Tensiometer and method of determining soil moisture potential in below-grade earthen soil

Patent · Tue Jun 02 00:00:00 EDT 1998

OSTI ID:871583

Hubbell, Joel M ^[1]; Mattson, Earl D ^[2]; Sisson, James B ^[1]

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1. Idaho Falls, ID
2. Albuquerque, NM

A tensiometer to in situ determine below-grade soil moisture, potential of earthen soil includes, a) an apparatus adapted for insertion into earthen soil below grade, the apparatus having a below-grade portion, and, comprising; b) a porous material provided in the below-grade portion, the porous material at least in part defining a below-grade first fluid chamber; c) a first fluid conduit extending outwardly of the first fluid chamber; d) a first controllable isolation valve provided within the first fluid conduit, the first controllable isolation valve defining a second fluid chamber in fluid communication with the first fluid chamber through the first fluid conduit and the isolation valve, the first controllable isolation valve being received within the below-grade portion; and e) a pressure transducer in fluid communication with the first fluid chamber, the pressure transducer being received within the below-grade portion. An alternate embodiment includes an apparatus adapted for insertion into earthen soil below grade, the apparatus having a below-grade portion, and including: i) a porous material provided in the below-grade portion, the porous material at least in part defining a below-grade first fluid chamber; and ii) a pressure sensing apparatus in fluid communication with the first fluid chamber, the pressure sensing apparatus being entirely received within the below-grade portion. A method is also disclosed using the above and other apparatus.

• Research Organization: Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-94ID13223
• Assignee: Lockheed Martin Idaho Technologies Company (Idaho Falls, ID)
• Patent Number(s): US 5758538
• OSTI ID: 871583
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

tensiometer
method
determining
soil
moisture
potential
below-grade
earthen
situ
determine
apparatus
adapted
insertion
below
grade
portion
comprising
porous
material
provided
defining
fluid
chamber
conduit
extending
outwardly
controllable
isolation
valve
communication
received
pressure
transducer
alternate
embodiment
including
ii
sensing
entirely
disclosed
moisture potential
pressure sensing
soil moisture
below grade
apparatus adapted
extending outwardly
fluid chamber
porous material
fluid communication
pressure transducer
alternate embodiment
material provided
earthen soil
sensing apparatus
isolation valve
situ determine
below-grade soil
soil below
conduit extending
fluid conduit
below-grade earthen
determining soil
determine below-grade
/73/