Device for measuring soil conductivity
US5841282A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 10, 1997 |
| Grant date | Nov 24, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 10, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S111/903
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Device for measuring soil conductivity is comprised of a frame adapted to be conveyed over a ground surface and plurality of soil engaging coulters insulated from each other and insulatively mounted to this frame. This device also includes means for passing a current between a first pair of coulters through the soil and means for measuring this current. It further comprises means for measuring the resulting voltage between a second pair of coulters. This device for measuring soil conductivity also is comprised of electrical contact members which provide consistent electrical contact from the coulter to the means for measuring current and voltage. An electrical signal received by a coulter travels to a mounting flange and then to a dust cap. The dust cap passes this electrical signal to the spindle by way of a spring-loaded plunger. This electrical signal travels from the fixed spindle to the means for measuring current and voltage. This device is further able to calculate soil conductivity from the voltage and current measurements. In addition, the measurements from this device may be geo-referenced so as to produce a map showing the changes in soil conductivity or topsoil depth ac…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.