×

Soil moisture detection

  • US 6,532,803 B2
  • Filed: 08/27/1999
  • Issued: 03/18/2003
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/28/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A method of detecting the arrival of moisture at a location within, or below the root zone of a plant growing in, an unsaturated permeable soil or soil-like medium, said method including:

  • positioning at said location streamline distortion means having a surface which in use is non-vertical for distorting the flow streamlines of fluid particles moving through unsaturated soil at said location to cause an increase in fluid content and to cause saturation at said location whereby free fluid is formed thereat;

    collecting said free fluid in collecting means beneath said surface, a strainer means separating a permeable medium in the streamline distortion means from the collecting means and allowing free fluid to move from the permeable medium to or from the collecting means depending on the wetness of the permeable medium, the collecting means including an air filled cavity separated from the soil by the strainer or the like such that the collecting means and the permeable medium remain hydraulically connected, whereupon collection of free fluid in the collecting means air is vented therefrom via a substantially rectilinear conduit extending substantially vertically upwards from said collecting means to soil surface;

    detecting the presence of the free fluid collected in the collecting means, the detection of the presence of the free fluid thereby indicating the arrival of moisture at said location; and

    signaling the presence of the free fluid to a location above the permeable medium to indicate the arrival of moisture at said location.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×