Description:FORM 2
The Patent Act 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patent Rules, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(SEE SECTION 10 AND RULE 13)

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

“APPARATUS FOR TESTING SOIL”

APPLICANTS:
Name : ARKASHINE INNOVATIONS PVT. LTD.

Nationality : INDIAN

Address : No. 9-12-226, 11th Cross, Bhavani Rice Mill Road, Vidyanagar Colony, Bidar, Karnataka - 585403

The following specification particularly describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:-

FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present disclosure relates to soil testing, and more specifically related to an apparatus for testing soil to provide accurate and complete analysis of soil attributes.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] Measurement of greenhouse gases (e.g., carbon dioxide CO2 and methane CH4) emitted from soils plays an important role in monitoring global climate change. Gas phase constituents in soil gas are basically subsurface organic contaminants and byproducts of degradation thereof. For example, by measuring mass flux of carbon dioxide (CO2), losses of light nonaqueous (LNAPL) phase liquids, a common degradation product, through natural attenuation processes can be obtained.
[0003] Developments were made in the past to form a soil flux chamber wherein gas emissions from the soil are trapped inside a closed chamber and are analyzed for measurement. United States Patent No.: US6692970B2 discloses a gas efflux measuring assembly comprising a measuring chamber and an inspection system. Gases emitted by the soil under the chamber are moved to the inspection system for analysis and the inspection system also receives reference gas from a ballast tank. A data analysis system analysis the mixed air to determine the gas concentration. However, the conditions inside the chamber are not same as those outside the chamber, and therefore, there is a high chance of getting erroneous results.
[0004] United States Patent No.: US7748253B2 discloses a soil flux measurement system comprising a soil flux chamber for trapping gases emitted by soil and a gas analyzer for analyzing the gases. The chamber is provided with a vent configured to create same static pressure that the soil surface experiences in natural conditions without being sensitive to wind direction or magnitude. However, the conventional systems are not capable of conducting a comprehensive analysis of soil.
[0005] Hence, there is still a need for solution for conducting a comprehensive analysis of soil attributes and providing accurate and consistent results irrespective of the environmental conditions.
OBJECT OF INVENTION
[0006] The principal object of the embodiments herein is to provide an apparatus for testing soil to provide comprehensive, consistent and highly accurate analysis of physical, chemical and biological attributes of soil irrespective of environmental conditions.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0007] Accordingly, embodiments herein disclose an apparatus for testing soil, comprising a tubular support, an enclosure, a sealing means, a detection module and an output unit. The tubular support is capable of forming an air tight contact with a soil surface when placed on the soil surface. The enclosure is formed with an open bottom end and is capable of forming a soil flux chamber when placed on a top end of the tubular support.
[0008] The sealing means is provided at the bottom end of the enclosure and/or the top end of the tubular support and is capable of forming an air tight seal between the bottom end of the enclosure and the top end of the tubular support. The detection module is capable of detecting physical, chemical and biological attributes of soil to be tested. The detection module includes sensors capable of sensing different soil parameters and at least one microcontroller capable of controlling each sensor and receiving and processing readings from each sensor. The output unit outputs the detected attributes as test results.
[0009] The enclosure includes at least one fan capable of circulating air trapped in the soil flux chamber. The fan is movable and/or rotatable with respect to the enclosure, wherein the microcontroller is capable of controlling a movement and/or rotation of the fan.
[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the sensors include a first set of sensors capable of sensing different parameters of soil external to the soil flux chamber and a second set of sensors capable of sensing different parameters of soil within the soil flux chamber. The parameters include temperature, moisture, color, organic carbon content, acidity level, electromagnetic radiation, soil density, soil porosity, soil acidity, type of soil, cation exchange capacity (CEC), wind velocity, wind direction, electrical conductivity and concentration of carbon dioxide, oxygen, methane, nitrous oxide, nitrogen dioxide, ammonia and other greenhouse gases.
[0011] In one embodiment, one location module obtains location coordinates of the soil surface.
[0012] In one embodiment, a harrow member is provided with at least one tip capable of piercing through the soil surface, wherein at least one of the sensors is provided at each tip. An actuator mechanism capable of moving the harrow member in a spiral path is provided. The actuator mechanism includes a guide member, a vertical member, a first actuator and a second actuator. The guide member extends between a longitudinal axis and an inner side circumference of the enclosure. The vertical member is attached to one end of the guide member. A first actuator is movably coupled to the guide member, wherein the harrow member is attached to the first actuator and the first actuator is movable to and fro along the guide member. The second actuator is capable of rotating the guide member with respect to the longitudinal axis.

[0013] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the scope thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0014] The method and the system are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
FIGURE 1 shows an exploded perspective view of the apparatus for testing soil, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIGURE 2 shows a block diagram of a detection module of the apparatus;
FIGURE 3 shows a schematic view of the apparatus, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and
FIGURE 4 shows a top view of a spiral path of a harrow member of the apparatus of FIGURE 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0015] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. Also, the various embodiments described herein are not necessarily mutually exclusive, as some embodiments can be combined with one or more other embodiments to form new embodiments. The term “or” as used herein, refers to a non-exclusive or, unless otherwise indicated. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein can be practiced and to further enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0016] FIGURE 1 shows a block diagram of the apparatus for testing soil, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus (1) comprises a tubular support (10), an enclosure (20), a sealing means (40), a detection module (30) and an output unit (50). The tubular support (10) is capable of forming an air tight contact with a soil surface when placed on the soil surface. The tubular support (10) is as a tube-like structure with both top and bottom ends (10a, 10b) open and formed of a solid material such as plastics, metal, wood and the like. Preferably, cross section of the tubular support (10) is formed as a circle. Alternatively, the cross section can be polygonal, oval and the like.
[0017] The bottom end (10b) of the tubular support (10) is configured to form an air tight contact with a soil surface when placed on the soil surface, wherein the bottom end (10b) is inserted into the soil surface to a predetermined depth. Preferably, one or more ridges are formed at a predetermined height from the bottom end (10b), such that ridges provide a resistance against downward movement of the bottom end (10b) into the soil surface when the bottom end (10b) is inserted into the soil surface to the predetermined depth. Alternatively, the tubular support (10) can be formed with any conventional means that provides a resistance against the downward movement after the bottom end (10b) reaches a desired depth. The resistance acts as an indication to a user placing the tubular support (10) on the soil surface or a feedback based actuator mechanism pressing the tubular support (10) against the soil surface.
[0018] The enclosure (20) is formed with an open bottom end (20a) that matches with the top end (10a) of the tubular support (10), such that the enclosure (20) forms a soil flux chamber when placed on the top end (10a) of the tubular support (10). Preferably, the enclosure (20) is formed of a solid material. More preferably, the enclosure (20) is formed of the same material as the tubular support (10). The sealing means (40) e.g. gasket, is provided at the bottom end (20a) of the enclosure (20) and/or the top end (10a) of the tubular support (10) and is capable of forming an air tight seal between the bottom end (20a) of the enclosure (20) and the top end (109a) of the tubular support (10).
[0019] The detection module (30) is capable of detecting physical, chemical and biological attributes of soil to be tested. As shown in FIGURE 2, the detection module (30) includes sensors (31) capable of sensing different soil parameters and at least one microcontroller (32) capable of controlling each sensor (31) and receiving and processing readings from each sensor (31). The sensors (31) can include but not limited to temperature sensor, pressure sensor, wind velocity sensor, wind direction sensor, moisture sensor, spectral sensor, gas sensor, acidity (pH) sensor, ultraviolet sensor, imaging sensor, infrared sensor and imaging sensor.
[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the sensors (31) include a first set of sensors (31a) capable of sensing different parameters of soil external to the soil flux chamber and a second set of sensors (31b) capable of sensing different parameters of soil within the soil flux chamber. More preferably, the first set of sensors (31a) are at least partially exposed to an environment external to the soil flux chamber, while the second set of sensors (31b) are at least partially exposed to the soil flux chamber.
[0021] The sensors (31) are strategically located inside/outside the soil flux chamber for accurate sensing of the parameters. Preferably, to accurately measure gases concentration, the sensors (31) for sensing gases are at the circumference and at top of the enclosure (20).
[0022] The microcontroller (32) is programmed to receive and process the sensor readings to determine the soil parameters. Preferably, the microcontroller (32) uses the readings from the sensors (31a) exposed to the external environment as reference values while determining the soil parameters. The soil parameters can include but not limited to temperature, moisture, color, organic carbon content, wind velocity, electromagnetic radiation, soil density, soil porosity, soil acidity, respiration rate, soil flux, type of soil, cation exchange capacity (CEC), wind direction, acidity level, electrical conductivity and concentration of carbon dioxide, oxygen, methane, nitrous oxide, nitrogen dioxide, ammonia and other greenhouse gases. Furthermore, the microcontroller (32) is programmed to obtain the physical, chemical and biological attributes of the soil from the determined soil parameters. For example, the microcontroller (32) analyses the very near infrared image of the soil surface and determines the concentration of macronutrients such nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous, present in the soil. By this way, the present invention is capable of obtaining the chemical (e.g. macronutrients), physical (e.g. pH level, temperature, moisture level) and biological attributes (e.g. microbial activity) of the soil and thereby providing a comprehensive analysis of the soil.
[0023] The output unit (50) receives and outputs the detected attributes as test results. In a preferred embodiment, the output unit (50) includes a display unit for displaying the test results to the user. Alternatively, the output unit (50) may include a printing unit for printing the test results on a printing medium such as paper, a transceiver unit for transmitting the test results to a user device such as mobile phone, desktop computer, laptop computer and the like, in the form of a short message service (SMS) message, multimedia message service (MMS) message, instant messaging, mobile application notification and the like, through a wired or wireless means. Furthermore, the output unit (50) may also be communicatively connected to a database for storing the test results and for further processing such as in a recommendation system as disclosed in Indian Patent Application No.: 202343034432.
[0024] In one embodiment, one location module such as GPS device, is provided to obtain location coordinates of the soil surface, wherein the microcontroller (32) links the location coordinates, date and time of testing to the test results, which allows to easy tracking of the changes in soil parameters of a huge landscape over a period of time. Though not explicitly disclosed, it is to be understood that sensors and output unit (50) are communicatively connected to the microcontroller (32) through any conventional wired or wireless means. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the apparatus (1) is provided with a power supply connected to a power source such as batter and AC mains, for providing power supply to the electrical components present in the apparatus (1). Still further, the apparatus (1) can include an input device such as keypad, touchpad, touchscreen and switch, for inputting data or command to the microcontroller (32).
[0025] The enclosure (20) includes at least one fan (21, shown in FIGURE 2) capable of circulating air trapped in the soil flux chamber. The fan (21) is movable and/or rotatable with respect to the enclosure (20), wherein the microcontroller (32) is capable of controlling a speed, movement and/or rotation of the fan (21). In one embodiment, a first fan (21) is fixed to an underside of the enclosure (20) and is rotatable with respect to the enclosure (20), and a second fan (21) is vertically movable with respect to the enclosure (20). For example, the first fan (21) is fixed to a rotation mechanism provided at the underside of the enclosure (2), while the second fan (21) is coupled to a lifting mechanism or any other conventional means such as wheel and guiding track, provided at the underside of the enclosure (20).
[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the microcontroller (32) controls speed, movement and/or rotation of each fan (21) based on the wind velocity and direction readings received from the first set of sensors (31a). By this way, the present invention is capable of maintaining the conditions inside the soil chamber to be virtually same as those external to the soil chamber, and thus enabling accurate and consistent analysis of physical, chemical and biological attributes of the soil irrespective of environmental conditions.
[0027] While measuring gases, the microcontroller (32) controls the fan (21), such that the fan (21) positioned at a top of the chamber to facilitate an initial flow of the gases and flux thereof in the chamber, and then the fan (21) is moved to allow the flow of gases from a ground level to a center of the chamber and eventually to the top. Simultaneously, the microcontroller (32) controls the sensors (31) to measure texture, moisture Ph and other elemental parameters by capturing spectral, infrared and/or ultraviolet images, in addition to sensing soil type, porosity and bulk density of the soil external and internal to the chamber. The microcontroller (32) processes the sensed data to provide a comprehensive health data of the soil and crop related recommendations with respect to the soil. Preferably, the microcontroller (32) includes a machine leaning algorithms in processing the sensor date and to provide the recommendations. The algorithm can include but not limited to k-nearest neighbors (KNN) algorithm, regression and Black forest decision tree.
[0028] As shown in FIGURE 3, the apparatus (1) includes a harrow member (33) for breaking up the soil of the soil surface enclosed within the chamber and an actuator mechanism for moving the harrow member (33) within the chamber. The harrow member (33) includes at least one tip capable of piercing through the soil surface, wherein at least one of the sensors (31) is provided at each tip. The actuator mechanism includes a guide member (35) extending between a longitudinal axis and an inner side circumference of the enclosure (20), a first actuator (34) for rotating the guide member (35) with respect to the longitudinal axis and a second actuator (36) mounted on the guide member (35) and capable of moving along the guide member (35). The actuators (34, 36) can include but not limited to servo motors and stepper motors.
[0029] In a preferred embodiment, a length of the harrow member (33) is configured to allow a tip of the harrow member (33) to dig into a predetermined depth below the soil surface when the enclosure (20) is mounted on the tubular support (10). In an alternate embodiment, the actuator mechanism includes a third actuator to lower the harrow member (33) to the predetermined depth below the soil surface when actuated. In a further alternate embodiment, the actuator mechanism includes a lever means or any conventional means for manually lower the harrow member (33) to the predetermined depth below the soil surface.
[0030] The harrow member (33) is attached to the second actuator (36) and the guide member (35) is attached to a vertical member (37) provided along the longitudinal axis of the enclosure (20). Preferably, the vertical member (37) is an extension of a rotating shaft (not shown) of the first actuator (34), wherein a lower end of the vertical member (37) is firmly attached to one end of the guide member (35). Alternatively, the vertical member (37) is a supporting rod attached to a top of the enclosure (20) at a top end, while the lower end of the vertical member (37) is rotatable coupled to the end of the guide member (35). The second actuator (36) is movably coupled to the guide member (35) through any convention guiding means such as gear wheel-toothed track combination, wheel-track combination and the like that allows the second actuator (36) to move to and fro along the guide member (36).
[0031] The microcontroller (32) is programmed to control the actuators (34 & 36), such that the actuators (34 & 36) are operated simultaneously to move the harrow member (33) in a predetermined path, preferably a spiral path (shown in FIGURE 4), wherein the first actuator (34) rotates the guide member (35), the second actuator (36) and the harrow member (33) with respect to the longitudinal axis of the enclosure (20), while the second actuator (36) moves to and fro along the guide member (33) together with the harrow member (33). This enables the harrow member (33) to move along the spiral path and to dig the entire soil surface in a spiral path, which releases any gases trapped in the predetermined depth under the soil surface and enabling the sensors (31) provide more accurate readings of the soil parameters. Furthermore, the fan (21) enables the released gases to flow across the chamber, and thus achieving uniform gas concentration in the entire chamber, which provides more accurate sensor readings and enabling the sensors (31) to capture the microbial activity in contact with roots and aid in providing soil nutrient data.
[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the first actuator (34) is provided at an underside of the top of the enclosure (20), as shown in FIGURE 3. Thereby, actuating the first actuator (34) rotates the vertical member (37) along its own axis, which in turn rotates the guide member (35), wherein an end of the guide member (35) far from the vertical member (37) rotates along a circumference of the enclosure (20). In alternate embodiment, the first actuator (34) is provided at the end of the guide member (35), a wheel/gear wheel is attached to a rotating shaft of the first actuator (34) and a guiding track is provided along the circumference of the enclosure, so that, when actuated, the first actuator (34) moves along the guiding track to rotate the guide member (35) with respect to the longitudinal axis of the enclosure (20).
[0033] Even though the above embodiments show the harrow member (33) with a single tip, it is to be understood that the harrow member (33) can include additional tips, like a pitchfork, with additional sensors (31) in each tip. Furthermore, the microcontroller (32) can be programmed to operate the actors (34, 36) to move the harrow member (33) along a path of any shape such as circle, zigzag and the like.
[0034] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
, Claims:CLAIMS
We claim:
1. An apparatus (1) for testing soil, comprising:
- a tubular support (10) capable of forming an air tight contact with a soil surface when placed on the soil surface;
- an enclosure (20) formed with an open bottom end (20a) and capable of forming a soil flux chamber when placed on a top end (10a) of said tubular support (10);
- a sealing means (40) provided at the bottom end (20a) of said enclosure (20) and/or the top end (10a) of said tubular support (10) and capable of forming an air tight seal between the bottom end (20a) of said enclosure (20) and the top end (10a) of said tubular support (10);
- a detection module (30) capable of detecting physical, chemical and biological attributes of soil to be tested, wherein said detection module (30) includes:
• sensors (31) capable of sensing different soil parameters; and
• at least one microcontroller (32) capable of controlling each sensor and receiving and processing readings from each sensor (31); and
- at least one output unit (50) for outputting the detected attributes as test results,
characterized in that said enclosure (20) includes at least one fan (21) capable of circulating air trapped in said soil flux chamber, wherein said fan (21) is movable and/or rotatable with respect to the enclosure (20).
2. The apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sensors (31) include a first set of sensors (31a) capable of sensing different parameters of soil external to said soil flux chamber and a second set of sensors (31b) capable of sensing different parameters of soil within said soil flux chamber.
3. The apparatus (1) as claimed in claims 1 - 2, wherein said parameters include temperature, moisture, color, pressure, electromagnetic radiation, soil density, soil porosity, soil acidity, type of soil, cation exchange capacity (CEC), wind speed, wind direction, organic carbon content, acidity level, electrical conductivity and concentration of carbon dioxide, oxygen, methane, nitrous oxide, nitrogen dioxide and ammonia gases.
4. The apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said microcontroller (32) is capable of controlling a movement and/or rotation of said fan (21).
5. The apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 1 - 4, wherein said microcontroller (32) is capable of controlling said movement and/or rotation of said fan (21) based on the parameters sensed by said first set of sensors (31a).
6. The apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one location module for obtaining location coordinates of the soil surface.
7. The apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
• a harrow member with at least one tip capable of piercing through the soil surface, wherein at least one of the sensors (21) is provided at each tip; and
• an actuator mechanism capable of moving the harrow member (33) in a predetermined path.
8. The apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the actuator mechanism includes:
- a guide member (35) extending between a longitudinal axis and an inner side circumference of the enclosure (20);
- a vertical member (37) attached to one end of the guide member (35);
- a first actuator (36) movably coupled to the guide member (35), wherein the harrow member (33) is attached to the first actuator (36) and the first actuator (36) is movable to and fro along the guide member (25); and
- a second actuator (34) capable of rotating the guide member (35) with respect to the longitudinal axis.
9. The apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the predetermined path is spiral in shape.