Automated soil measurement device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016018380-A1
Application number	US-201514866391-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Sep 25, 2015
Priority date	Aug 3, 2012
Publication date	Jan 21, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A filtration system for a soil analysis device and methods of pressure filtration and automated cleaning are disclosed for generating filtrate used in measuring characteristics of a soil sample and preparing the filtration system for repeated measurements. A mixing chamber combines a soil sample and an extractant into a liquid mixture. The filtration system receives and pressure filters the liquid mixture to quickly generate filtrate used to measure characteristics of the sample. The filtrate is passed to a measurement cell for analysis. Once the analysis is complete, the filtration system performs a cleaning process in preparation to receive a subsequent liquid mixture from another soil sample.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A filtration system of a soil analysis device comprising:
a first chamber; a mixing chamber coupled to the first chamber for providing a liquid mixture to the first chamber; a filter coupled to the first chamber for receiving the liquid mixture from the first chamber and for removing particulates from the liquid mixture to generate a filtered liquid mixture; a measurement cell for analyzing the filtered liquid mixture; a second chamber coupled to the filter for receiving the filtered liquid mixture from the filter and for providing the filtered liquid mixture to the measurement cell; pressure means coupled to at least the first chamber or at least the second chamber for forcing the liquid mixture through the filter by changing pressure respectively within the first chamber or the second chamber.

2 . The filtration system of claim 1 , wherein the pressure means comprises an air source coupled to at least the first chamber or at least the second chamber for forcing the liquid mixture through the filter by increasing pressure respectively within the first chamber or the second chamber.

3 . The filtration system of claim 1 , wherein the pressure means is coupled to at least the second chamber and forces the liquid mixture through the filter by creating a vacuum within the second chamber.

4 . The filtration system of claim 3 , wherein the second chamber is further coupled to a vent line for venting the second chamber to atmospheric pressure.

5 . The filtration system of claim 1 , wherein the filtration system is oriented in a substantially vertical position and includes a first trough shaped bottom section forming a portion of the first chamber and a second trough shaped bottom section forming a portion of the second chamber.

6 . The filtration system of claim 1 , wherein the first chamber is further coupled to a drain for releasing unfiltered liquid mixture from a bottom of the first chamber.

7 . The filtration system of claim 2 , wherein the second chamber is further coupled to a drain for releasing draining excess filtrate from the second chamber.

8 . The filtration system of claim 1 , wherein the measurement cell comprises a light source and one or more optical detectors for measuring one or more of: an attenuation of light generated by the light source and passing through the filtered liquid mixture or a reflection spectrum of light generated by the light source and passing through the liquid mixture.

9 . The filtration system of claim 1 , further comprising a computer control system for: controlling flow of the liquid mixture from the mixing chamber into the first chamber; pressurizing the liquid mixture in the first chamber; and controlling flow of the filtered liquid mixture through the measurement cell.

10 . The filtration system of claim 1 , wherein the liquid mixture comprises a portion of a soil sample mixed with an extractant.

11 . The filtration system of claim 1 , wherein the first chamber or the second chamber is coupled to a cleaning fluid container for supplying cleaning fluid.

12 . The filtration system of claim 1 , wherein the pressure means is additionally for creating alternating pressure differentials between the first chamber and the second chamber to pass the cleaning fluid through the filter to dislodge particulate caught in the filter.

13 . The filtration system of claim 12 , wherein the first chamber is coupled to the cleaning fluid container.

14 . The filtration system of claim 12 , wherein the second chamber is coupled to the cleaning fluid container.

15 . A method comprising:
receiving, at a first chamber of a soil analysis device, a liquid mixture from a mixing chamber of the soil analysis device; generating a pressure differential between the first chamber and a second chamber of the soil analysis device using an air source coupled to one or more of: the first chamber or the second chamber, wherein the pressure differential causes the liquid mixture in the first chamber to pass through a filter that removes particulates from the liquid mixture to create a filtered liquid mixture and causes the filtered liquid mixture to be deposited in the second chamber; analyzing the filtered liquid mixture from the second chamber using a measurement cell.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the air source is coupled to the second chamber and generating the pressure differential between the first chamber and the second chamber is performed by creating a vacuum in the second chamber using the air source.

17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the air source is coupled to the first chamber and generating the pressure differential between the first chamber and the second chamber is performed by increasing pressure within the first chamber using the air source.

18 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
draining excess liquid mixture from the first chamber; draining excess filtrate from a second chamber; receiving cleaning fluid in the first chamber or the second chamber; using the air source to pass the cleaning fluid between the first chamber and the second chamber through the filter to dislodge particulate caught in the filter.

19 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising: draining excess cleaning fluid from the first chamber and the second chamber.

20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the air source is used to pass the cleaning fluid between the first chamber and the second chamber multiple times by creating alternating pressure differentials between the first chamber and the second chamber.

Assignees

• Climate Corp

Inventors

• Gerber-Siff Bevan
• White Justin
• Prouty Stephen
• Tirrell Robert
• Preiner Michael
• Koshnick Nicholas

Classifications

• G01N33/24 Primary

  Earth materials (G01N33/42 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G01N2001/4088

  filtration · CPC title

• G01N1/4077

  by other techniques involving separation of suspended solids · CPC title

• G01N35/1095

  for supplying the samples to flow-through analysers (for a specific analyser see relevant groups, e.g. under G01N15/00, G01N21/00, G01N27/00, G01N30/00, H01J49/00) · CPC title

• G01N2035/00475

  Filters · CPC title