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US 5,038,040 AGranted
Soil test apparatus
AssigneeAGMED Inc.
InventorsRobert C. Funk, Kenneth A. Sudduth, John W. Hummel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A soil test apparatus for field use comprises structure adapting the apparatus for transport over a field for testing the soil thereof; an infrared radiation generator for producing infrared radiation at a plurality of predetermined wavelengths, an elongate light carrying member coupled to the infrared radiation generator and extending therefrom for directing infrared radiation onto the soil; and a light detector for detecting infrared radiation reflected from the soil and for producing corresponding electrical signals.
Claims36
A soil test apparatus for field use comprising:
- means adapting said apparatus for transport over a field for testing the soil thereof;
- infrared radiation generating means for producing infrared radiation at a plurality of predetermined wavelengths;
- light carrying means coupled to said infrared radiation generating means and extending therefrom for directing infrared radiation onto the soil;
- and light detecting means for detecting infrared radiation reflected from the soil and for producing corresponding electrical signals.
1 more element
A soil test apparatus for field use comprising:
- frame means for mounting to a vehicle for transporting the apparatus over a field for testing the soil thereof, furrow opening means mounted to said frame means for opening a furrow in the soil as said vehicle transports said apparatus thereover;
- infrared radiation generating means mounted to said frame for producing infrared radiation at a plurality of predetermined wavelengths;
- light carrying means coupled to said infrared radiation generating means and extending along said frame for delivering infrared radiation to a furrow opened by said furrow opening means for directing infrared radiation onto the soil;
- and light detecting means mounted to said frame means adjacent said furrow opening means for detecting infrared radiation reflected from the soil and for producing corresponding electrical signals.
1 more element
A test apparatus for determining constituents of a sample of material comprising:
- infrared radiation generating means for producing infrared radiation at a plurality of predetermined wavelengths;
- means for directing light from said infrared radiation generating means onto said sample of material;
- and light detecting means for detecting infrared radiation reflected from the sample and for producing corresponding electrical signals;
- wherein said infrared radiation generating means comprises an infrared source and a variable filter;
- and wherein said variable filter has a wavelength in a range of from substantially 1600 nanometers to substantially 2900 nanometers and a band width of no more than substantially on the order of 60 nanometers.
2 more elements
A testing method for determining constituents of a sample of material comprising:
- producing infrared radiation at a plurality of predetermined wavelengths;
- directing said infrared radiation onto said sample of material;
- detecting infrared radiation reflected from the sample, and producing electrical signals corresponding to the detected radiation;
- wherein the step of producing infrared radiation comprises placing a variable filter in the path of infrared radiation from a fixed source;
- and wherein said plurality of wavelengths are in a range of from substantially 1600 nanometers to substantially 2900 nanometers and have a band width of no more than substantially on the order of 60 nanometers.
2 more elements
A test apparatus for determining constituents of a sample of material comprising:
- infrared radiation generating means for producing infrared radiation at a plurality of predetermined wavelengths;
- means for directing light from said infrared radiation generating means onto said sample of material;
- and light detecting means for detecting infrared radiation reflected from the sample and for producing corresponding electrical signals;
- wherein said infrared radiation generating means comprises an infrared source and a variable filter;
- and further including processing means for receiving said electrical signals from said detector and for determining a predetermined property of said soil therefrom;
- and wherein said electrical signals are AC coupled to said processing means and wherein said processing means includes dynamic baseline correction means for converting said AC coupled signals to a baseline corrected data comprising a DC signal with a baseline level of zero A/D counts.
3 more elements
A testing method for determining constituents of a sample of material comprising:
- producing infrared radiation at a plurality of predetermined wavelengths;
- directing said infrared radiation onto said sample of material;
- detecting infrared radiation reflected from the sample, and producing electrical signals corresponding to the detected radiation;
- wherein the step of producing infrared radiation comprises placing a variable filter in the path of infrared radiation from a fixed source;
- and further including the steps of receiving said electrical signals from said detector and determining a predetermined property of said soil therefrom;
- and wherein said electrical signals are AC coupled prior to said steps of receiving and determining, and further including the step of converting said AC coupled signals to a baseline level of zero A/D counts.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.