US3867837A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Moisture detection
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-03-02
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Granted: 1975-02-25
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Expires: 1992-03-02
Abstract
Abstract A moisture detector comprising a container surrounding a detection area with a channel leading out of the container, a member connected in the channel with a portion of the member inside the container and a portion of the member outside of the container, and a switch connected adjacent the distal end of the portion of the member lying inside the container. The member absorbs moisture relative to the moisture in the surrounding soil. The change in weight of the member changes the position of the distal end of the portion of the member lying inside the container to activate the switch to signal a variation in the moisture content of the soil surrounding the portion of the member lying outside the container.
Inventors
- 👤 Eugene F Malin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 09:00
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N5/00; G01N5/02; G01N5/025; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/1842; Y10T137/1866; Y10T137/189
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
244 words
A porous media liquid quantity detector for detecting the quantity of liquid in adjacent porous media by transferring the liquid from the adjacent porous media to a detection area in the liquid quantity detector comprising; a housing member to provide a capillary transfer and supporting housing cavity in the porous media when at least a portion of said housing member is placed in the porous media, a liquid transfer and support means connected to said housing member, said liquid transfer and support means including, a supporting portion connected to said housing member, and a capillary transfer portion connected to said supporting means, said capillary transfer portion includes a first portion positioned to be adjacent the edge of the housing cavity to contact at a linking area the adjacent porous media to provide a capillary link for transferring liquid from said adjacent porous media along said capillary transfer portion, said capillary transfer portion includes a second portion positioned in said housing cavity for receiving the liquid transferred from said first portion, said capillary transfer portion supported between said first portion adjacent the linking area and said second portion in said cavity by said supporting portion, and a signal means adjacent said second portion for detecting the quantity of liquid transferred from the said first portion to said second portion to provide an electrical output signal, said signal means includes a weight sEnsor means for sensing the weight change in said liquid transfer and support means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
244 words
A porous media liquid quantity detector for detecting the quantity of liquid in adjacent porous media by transferring the liquid from the adjacent porous media to a detection area in the liquid quantity detector comprising; a housing member to provide a capillary transfer and supporting housing cavity in the porous media when at least a portion of said housing member is placed in the porous media, a liquid transfer and support means connected to said housing member, said liquid transfer and support means including, a supporting portion connected to said housing member, and a capillary transfer portion connected to said supporting means, said capillary transfer portion includes a first portion positioned to be adjacent the edge of the housing cavity to contact at a linking area the adjacent porous media to provide a capillary link for transferring liquid from said adjacent porous media along said capillary transfer portion, said capillary transfer portion includes a second portion positioned in said housing cavity for receiving the liquid transferred from said first portion, said capillary transfer portion supported between said first portion adjacent the linking area and said second portion in said cavity by said supporting portion, and a signal means adjacent said second portion for detecting the quantity of liquid transferred from the said first portion to said second portion to provide an electrical output signal, said signal means includes a weight sEnsor means for sensing the weight change in said liquid transfer and support means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
A porous media liquid quantity detector for detecting the quantity of liquid in adjacent porous media by transferring the liquid from the adjacent porous media to a detection area in the liquid quantity detector as set forth in claim 1, wherein; said liquid transfer and supportive means is positioned in a generally horizontal position between said first and second position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
A porous media liquid quantity detector for detecting the quantity of liquid in adjacent porous media by transferring the liquid from the adjacent porous media by a detection area in the liquid quantity detector as set forth in claim 1, wherein; said liquid transfer and supportive means includes a single material providing said supporting portion and said capillary transfer portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
A porous media liquid quantity detector for detecting the quantity of liquid in adjacent porous media by transferring the liquid from the adjacent porous media to a detection area in the liquid quantity detector as set forth in claim 1, wherein; said capillary transfer portion is movably connected to said supporting portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
A porous media liquid quantity detector for detecting the quantity of liquid in adjacent porous media by transferring the liquid from the adjacent porous media by a detection area in the liquid quantity detector as set forth in claim 1, wherein; said supporting portion is constructed of a generally non-absorbing material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
A porous media liquid quantity detector for detecting the quantity of liquid in adjacent porous media by transferring the liquid from the adjacent porous media to a detection area in the liquid quantity soil detector as set forth in claim 5, wherein; said capillary transfer portion is movably connected to said supporting means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
A porous media liquid quantity detector for detecting the quantity of liquid in adjacent porous media by transferring the liquid from the adjacent porous media by a detection area in the liquid quantity detector as set forth in claim 6, wherein; said capillary transfer portion is constructed of the same material as the porous media adjacent said first portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
A porous media liquid quantity detector for detecting the quantity of liquid in adjacent porous media by transferring the liquid from the adjacent porous media to a detection area in the liquid quantity detector as set forth in claim 7, wherein; said capillary transfer portion is soil.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of detecting variations in the quantity of liquid in ground soil by the steps of; forming a cavity in the ground, placing and supporting transfer soil between a first position and a second position with the first position of said transfer soil in capillary contact with the soil to be detected adjacent the outside of the formed cavity for detecting variations in the quantity of liquid in said soil to be detected by detecting the weight of said transfer soil in said second position in the formed cavity, and detecting weight variations in the liquid quantity in said transfer soil in said second position.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of detecting variations in the quantity of liquid in ground soil by the steps of; forming a cavity in the ground, placing and supporting transfer soil between a first position and a second position with the first position of said transfer soil in capillary contact with the soil to be detected adjacent the outside of the formed cavity for detecting variations in the quantity of liquid in said soil to be detected by detecting the weight of said transfer soil in said second position in the formed cavity, and detecting weight variations in the liquid quantity in said transfer soil in said second position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-02-24 | 1978-08-26 | 1979-02-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-24 | 1982-08-26 | 1983-02-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-24 | 1986-08-26 | 1987-02-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |