Patent ID: 6308563
Filing Date: 2001-10-30
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
An isobaric tensiometer for measuring soil water potential at a monitoring elevation within a vadose zone, comprising:a porous cup having a liquid-filled interior;a differential pressure transducer having a monitoring port and a reference port;a chamber surrounding the transducer, the chamber being in open fluid communication with the reference port of the transducer;a closed fluid path formed through the chamber between the interior of the porous cup and the monitoring port of the transducer to permit fluid communication between interstitial soil water that contacts the porous cup at the monitoring elevation and the monitoring port; anda vent formed through the chamber to permit communication between soil air at a monitoring elevation and the reference port of the transducer;whereby pressure data produced by the tensiometer is compensated to a true soil water potential corrected for changes in barometric pressure of the soil air at the monitoring elevation.