Piezocone Saturation Testing Instrument Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current apparatuses do not allow for the assessment of the degree of saturation of pressure sensor units in piezocones, which is crucial for accurate measurement of interstitial soil pressure, and existing solutions are not compact or easy to transport, limiting their usability in situ and during stratigraphic analysis.
Innovation Solution
A testing instrument comprising an annular structure with a chamber and membrane that generates a pressure pulse of known intensity to assess the saturation of the pressure sensor unit by comparing the acquired pressure value with the known pulse intensity, allowing for rapid and in situ evaluation before or after use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a testing instrument is designed to be compact and portable for in situ use, then ease of operation and transportability are improved, but measurement precision and assessment capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The testing instrument is designed with a compact nested structure where the pressure generation system, measurement components, and control elements are integrated within each other. The annular structure houses the chamber and membrane assembly, which can be collapsed or nested within the piezocone body when not in use, enabling portable transport while maintaining full measurement capability when deployed
Solution Approach 2:
A membrane is introduced as an intermediary element between the pressure generation system and the porous annular element. This membrane transmits pressure pulses from the testing instrument through the working liquid to the sensor unit, enabling accurate saturation assessment without requiring direct contact between the testing instrument components and the soil measurement system
2Reliability
If existing apparatuses are used to improve saturation, then saturation level is improved, but the ability to assess saturation level is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The testing instrument incorporates a feedback mechanism where the pressure transducer measures the pressure pulse transmitted through the sensor unit and compares it with the known applied pressure. This feedback loop provides real-time assessment of the saturation level by detecting pressure losses due to air bubbles, while the same instrument continues to function as a pressure generation device for saturation improvement
Solution Approach 2:
The testing instrument is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a pressure generation apparatus for improving saturation and as an assessment device for measuring saturation level. The same chamber, membrane, and pressure transducer system performs both saturation enhancement and evaluation functions, eliminating the need for separate apparatuses
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables rapid, in situ assessment of pressure sensor unit saturation, ensuring accurate interstitial pressure measurements and facilitating compact, easy transportation for use with piezocones during stratigraphic analysis.
Implementation Method 1
a pressurizer (5) adapted to be in fluid communication with said chamber (3) and configured to transmit a pressure pulse of predetermined intensity to said membrane (4) through the measuring liquid contained in said chamber (3)
Implementation Method 2
The sensor unit comprises a duct inside the piezocone, interposed between the porous annular element and the transducer so that the transducer can measure the pressure applied to the aforesaid surface portion
Implementation Method 3
The working liquid is at least partly in equilibrium with the interstitial liquid so that variations in the pressure of the interstitial liquid produce corresponding variations in the pressure of the working liquid and hence corresponding variations measured by the sensor unit
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
This invention has for its objects a testing instrument (1) for checking the degree of saturation of a pressure sensor unit (G) of a piezocone (P) and a method for performing the check.