Pore-air pressure measurement device for use in high shock environments

• US 5,614,659 A
• Filed: 05/16/1995
• Issued: 03/25/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: US Army Corps of Engineers (U.S. Department Of Defense)
• Original Assignee: The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army
• Inventors: Rickman, Denis D.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAPMAN JR, JOHN E
• Application Number:
  US08/442,523
• Time in Patent Office: 679 Days
• Field of Search: 73/35.16, 73/706, 73/756, 73/784
• US Class Current: 73/35.16
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/0636 using particle filters

Abstract

A device for measuring soil pore-air pressure in a high shock environment characterized by a shock resistant housing containing a plurality of pressure sensing ports with sintered metal filters mounted therein which filter fine soil particles, withstand high pressure shock, and permit high air flow. When the device is installed in the ground and an explosive is detonated nearby, soil particles are filtered from the air blast by the sintered metal filters, thereby enabling the device to provide accurate pore-air pressure measurements.

Claims

1. A pore air-pressure sensing device comprising:

(a) a generally rectangular housing containing a plurality of pressure sensing ports in external surfaces thereof, a bore, and an internal chamber connecting said ports with said bore;

(b) means mounted within each of said ports for filtering soil particles therefrom;

(c) means mounted within said chamber for sensing air pressure at each of said ports, whereby when the device is installed beneath ground level and an explosive is detonated in the vicinity of said device, soil particles are filtered from the air blast by said filter means, thereby enabling the device to provide accurate pore-air pressure measurements;

(d) means connected with said sensing means for indicating said air pressure;

(e) wherein said filter means consist of sintered metal comprising stainless steel and having a 10-micron filtration grade;

(f) wherein said filter means are capable of withstanding applied soil stresses up to 10,000 psi; and

(g) wherein said sensing means include a pressure gage for each port.

2. A pore-air pressure sensing device as defined in claim 1, and further comprising signal cables for connecting said indicating means with said pressure gages and wherein said ports comprise three ports arranged orthogonally.

3. A pore-air pressure sensing device as defined in claim 2, wherein one of said ports contains a plug, whereby air pressure is prevented from reaching the pressure gage corresponding to said one port, thereby to provide a null channel.