GB2340243A

GB2340243A - Trailer apparatus for measuring ground density

Info

Publication number: GB2340243A
Application number: GB9816596A
Authority: GB
Inventors: P Shaw; James Arthur Nash
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-07-30
Filing date: 1998-07-30
Publication date: 2000-02-16
Also published as: GB2340243A8; GB9816596D0

Description

1 2340243 Disc Trailer This invention relates to soil density analysis

inachine and is especially applicable for use in deterTnining race course ground conditions.

Currently the accepted method of testing the "ground density" (from here on to be referred to as "Tile Going") is for tile clarke of tile course to push with their hand a walking stick or cane into the ground. The depth that the cane sinks and the force required to penetrate into the ground is then assessed by the clarke of the course and the going is set at the clarke of tile courses discretion.

The afore mentioned method of ascertaining the going, although long standing lacks standardisation, owing to diffening opinions of the course clerks to the evidence with which they are presented.

According to the present invention there is provided a disc trailer comprising of a wheeled chassis, a profiled disc, load cells, linear and rotary encoders, electronic data collection system means for lifting and lowering the disc in and out of work. The chassis is to be of the type that is capable of being towed.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:- Fig. I shows tile disc trailer in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 shows an alternative arrangement incorporating more than one disc.

Referring to figiire 1. tile Disc Trailer Shown in figure I comprises of a winch (9) which raises and lowers a disc or wheel (1), that enters the ground within a covered wheeled chassis (2). T h e pivot arm (3) holding the disc has incorporated in it a load cell (4) which when in use monitors the drag being created by the disc moving through the ground. Attached to the pivot arm is a linear encoder (5) which monitors the depth at which the disc is operating. The chassis wheels (8) have attached to them rotary encoders (6) to monitor forward speed of the unit. The information that is produced by the afore mentioned devices is collected and processed by an on board cpu which is situated in a shock absorbent housing on top of the disc cover (7).

The Going is determined by monitoring the forces applied to the disc by the forward movement of the disc trailer when the disc is in the ground. The load ' cell attached to the disc pivot arin monitors the resistance exerted on the disc due to soil density and cohesion. The liner encoder monitors the depth at which the disc is travelling, and the rotary encoder measure the for-ward speed of the unit. All this information is then sent to the cpu running the analysis software which is specifically written for the task. Upon completion of the test the cpu outputs tile calculated ground condition.

Referring to figure 2. an alternative arrangement of the Disc Trailer is shown incorporating more than one disc or wheel of tile same or differing sizes which penetrate the ground. The method of instrumentalion is as previously described. An alternative means of monitoring depth of penetration and motion may be by means of a rotational sensor (10) fitted to the disc hubs.

Claims

I A disc trailer comprising of a wheeled chassis, a blade, a means of linking the blade with the wheeled chassis, a means of measuring the relative vertical position of the blade with respect to the wheeled chassis and a means of measuring the horizontal load applied to the blade. 2 A disc trailer as claimed in claim I whereby the blade may be in the form of a disc. 3 A disc trailer as claimed in claim I and claim 2 whereby the disc is profiled. 4 A disc trailer as claimed in claim 1 whereby means are provided for measuring the speed of the disc trailer over the ground. 5 A disc trailer as claimed in claim I and claim 4 whereby measurement of the chassis wheel(s) rotation is used to determine speed of the disc trailer over the ground. 6 A disc trailer as claimed in claim 1, claim 4 and claim 5 whereby chassis wheel rotation is by means of a rotary encoder. 7 A disc trailer as claimed in claim I whereby a pivoted arm is used to link the blade to the wheeled chassis. 8 A disc trailer as claimed in claim 1 whereby a linear encoder is used to measure the relative vertical position of the of the blade with respect to the wheeled chassis. 9 A disc trailer as claimed in claim 1 and claim 7 whereby a load cell fitted on the pivoted arm / wheeled chassis junction is used to measure the horizontal load applied to the blade. 10 A disc trailer as claimed in claim 1 whereby a means is provided of lifting the blade when not in use. 11 A disc trailer as claimed in claim 10 whereby a winch is used as a means of lifting the blade. 12 A disc trailer as claimed in claim I whereby a cover is provided. 13 A disc trailer as claimed in any preceding claim whereby an electronic data collection system is used to collect data generated by the encoders and load cells. 14 A disc trailer as claimed in claim 13 whereby the electronic data collection unit is mounted on the disc trailer. 15 A disc trailer as claimed in any preceding claim whereby the collected data is processed by a cpu. 16 A disc trailer as claimed in claim 15 whereby the cpu is mounted on the disc trailer. 17 A disc trailer substantially as described herein with reference to figures I and 2 of the accompanying drawings.