Apparatus and method for measuring precipitation
First Claim
1. An instrument for measuring precipitation comprising:
- a support structure;
a plurality of light sensors disposed in a vertical arrangement on said support structure and a plurality of light sources disposed in a vertical arrangement on said support structure, each said light sensor being spaced a predetermined distance from each adjacent light sensor and positioned to receive light from at least one said light source and each said light source being spaced a predetermined distance from each adjacent said light source, each light sensor being capable of generating an output signal in response to light received from one of said light sources; and
a microprocessor that receives said output signal from at least one of said light sensors and determines the presence or absence of an accumulation of precipitation based on said signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A precipitation gauge for measuring liquid and frozen precipitation is provided according to the present invention that includes a support structure having at least one light sensor, or pair of electrodes, and at least one light source disposed thereon so that the light sensor may receive light that is emitted from the light source. The light sensor or light sensors and the light source or light sources generally extend a substantial height of the support structure. The light sensor or light sensors generate an output signal in response to the amount of light received from the light source. A microprocessor receives the output signal or output signals from the light sensor or light sensors and determines whether precipitation is present between the light sensor or light sensors and the light source or light sources. Based on the output signal or output signals, the microprocessor determines and displays the level of precipitation. The microprocessor may also determine the density of frozen precipitation.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An instrument for measuring precipitation comprising:
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a support structure;
a plurality of light sensors disposed in a vertical arrangement on said support structure and a plurality of light sources disposed in a vertical arrangement on said support structure, each said light sensor being spaced a predetermined distance from each adjacent light sensor and positioned to receive light from at least one said light source and each said light source being spaced a predetermined distance from each adjacent said light source, each light sensor being capable of generating an output signal in response to light received from one of said light sources; and
a microprocessor that receives said output signal from at least one of said light sensors and determines the presence or absence of an accumulation of precipitation based on said signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An instrument for measuring precipitation comprising:
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a support structure;
at least one light sensor and at least one light source disposed on said support structure, said light sensor being spaced a predetermined distance from said light source and positioned to receive light from said light source, each light sensor being capable of outputting a signal in response to light from said light source; and
a microprocessor that receives said signal from said light sensor and determines the presence or absence of an accumulation of precipitation in response to said signal. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. An instrument for measuring precipitation comprising:
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a support structure configured to collect precipitation;
at least one light sensor on said support structure, said light sensor capable of generating an output signal which varies in magnitude based on light received by said light sensor, at least one light source disposed on said support structure, said light source being spaced a predetermined distance from said light sensor, said light sensor capable of receiving light from said light source and generating an output signal in response thereto, said light source and said light sensor being positioned so that an accumulation of precipitation in said support structure reduces the amount of light said light sensor receives from said light source, and a microprocessor that receives the output signal from said light sensor and determines a level of precipitation in response to said output signal. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. An instrument for measuring precipitation comprising:
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a support structure, said support structure capable of holding a level of precipitation, a light source on said support structure and a light sensor disposed on and extending substantially the length of the length of said support structure, said light sensor positioned to receive light from said light source and capable of generating an output signal in response to light received from said light source, and a microprocessor which receives said output signal from said light sensor and determines said level of precipitation. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification