Soil gas logging system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2026063611-A1
Application number	US-202519318214-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Sep 3, 2025
Priority date	Sep 5, 2024
Publication date	Mar 5, 2026
Grant date	—

Abstract

A gas logging system may include a data logger comprising an enclosure, a processor, and memory. The processor and the memory may be configured to log data associated with soil. The gas logging system may further include a set of probes. A probe of the set of probes may include a sensor enclosure, at least one gas sensor configured to provide the data associated with the soil to the processor and the memory, a gas-permeable water-impermeable membrane, a solid-state dehumidifying membrane, and a fan.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A gas logging system comprising:
a data logger comprising an enclosure, a processor, and memory, wherein the processor and the memory are configured to log data associated with soil; and a set of probes, wherein a probe of the set of probes comprises a sensor enclosure, at least one gas sensor configured to provide the data associated with the soil to the processor and the memory, a gas-permeable water-impermeable membrane, a solid-state dehumidifying membrane, and a fan.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the probe further comprises a 3.3 volt direct-current-direct-current converter configured to power the at least one gas sensor, the solid-state dehumidifying membrane, and the fan.

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one gas sensor is a carbon-dioxide sensor.

4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one gas sensor is a methane sensor.

5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the probe further comprises an analog-digital converter, a 5-volt direct-current-direct-current converter, and a fixed resistor forming a bridge circuit, configured with the methane sensor to sense methane.

6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the data logger further comprises one or more direct-current-direct current converters, a global positioning system unit, a light-emitting-diode display, and a multiplexor that provides the data associated with the soil from the set of probes to the processor and the memory.

7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the gas-permeable water-impermeable membrane comprises polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the solid-state dehumidifying membrane includes a solid polymer electrolyte member, wherein in response to a direct current applied to the solid polymer electrolyte member, hydrogen ions at an anode of the solid polymer electrolyte member are separated from H 2 O molecules in water vapor and transported to a cathode side of the solid polymer electrolyte member and discharge from the sensor enclosure.

9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor enclosure comprises a water-resistant body.

10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the water-resistant body comprises acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA).

11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the water-resistant body of the sensor enclosure further comprises at least 1.0 mm ASA shell thickness.

12 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising one or more cables with connectors placing the at least one sensor in communication with the processor.

13 . A gas logging method comprising:
enclosing a processor and a memory in an enclosure of a data logger, the processor and memory configured to log data associated with soil; and enclosing one or more gas sensors in a sensor enclosure of a probe of a set of probes, wherein the gas sensor is configured to provide the data associated with the soil to the processor and memory; activating a fan within the sensor enclosure to create airflow at a gas-permeable water-impermeable membrane; and activating a solid-state dehumidifying membrane within the sensor enclosure.

14 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising enclosing a 3.3-volt direct-current-direct-current converter in the sensor enclosure, wherein the 3.3-volt direct-current-direct-current converter is configured to power the gas sensor, the solid-state dehumidifying membrane, and the fan.

15 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the at least one gas sensor includes a carbon-dioxide sensor, a methane sensor, or both.

16 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the at least one gas sensor is a methane sensor, and wherein the method further comprises enclosing an analog-digital converter, a 5-volt direct-current-direct-current converter, and a fixed resistor forming a bridge circuit within the sensor enclosure.

17 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the solid-state dehumidifying membrane includes a solid polymer electrolyte member, wherein in response to a direct current applied to the solid polymer electrolyte member, hydrogen ions at an anode of the solid polymer electrolyte member are separated from H 2 O molecules in water vapor and transported to a cathode side of the solid polymer electrolyte member and discharge from the sensor enclosure.

18 . A method comprising:
forming a sensor enclosure body using a printer filament in an additive manufacturing process; positioning a fan within the sensor enclosure; attaching a gas-permeable water-impermeable membrane to the enclosure body; attaching a solid-state dehumidifying membrane to the enclosure body; and enclosing a gas sensor within the sensor enclosure.

19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the method further comprises drying the printer filament, wherein the printer filament comprises acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA), wherein the sensor enclosure body includes a shell that is at least 1.0 mm thick, wherein the sensor enclosure body has randomized seams between layers, wherein forming the sensor enclosure body is performed using a k-value that is equal to or greater than 0.98, and wherein the method further comprises treating a surface of the enclosure body with acetone.

20 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising configuring the gas sensor to provide data associated with soil to a processor and memory enclosed in a data logger enclosure.

Assignees

• Univ Boise State

Inventors

• Anderson Jacob
• Huber David
• Walsh Owen

Classifications

• B33Y80/00

  Products made by additive manufacturing · CPC title

• G01N33/24 Primary

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

• B33Y10/00

  Processes of additive manufacturing · CPC title

• G01N33/004

  CO or CO2 · CPC title

• B33Y40/10

  Pre-treatment · CPC title