Soil analysis apparatus, method, and system having a displaceable blade assembly and sensor

US9389214B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Royal Institution for the Advancement of Learning/McGill University · CA

Inventors

• Viacheslav Adamchuk · Ste. Anne, CA
• Nandkishor Dhawale · Ste. Anne, CA
• Frederic Rene-Laforest · Drummondville, CA
• Shiv Prasher · Baie-d'Urfé, CA
• Antoine Pouliot · Ste. Anne, CA

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 24, 2014
• Grant date: Jul 12, 2016
• Expiry date: Jan 24, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N33/245
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A soil analysis apparatus includes at least one sensor element for measuring a property of the soil; a blade assembly having at least one blade and being displaceable between a raised position and an excavation position, the at least one blade being operable to excavate the soil at a test location when the blade assembly is in the excavation position, the blade assembly being further operable to enter a sensor permitting configuration; and a first actuator operable to displace the at least one sensor element between an initial position and a sensing position along a sensor displacement path, the sensor element being proximate the soil at the test location when in the sensing position.