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US 2003/0188590 A1Published application
Apparatus and methods for determining self-weight consolidation and other properties of media
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
InventorsLandris T. Lee JR., Daniel A. Leavell, Mickey D. Blackmon
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Provided is a consolidometer and methods of its use. In its preferred embodiment, the device and methods permit accurate and convenient laboratory sampling of the selfweight consolidation of media, such as soft soil and soil slurries that may result from dredging operations. One option also provides for attaching sensors at locations along the consolidometer for taking data on additional characteristics of the media.
Claims20
A method for determining self-weight consolidation properties of media, comprising:
- providing a consolidometer, comprising:
- inserts circumscribing an interior volume thereto;
- at least one frame, having an interior and an exterior dimension and two ends, one said end serving as a base and the other said end capable of being at least partially open, said frame having a length much greater than said frame's other dimensions,
- wherein said frame supports said inserts in a stacked configuration such that said media is contained wholly within said interior volumes of said inserts, and
- wherein said frame permits insertion and withdrawal of said inserts at locations along said length of said frame;
- a collection device that is affixed seriatim to said inserts;
- filling said consolidometer with media to be evaluated,
- wherein said media is allowed to self-consolidate;
- thereafter removing said topmost inserts for which said interior volume therewith associated contains no said media;
- attaching said collection device to a first topmost insert having its interior volume at least partially filled with said media;
- removing said first topmost insert from said consolidometer,
- wherein said media encompassed by said first topmost insert is transferred to said collection device;
- transferring said transferred media to a container;
- and
- attaching seriatim said collection device to each remaining said insert in said consolidometer and removing each said remaining insert from said consolidometer sequentially from said first topmost insert to said base of said consolidometer, thereby depositing seriatim said media from said interior volume of said removed insert into said collection device at each said removal,
- wherein a sample is taken and may be stored in a container for each insert that deposits said media into said collection device.
13 more elements
A consolidometer for determining self-weight consolidation properties of media, comprising:
- inserts circumscribing an interior volume thereto;
- at least one frame, having an interior and an exterior dimension and two ends, one said end serving as a base and the other said end having an opening, said frame having a length much greater than said frame's other dimensions,
- wherein said frame supports said inserts in a stacked configuration such that said media is contained wholly within said interior volumes of said inserts;
- and
- wherein said frame permits insertion and withdrawal of said inserts at locations along said length of said frame;
- and
- at least one collection device that is affixed seriatim to said inserts.
4 more elements
A consolidometer for determining self-weight consolidation properties of media, comprising:
- rings circumscribing an annular volume;
- at least one frame, having an interior semi-circular dimension and an exterior dimension and two ends, one said end serving as a base and the other said end having an opening, said frame having a length much greater than said frame's other dimensions,
- wherein said frame supports said rings in a stacked configuration such that said media is contained wholly within said annular volumes of said rings;
- and
- wherein said frame permits insertion and withdrawal of said rings at locations along said length of said frame;
- and
- at least one sampling tray that is affixed seriatim to said rings.
4 more elements
A method for determining properties of media, comprising:
- providing a laboratory instrument, comprising:
- inserts circumscribing an interior volume thereto;
- at least one frame, having an interior and an exterior dimension and two ends, one said end serving as a base and the other said end capable of being at least partially open, said frame having a length much greater than said frame's other dimensions,
- wherein said frame supports said inserts in a stacked configuration such that said media is contained wholly within said interior volumes of said inserts, and
- wherein said frame permits insertion and withdrawal of said inserts at locations along said length of said frame;
- a collection device that is affixed seriatim to said inserts;
- and
- at least one sensor,
- wherein said at least one sensor measures at least on characteristic of said media at pre-specified locations and pre-specified times;
- filling said consolidometer with media to be evaluated;
- thereafter removing said topmost inserts for which said interior volume therewith associated contains no said media;
- attaching said collection device to a first topmost insert having its interior volume at least partially filled with said media;
- removing said first topmost insert from said consolidometer,
- wherein said media encompassed by said first topmost insert is transferred to said collection device;
- transferring said transferred media to a container;
- and
- attaching seriatim said collection device to each remaining said insert in said consolidometer and removing each said remaining insert from said consolidometer sequentially from said first topmost insert to said base of said consolidometer, thereby depositing seriatim said media from said interior volume of said removed insert into said collection device at each said removal,
- wherein a sample is taken and may be stored in a container for each insert that deposits said media into said collection device.
15 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.