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

Abstract

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: (1) a porous material provided in the below-grade portion, the porous material at least in part defining a below-grade first fluid chamber; and (2) a pressure sensing apparatus in fluid communication with the first fluid chamber, the pressure sensing apparatusmore » being entirely received within the below-grade portion. A method is also disclosed using the above and other apparatus. 6 figs.

Inventors:
; ;
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
672557
Patent Number(s):
5758538
Application Number:
PAN: 8-391,942
Assignee:
Lockheed Martin Idaho Technologies Co., Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
DOE Contract Number:  
AC07-94ID13223
Resource Type:
Patent
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: 2 Jun 1998
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
40 CHEMISTRY; 54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; MOISTURE GAGES; SOILS; MOISTURE; DESIGN; POROUS MATERIALS; VALVES; OPERATION

Citation Formats

Hubbell, J M, Mattson, E D, and Sisson, J B. Tensiometer and method of determining soil moisture potential in below-grade earthen soil. United States: N. p., 1998. Web.
Hubbell, J M, Mattson, E D, & Sisson, J B. Tensiometer and method of determining soil moisture potential in below-grade earthen soil. United States.
Hubbell, J M, Mattson, E D, and Sisson, J B. Tue . "Tensiometer and method of determining soil moisture potential in below-grade earthen soil". United States.
@article{osti_672557,
title = {Tensiometer and method of determining soil moisture potential in below-grade earthen soil},
author = {Hubbell, J M and Mattson, E D and Sisson, J B},
abstractNote = {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: (1) a porous material provided in the below-grade portion, the porous material at least in part defining a below-grade first fluid chamber; and (2) 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. 6 figs.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {1998},
month = {6}
}

Patent:
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