Rheological penetrometer

• US 4,492,111 A
• Filed: 10/07/1981
• Issued: 01/08/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James L. Kirkland
• Original Assignee: James L. Kirkland
• Inventors: Kirkland, James L.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US06/309,403
• Time in Patent Office: 1,189 Days
• Field of Search: 73/84, 73/85, 73/8 L, 73/170 A, 73/9, 324/323
• US Class Current: 73/84
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2203/0019 Compressive
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 3/48 by performing impressions under impulsive load by indentors, e.g. falling ball G01N3/54 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/24 Earth materials G01N33/42 takes precedence

Abstract

A free falling or projectable penetrometer for simultaneously determining a multiplicity of ground characteristics during penetration and retracking cycles and while at rest following full penetration. The apparatus employs a multitude of sensing elements and is further characterized by the presence of at least three electrode pairs one aligned with the central axis of the penetrometer with the other two pairs being positioned orthogonally in a common plane that is itself perpendicular to the central axis. An onboard power supply is included together with telemetry equipment to generate ground characteristics and transmit such signals.

Claims

1. A probe for determining characteristics of a medium comprising an outer housing for supporting a penetration assembly, a monitoring assembly, a guide assembly and control means for controlling the impact velocity and direction, said penetration assembly including soil penetration means for allowing the probe to penetrate the soil, said monitoring assembly including a plurality of vibrating bodies positioned so as to project at least in part away from said housing so that each is vibrated a predetermined amount in response to the passage of specific mediums there past, first sensor means for sensing the vibration of each of said vibrating bodies and for generating a signal corresponding thereto, and electrode means for sensing the electrical resistance of the medium orthogonally in three separate directions.

2. A system for identifying varying types of media comprising a device for insertion into the media including first means for forming an initial track through the media and for generating and transmitting at least a first set of a plurality of signals corresponding to media characterisitics in the initial track path, and at least a second means for substantially retracking through the initial track in the media for generating and transmitting at least a second set of a plurality of signals corresponding to media characterisitics in the retrack path, and means for receiving and comparing the first set of signals with said at least a second set of signals.

3. A system as in claim 2 wherein said first set of signals includes signals corresponding to media hardness, changes in electrical resistance, shear forces and interparticle noise.

4. A system as in claim 2 or 3, wherein the signals generated during retracking at least includes signals corresponding to changes in electrical resistance, shear forces and interparticle noise.

5. A system as in claim 4 wherein the signals generated during retracking further includes signals corresponding to temperature changes of the media.

6. A system as in claim 4 wherein the signals generated during retracking further includes signals corresponding to pressure changes in the media.

7. A system as in claim 4 wherein the signals generated during retracking further includes signals corresponding to changes in the attitude of the device within the media.

8. A system as in claim 4 wherein said device further includes at least three pairs of electrodes one pair being aligned with the axis of the device, the other two pairs being positioned at right angles to one another and in at least one plane perpendicular to the axis of the device.

9. A penetrometer for establishing relative motion with a medium to determine medium characteristics along separate and known axes as insertion continues and for a predetermined period of time following insertion, said penetrometer including on board means for generating electrical signals comprising at least three separate and separated pairs of electrodes arranged around said device to generate electrical current paths in three separate orthogonal directions with each of said three separate directions being along known axes so that electrical resistance measurements can be made along said known axes.

10. A penetrometer as in claim 9 wherein the medium is the earth.

11. A penetrometer as in claim 9 wherein the medium is a fluid.

12. A penetrometer as in claim 9 wherein the medium is a solid.

13. A device for penetrating a medium and identifying varying characteristics and types of media along and adjacent the path of penetration of the device within the medium, said device comprising a housing, first means connected to said housing for forming an initial track through the media, first signal generating means for generating a first set of signals corresponding to hardness, frictional drag, changes in electrical resistance and interparticle noise along that first track, second means connected to said housing for substantially retracking through the initial track formed in the media and second signal generating means for generating a second set of signals corresponding to frictional drag, interparticle noise and changes in electrical resistance, and means for receiving the first and second sets of signals and for retransmitting such signals.