Forest Service Patents

Apparatus and Method for the Measurement of Forest Duff Moisture Content

Patent Status:

Patent Number: 5,920,195
Date Issued: July 6, 1999

See also: US Patent full record

Technology Description:

This invention is a hand-held apparatus utilized in conjunction with a frequency domain unit to measure the moisture content of nonhomogeneous medium, such as duff, in a compact, convenient device. The invention is specifically designed for use in the field and provides immediate, accurate measurements, comparable to those taken by the traditional, more tedious method of sampling the duff and removing it to the laboratory for weighing, drying and re-weighing.

Potential Commercial Uses:

This technology is a hand-held apparatus which quickly provides accurate measurements of forest duff moisture content. This apparatus is convenient, compact, and designed for field use.

Inventor/Project Leader:

Peter R. Robichaud
USDA - Forest Service
Forestry Sciences Laboratory
1221 South Main
Moscow, UT 83843
Phone: (208) 883-2349
Fax: (208) 883-2372
Email: probichaud@fs.fed.us

US Forest Service
Last modified September 16, 2008
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