SYSTEM FOR MEASURING RAIN AND SNOW

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for measuring rain and snow, comprising: a module for collecting water or snow; a module for measuring the level and volume of fluid; an information processing module; a heating module for collecting snow; a frame; and a photovoltaic energy module.

Claims

1. A system for measuring rain and snow comprising: a module for collecting water or snow, a module for measuring the level and volume of fluid, a data processing and handling module, a heating module for collecting snow, a housing and a photovoltaic energy module, wherein the module for collecting water or snow comprises a funnel, an impurities filter and a gasket, and the module for measuring the level and volume of fluid comprises a laser sensor, a laser sensor base, three supports for the laser sensor, three fixing rings for supports, a U-shaped bottle, a coupling for flow sensor, a flow sensor, a flow sensor outlet elbow, a drain tube and a protective filter for the drain, and the data processing module comprises an embedded system, a digital interface, an RS-232 communications interface, and an Ethernet 10/100/1000 communications interface.

2. The system for measuring rain and snow as claimed in claim 1, comprising a heating module for collecting snow containing a conical resistance, a conical support of ceramic material for the resistance and a thermocouple temperature sensor.

3. The system for measuring rain and snow as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing possesses a cover, a door, a pin for the door, a locking device, two military connectors, a base, a drain tube and a protective filter for the drain.

4. The system for measuring rain and snow as claimed in claim 3, wherein the base posesses perforations for the support of the U-shaped bottle, the three fixing rings for supports and the three supports for the laser sensor.

5. The system for measuring rain and snow as claimed in claim 1, wherein the photovoltaic energy module comprises a panel, a regulator, a battery and an NEMA standard enclosure of type 4x.

6. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

8. (canceled)

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The invention may be better understood by means of the drawings wherein there are shown each of the elements comprising the device for measuring rain and snow, the protection whereof is desired. Furthermore, the drawings indicate the reference numbers assigned to the elements constituting said system.

[0022] FIG. 1 corresponds to the external configuration of the system for measuring rain and snow in conformity with the present invention, wherein there is detailed a constitution of the modules comprising the system, these being a module for collecting water or snow (1) and the housing (5).

[0023] FIG. 2 corresponds to a cutaway view showing the internal configuration of the system or device for measuring rain and snow, wherein there are detailed a housing (5) and photovoltaic energy module (6), comprising a panel (61), a regulator (62), a battery (63), and an enclosure (64). The housing (5) possesses a funnel (11), an impurities filter (12), a laser sensor (21), laser sensors (23), a U-shaped bottle (25), flow sensor (27), embedded system (31), liquid crystal or LED touch screen (32), a conical support for the resistance (42).

[0024] FIG. 3 corresponds to a view of the components within the housing (5) of the module for collecting water or snow (1), wherein there may be observed a module for measuring the level and volume of fluid (2), a heating module for collecting snow (4), and the base of the housing (5).

[0025] FIG. 4 corresponds to an exploded view of the module for collecting water or snow (1), a module for measuring the level and volume of fluid (2), a heating module for collecting snow (4), a housing (5).

[0026] FIG. 5 corresponds to an exploded view of the module for collecting water or snow (1), comprising a funnel (11), an impurities filter (12) and a gasket (13).

[0027] FIG. 6A corresponds to an exploded view of the heating module for collecting snow (4) wherein the following elements are detailed: a conical resistance (41), a conical support for the resistance (42), a thermocouple temperature sensor (43).

[0028] FIG. 6B corresponds to a cutaway isometric view of the heating module for collecting snow (4), wherein the following elements are detailed: a conical resistance (41), a conical support for the resistance (42), a thermocouple temperature sensor (43).

[0029] FIG. 7 corresponds to an exploded view of a module for measuring the level and volume of fluid (2), comprising a laser sensor (21), a laser sensor base (22), three supports for the laser sensor (23), three fixing rings for supports (24), a U-shaped bottle (25), a coupling for flow sensor (26), a flow sensor (27), a flow sensor outlet elbow (28), a drain tube (29), a protective filter for the drain (30).

[0030] FIG. 8 corresponds to a cutaway view wherein there are detailed the orifice of the U-shaped bottle (25) of the module for measuring the level and volume of fluid (2).

[0031] FIG. 9 corresponds to frontal and upper views of the laser sensor base (22).

[0032] FIG. 10 corresponds to an exploded view of the housing (5), comprising a cover (51), a door (52), a pin (53) for the door (52), a locking device (54), two military connectors (55) and a base (56).

[0033] FIG. 11A corresponds to a detailed view of the base (56) of the housing (5).

[0034] FIG. 11B corresponds to a detailed longitudinal cutaway view of the base (56) of the housing (5).

[0035] FIG. 12 corresponds to the photovoltaic energy module (6), comprising a panel (61), a regulator (62), a battery (63), and an enclosure (64).

[0036] FIG. 13 corresponds to the data processing module (3), comprising an embedded system (31), a digital interface for display upon a liquid crystal or LED touch screen (32), an RS-232 communications interface and an Ethernet 10/100/1000 communications interface located within the embedded system (31).

[0037] FIG. 14 corresponds to a functional diagram of the device for measuring rain precipitation and snow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] The object of the present invention is to provide a system for measuring rain and snow, basically comprising: [0039] module for collecting water or snow (1), the module for measuring the level and volume of fluid (2), the data processing and handling module (3), the heating module for collecting snow (4), housing (5) and a photovoltaic energy module (6). [0040] A module for collecting water or snow (1), comprising a funnel (11), by means whereof the sample of rainwater is collected, an impurities filter (12) and a gasket (13) preventing water infiltrating within the interior of the housing (5). [0041] A module for measuring the level and volume of fluid (2), comprising a laser sensor (21) measuring the height attained by the liquid, a laser sensor base (22), wherein there is affixed the laser sensor, for such purpose having in the interior thereof a perforation, three supports for the laser sensor (23) supporting the base and having as objective the maintenance of the sensor at the height of the measuring tube, three fixing rings for supports (24), a U-shaped bottle (25), wherein the sample is collected, a coupling for flow sensor (26), a flow sensor (27), a flow sensor outlet elbow (28), a drain tube (29), a protective filter for the drain (30). [0042] A data processing module (3), comprising an embedded system (31) based upon the 32 bit processing architecture, possessing a power interface to control the heating module for collecting snow (4), a digital interface for display upon a liquid crystal or LED touch screen (32), an RS-232 communications interface, and an Ethernet 10/100/1000 communications interface. [0043] A heating module for collecting snow (4), containing a conical resistance (41), the purpose whereof is to provide the appropriate temperature for the sample in order that the liquid be at the triple point (being the phase wherein the water is at the maximum density thereof), a conical support for the resistance (42) of ceramic material, a thermocouple temperature sensor (43) to be used to regulate the temperature of the resistance such that, in this manner, the appropriate temperature is transmitted to the sample for the measurement. [0044] A housing (5), possessing a cover (51) to serve to isolate the electronic and control components of the system, a door (52) to permit access to the interior of the housing, a pin for the door (53), a locking device (54), two military connectors (55) for the RS-232, Ethernet and the supply voltage input connections, a base (56) possessing perforations appropriate for the support of the U-shaped bottle (25), the three fixing rings for supports (24) and the three supports for the laser sensor (23), a drain tube (29) and a protective filter for the drain (30). [0045] A photovoltaic energy module (6), comprising a panel (61), a regulator (62), a battery (63), and an NEMA standard enclosure of type 4x (64).

[0046] The device for measuring rain and snow, which must be located outdoors in the zone whereat it is desired to measure the precipitation, wherein the water or the snow falls into the metal funnel (11) capable of conducting the temperature (preferably of aluminum, stainless steel or a non-oxidizing metal), possessing an impurities filter (12) preventing solid agents such as contaminants or insects ingressing into the device, the funnel (11) in turn rests upon a rubber gasket (13) preventing the filtration of water toward the interior of the housing (5). The funnel (11) rests upon the conical resistance (41) and the conical support for the resistance (42), these being responsible for maintaining the temperature in the funnel (11) in order to ensure that the fluid ingressing is at the correct temperature, through an adaptive control system, having as input the measurement from the thermocouple temperature sensor (43); this control system is implemented within the data processing module (3). The working temperature of the system or device of the present invention lies between temperatures as low as −80° C. up to temperatures of 40° C. An appropriate range is that wherein the temperature is equal to or exceeds 4° C. (degrees Celsius), preferably between 4° C. and 30° C., this being relevant during periods of cold in order to bring the water to the triple point and, in the case of periods of heat, it is considered that the ambient temperature of the location is adequate to measure the quantity of precipitation.

[0047] The U-shaped bottle (25) possesses two sections of different diameters joined by the bases thereof; the section of greater diameter is denominated inlet mouth, by virtue of the fact that it is through this section that the fluid is received, the section of lesser diameter being denominated outlet mouth, by virtue of the fact that in the case of heavy rain the fluid will be evacuated through same.

[0048] is The fluid is directed towards the U-shaped bottle (25); by virtue of the geometry and the hydrostatic paradox the level of liquid will be at the same height in the inlet mouth and in the outlet mouth. In the upper part of the outlet mouth is positioned a laser sensor (21) measuring the height attained by the liquid; in the particular case wherein the maximum quantity of liquid contained in the U-shaped bottle (25) is exceeded, the measurement of the precipitation is realized considering solely the measurement of the flow performed by means of the flow sensor (27) located between the outlet mouth and the drain.

[0049] The laser sensors (21) and the flow sensor (27) are connected to a data processor (3) which calculates the equivalent volume of outflowing water, in this manner achieving that the device may collect and measure any level of water no matter how high it may be.

[0050] This device possesses a data processing module (3) provided with artificial intelligence, comprising an embedded system (31) calculating and displaying graphs and data corresponding to the measurements of precipitation. This module permits a user to locally interact with and configure the device through the liquid crystal or LED touch screen (32).

[0051] The data processing module (3) possesses two communications interfaces, one RS-232 interface and one Ethernet interface, connected to the military connectors (55), permitting that the data measured may be transmitted to a remote location, rendering the device accessible.

[0052] The device for measuring rain and snow incorporates a photovoltaic energy module (6), by virtue whereof it may be installed in remote locations without complications of electrical installation.

[0053] The housing (5) is preferably manufactured from a thermosetting compound polymeric material, rendering it resistant to corrosion caused by changing climatic conditions. Each of the modules of the device are described below.

[0054] The present invention furthermore makes reference to the use of the system or device to measure any quantity of precipitation of rain or of snow.

[0055] Additionally, the present invention makes reference to the use of the system or device to measure the volume of fluid collected over time for the purpose of digitally recording the behavior of a precipitation.

[0056] Furthermore, the present invention concerns the use of the system or device to measure the precipitation of water or snow for aeronautical applications.