Abstract:
A relative humidity measuring instrument includes two spaced electrodes on an insulating substrate which is mounted on a Peltier-effect thermoelectric module. When the substrate is cooled by the thermoelectric module, a comparator connected to the electrodes on the substrate detects a decrease in resistance between said electrodes due to condensation of moisture therebetween. Then a microcomputer receptive to temperature signals from a thermometer on the substrate and an ambient thermometer computes the relative humidity.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for determining the moisture content of different kinds of materials wherein electrodes having a voltage supplied thereto are applied to the material to be tested for providing a measuring current corresponding to the moisture content of the material. The measuring current is applied to an amplifier having a low-valued input resistance and the moisture content is determined by adjusting a scale graduated in moisture values in accordance with the output of the amplifier. A balancing device is provided for balancing the output of the amplifier and the scale is connected to the balancing device to indicate a balance position as the moisture content value. The amplifier is also provided with a device for converting the measuring current to a voltage corresponding to the logarithm of change in current and a device for providing temperature compensation.
Abstract:
A domestic soil-moisture indicator of the kind including a probe comprising a pair of electrodes with spaced ends for insertion in the soil whereby the resistance of the conductive path established between them by the soil to be tested varies in resistance with the moisture of the soil. The improvement comprises a control circuit responsive to the value of the variable resistance and including a pair of light-emitting devices, connected in such a way that the total power between them is substantially constant and, at one end of the scale of value of the variable resistance, one device is fully on and the other is off, while at the other end of the scale the one device is off and the other is fully on, the brightness of the two devices varying between these extremes for intermediate values. The light-emitting devices are preferably light-emitting diodes each of which is connected in series with one of a complementary pair of emitter-following transistors connected to the division point of a potential divider consisting of the variable soil resistance and a fixed resistance connected in series with one another across the source of supply.
Abstract:
A ground moisture testing and indicating device designed for quick and simple measurement of ground moisture by an untrained layman for use in connection with sowing seeds, transplanting saplings and young plants, and cultivating plants of all kinds by ascertaining the ground moisture at predetermined depths. The device is particularly useful in irrigated gardening and horticultural and agricultural farming. As conductivity of electrical current in soil varies with the content of moisture therein, the resistance of the soil is a direct function of the moisture content of the soil. The present device measures resistance of the soil at a given depth and thereby indicates the moisture of the soil at that point. A direct current voltage is generated to indicate such value by a suitable indicating device, such as a meter, a sound device utilizing a loudspeaker, or an earphone, or a visual device, such as a lamp or photodiode, etc., for detection and evaluation. The device includes a sensor at the lower end of a ground insertion rod, the sensor being connected to an electrical circuit with suitable indicating devices at the head end of the device. The ground inserting rod is provided with an adjustable depth control device for controlling the insertion whereby the soil moisture being tested may be that of the soil at the mean depth of the plant roots which is different for different plants at different stages of their growths. The head end of the testing device may be in the shape of a walking stick handle for facilitating insertion of the rod into the ground.
Abstract:
The disclosure relates to a method for controlling the moisture content of ore exiting from a drier and an apparatus for effecting the measurement of the moisture content. A portion of the ore exiting from the drier is diverted onto a conveyor to form a moving ore bed sample. The moisture content of this sample is measured by an apparatus which comprises a conductivity meter provided with a pair of electrodes having convex surfaces in contact with the moving surface of the ore sample. The electrodes are maintained a fixed relative distance apart to insure a constant amount of ore therebetween and thus an accurate relative measurement of the moisture content for different positions of the ore bed as the ore passes by the electrodes. The measurements are converted to signals which actuate control apparatus to effect any necessary adjustments in the drying process to maintain the moisture content of the ore within specified limits.
Abstract:
A method apparatus for determining the moisture content of wood by measurement of the impedance of the wood utilizing an alternating current electrode sensor connected to a shielded conductor with the shield being ungrounded and driven in phase with the conductor.
Abstract:
A drycleaning system which includes a washer for cleaning fabrics, a filter, conduit means interconnecting the washer and filter and a pump for circulating a volatile organic drycleaning solvent having a drycleaning detergent and water added thereto through the washer and filter. An impedance electrode is connected into the conduit means which is electrically connected to an impedance controller that controls a water supply unit for adding water to the drycleaning system. The impedance electrode means consists of a housing having a single concentric electrode positioned therein and a mounting means for holding said concentric electrode within the housing.