US 11,927,552 B2
Systems and methods for cosmogenic neutron sensing moisture detection in agricultural settings
Peter Shifflett, Tucson, AZ (US); Gary Womack, Tucson, AZ (US); and Steven Hamann, Tucson, AZ (US)
Assigned to QUAESTA INSTRUMENTS, LLC, Tucson, AZ (US)
Filed by QUAESTA INSTRUMENTS, LLC, Tucson, AZ (US)
Filed on Oct. 12, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/499,614.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/090,596, filed on Oct. 12, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0113267 A1, Apr. 14, 2022
Int. Cl. G01N 23/204 (2006.01); G01N 23/20008 (2018.01); G01N 33/24 (2006.01); G01V 5/00 (2006.01); H02S 20/32 (2014.01); H01Q 1/24 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 23/204 (2013.01) [G01N 23/20008 (2013.01); G01N 33/246 (2013.01); G01V 5/0075 (2013.01); H02S 20/32 (2014.12); G01N 2033/245 (2013.01); G01N 2223/05 (2013.01); G01N 2223/053 (2013.01); G01N 2223/063 (2013.01); G01N 2223/1063 (2013.01); G01N 2223/1066 (2013.01); G01N 2223/205 (2013.01); G01N 2223/301 (2013.01); G01N 2223/613 (2013.01); H01Q 1/24 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
10. A system for cosmogenic neutron sensing to detect a moisture in an agricultural location, the system comprising:
a non-contacting, field-scale cosmogenic neutron sensor for measuring a soil moisture in a measurement surface, the non-contacting, field-scale cosmogenic neutron sensor having:
a thermal neutron proportional counter,
a housing comprising at least partially a moderating material, wherein the housing is positioned around the thermal neutron proportional counter;
a proportional counter electronics unit within the housing and having a preamplifier and a shaping amplifier, wherein the preamplifier and the shaping amplifier are directly connected to the thermal neutron proportional counter;
at least one power source providing an electrical power to the thermal neutron proportional counter; and
a data logger positioned vertically above the thermal neutron proportional counter and the proportional counter electronics unit, wherein a signal emitted by the thermal neutron proportional counter through the proportional counter electronics unit is received by the data logger, and wherein the signal indicates a moisture content within a measurement surface of the thermal neutron proportional counter; and
an agricultural irrigation device having at least one frame member, wherein the non-contacting, field-scale cosmogenic neutron sensor is mounted to the at least one frame member, and wherein the non-contacting, field-scale cosmogenic neutron sensor is positioned a spaced distance above a ground surface.