James I Mathis

US Patent:

6696974, Feb 24, 2004

Filed:

Jul 28, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/627687

Inventors:

James I. Mathis - Ellensburg WA 98926

International Classification:

G01V 300

US Classification:

3408547, 34087031, 324534, 324535

Abstract:

A cable composed of material capable of conducting light, sound, or electricity is inserted by appropriate means into a material to be examined. A portion of said cable having predetermined parameters is fixed internally within the material. The cable is equipped with anchors that restrict movement within the material to be examined. Displacement or deformation of the material to be examined results in displacement and deformation of the sensor cable system. The anchors preferably concentrate stress or deformation at specific points of the cable as the cable deforms. The anchors may also allow movement of the cable such that displacement and deformation of the cable within the material is reduced. Monitoring is conducted by attaching an appropriate test instrument to said cable that utilizes time domain reflectometry techniques appropriate to the material composition and characteristics of the cable which may be optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR), electrical time domain reflectometry (TDR) or sound time domain reflectometry (SONAR). Said principles of examination or monitoring of the cable determine location and magnitude of displacement and deformation of the cable within the material to be examined.

US Patent:

20070251326, Nov 1, 2007

Filed:

Dec 6, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/164806

Inventors:

James Mathis - Ellensburg WA, US

International Classification:

G01B 5/30

US Classification:

073760000

Abstract:

The present invention is a substance displacement device. The device includes a sensing unit which is positioned in a drill hole or otherwise within the substance, such as soil or rock. A measurement device is connected to the sensing unit to measure changes in resistance caused by deformation of the sensing device. A control device connected to the measuring device determines whether the change in resistance exceeds a threshold, and thus activates an alarm. The sensing device preferably includes a fixed resistance device across its terminations to enable the establishing of a baseline resistance. The sensing device may include an electrical element or an optical element. The alarm can be any suitable type of alarm.