US3870951A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Moisture measuring probe
Assignee: Ortech Corp
•
Filing: 1974-03-06
•
Granted: 1975-03-11
•
Expires: 1994-03-06
Abstract
Abstract A moisture measuring probe of generally elongate cylindrical form is provided for use in field operations in which the probe is to be located remote from the measuring or recording instruments. The probe consists of two cylindrical conductors mounted on a hollow dielectric material cylinder sealed at both ends and in which is located the electronic detecting circuit components, thereby insulating them from the influence of stray signals. The end-to-end alignment of the conductors provides an external field which permits measurement of the moisture content of the material surrounding the probe. The transmission cable for the applied voltage to the probe is terminated in an electrical network whose resistance is equal in value to the characteristic impedence of the cable, and the detecting circuit produces a direct current in the return cable which is related to the moisture content of the material in which the probe is located.
Inventors
- 👤 Earle C Brown
- 👤 Errol J Byers
- 👤 Ghulam A Kayani
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:09
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/02; G01N27/22; G01N27/223; G01R; G01R27/00; G01R27/02; G01R27/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
229 words
A moisture measuring probe comprising: an elongate hollow cylindrical element having an exterior surface and an axial bore and constructed of dielectric material, a pair of cylindrical electrically-conductive elements mounted in longitudinally spaced-apart relation on the exterior surface of said hollow cylindrical element and supported thereby, said pair of cylindrical conductive elements being capable fo establishing a voltage therebetween only through materials of the environment in which the probe is located, high frequency detector circuit means positioned within the axial bore of said elongate hollow cylindrical element, electrical connection means separately connecting elements of said detector circuit means to said pair of cylindrical elements for detecting voltage generated between said cylindrical elements when said probe is located in a moisture-containing environment and providing a direct current signal corresponding to said detected voltage, first electrical cable means connected to said detector circuit means and extending remote from said probe to convey alternating current high frequency signals to said detector circuit means whereby said generated voltage may be provided, second electrical cable means connected to said detector circuit means and extending remote from said probe to convey said direct current signal from said probe, sealing means isolating said axial bore from fluid flow communication with the exterior environment of the probe, and an outer covering of dielectric material overlying and encapsulating said pair of electrically-conductive elements and said elongate cylindrical element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
229 words
A moisture measuring probe comprising: an elongate hollow cylindrical element having an exterior surface and an axial bore and constructed of dielectric material, a pair of cylindrical electrically-conductive elements mounted in longitudinally spaced-apart relation on the exterior surface of said hollow cylindrical element and supported thereby, said pair of cylindrical conductive elements being capable fo establishing a voltage therebetween only through materials of the environment in which the probe is located, high frequency detector circuit means positioned within the axial bore of said elongate hollow cylindrical element, electrical connection means separately connecting elements of said detector circuit means to said pair of cylindrical elements for detecting voltage generated between said cylindrical elements when said probe is located in a moisture-containing environment and providing a direct current signal corresponding to said detected voltage, first electrical cable means connected to said detector circuit means and extending remote from said probe to convey alternating current high frequency signals to said detector circuit means whereby said generated voltage may be provided, second electrical cable means connected to said detector circuit means and extending remote from said probe to convey said direct current signal from said probe, sealing means isolating said axial bore from fluid flow communication with the exterior environment of the probe, and an outer covering of dielectric material overlying and encapsulating said pair of electrically-conductive elements and said elongate cylindrical element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
229 words
A moisture measuring probe comprising: an elongate hollow cylindrical element having an exterior surface and an axial bore and constructed of dielectric material, a pair of cylindrical electrically-conductive elements mounted in longitudinally spaced-apart relation on the exterior surface of said hollow cylindrical element and supported thereby, said pair of cylindrical conductive elements being capable fo establishing a voltage therebetween only through materials of the environment in which the probe is located, high frequency detector circuit means positioned within the axial bore of said elongate hollow cylindrical element, electrical connection means separately connecting elements of said detector circuit means to said pair of cylindrical elements for detecting voltage generated between said cylindrical elements when said probe is located in a moisturecontaining environment and providing a direct current signal corresponding to said detected voltage, first electrical cable means connected to said detector circuit means and extending remote from said probe to convey alternating current high frequency signals to said detector circuit means whereby said generated voltage may be provided, second electrical cable means connected to said detector circuit means and extending remote from said probe to convey said direct current signal from said probe, sealing means isolating said axial bore from fluid flow communication with the exterior environment of the probe, and an outer covering of dielectric material overlying and encapsulating said pair of electrically-conductive elements and said elongate cylindrical element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
229 words
A moisture measuring probe comprising: an elongate hollow cylindrical element having an exterior surface and an axial bore and constructed of dielectric material, a pair of cylindrical electrically-conductive elements mounted in longitudinally spaced-apart relation on the exterior surface of said hollow cylindrical element and supported thereby, said pair of cylindrical conductive elements being capable fo establishing a voltage therebetween only through materials of the environment in which the probe is located, high frequency detector circuit means positioned within the axial bore of said elongate hollow cylindrical element, electrical connection means separately connecting elements of said detector circuit means to said pair of cylindrical elements for detecting voltage generated between said cylindrical elements when said probe is located in a moisturecontaining environment and providing a direct current signal corresponding to said detected voltage, first electrical cable means connected to said detector circuit means and extending remote from said probe to convey alternating current high frequency signals to said detector circuit means whereby said generated voltage may be provided, second electrical cable means connected to said detector circuit means and extending remote from said probe to convey said direct current signal from said probe, sealing means isolating said axial bore from fluid flow communication with the exterior environment of the probe, and an outer covering of dielectric material overlying and encapsulating said pair of electrically-conductive elements and said elongate cylindrical element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The probe of claim 1 wherein said pair of electrically-conductive elements Is spaced apart by a band of dielectric material mounted on the exterior surface of said hollow cylindrical element and supported thereby and located between said pair of electrically-conductive elements in edge-touching engagement therewith.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
83 words
The probe of claim 1 wherein one of said pair of electrically-conductive elements is in the form of a cylinder having an end closure, said end closure closing off one end of the axial bore, said detector circuit means includes an electrically-conductive mounting plate positioned in the axial bore, and said electrical connection means connecting said detector circuit means to said one of said pair of electrically-conductive elements is constituted by electrically-conductive joining means extending between said end closure and said mounting plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The probe of claim 3 wherein said electrically-conductive joining means is an electrically-conductive stud extending through said end closure and terminating in said mounting plate for holding said mounting plate in substantially fixed position in the axial bore.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The probe of claim 1 wherein said detector circuit means includes an electrical network whose resistance is equal in value to the characteristic impedence of said first cable means, said first cable means terminating in said electrical network.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
183 words
The probe of claim 1 wherein said first cable means includes a ground lead connected to one of said pair of electrically-conductive elements and a second lead connected to one side of a first resistor forming one element of said detector circuit means and having a value which is substantially equal to the characteristic impedence of said first cable means, said first resistor also being connected at its other side to said one of said pair of electrically-conductive elements, said detector circuit means also includes a second resistor connected between said one side of said first resistor and the other of said electrically-conductive elements, thereby providing said electrical connection means, a diode connected on one side to one lead of said second cable means and on the other side to said other of said pair of electrically-conductive elements, and a third resistor and a first capacitance both connected between said one side of said diode and said one of said pair of electrically-conductive elements, and said second cable means includes a ground lead connected to said one of said pair of electrically-conductive elements.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2304448A
Cited
US2848710A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-10 | 1978-09-09 | 1979-03-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-10 | 1982-09-09 | 1983-03-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-10 | 1986-09-09 | 1987-03-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |