Terrain sensor node system and method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of housing a terrain sensor node, the method comprising;
- using semi-circle bent nickel-titanium wires to form a wire dome;
acquiring a housing base with a low height, a round bottom outer surface, and sidewalls forming a octagon;
mounting sensor electronics and rechargeable batteries beneath the solar cell array and in the housing base;
mounting a solar cell array beneath, the wire dome; and
securing the wire dome to the housing base.
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Abstract
A terrain sensor node system and method are provided herein. The terrain sensor node can be employed without hands on placement. Solar power is facilitated and contributes to service life and reliability. A robust housing is capable of aerial drop installation. A domed top and a rounded weighted bottom combine to form a housed sensor that is capable of righting itself after landing. A transparency in the upper housing enables the harnessing of solar power in a righted sensor. An antenna withstands aerial sensor deployment and rotates to a workable orientation without user intervention.
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Citations
41 Claims
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1. A method of housing a terrain sensor node, the method comprising;
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using semi-circle bent nickel-titanium wires to form a wire dome; acquiring a housing base with a low height, a round bottom outer surface, and sidewalls forming a octagon; mounting sensor electronics and rechargeable batteries beneath the solar cell array and in the housing base; mounting a solar cell array beneath, the wire dome; and securing the wire dome to the housing base. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of manufacturing a terrain sensor node, the method comprising:
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bending at least two nickel-titanium metal wires into a semi-circle-like shape; forming a thin metal ring of an array diameter; anchoring at least two crimp ferrules 180 degrees apart in the thin metal ring; securing a first end of at least one of the at least two bent nickel titanium metal wires into a first crimp ferrule; and securing a second end of the at least one of the at least two bent nickel-titanium metal wires into a second crimp ferrule. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of manufacturing a terrain sensor node, the method comprising:
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acquiring a potting mold with a spherical bottom and an open top; placing a weight into a bottom of the mold; placing rechargeable batteries into the mold placing a circuit board assembly atop the weight; pouring potting compound into the mold over the circuit assembly and beneath an uppermost level of the mold; leaving an antenna electrical connection from the circuit assembly exposed; and leaving a solar cell electrical connection from the circuit assembly exposed. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of manufacturing a terrain node, the method comprising:
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placing a solar cell atop a potted assembly; electrically connecting the circuit assembly to the solar cell array; and electrically connecting the circuit assembly to an at least one of a dome wire. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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25. A method of recharging batteries in a remote terrain node, the method comprising:
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launching a terrain sensor node from an aircraft; righting the terrain sensor node without user intervention; exposing a solar cell array housed in the terrain sensor node towards the sky; and recharging rechargeable batteries via a current from the solar cell array.
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26. A terrain sensor node, the device comprising:
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a wire dome top; the wired dome top secured to a polymer base; a solar panel secured to the polymer base and beneath the wired dome top. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A method of manufacturing a terrain sensor node, the method comprising:
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acquiring a potting mold with a spherical bottom and an open top; placing rechargeable batteries into the mold placing a circuit board assembly atop the weight; pouring potting compound into the mold over the circuit assembly and beneath an uppermost level of the mold; and lowering a centroid to a below a bottom half of the sensor node base or lower.
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41. A method of self-righting a sensor assembly, the method comprising:
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using a rounded bottom housing; and lowering a centroid of the sensor assembly to the beneath a base sidewall.
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Specification