Technical Field

The present invention relates to a weathering classification device which is used to determine surface weathering degree of rock material located in the field under atmospheric effects.

Background of the Invention

A large number of studies are present in the prior art in order to determine atmospheric effects surface weathering of rock material. Various methods have been developed by researchers for the purpose of determining the degree of rock weathering in the field. Weathering result, colour changes, broken by hand, disintegration when it is put into a container of water and changes occurring in the rock texture have been examined about rock material in these methods. In rock weathering classification systems, degrees of weathering range from one to six and a rock with a weathering degree of one represents an unweathered, sound rock. Whereas a degree of six represents a completely weathered material that is turned into soil. In these methods being used in the prior art, a visual classification based on field observations and fully based on the researcher’s experience is used.

The Chinese patent document no. CN106525961 discloses a method for detecting water turbidity by means of sensors. Two ultrasonic sensors are used in the method. These are A and B sensors. The sensors are distributed at the two ends of the axis symmetrically with the distance L. The sensor A sends an ultrasonic signal to the sensor B at fixed excitation axis. As the turbidity inside the water increases, scattering of waves increases due to the increase of particles in the water. In this case, the strength of the signal received by sensor B decreases. The turbidity can be calculated through the relation of the calibrated turbidity and the voltage signal amplitude received by the sensor B. Water turbidity of any state can be measured as long as the turbidity, and the signal intensity has a correct calibration relationship.

Summary of the Invention

An objective of the present invention is to realise a weathering classification device which performs weathering classification based on the principle of disintegration in water and water turbidity of a decayed rock sample.

Another objective of the present invention is to realise a weathering classification device which enables to carry out a standard evaluation without based on the researcher’s experience and to perform the rock weathering classification transaction by means of a portable device.

Another objective of the present invention is to realise a weathering classification device which is used in the field easily and has a portable structure that can fit into the palm.

Another objective of the present invention is to realise a weathering classification device which determines the degree of rock weathering in a short time and can classify too many samples in a short time by doing repetitive experiments at specific intervals.

Detailed Description of the Invention

“A weathering classification device” realised to fulfil the objectives of the present invention is shown in the figures attached, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the inventive weathering classification device.

Figure 2 is a view of the power supply cover, the body and the control unit in the inventive weathering classification device. Figure 3 is a view of the sensor container, the infrared sensor, the sensor card, the retaining connector and the rock sample tube in the inventive weathering classification device.

The components illustrated in the figures are individually numbered, where the numbers refer to the following:

1. Classification device

2. Body

3. Power supply slot

4. Imaging member

5. Power button

6. Power supply cover

7. Sensor container

8. Infrared sensor

9. Infrared light source

10. Sensor card

11. Sensor container cover

12. Retaining connector

13. Control unit

14. USB input

T: Rock Sample Tube

The inventive weathering classification device (1) comprises:

at least one body (2) wherein the tubes (T) that will be subjected to weathering classification transaction and the apertures where the tubes (T) enter are located;

at least one power supply slot (3) which is located on the body (2) and has at least one power supply cover (6);

at least one sensor container (7) which is located inside the body (2) and keeps the tubes (T) that will be subjected to classification transaction; wherein there are at least one infrared sensor (8) that measures the voltage value of the samples -that will be subjected to weathering classification transaction- located inside the tubes (T) in order to determine the turbidity degree, at least one infrared light source (9) that sends light to the infrared sensor (8) and at least one sensor card (10);

at least one sensor container cover (11) which is located on the sensor container (7);

at least one retaining connector (12) which is located inside the body (2) and keeps the sensor container (7);

at least one control unit (13) which is located inside the body (2), evaluates the voltage value data that it receives from the infrared sensor (8), and converts the voltage value into the weathering degree; and

at least one imaging member (4), which displays the weathering degree determined by the control unit (13) and is located on the body (2).

The inventive weathering classification device (1) comprises at least one USB input (14), which is located on the body (2). The data transfer and the energy transfer necessary for the device operation can be provided by using the USB input (14).

The inventive weathering classification device (1) also comprises at least one power button (5) that is located on the body (2), so that the weathering classification transaction starts. Upon the power button (5) is triggered, the infrared sensors (8) receiving the necessary energy from a power supply located on the power supply slot (3) starts performing the measurement.

The inventive weathering classification device (1) comprises two tubes (T) wherein there are water and weathered or fresh rock sample inside the body (2). In the tube (T) wherein the sample of rock is located on the body (2), there are samples of rock which are received from field and whereby it is aimed to measure the turbidity to be given to the water by it. In a preferred embodiment, two tubes (T) wherein the fresh rock sample is located in the first one whereas the weathered sample is located in the second one together with the water, are included on the body (2). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the body (2) is portable, lightweight, and usable in the field. The tubes (T) being used on the body (2) are made of plastic material. Thereby, the tubes (T) are prevented from being broken under land conditions. Preferably, the body (2) has a water-resistant structure.

The power supply is located on the body (2), inside the power supply slot (3) and it is two AA batteries providing the power necessary for the infrared sensor (8), the control unit (13) and the imaging member (4).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, microcontroller unit, USB socket, the input of 9 volts, the amplifier of 3 volts to 9 volts, infrared sensor voltage- signal amplifier and inclination sensor are included in the control unit (13). The electricity necessary for the device can be supplied upon the adapter connection is made from the input of 9 volts located on the control unit (13).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the infrared sensor (8) generates a voltage according to the intensity of the rays emitted by the infrared light source (9). The infrared sensor (8) measures the water turbidity based on the voltage values generated. The infrared sensor (8) shares the voltage data from an unweathered rock sample to a sample that is completely transformed into soil, with the control unit (13) so that classification is made. In a preferred embodiment, the control unit (13) evaluates the weathering classification between 1-6 numerically on the imaging member (4) by processing the data received from the infrared sensor (8). The control unit (13) displays the weathered sample in 6 ^th degree on the imaging member (4) as residual soil.

In the inventive weathering classification device (1), the infrared sensor (8) is located on the sensor card (10) and inside the sensor container (7), such that it will be located on the upper part of the tubes (T) in order to measure the turbidity created by the rocks on water. The infrared sensor (8) performs measurement based on the principle of disintegration in water and water turbidity of a rock sample. Rock samples are placed into the sample tubes (T) on the lower part of the body (2) such that they will not exceed a low-level line and water is filled up to a high level. When the body (2) is rotated in a vertical position of 180°, the inclination sensor located on the control unit (13) is triggered; turbidity is created by mixing the rock samples inside the tubes (T) with water and the infrared sensors (8) measure the turbidity created in the tube (T) for example inside the water. Thereby, the control unit (13) determines the degree of rock weathering by using the voltage value data obtained by the infrared sensor (8), from the values of the clarity of the water inside the tube (T) wherein the fresh rock is put and the turbidity of the water inside the tube (T) wherein the weathered rock is put.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the control unit (13) makes a classification from an unweathered rock sample to a sample that is transformed into soil, by using the voltage data received from the infrared sensor (8). The control unit (13) in a preferred embodiment, determines the degree of weathering by a numerical value. Preferably, the control unit (13) displays the degree of weathering on the imaging member (4) as a value between 1 to 6.

In the inventive weathering classification device (1), the control unit (13) receives the voltage data (VI and V2) from the infrared sensors (8) at first, the voltage value (VI) from the tube (T) wherein fresh sample is located, and another voltage value (V2) from the tube (T) wherein the weathered sample is located. The control unit (13) subtracts the voltage value (V2) received from the tube (T) wherein weathered sample is located, from the voltage value (VI) received a fresh sample and obtains a result (V1-V2).

The imaging member (4) is a screen which displays the weathering degree of the rock sample located on the body (2), received from the control unit (13) and detected by the control unit (13) according to certain voltage values, on itself as a numerical value.

The inventive weathering classification device (1) works according to the principle of disintegration in water and water turbidity of a weathered rock sample. The fresh rock sample is located in one of the tubes (T) to be placed onto the body (2), and the weathered sample is located in the other one together with the water. The infrared sensor (8) located on the body (2) such that it will be located on the tubes (T), measures the turbidity created inside the tube (T) and transmits it to the control unit (13). The control unit (13) compares the clarity of the water in the tube (T) wherein the fresh rock is put with the turbidity of the water in the tube (T) wherein the weathered sample is put. The control unit (13) performs the comparison transaction by using the voltage values and notifies the user about the obtained class value over the imaging member (4), which is a screen. With the inventive weathering classification device (1), it is ensured that a rock weathering classification transaction is performed by means of a portable device by carrying out a standard evaluation without based on the researcher’s experience. Also, the invention can be used in the field easily, and it has a portable structure that can fit into the palm. The inventive weathering classification device (1) determines the degree of rock weathering in a short time and it can classify too many samples in a short time by doing repetitive experiments at specific intervals.

It is possible to develop various embodiments of the inventive weathering classification device (1); the invention cannot be limited to examples disclosed herein, and it is essentially according to claims.