by the optical fiber by way of its second end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A detector system according to claim 2, further comprising a housing in which the photodetectors and the signal processor and transmitter means are mounted.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A detector system according to claim 2, wherein each optical fiber comprises a core of vitreous material and a cladding of vitreous material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A detector system according to claim 4, wherein each optical fiber comprises a core of silica and a cladding of silica-based material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A detector system according to claim 5, wherein the cladding is made of silica plus flourine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
82 words
A detector system according to claim 1, wherein the signal processor and transmitter means comprise a signal processor which generates a signal which is encoded with information which identifies each sensor and information which is representative of the temperature in the vicinity of the input port of that sensor, a transmitter for receiving the encoded signal generated by the signal processor and using the encoded signal to modulate a carrier, and an antenna connected to the transmitter for receiving the modulated carrier.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A detector system according to claim 7, wherein the encoded signal generated by the signal processor is composed of multiple time slots associated with the sensors respectively.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
A detector system according to claim 7, further comprising a battery and a switch which connects the battery to the signal processor and transmitter means, the switch being open when the signal processor and transmitter means are in a storage orientation and being closed when the signal processor and transmitter means are in a use orientation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A detector system according to claim 1, wherein the signal receiver and decoder means are located above ground and comprise means for providing a human-perceptible indication of the progress of the ISV process.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
217 words
Apparatus for carrying out an ISV process on a body of vitrifiable soil, said apparatus comprising: at least two electrodes extending within the body of soil, and at least one a detector system for sensing the progress of the ISV process along an expected path, the detector system comprising: a plurality of sensors each having an input port, the input ports being distributed along the expected path of the ISV process between a starting location and an expected ending location and each sensor being operative to generate an output signal representative of the temperature in the vicinity of its input port, signal processor and transmitter means coupled to the sensors for receiving an output signal generated by a sensor, generating a signal which is encoded with information which identifies the sensor and information which is representative of the temperature in the vicinity of the input port of the sensor, and propagating the encoded signal, the signal processor and transmitter means being below ground at a location beyond the expected ending location of the ISV process in the direction from the starting location to the expected ending location, and signal receiver and decoder means located outside the body of soil for receiving the encoded signal propagated by the signal processor and transmitter means and decoding the encoded signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
217 words
Apparatus for carrying out an ISV process on a body of vitrifiable soil, said apparatus comprising: at least two electrodes extending within the body of soil, and at least one a detector system for sensing the progress of the ISV process along an expected path, the detector system comprising: a plurality of sensors each having an input port, the input ports being distributed along the expected path of the ISV process between a starting location and an expected ending location and each sensor being operative to generate an output signal representative of the temperature in the vicinity of its input port, signal processor and transmitter means coupled to the sensors for receiving an output signal generated by a sensor, generating a signal which is encoded with information which identifies the sensor and information which is representative of the temperature in the vicinity of the input port of the sensor, and propagating the encoded signal, the signal processor and transmitter means being below ground at a location beyond the expected ending location of the ISV process in the direction from the starting location to the expected ending location, and signal receiver and decoder means located outside the body of soil for receiving the encoded signal propagated by the signal processor and transmitter means and decoding the encoded signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
84 words
Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein each sensor comprises: an optical fiber having first and second opposite ends, the first end of the optical fiber constituting the input port of the sensor and the second end of the fiber being below ground at a location beyond the expected ending location of the ISV process in the direction from the starting location to the expected ending location, and a photodetector positioned to receive light emitted by the optical fiber by way of its second end.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a housing in which the photodetectors and the signal processor and transmitter means are mounted.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein each optical fiber comprises a core of silica and a cladding of silica plus flourine.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
80 words
Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the signal processor and transmitter means comprise a signal processor which generates a signal which is encoded with information which identifies each sensor and information which is representative of the temperature in the vicinity of the input port of that sensor, a transmitter for receiving the encoded signal generated by the signal processor and using the encoded signal to modulate a carrier, and an antenna connected to the transmitter for receiving the modulated carrier.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising a battery and a switch which connects the battery to the signal processor and transmitter means, the switch being open when the signal processor and transmitter means are in a storage orientation and being closed when the signal processor and transmitter means are in a use orientation.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the signal receiver and decoder means are located above ground and comprise means for providing a human-perceptible indication of the progress of the ISV process.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the signal processor and transmitter means are located in axial alignment with one of the electrodes.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
180 words
A method of carrying out an ISV process using at least two electrodes extending within a body of vitrifiable soil, the method comprising: positioning a plurality of sensors, each having an input port, in the body of soil so that the input ports are distributed along an expected path of the ISV process between a starting location and an expected ending location, each sensor being operative to generate an output signal representative of the temperature in the vicinity of its input port, and locating signal processor and transmitter means below ground at a location beyond the expected ending location of the ISV process in the direction from the starting location to the expected ending location, the signal processor and transmitter means being coupled to receive the output signals generated by the sensors and responding to an output signal generated by one of the sensors by generating a signal which is encoded with information which identifies the sensor and information which is representative of the temperature in the vicinity of the input port of the sensor and propagating the encoded signal.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
180 words
A method of carrying out an ISV process using at least two electrodes extending within a body of vitrifiable soil, the method comprising: positioning a plurality of sensors, each having an input port, in the body of soil so that the input ports are distributed along an expected path of the ISV process between a starting location and an expected ending location, each sensor being operative to generate an output signal representative of the temperature in the vicinity of its input port, and locating signal processor and transmitter means below ground at a location beyond the expected ending location of the ISV process in the direction from the starting location to the expected ending location, the signal processor and transmitter means being coupled to receive the output signals generated by the sensors and responding to an output signal generated by one of the sensors by generating a signal which is encoded with information which identifies the sensor and information which is representative of the temperature in the vicinity of the input port of the sensor and propagating the encoded signal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 19, further comprising receiving the propagated signal at a location outside the body of soil, and decoding the received signal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 20, wherein the propagated signal is received at a location above ground and the method further comprises providing a human-perceptible indication of the progress of the ISV process.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
119 words
A detection system for sensing the progress of an ISV process along an expected path through a body of vitrifiable soil, the detector system comprising: an optical fiber having first and second opposite ends and comprising a core of vitreous material and a cladding of vitreous material, the first end of the optical fiber being at a position on the expected path of the ISV process and the second end of the optical fiber being outside the body of soil, and a photodetector in optically-coupled relationship with the second end of the optical fiber for generating an electrical signal that is representative of the power with which electromagnetic energy is received at the first end of the optical fiber.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
119 words
A detection system for sensing the progress of an ISV process along an expected path through a body of vitrifiable soil, the detector system comprising: an optical fiber having first and second opposite ends and comprising a core of vitreous material and a cladding of vitreous material, the first end of the optical fiber being at a position on the expected path of the ISV process and the second end of the optical fiber being outside the body of soil, and a photodetector in optically-coupled relationship with the second end of the optical fiber for generating an electrical signal that is representative of the power with which electromagnetic energy is received at the first end of the optical fiber.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
A detection system according to claim 22, wherein the optical fiber comprises a core of silica and a cladding of silica-based material.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
A detection system according to claim 23, wherein the cladding is made of silica plus fluorine.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
198 words
A detector system for sensing the progress of an ISV process along an expected path through a body of vitrifiable soil, the detector system comprising: at least one sensor having an input port at a position on the expected path of the ISV process between a starting location and an expected ending location, the sensor being operative to generate an output signal representative of the temperature in the vicinity of its input port, and a transmitter assembly which, in use, is below ground at a location beyond the expected ending location of the ISV process in the direction from the starting location to the expected ending location, said transmitter assembly comprising: transmitter means coupled to the sensor for receiving an output signal generated by the sensor, generating a signal which is encoded with information which is representative of the temperature in the vicinity of the input port of the sensor, and propagating the encoded signal, a self-contained power supply, and a switch which is connected between the power supply and the transmitter means, the switch being non-conductive when the transmitter assembly is in a storage orientation and being conductive when the transmitter assembly is in a use orientation.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
198 words
A detector system for sensing the progress of an ISV process along an expected path through a body of vitrifiable soil, the detector system comprising: at least one sensor having an input port at a position on the expected path of the ISV process between a starting location and an expected ending location, the sensor being operative to generate an output signal representative of the temperature in the vicinity of its input port, and a transmitter assembly which, in use, is below ground at a location beyond the expected ending location of the ISV process in the direction from the starting location to the expected ending location, said transmitter assembly comprising: transmitter means coupled to the sensor for receiving an output signal generated by the sensor, generating a signal which is encoded with information which is representative of the temperature in the vicinity of the input port of the sensor, and propagating the encoded signal, a self-contained power supply, and a switch which is connected between the power supply and the transmitter means, the switch being non-conductive when the transmitter assembly is in a storage orientation and being conductive when the transmitter assembly is in a use orientation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4615833A
Cited
US4634187A
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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) | 1991-08-09 | 1992-02-08 | 1992-08-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-08-09 | 1996-02-08 | 1996-08-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-08-09 | 2000-02-08 | 2000-08-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |