Apparatus and methods for sensing rainfall
First Claim
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1. A rainfall sensor comprising:
- a transmission medium; and
a rainfall analyzer configured to induce transmitted electromagnetic waves that are guided by the transmission medium to propagate along the transmission medium, wherein the transmitted electromagnetic waves propagate without requiring an electrical return path, wherein the rainfall analyzer receives reflected electromagnetic waves from the transmission medium in response to the transmitted electromagnetic waves and wherein the rainfall analyzer analyzes the reflected electromagnetic waves and generates rainfall data in response thereto;
wherein the transmission medium comprises a dielectric core that facilitates formation of water droplets in response to rainfall, wherein the dielectric core comprises a plastic material, and wherein the reflected electromagnetic waves are reflected by the water droplets.
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Abstract
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a rainfall sensor having a rainfall analyzer configured to induce transmitted electromagnetic waves that are guided by a transmission medium to propagate along the transmission medium, wherein the transmitted electromagnetic waves propagate without requiring an electrical return path, wherein the rainfall analyzer receives reflected electromagnetic waves from the transmission medium in response to the transmitted electromagnetic waves and wherein the rainfall analyzer analyzes the reflected electromagnetic waves and generates rainfall data in response thereto. Other embodiments are disclosed.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A rainfall sensor comprising:
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a transmission medium; and a rainfall analyzer configured to induce transmitted electromagnetic waves that are guided by the transmission medium to propagate along the transmission medium, wherein the transmitted electromagnetic waves propagate without requiring an electrical return path, wherein the rainfall analyzer receives reflected electromagnetic waves from the transmission medium in response to the transmitted electromagnetic waves and wherein the rainfall analyzer analyzes the reflected electromagnetic waves and generates rainfall data in response thereto; wherein the transmission medium comprises a dielectric core that facilitates formation of water droplets in response to rainfall, wherein the dielectric core comprises a plastic material, and wherein the reflected electromagnetic waves are reflected by the water droplets. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method comprising:
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generating transmitted electromagnetic waves that are guided by a transmission medium to propagate along the transmission medium, wherein the transmitted electromagnetic waves propagate without requiring an electrical return path; receiving reflected electromagnetic waves from the transmission medium in response to the transmitted electromagnetic waves, wherein the transmission medium comprises a guided wave cable coupled to a dielectric antenna that forms water droplets in response to rainfall at an aperture of the dielectric antenna, wherein the dielectric antenna comprises a plastic material, and wherein the reflected electromagnetic waves are reflected by the water droplets; and analyzing the reflected electromagnetic waves to generate rainfall data. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A rainfall sensor comprising:
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means for inducing transmitted electromagnetic waves that are guided by a transmission medium to propagate along the transmission medium, wherein the transmitted electromagnetic waves propagate without requiring an electrical return path; means for receiving reflected electromagnetic waves from the transmission medium in response to the transmitted electromagnetic waves; and means for analyzing the reflected electromagnetic waves and for generating rainfall data in response thereto; wherein the transmission medium comprises a guided wave cable having a dielectric core that facilitates formation of water droplets in response to rainfall, and wherein the dielectric core comprises a plastic material. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification