Patent ID: 8806954
Filing Date: 2014-08-19
Classification: G01F

Abstract:
1. An ambient flux measurement apparatus comprising: a sample container, a pressure transducer, a data logger, a vacuum source, a first gasket, a second gasket, a first tube, a second tube, a third tube, a fourth tube, and a connector; wherein the sample container is comprised of a top reservoir, a bottom reservoir, a first porous plate, a second porous plate, and a sample chamber, wherein the sample chamber is positioned between the top and bottom reservoir; wherein the bottom reservoir is a cylinder having an upper section and a lower section; wherein the top reservoir is a cylinder having an upper section and a lower section; wherein the sample chamber is a cylinder with an upper section and lower section; wherein the first porous plate is positioned between the lower section of the sample chamber and the upper section of the bottom reservoir and sealed to the bottom reservoir, and wherein the second porous plate is positioned between the upper section of the sample chamber and the second porous plate sealed to the lower section of the top reservoir, wherein the lower section of the top reservoir is coupled to the upper section of the sample chamber, and the upper section of the bottom reservoir is coupled to the bottom section of the sample chamber; wherein the lower section of the bottom reservoir has an aperture that permits communication between the inside and outside of the bottom reservoir; wherein the pressure transducer has a first port, a second port and a data port; wherein the first gasket is coupled to the aperture located on the lower section of the bottom reservoir creating a seal around the circumference of the aperture on the lower section of the bottom reservoir; wherein the connector has a first, second and third inlet; wherein the first gasket has a central aperture, wherein the first tube connects the central aperture of the first gasket with the first inlet of the connector having a first inlet, a second inlet and a third inlet; wherein the upper section of the top reservoir has an aperture that permits communication between the inside and outside of the bottom reservoir; wherein the second gasket is coupled to the aperture located on the upper section of the top reservoir creating a seal around the circumference of the aperture on the upper section of the top reservoir; wherein the second gasket has a central aperture, wherein the second tube connects the central aperture of the second gasket to the first inlet of the pressure transducer; wherein the third tube connects the second port of the pressure transducer with the second inlet of the connector; wherein the vacuum source is connected the connector's third inlet data port via the forth tube; and wherein the data logger is connected to the pressure transducer's data port via one or more wires.