Patent ID: 7617718

Claim:
A dynamic cone penetrometer (“DCP”) for automated evaluation of soil compaction, comprising: an elongated shaft having a first and second end, the first end having a flange and a handle adjacent to the flange, the flange extending in a direction generally perpendicular to the elongated shaft; a tip at the second end of the elongated shaft; an anvil fixedly mounted to the elongated shaft between the first and second end; a drop weight slideably mounted to the elongated shaft such that the weight is moveable along the shaft between the flange and the anvil; and an automated device for collecting and processing compaction data and allowing the user to monitor the compaction data before and after processing, the automated device having a sensor assembly with distance sensing means, data acquisition means, and a transmitter, the sensor assembly mounted in a housing having a centrally located opening, the opening suitable for permitting the second end of the elongated shaft to extend through the housing; the automated device further having an operator assembly having a display device, a recording device, a receiver for receiving data from the transmitter and a processing device in communication with the receiver for processing the data communicated to the receiver and communicating the processed data to the recording device and the display device, the display device of the operator assembly displays data generated from the DCP.