A cordless Acoustic NOVA system is placed underneath the microphone in preparation for the next data transmission. The CPT tooling is being used in combination with the Geoprobe® 6625CPT machine.

New Cordless NOVA CPT Makes Logging Quicker & Easier

It’s the only data transmission system of this kind in the world!

There’s big news with Cone Penetration Testing (CPT) equipment. Based on studies of new cordless technologies, Geoprobe Systems® now offers a new cone and logging system called NOVA CPT. NOVA CPT, developed by Geotech AB in Sweden, is the next generation in cone and data transmission technology. It’s the only data transmission system of its kind, and it’s only available in the US and Canada from Geoprobe®!

RW NOVA	Acoustic NOVA	Cable NOVA
The newest and most efficient way to do CPT. The radio waves (RW) carry the CPT measurements inside the rods, up to the receiver. The receiver does not need to be in contact with the end of the rod. It can be mounted one meter above the end of the rod and still receive the signal.	The acoustic signal carries the CPT measurements through the steel in the rods to a microphone. The microphone is used to push the rods and at the same time receive the signal. This popular system makes the CPT process easy to perform. Acoustic NOVA can also be used in water.	Cable NOVA is the standard cable CPT system configuration. The system can easily be upgraded to Acoustic NOVA or RW NOVA.

The new system is comprised of two major features: a redesigned CPT cone and a variety of transmission methods which can be tailored to best suit the needs of the user. The CPT cone offers 18-bit resolution, new construction for improved strength and gauge measurement accuracy, and integrated USB technology for cone memory storage downloading. Transmission methods available with the CPT NOVA system include: Acoustic NOVA ... standard, cableless sound transmission as in the past; Cable NOVA ... connecting the cone via a standard cable method and transmitting data through the cable to the surface; and RW NOVA, a new radio wave transmission option where data is transferred to the surface receiver via radio waves (high frequency).

RW NOVA is the newest and most efficient way to collect downhole CPT data. The radio waves carry the CPT measurements inside the rods and up to the receiver. The receiver does not need to be in contact with the end of the rod during data transmission. It can be mounted one meter above the end of the rod and still receive the signal. RW NOVA opens the door for cordless SCPT, downhole video camera capabilities, and other data collecting sensors.

“This equipment is very unique,” explained Troy Schmidt, Geoprobe® Product Development Engineer. “Radio wave transmission of data doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world. If you want RW data transmission on a cordless CPT system, then you want our system!”

Another “plus” for this new instrumentation is that it can be easily interchanged with your current Geotech AB tooling for a seamless upgrade to enhance your existing geotechnical capabilities.

Geoprobe Systems® has worked with Geotech AB for nearly ten years to provide US and Canadian customers with the latest in CPT technology. Customers have reaped the benefits of working with the most reliable and proven cordless transmission system available. For many years, this was the only method used to provide real-time data collection at the surface without the use of a cord to send electrical signals from the cone. “This new system is another great example of how technology allows us to continue moving forward,” Troy added. “Making improvements and supplying new technologies to the industry is what Geoprobe® does.”

Geoprobe Systems® is the exclusive US distributor of the new NOVA CPT system developed by Geotech AB. Call 1-800-436-7762 for additional information.

CPT log showing Soil Classification, Tip (qc), Sleeve (fs), Pore Pressure (u2), and Friction Ratio (Rf). Log clearly shows the change from clay to sand in both tip pressure and pore pressure. Note the steady increase in pore pressure beginning at 36 ft., indicating the probe encountered the water table. Log created using CPT-Pro (post-processing software).