System and method for measuring soil conductivity using existing farm implements
US10729052B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 4, 2018 |
| Grant date | Aug 4, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 19, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N33/245
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system for measuring soil properties on-the-go uses soil-engaging components of an existing farm implement as electrodes for a soil conductivity measurement system. The soil-engaging components can be: electrically isolated shanks and/or replaceable points or sweeps on a tillage implement; a row cleaner or coulter device on the front of a planter row unit, the closing wheels on the back of the planter row unit, or an entire planter row unit; or an additional soil contacting component added to an existing implement shank. A soil engaging component serving as an electrode is electrically isolated from other components of the implement. A soil conductivity measurement is made by passing current between a first pair of soil-engaging electrodes and measuring voltage resulting from the current between a second pair of soil-engaging electrodes. A narrow profile sensor unit can be attached to the implement to measure additional soil properties.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.