Soil strength measurement for site-specific agriculture
AssigneesThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture, Auburn University
InventorsRandy L. Raper, Eric H. Hall
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method are provided for continuously measuring the soil strength on-the-fly and at different depths. The apparatus includes a downwardly extending probe having an impedance sensor mounted on a leading edge thereof so as to be impacted by the soil as the probe is moved in a horizontal direction therethrough. A reciprocating drive is also provided which is effective for simultaneously oscillating the probe in an up and down movement while it is passing horizontally through the soil. The mechanical impedance exerted upon the sensor is then measured as the probe is passed both horizontally and up and down through said soil, thereby providing a continuous depth-variable profile of the soil strength over a large area.
Claims11
An apparatus for measuring the mechanical impedance of soil comprising:
- a. a frame;
- b. a probe mounted on said frame and extending downwardly therefrom, said probe having a leading edge exposed to soil when passed in a horizontal direction therethrough;
- c. an impedance sensor positioned on said leading edge of said probe effective for sensing horizontal force exerted thereon as said probe is passed in a horizontal direction through said soil;
- d. a load cell in communication with said impedance sensor;
- e. a reciprocating drive effective for oscillating said probe up and down through said soil, as said probe is simultaneously passed horizontally through said soil.
A method for measuring the mechanical impedance of soil comprising:
- a. providing a mechanical impedance detector comprising a probe having a leading edge which is exposed to soil when passed in a horizontal direction therethrough, an impedance sensor positioned on said leading edge of said probe effective for sensing horizontal force thereon as said probe is passed horizontally through said soil, and a load cell in communication with said impedance sensor;
- b. passing said mechanical impedance detector horizontally through said soil;
- c. oscillating said probe up and down through said soil while said impedance sensor remains in said soil, simultaneously as said probe is passed horizontally through said soil;
- and
- d. measuring the mechanical impedance exerted upon said impedance sensor as said probe is passed horizontally and up and down through said soil.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.