System and Method for Measuring Soil Electrical Conductivity

Abstract

A probe relies on multiple sensors, which are capable of directly measuring soil moisture, temperature, and electrical conductivity (EC). The proposed probe uses radio frequency (“RF”) transformers to sense changes in load by the primary of the transformer, which will make direct contact with the soil. The probe contemplated herein, accurately measures EC values in liquids, and water saturated soils, by having direct contact with the medium in which the measurements are made. The measurements yield absolute EC, in any soil type.

1 . A probe sensor for directly measuring electrical conductivity (“EC”) of a medium, the probe sensor comprising:
 a tube having an outer wall and an inner wall, wherein the tube is fabricated from a non-metallic material; 
 an EC board mounted on the tube; 
 a microprocessor mounted on the EC board; 
 a plurality of radio frequency (“RF”) transformers each comprising a primary and a secondary; 
 wherein each primary comprises a sleeve positioned on the exterior of the outer wall of the tube for direct contact with the medium, wherein each sleeve defines two longitudinal slots on opposing sides of the tube, each slot extending longitudinally along a portion of the length of a corresponding sleeve, and wherein each sleeve is magnetically coupled to the secondary of a corresponding RF transformer; 
 wherein each secondary is positioned within the inner wall in alignment with slots of a corresponding sleeve, and is electrically coupled to the EC board; 
 wherein each secondary is configured to sense changes in a load by a corresponding primary; 
 a plurality of temperature sensors mounted on the tube and interposed between the inner wall and the outer wall of the tube, wherein each temperature sensor is positioned proximate to a corresponding sleeve and is electrically coupled to the microprocessor; and 
 a plurality of moisture sensors mounted on the tube and interposed between the inner wall and the outer wall of the tube, wherein each moisture sensor is positioned proximate to a corresponding sleeve and is electrically coupled to the microprocessor. 
 
     
     
         2 . The probe sensor of  claim 1 , further comprising a radio coupled to the microprocessor for receiving signals from the microprocessor and for transmitting the signals. 
     
     
         3 . The probe sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the non-metallic material is polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”). 
     
     
         4 . The probe sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the EC board includes temperature compensated phase locked loop (“PLL”) circuits to measure EC values of the medium. 
     
     
         5 . The probe sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the medium is soil. 
     
     
         6 . The probe sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the RF transformer is operative at a frequency of 4 Mhz. 
     
     
         7 . The probe sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the non-metallic material is plastic. 
     
     
         8 . The probe sensor of  claim 1 , wherein each sleeve is fabricated from stainless steel. 
     
     
         9 . A probe sensor for directly measuring electrical conductivity (“EC”) of a medium, the probe sensor comprising:
 a tube having an outer wall and an inner wall, wherein the tube is fabricated from a non-metallic material and apportioned into one or more sections of the tube; 
 an EC board mounted on a first end of the tube; 
 a microprocessor mounted on the EC board; 
 wherein each section of the tube comprises:
 a radio frequency (“RF”) transformer comprising a primary and a secondary; 
 wherein the primary comprises a sleeve positioned on the exterior of the outer wall of the tube for direct contact with the medium, wherein the sleeve defines two longitudinal slots on opposing sides of the tube, each slot extending longitudinally along a portion of the length of the sleeve, and wherein the sleeve is magnetically coupled to the secondary of the RF transformer, and electrically coupled to a ground; and 
 wherein the secondary is positioned within the inner wall in alignment with the slots of the sleeve, is electrically coupled to the EC board, and is configured to sense changes in a load by the primary; 
 a temperature sensor mounted on the tube and interposed between the inner wall and the outer wall of the tube, wherein the temperature sensor is positioned proximate to the sleeve and is electrically coupled to the microprocessor; and 
 a moisture sensor mounted on the tube and interposed between the inner wall and the outer wall of the tube, wherein the moisture sensor is positioned proximate to the sleeve and is electrically coupled to the microprocessor. 
 
 
     
     
         10 . The probe sensor of  claim 9 , further comprising a radio coupled to the microprocessor for receiving signals from the microprocessor and for transmitting the signals. 
     
     
         11 . The probe sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the non-metallic material is polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”). 
     
     
         12 . The probe sensor of  claim 9 , wherein the EC board includes temperature compensated phase locked loop (“PLL”) circuits to measure EC values of the medium. 
     
     
         13 . The probe sensor of  claim 9 , wherein the medium is soil. 
     
     
         14 . The probe sensor of  claim 9 , wherein the RF transformer is operative at a frequency of 4 Mhz. 
     
     
         15 . The probe sensor of  claim 9 , wherein the non-metallic material is plastic. 
     
     
         16 . The probe sensor of  claim 9 , wherein each sleeve is fabricated from stainless steel.