×

Rain gauge

  • US 3,943,762 A
  • Filed: 10/15/1974
  • Issued: 03/16/1976
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/15/1974
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
Patent Images

1. In an electronic rain gauge having a fixed base, a bi-stable receiver movable in a repetitive oscillation pattern relative to said base about a pivotal axis between a pair of stable limit positions and having two complementary compartments each operable to be positioned in operative position to collect rainwater when the receiver is in one of the limit positions and to dump collected rainwater in said other limit position, means to collect rainwater and direct it into said receiver compartments alternatively, the rainwater being directed into one of said compartments when said receiver is in one limit position and into the other of said compartments when said receiver is in the other limit position, said compartments being positioned and dimensioned relative to the pivotal axis of said receiver to shift the center of gravity of said receiver from one side of the pivot axis to the other upon accumulation of a predetermined quantity of rainwater in the operative receiver compartment to thereby pivotally displace said receiver from one limit position to the other limit position, said compartment when displaced to its other limit position operable to dump the rainwater collected therein, a recording unit having a counter, fixed sensing means to sense change in receiver position, and means to transmit a signal to said counter in the recording unit upon said sensing, the improvement in which actuator means is mounted on said receiver to cooperate with said fixed sensing means, and the receiver is a one-piece molded trough-shaped structure having a medial partition dividing the receiver into two symmetrical compartments and integral structure mounting said receiver on said pivotal axis, said structure extending beyond said axis to provide a support for said actuator means.

View all claims
  • 0 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×