The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 20, 2013
Filed:
Jun. 14, 2011
Whitney Skaling, Buellton, CA (US);
Steve Riley, Summerland, CA (US);
Whitney Skaling, Buellton, CA (US);
Steve Riley, Summerland, CA (US);
Soilmoisture Equipment Corporation, Goleta, CA (US);
Abstract
A sensor is provided for testing a porous medium. The sensor includes a plurality of porous elements, a number of electrically conductive interface plates which is one greater than the quantity of elements, and the same number of conductors. Each element operates as a discrete variable capacitor, exhibits a different known liquid release curve, and includes a first axial opening. The elements are stacked one on top of another. Each plate includes a second axial opening. The plates are axially distributed within the sensor such that the first and second axial openings combine to form a longitudinal cavity that extends from the sensor's proximal end to its distal end, and each element is sandwiched between a different pair of plates. A distal end of each conductor is attached to a different one of the plates, and a proximal end is routed through the cavity to the sensor's proximal end.