# US 11,029,436 B2 · System and method for measuring soil electrical conductivity

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- Number: US 11,029,436 B2
- Document ID: US11029436B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/172,720
- Filed: 2018-10-26
- Published: 2019-10-24
- Granted: 2021-06-08
- Earliest claimed: 2017-10-26
- Assignees: Tribus, LLC
- Applicants: Tribus, LLC
- Inventors: Michael Z. Kiss
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11029436B2

## CPC

- G01V 3/02: operating with propagation of electric current
- G01K 1/024: for remote indication
- G01K 13/00: Thermometers specially adapted for specific purposes
- G01N 27/025: {a current being generated within the material by induction}
- G01N 33/245: {for agricultural purposes}
- G01N 33/246: {for water content}
- G01V: GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS (means for indicating the location of accidentally buried, e.g. snow-buried, persons A63B29/02)
- G01K: MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (radiation pyrometry G01J5/00)
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)

## Abstract

A probe relies on multiple sensors, which are capable of directly measuring soil moisture, temperature, and electrical conductivity (EC). The proposed probe uses radio frequency (“RF”) transformers to sense changes in load by the primary of the transformer, which will make direct contact with the soil. The probe contemplated herein, accurately measures EC values in liquids, and water saturated soils, by having direct contact with the medium in which the measurements are made. The measurements yield absolute EC, in any soil type.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A probe sensor for directly measuring electrical conductivity (“EC”) of a medium, the probe sensor comprising:
a tube having an outer wall and an inner wall, wherein the tube is fabricated from a non-metallic material;
an EC board mounted on the tube;
a microprocessor mounted on the EC board;
a plurality of radio frequency (“RF”) transformers each comprising a primary and a secondary;
wherein each primary comprises a stainless steel sleeve positioned on the exterior of the outer wall of the tube for direct contact with the medium, wherein each sleeve defines two longitudinal slots on opposing sides of the tube, and wherein each sleeve is magnetically coupled to the secondary of the RF transformer;
wherein the secondary is positioned within the inner wall in alignment with slots of the sleeve, and is electrically coupled to the EC board;
wherein the secondary is configured to sense changes in a load by the primary;
a plurality of temperature sensors mounted on the tube and interposed between the inner wall and the outer wall of the tube, wherein one of the plurality of temperature sensors is positioned proximate to a corresponding one of the plurality of sleeves, wherein each temperature sensor is electrically coupled to the microprocessor; and
a plurality of moisture sensors mounted on the tube and interposed between the inner wall and the outer wall of the tube, wherein one of the plurality of moisture sensors is positioned proximate to a corresponding one of the plurality of sleeves, wherein each moisture sensor is electrically coupled to the microprocessor.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The probe sensor of claim 1, further comprising a radio coupled to the microprocessor for receiving signals from the microprocessor and for transmitting the signals.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The probe sensor of claim 1, wherein the non-metallic material is polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”).

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The probe sensor of claim 1, wherein the EC board includes temperature compensated phase locked loop (“PLL”) circuits to measure EC values of the medium.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The probe sensor of claim 1, wherein the medium is soil.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The probe sensor of claim 1, wherein the RF transformer is operative at a frequency of 4 Mhz.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The probe sensor of claim 1, wherein the non-metallic material is plastic.