A device and method for installing a probe-type soil moisture meter in a borehole

Abstract

This invention provides a device and method for installing a probe-type soil moisture meter in a borehole. The device includes a pusher and a steel clamp, with the pusher located below the steel clamp and the two connected as a single unit. An operating rod is located at the top of the steel clamp, extending outside the borehole. An installation cylinder is connected to the lower side of the steel clamp, located outside the steel clamp, and the probe-type soil moisture meter is placed inside the installation cylinder. The pusher pushes the probe-type soil moisture meter through the installation cylinder. The probe-type soil moisture meter is connected to a data acquisition device via a cable. This invention allows for the longitudinal insertion of multiple probe-type soil moisture meters at different depths within the same borehole, saving manpower and resources and significantly reducing installation time. The installation device has low investment costs and is easy to install and connect. Installation of the probe-type soil moisture meter does not require personnel to go down into the borehole; all installation work is completed on the surface, making it safe, reliable, and convenient to operate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of geotechnical engineering monitoring technology, specifically relating to a device and method for installing a probe-type soil moisture meter in a borehole. Background Technology

[0002] Moisture content is one of the basic physical properties of soil, reflecting its wet and dry state and influencing its physical and mechanical properties. Therefore, in agricultural production, geological disaster prevention, engineering construction, and heritage preservation, it is often necessary to monitor changes in soil moisture content. This monitoring data is used to study the spatial distribution and migration patterns of moisture within the soil, and to conduct deformation analysis and stability evaluation. Among numerous moisture content instruments and methods, soil moisture sensors developed based on the dielectric method are widely used in engineering due to their advantages such as simplicity, safety, speed, accuracy, wide measurement range, and the ability to automate monitoring. Soil moisture meters based on the dielectric method can be divided into two types: direct contact probe type and non-contact probe type. The probe type 15-1 is a "point measurement type" and can be used for fixed-point measurement of moisture content in deep or shallow soil layers; the probe type is a "line measurement type" and is mainly used for sliding measurement of moisture content in shallow soil profiles. Currently, probe-type soil moisture meters are more commonly used in engineering. When using them, the soil moisture meter must first be installed at the monitoring location, and the probe is inserted into the soil layer being monitored.

[0003] Soil moisture meter installation methods are mainly divided into well installation and borehole installation. Well installation involves manually or mechanically excavating a well at the monitoring point using a Luoyang shovel. Installation personnel then descend into the well and create a trench in the sidewall at the monitoring depth, installing the soil moisture meter into the trench. While this method allows for the installation of soil moisture meters at different depths within the same well, the large well diameter can alter the permeability characteristics of the monitored soil layer. It also has disadvantages such as long construction time and high cost. Furthermore, the need for installation personnel to work inside the well presents challenges due to high labor intensity and safety. Additionally, the excavation depth of wells is limited; methods exceeding 40 meters are generally difficult to implement.

[0004] Currently, there are two main methods for drilling and burying soil moisture meters:

[0005] (1) Patents: ZL201210319811.9 and ZL201220443028.9 disclose a soil moisture meter installation device and installation method. The device includes an installation cylinder, a tamping plate, and an operating rod that can be installed on both the installation cylinder and the tamping plate. The operating rod is installed directly above the installation cylinder to form an installer, and the operating rod is installed directly above the tamping plate to form a tamper. The method includes the following steps: 1. Drilling the installation hole; 2. Waterproofing the data cable connector; 3. Installing the soil moisture meter: After the soil moisture meter is sent to the bottom of the installation hole using the installer, the probe is inserted downward into the soil to be measured using the operating rod; 4. Backfilling the installation hole: The installation hole is backfilled in layers, and after each layer of backfilling, the backfill soil is compacted using a tamper. This patent allows the probe of a soil moisture meter to be directly inserted into the monitoring soil layer at the bottom of a borehole. Only one soil moisture meter can be installed in the same borehole. When it is necessary to monitor the changes in soil moisture content at different depths, it is necessary to drill the same number of boreholes at different depths as the number of soil moisture meters to be installed. It is not possible to install multiple soil moisture meters at different depths in the same borehole, which will greatly increase the workload, labor intensity and installation cost.

[0006] (2) Patent ZL201310386168.6 discloses a method for drilling and burying a soil moisture meter. The method includes the following steps: 1. Drilling the burial hole; 2. Burying the soil moisture meter. The specific process is as follows: Sampling and preparation of installation soil sample: Take a soil sample at the burial location of the soil moisture meter and prepare an installation soil sample. The installation soil sample is a cylindrical soil column and its diameter is smaller than the diameter of the burial hole; Fixing the test element: Insert the probe set at the bottom of the test element into the upper part of the installation soil sample; Lowering the soil moisture meter and backfilling the burial hole: After the burial hole is backfilled to the burial location of the soil moisture meter, lower the installation soil sample with the test element fixed in place, and then backfill the burial hole. Although this patent enables the installation of multiple soil moisture meters within the same borehole, the probes of the installed soil moisture meters are not directly inserted into the monitored soil layer, but rather into the installed soil sample. The change in the moisture content of the monitored soil layer first diffuses and is transmitted to the backfill soil in the borehole, and then diffuses from the backfill soil to the installed soil sample. Finally, the moisture content of the installed soil sample is measured by the soil moisture meter to indirectly reflect the change in the moisture content of the monitored soil layer. Due to the differences in structure and material composition between the monitored soil layer, the installed soil sample, and the backfill soil, the moisture content monitoring data has a time lag and cannot accurately reflect the dynamic changes in the moisture content of the monitored soil layer. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide a device and method for installing a probe-type soil moisture meter in a borehole, thereby overcoming the aforementioned technical problems in the prior art.

[0008] Another objective of this invention is to provide a method for installing a probe-type soil moisture meter in a borehole, enabling the probe-type soil moisture meter to be installed at different depths of the monitored soil layer in a borehole of the same diameter.

[0009] Therefore, the technical solution provided by the present invention is as follows:

[0010] A device for installing a probe-type soil moisture meter in a borehole includes a pusher and a steel clamp. The pusher is located below the steel clamp and the two are connected as one unit. An operating rod is provided at the top of the steel clamp and extends outside the borehole. An installation cylinder is connected to the lower side of the steel clamp and is located outside the steel clamp. The probe-type soil moisture meter is placed inside the installation cylinder. The pusher pushes the probe-type soil moisture meter through the installation cylinder. The probe-type soil moisture meter is connected to a data acquisition device via a cable.

[0011] The thruster includes a pressure pump, a displacement sensor, and a reaction plate. The upper part of the inner wall of the reaction plate is connected to a steel clamp, and the middle part of the inner wall of the reaction plate is connected to the base of the pressure pump. The displacement sensor is electrically connected to a control system, the control system is electrically connected to a pressure control console, and the pressure control console is connected to the pressure pump.

[0012] The piston rod of the pressure pump is connected to the mounting cylinder, which pushes the probe-type soil moisture meter to insert into the soil. The displacement sensor is used to detect the displacement value of the piston rod.

[0013] The steel clamp includes a fixed plate, steel arms, and an operating rod. The fixed plate is semi-circular in shape. The steel arms are symmetrically arranged at both ends of the fixed plate to form a U-shaped clamp structure. The operating rod is installed at the arc-shaped apex of the fixed plate and includes multiple cylindrical connecting rods connected in sequence.

[0014] The piston rod of the pressure pump is connected to the mounting cylinder through a universal adjustable ball joint, and the two ends of the universal adjustable ball joint are threaded to the piston rod and the mounting cylinder, respectively.

[0015] The steel clamp is deformable on one side of the mounting cylinder. The displacement sensor is a pull-wire displacement gauge. A second support plate is connected to the lower part of the inner wall of the reaction plate. A first support plate is connected to the bottom of the mounting cylinder. A hose clamp is fixed on the first support plate. The pull-wire displacement gauge is fixed on the hose clamp. The pull head of the pull-wire displacement gauge is fixed on the second support plate.

[0016] The reaction plate is an arc-shaped sawtooth corrugated plate, and the inner vertical center of the reaction plate is thickened throughout.

[0017] The top side wall of the mounting cylinder has a wire groove, and the fixing plate has at least two round holes. Each pair of round holes forms a group and the straight line is parallel to the horizontal line. Each pair of round holes has a binding strap. The cable of the probe soil moisture meter passes through the wire groove and is fixed by the binding strap.

[0018] The outer wall tooth height of the reaction plate is 2-4 mm, and except for the thickened part in the middle, the distance from the inner wall to the tooth tip is 5-7 mm, and the tooth tip circle diameter is 120-180 mm.

[0019] A method for installing a probe-type soil moisture meter in a borehole includes the following steps:

[0020] Step 1) Install a probe-type soil moisture meter in a pre-drilled hole on the ground;

[0021] Step 2) Drill the borehole using dry drilling. Stop drilling when the borehole is 20-25cm below the deepest monitoring point.

[0022] Step 3) Install the probe-type soil moisture meter. The specific process is as follows:

[0023] Step 301: Continuously connect the operating rod at the top of the extended steel clamp, and stop lowering the steel clamp and pusher when they reach the monitoring depth at the bottom of the burial hole;

[0024] Step 302: Start the pressure pump, the piston rod pushes the installation cylinder, and drives the probe soil moisture meter to insert into the side wall of the burial hole;

[0025] Step 303: Raise the operating lever to lift the pusher to the ground and place the next probe-type soil moisture meter into the installation cylinder;

[0026] Step 304: Backfill the borehole with bentonite or clay until it reaches 20-25cm below the next monitoring depth;

[0027] Step 305: Repeat (2)-(4) until all probe soil moisture meters are installed;

[0028] Step 4) Backfilling the buried hole: Backfill the buried hole with bentonite or clay to the current ground level. During the backfilling process, the backfill soil 0-0.5m below the ground level should be compacted in layers. At the hole opening, a 25-35cm high anti-seepage layer should be built with cement and bentonite.

[0029] In step (2), during the process of inserting the probe-type soil moisture meter into the side wall of the burial hole, the displacement sensor detects the displacement of the installation cylinder in real time. When the displacement is equal to the probe length, the control system sends a signal to the pressure pump to make the piston move in the opposite direction.

[0030] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0031] This invention first uses an operating rod at the top of the steel clamp to lower the steel clamp and the pusher into the borehole. Then, the pusher inserts the probe-type soil moisture meter into the sidewall of the borehole (installation hole). This allows for the longitudinal insertion of multiple probe-type soil moisture meters at different depths within the same borehole, saving manpower and resources and significantly reducing installation time. The installation device has low investment costs and is easy to install and connect. No personnel need to go down into the well to install the probe-type soil moisture meter; all installation work is completed on the ground, making it safe, reliable, and convenient to operate.

[0032] This installation device monitors the advancing distance of the probe-type soil moisture meter by installing a wire-type displacement gauge under the pusher. This ensures that the probe is fully inserted into the soil on the side wall of the burial hole, preventing insufficient probe insertion depth from causing poor fixation of the soil moisture meter. This would prevent the soil moisture meter from falling or shifting during subsequent backfilling, affecting the accuracy of data monitoring. It also prevents the pusher from being pushed too far, which could damage the waterproof shell of the soil moisture meter and cause damage to the internal electronic components.

[0033] This invention features an arc-shaped reaction plate at the bottom of the thruster. During the thrusting process, if one end of the reaction plate contacts the sidewall of the borehole first, it can be self-balanced to bring the other end of the reaction plate into contact with the sidewall of the borehole, keeping the thruster horizontal. The reaction plate is a serrated corrugated plate, and the outer serrations of the reaction plate can embed into the soil of the borehole sidewall during the thrusting process, ensuring the stability of the thrusting process. At the same time, the thruster is equipped with a universal adjustable ball joint, which can transmit horizontal thrust to the mounting cylinder even if the pressure pump side is not kept horizontal during the thrusting process. This avoids angular displacement of the thruster during the thrusting of the probe-type soil moisture meter, which could cause deviation in the position of the soil moisture meter inserted into the soil, ensuring that the probe is horizontally inserted into the sidewall of the borehole.

[0034] All parts of this invention are detachable and connectable, making it easy to carry. If any part is damaged, it can be disassembled and replaced for continued use. If the probe soil moisture meter model is different, only the mounting cylinder needs to be replaced for use, which is convenient, quick, and saves time and effort. Attached Figure Description

[0035] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 2 This is a top view of one implementation of the thruster;

[0037] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the construction process of installing the probe-type soil moisture meter according to the present invention;

[0038] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the data monitoring status after the installation of the probe-type soil moisture meter according to the present invention.

[0039] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of the method of the present invention.

[0040] In the diagram: 1. Steel clamp; 1-1. Fixing plate; 1-2. Operating lever; 1-3. Steel arm; 2. Binding strap; 3. Bolt; 4-1. First air inlet pipe; 4-2. Second air inlet pipe; 5. Quick-connect air hose; 5-1. Quick-connect air hose - male; 5-2. Quick-connect air hose - female; 6. Pressure pump; 6-1. Piston cover; 6-2. Piston rod; 6-3. First air chamber; 6-4. Pneumatic piston; 6-5. Second air chamber; 7. Sealing ring; 8. Reaction plate; 9. Cross-head screw; 10. Piston base; 11. Universal adjustable ball joint 11-1 Connector; 12. Spherical rotating head; 12. Pull-wire displacement gauge; 12-1. Pull head; 12-2. First cable; 13. Hose clamp; 14. Mounting cylinder; 15. Probe-type soil moisture meter; 15-1. Probe; 15-2. Second cable; 16-1. First support plate; 16-2. Second support plate; 17. Wire trough; 18. Ground; 19. Data acquisition unit; 20. Pressure control console; 21. Pressure gauge; 22. Gas storage tank; 23. Control system; 24. Buried hole; 25. Propeller; 26. Backfill soil; 27. Impermeable layer. Detailed Implementation

[0041] The following specific embodiments illustrate the implementation of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the content disclosed in this specification.

[0042] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. These embodiments are provided to fully and completely disclose the invention and to fully convey its scope to those skilled in the art. The terminology used in the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings is not intended to limit the invention. In the drawings, the same units / elements are referred to by the same reference numerals.

[0043] Unless otherwise stated, the terms used herein (including technical terms) have their common meaning as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, it is understood that terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be understood to have a meaning consistent with the context of their relevant field, and not to be interpreted as having an idealized or overly formal meaning.

[0044] Example 1

[0045] This embodiment provides a device for installing a probe-type soil moisture meter in a borehole, such as... Figure 1As shown, the device includes a pusher 25 and a steel clamp 1. The pusher 25 is located below the steel clamp 1 and the two are connected as one unit. The top of the steel clamp 1 is provided with an operating rod 1-2, which extends outside the borehole. An installation cylinder 14 is connected to the lower side of the steel clamp 1. The installation cylinder 14 is located outside the steel clamp 1 and a probe-type soil moisture meter 15 is placed inside the installation cylinder 14. The pusher 25 pushes the probe-type soil moisture meter 15 through the installation cylinder 14. The probe-type soil moisture meter 15 is connected to a data acquisition device 19 through a cable.

[0046] This invention first uses the operating rod 1-2 at the top of the steel clamp 1 to lower the steel clamp 1 and the pusher 25 into the borehole. Then, the pusher 25 inserts the probe-type soil moisture meter 15 into the side wall of the borehole (embedded hole 24). This allows for the longitudinal insertion of multiple probe-type soil moisture meters 15 at different depths within the same borehole, saving manpower and resources and significantly reducing the installation time of the probe-type soil moisture meters 15. The installation device has low investment costs and is easy to install and connect. Installing the probe-type soil moisture meters 15 does not require personnel to go down into the well; all installation work is completed on the ground 18, making it safe, reliable, and convenient to operate.

[0047] Example 2

[0048] Based on Embodiment 1, this embodiment provides a device for installing a probe-type soil moisture meter in a borehole. The pusher 25 includes a pressure pump 6, a displacement sensor, and a reaction plate 8. The upper part of the inner wall of the reaction plate 8 is connected to a steel clamp 1, and the middle part of the inner wall of the reaction plate 8 is connected to the base of the pressure pump. The displacement sensor is electrically connected to a control system 23, the control system 23 is electrically connected to a pressure control console 20, and the pressure control console 20 is connected to the pressure pump.

[0049] The piston rod 6-2 of the pressure pump 6 is connected to the mounting cylinder 14, which pushes the probe-type soil moisture meter 15 into the soil. The displacement sensor is used to detect the displacement value of the piston rod 6-2.

[0050] like Figure 1 As shown, the pressure pump 6 has an internal cavity with a pneumatic piston 6-4 in the center. The outer wall of the pneumatic piston contains a sealing ring 7. The pneumatic piston 6-4 divides the internal cavity of the pressure pump 6 into two independent, closed pressure chambers: a first chamber 6-3 and a second chamber 6-5. Both chambers 6-3 and 6-5 have openings in their side walls for connecting air inlet pipes. The pressure pump 6 has a piston rod 6-2 at its center. One end of the piston rod 6-2 is inserted into the pneumatic piston 6-4, and the other end passes through the piston cover 6-1 and extends out of the pressure pump 6. A pressure gauge 21 is connected to the pressure control console.

[0051] This invention uses pressure to push the piston rod 6-2, advancing the probe-type soil moisture meter 15. The probe 15-1 of the probe-type soil moisture meter 15 is then inserted into the soil on the side wall of the burial hole 24. Finally, the probe-type soil moisture meter 15 is fixed in the burial hole 24 at a predetermined monitoring depth. During the insertion of the probe-type soil moisture meter 15 into the side wall of the burial hole 24, a displacement sensor detects the displacement of the mounting cylinder 14 in real time. When the displacement is equal to the length of the probe 15-1, the control system 23 sends a signal to the pressure pump, causing the piston to move in the opposite direction.

[0052] Example 3

[0053] Based on Example 1, this example provides a device for installing a probe-type soil moisture meter in a borehole, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the steel clamp 1 includes a fixed plate 1-1, a steel arm 1-3, and an operating rod 1-2. The fixed plate 1-1 is semi-circular in shape. The steel arm 1-3 is symmetrically arranged at both ends of the fixed plate 1-1 to form a U-shaped clamp structure. The operating rod 1-2 is installed at the arc-shaped apex of the fixed plate 1-1. The operating rod 1-2 includes multiple cylindrical connecting rods connected in sequence.

[0054] The operating lever 1-2 is composed of multiple cylindrical segmented connecting rods. Each segment has a threaded bottom, allowing for connection of several connecting rods. The top of the steel arm 1-3 is fixed to the fixing plate 1-1 by bolts 3, and the bottom of the steel arm 1-3 is fixed to the bottom of the mounting cylinder 14 and the inside of the reaction plate 8 by bolts 3. The fixing block and the steel arm 1-3 form a U-shaped clamp structure. The steel clamp 1 and the pusher 25 are connected as a whole by the bolts 3 at the bottom of the steel arm 1-3, resulting in good stability.

[0055] Example 4

[0056] Based on Example 2, this example provides a device for installing a probe-type soil moisture meter in a borehole. The piston rod 6-2 of the pressure pump 6 is connected to the mounting cylinder 14 through a universal adjustable ball joint 11. The two ends of the universal adjustable ball joint 11 are threadedly connected to the piston rod 6-2 and the mounting cylinder 14, respectively.

[0057] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, one end of the piston rod 6-2 extending outside the pressure pump 6 is threadedly connected to the universal adjustable ball joint 11. The universal adjustable ball joint 11 contains a ball rotating head 11-1. The distance between the ball rotating head 11-1 and the inner wall of the nut can be adjusted by turning the outer nut, thereby controlling the degree of rotation of the ball rotating head 11-1. This ensures that the ball rotating head 11-1 can rotate freely within a certain range during the advancement process, making the advancement process more flexible and reliable. It also prevents the propeller 25 from undergoing angular displacement during the advancement of the probe-type soil moisture meter 15, which could cause deviations in the insertion position of the probe-type soil moisture meter 15 into the soil.

[0058] The piston rod 6-2 extends out of the pressure pump 6 and has a threaded rod at one end. The spherical rotating head 11-1 has an internal threaded hole. The threaded rod and the internal threaded hole are matched. The piston rod 6-2 and the universal adjustable spherical joint 11 can be connected as a whole through the threaded connection.

[0059] Example 5

[0060] Based on Example 2, this example provides a device for installing a probe-type soil moisture meter in a borehole, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the steel clamp 1 and the mounting cylinder 14 are deformable on one side. The displacement sensor is a pull-wire displacement gauge 12. The lower part of the inner wall of the reaction plate 8 is connected to a second support plate 16-2. The bottom of the mounting cylinder 14 is connected to a first support plate 16-1. A hose clamp 13 is fixed on the first support plate 16-1. The pull-wire displacement gauge 12 is fixed on the hose clamp 13. The pull head 12-1 of the pull-wire displacement gauge 12 is fixed on the second support plate 16-2.

[0061] In this embodiment, the steel arm 1-3 is a rectangular steel bar with a certain bending deformation capability. When the pusher 25 pushes, the steel arm 1-3 connected to the mounting cylinder 14 deforms, and at the same time, the wire displacement gauge 12 installed at the bottom of the mounting cylinder 14 moves synchronously, generating displacement.

[0062] Example 6

[0063] Based on Example 3, this example provides a device for installing a probe-type soil moisture meter in a borehole. The reaction plate 8 is an arc-shaped sawtooth corrugated plate, and the inner vertical middle part of the reaction plate 8 is thickened throughout.

[0064] The outer wall tooth height of the reaction plate 8 is 2-4 mm, and except for the thickened part in the middle, the distance from the inner wall to the tooth tip is 5-7 mm, and the tooth tip circle diameter is 120-180 mm.

[0065] like Figure 2As shown, the reaction plate 8 is a sawtooth corrugated plate with an overall thin-walled arc shape. The inner center of the reaction plate 8 is vertically thickened to facilitate the piston base 10's tight fit against the inner wall of the reaction plate 8. Two threaded holes are vertically formed in the center of the reaction plate 8, which are then fixed to the piston base 10 using cross-slot screws 9, thus connecting the reaction plate 8 and the pressure pump as a whole. The drilling diameter is 120–180 mm, corresponding one-to-one with the tooth tip circle diameter of 120–180 mm; that is, a tooth tip circle diameter of 120 mm corresponds to a drilling diameter of 120 mm, with 120 mm being the preferred diameter.

[0066] In this embodiment, an arc-shaped reaction plate 8 is set at the bottom of the thruster 25. If one end of the reaction plate 8 contacts the side wall of the borehole 24 during the thrusting process, the other end of the reaction plate 8 can be brought into contact with the side wall of the borehole 24 through self-balancing, so that the thruster 25 remains horizontal as a whole. The reaction plate 8 is a sawtooth corrugated plate. During the thrusting process, the outer sawtooth of the reaction plate 8 can be embedded in the soil of the borehole side wall to ensure the stability of the thrusting process.

[0067] Example 7

[0068] Based on Embodiment 3, this embodiment provides a device for installing a probe-type soil moisture meter in a borehole. The top side wall of the mounting cylinder 14 has a wire groove 17. The fixing plate 1-1 has at least two round holes, each pair of round holes forming a group and the straight line is parallel to the horizontal line. Each pair of round holes has a binding strap 2. The cable of the probe-type soil moisture meter 15 passes through the wire groove 17 and is fixed by the binding strap 2.

[0069] like Figure 2 As shown, the mounting cylinder 14 is an open cylinder with a partial protrusion at the bottom and an internal threaded hole. The end of the universal adjustable ball joint has a threaded rod and is fixed to the bottom of the mounting cylinder 14 by a threaded connection. The probe-type soil moisture meter 15 is placed inside the mounting cylinder 14. The mounting cylinder 14 has a wire groove 17 on the top side wall. The second cable 15-2 of the probe-type soil moisture meter 15 extends out of the mounting cylinder 14 through the wire groove 17 and is connected to the ground 18.

[0070] like Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, the fixing plate 1-1 is a solid semi-circular disc with two circular holes in the middle. The diameter of the circular holes is preferably 15-20mm. These holes are used to fix the first cable 12-2 of the displacement sensor, the first air inlet pipe 4-1 and the second air inlet pipe 4-2 of the pressure pump with the binding strap 2. The top of the fixing plate 1-1 has an internal threaded hole that cooperates with the threaded rod at the bottom of the operating rod 1-2 to connect the fixing plate 1-1 and the operating rod 1-2.

[0071] Example 8

[0072] This embodiment provides a method for installing a probe-type soil moisture meter in a borehole, such as... Figure 5As shown, it includes the following steps:

[0073] Step 1) Install a probe-type soil moisture meter device in the pre-drilled boreholes on the ground; such as Figure 3 As shown;

[0074] Step 101: Fix the mounting cylinder 14, universal adjustable ball joint and pressure pump by threaded connection, insert and tighten the cross-slot screw 9 to fix the reaction plate 8, tighten the bolt 3 to fix the first support plate 16-1 to the bottom of the mounting cylinder 14, fix the second support plate 16-2 to the inside of the reaction plate 8, tighten the hose clamp 13 to fix the pull wire displacement gauge 12 to the first support plate 16-1, fix the pull head 12-1 to the second support plate 16-2, and fix the quick connector-female head 5-2 of the air pipe to the side wall of the pressure pump;

[0075] Step 102: The operating lever 1-2 is connected to the top of the fixed plate 1-1, and the two steel arms 1-3 are fixed to the fixed plate 1-1 by bolts 3. The steel clamp 1 and the pusher 25 are connected as a whole by the bottom bolts 3 of the steel arms 1-3.

[0076] Step 103: Insert the quick-connect male connector 5-1 into the quick-connect female connector 5-2. Secure the first air inlet pipe 4-1, the second air inlet pipe 4-2, and the first cable 12-2 to the two round holes of the fixing plate 1-1 using the cable tie 2. Insert the probe soil moisture meter 15 into the mounting cylinder 14. Pass the second cable 15-2 through the wire groove 17. Operate the pressure control console 20 to depressurize the second air chamber 6-5 and then pressurize the first air chamber 6-3. Push the pneumatic piston 6-4 to the bottom of the pressure pump.

[0077] The first air chamber 6-3 and the second air chamber 6-5 both have internal threaded holes on their side walls. The quick-connect female air pipe 5-2 is fixed to the side wall of the pressure pump by threaded connection and communicates with the internal air chamber. The quick-connect male air pipe 5-1 is inserted into the quick-connect male air pipe 4-2 and connected to the air inlet pipe. This quick-connect can connect or disconnect the first air inlet pipe 4-1, the second air inlet pipe 4-2 and the internal air chamber without tools. It is detachable and easy to operate and carry.

[0078] Step 2) Drill and install hole 24 using dry drilling. Stop drilling when the hole is 20-25cm below the deepest monitoring point.

[0079] To ensure the stability of the original strata and soil properties, borehole 24 was drilled using dry drilling to prevent changes in the original physical and mechanical properties of the soil. During the drilling process, original soil samples were retained at each monitoring depth.

[0080] Step 3) Install the probe-type soil moisture meter 15. The specific process is as follows:

[0081] Step 301: Continuously connect the operating rods 1-2 at the top of the extended steel clamp 1, and stop lowering the steel clamp 1 and the pusher 25 when they reach the monitoring depth at the bottom of the burial hole 24;

[0082] The operator lowers the steel clamp 1 and the pusher 25 into the burial hole 24 by continuously connecting the operating rod 1-2. At the same time, the operator pulls the second cable 15-2 to ensure that the probe soil moisture meter 15 does not fall out of the installation cylinder 14 during the lowering process. Every certain distance, the operator uses the binding strap 2 to fix the first air inlet pipe 4-1 of the pressure pump, the second air inlet pipe 4-2, and the first cable 12-2 of the pull wire displacement meter 12. The lowering is stopped when the operator reaches the monitoring depth at the bottom of the burial hole 24.

[0083] Step 302: Start the pressure pump. The piston rod 6-2 pushes the mounting cylinder 14, which in turn drives the probe soil moisture meter 15 to be inserted into the side wall of the burial hole 24.

[0084] The pressure control console 20 depressurizes the first air chamber 6-3 and then pressurizes the second air chamber 6-5, pushing the piston rod 6-2 into the mounting cylinder 14. At the same time, the control system 23 monitors the displacement value of the wire displacement gauge 12 in real time. When the displacement increment reaches the length of the probe 15-1, the pressurization of the second air chamber 6-5 is stopped. At this time, the probe soil moisture meter 15 is fixed to the predetermined monitoring depth. Then, the pressure in the second air chamber 6-5 is depressurized, and the pressure in the first air chamber 6-3 is pressurized, pushing the pneumatic piston 6-4 to the bottom of the pressure pump. The pressure control console 20 is connected to the air storage tank 22.

[0085] Step 303: Lift the operating lever 1-2 to raise the pusher 25 to the ground 18, and place the next probe soil moisture meter 15 into the mounting cylinder 14;

[0086] Step 304: Backfill bentonite or clay into the buried hole 24 until it reaches 20-25cm below the next monitoring depth;

[0087] Step 305: Repeat (2)-(4) until all probe soil moisture meters 15 are installed;

[0088] Step 4) Backfilling the buried hole 24: Backfill the buried hole 24 with bentonite or clay to the current ground level 18. During the backfilling process, the backfill soil 26 0-0.5m below the ground level 18 should be compacted in layers to ensure that the density of the compacted backfill soil 26 is not less than the density of the soil surrounding the buried hole 24. At the opening of the buried hole 24, construct a 25-35cm high impermeable layer 27 using cement and bentonite. Connect the second cable 15-2 of all probe-type soil moisture meters 15 to the data acquisition system to monitor the changes in soil moisture content at different depths. Figure 4 As shown.

[0089] The above examples are merely illustrative of the present invention and do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of the present invention. All designs that are the same as or similar to the present invention are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An apparatus for installing a probe-type soil moisture meter in a borehole, characterised in that: The device comprises a propeller and a steel clamp, the propeller is arranged below the steel clamp and connected as a whole, the top of the steel clamp is provided with an operating rod which extends outside the borehole, the lower side of the steel clamp is connected with a mounting cylinder which is arranged outside the steel clamp, a probe soil moisture meter is placed in the mounting cylinder, the propeller drives the probe soil moisture meter through the mounting cylinder, and the probe soil moisture meter is connected with a data collector through a cable; The propeller comprises a pressure pump, a displacement sensor and a counterforce plate, the inner wall of the counterforce plate is connected with the steel clamp at the upper part, the inner wall of the counterforce plate is connected with the base of the pressure pump at the middle part, the displacement sensor is electrically connected with a control system, the control system is electrically connected with a pressure control console, and the pressure control console is connected with the pressure pump. The piston rod of the pressure pump is connected with the mounting cylinder to push the probe soil moisture meter into the soil, and the displacement sensor is used to detect the displacement value of the piston rod.

2. A device for installing a probe-type soil moisture meter in a borehole according to claim 1, characterised in that: The steel clamp comprises a fixed plate, a steel arm and an operating rod, the fixed plate is a semicircular disc, the steel arm is symmetrically arranged at both ends of the fixed plate to form a U-shaped clamp structure, and the operating rod is installed at the circular arc vertex of the fixed plate.

3. A device for installing a probe-type soil moisture meter in a borehole according to claim 1, characterised in that: The piston rod of the pressure pump is connected with the mounting cylinder through a universal adjustable spherical joint, and the two ends of the universal adjustable spherical joint are respectively threadedly connected with the piston rod and the mounting cylinder.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: The steel clamp and one side of the mounting cylinder are deformable, the displacement sensor is a wire type displacement meter, the lower part of the inner wall of the counterforce plate is connected with a second supporting plate, the bottom of the mounting cylinder is connected with a first supporting plate, a thimble is fixed on the first supporting plate, the wire type displacement meter is fixed on the thimble, and the puller of the wire type displacement meter is fixed on the second supporting plate.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: The counterforce plate is a circular arc sawtooth-shaped corrugated plate, and the vertical middle part of the inner side of the counterforce plate is thickened.

6. A device for installing a probe-type soil moisture meter in a borehole according to claim 2, characterised in that: A wire groove is formed in the top side wall of the mounting cylinder, at least two circular holes are formed in the fixed plate, each two circular holes form a group and the straight line where the two circular holes are located is parallel to the horizontal line, a binding belt is arranged in each two circular holes, and the cable of the probe soil moisture meter is fixed through the binding belt after being taken out of the wire groove.

7. A device for installing a probe-type soil moisture meter in a borehole according to claim 5, characterised in that: The tooth height of the outer side wall of the counterforce plate is 2-4 mm, the distance from the inner wall to the tooth top is 5-7 mm except the middle thickened part, and the tooth top circle diameter is 120-180 mm.

8. A method of installing a probe-type soil moisture meter in a borehole, characterised by, The device comprises the following steps: Step 1) installing the probe soil moisture meter device in the borehole on the ground according to claim 2; Step 2) drilling and embedding a hole, adopting dry work hole forming, and stopping drilling when drilling to 20-25 cm below the deepest monitoring point; Step 3) installing the probe soil moisture meter, and the specific process is as follows: Step 301, continuously connecting and extending the operating rod at the top of the steel clamp, and lowering the steel clamp and the propeller to the bottom end of the embedded hole to stop lowering when the monitoring depth is reached; Step 302, starting the pressure pump, the piston rod drives the mounting cylinder, and the probe soil moisture meter is inserted into the sidewall of the embedded hole; Step 303, lifting the operating rod, lifting the propeller to the ground, and placing the next probe soil moisture meter in the mounting cylinder; Step 304, backfilling bentonite or clay into the buried hole until reaching 20-25 cm below the next monitoring depth; Step 305, repeating steps 302-304 until all the installed probe soil moisture meters are installed; Step 4) backfilling the buried hole: backfilling the buried hole with bentonite or clay to the present ground level, and during the backfilling process, the backfilling soil 0-0.5 m below the ground level is compacted layer by layer, and a 25-35 cm high anti-seepage layer is built at the position of the buried hole opening by using cement and bentonite.

9. A method of installing a probe-type soil moisture meter in a borehole according to claim 8, characterised in that: In step 302, during the process of inserting the probe soil moisture meter into the side wall of the buried hole, the displacement sensor detects the displacement of the installation cylinder in real time, and when the displacement amount is equal to the length of the probe, the control system sends a signal to the pressure pump to move the piston in the opposite direction.

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