Automated soil measurement device
First Claim
1. A filtration system of a soil analysis device comprising:
- a first chamber coupled to a mixing chamber and receiving a liquid mixture from the mixing chamber, the first chamber coupled to an air source for pressurizing the first chamber;
a second chamber coupled to the first chamber and receiving filtered liquid mixture, the second chamber comprising a drain coupled to a measurement cell for analyzing the filtered liquid mixture, the drain configured to control flow of filtered liquid mixture into the measurement cell; and
a filter disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber to generate filtered liquid mixture by removing particulate from liquid mixture passing through the filter, the filter comprising perforations, the filtration system further configured such that when the perforations are covered by liquid mixture received in the first chamber, the first chamber is capable of being pressurized relative to the second chamber.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A filtration system for a soil analysis device and methods of pressure filtration and automated cleaning are disclosed for generating filtrate used in measuring characteristics of a soil sample and preparing the filtration system for repeated measurements. A mixing chamber combines a soil sample and an extractant into a liquid mixture. The filtration system receives and pressure filters the liquid mixture to quickly generate filtrate used to measure characteristics of the sample. The filtrate is passed to a measurement cell for analysis. Once the analysis is complete, the filtration system performs a cleaning process in preparation to receive a subsequent liquid mixture from another soil sample.
17 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A filtration system of a soil analysis device comprising:
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a first chamber coupled to a mixing chamber and receiving a liquid mixture from the mixing chamber, the first chamber coupled to an air source for pressurizing the first chamber; a second chamber coupled to the first chamber and receiving filtered liquid mixture, the second chamber comprising a drain coupled to a measurement cell for analyzing the filtered liquid mixture, the drain configured to control flow of filtered liquid mixture into the measurement cell; and a filter disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber to generate filtered liquid mixture by removing particulate from liquid mixture passing through the filter, the filter comprising perforations, the filtration system further configured such that when the perforations are covered by liquid mixture received in the first chamber, the first chamber is capable of being pressurized relative to the second chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A soil analysis device comprising:
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a first chamber coupled to a mixing chamber and configured to receive a liquid mixture from the mixing chamber for filtration, the first chamber comprising a first drain configured to release substances present in the first chamber; a second chamber coupled to the first chamber configured to receive a volume of filtered liquid mixture for analysis, the second chamber further comprising an inlet configured to receive a volume of cleaning fluid; a measurement cell configured to analyze the filtered liquid mixture, the measurement cell comprising a second drain configured to release substances present in the second chamber and the measurement cell; and a filter comprising perforations disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber, the device configured to generate the volume of filtered liquid mixture for analysis by passing the liquid mixture through the filter in a forward direction to remove particulate, and dislodge particulate stuck in the filter during filtration by passing the volume of cleaning fluid through the filter in a reverse direction. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for generating filtrate from a liquid mixture comprising a portion of a soil sample mixed with an extractant, the method comprising:
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receiving, in a first chamber, a volume of the liquid mixture sufficient to cover perforations of a filter when disposed in a substantially vertical orientation between the first chamber and a second chamber, the filter impeding flow of the liquid mixture from the first chamber into a second chamber and removing particulate from the liquid mixture; generating a pressure differential between the first chamber and the second chamber, the pressure differential forcing the liquid mixture in the first chamber through the filter to accelerate generation of filtered liquid mixture; collecting a volume of filtered liquid mixture in the second chamber; and draining filtrate collected in the second chamber into a measurement cell for soil analysis. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for cleaning a filtration system, the method comprising:
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draining excess liquid mixture from a first chamber through a first drain; draining excess filtrate from a second chamber through a measurement cell and out through a second drain, the first and second chambers separated by a filter, the filter comprising perforations impeding flow of the liquid mixture from the first chamber into the second chamber; opening a cleaner inlet for a duration to receive, in the second chamber, a volume of cleaning fluid sufficient to cover the perforations in the filter; passing cleaning fluid backwards through the filter, from the second chamber into the first chamber, to dislodge particulate caught in the filter during filtration; and draining excess cleaning fluid from the first and second chambers through the first and second drains, respectively. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification