Method for measuring the thickness of an ice sheet
First Claim
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1. A method for measuring the thickness of an ice sheet floating at the surface of a body of water with a circuit whose resistance is a function of the length of the circuit embedded in the ice, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) transmitting an electric current through the circuit;
(b) measuring the electric resistance of the circuit as the current passes through the circuit; and
(c) determining the thickness of the ice sheet by correlating the measured resistance of the circuit with predetermined calibrated ice thickness values.
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Abstract
A method for measuring the thickness of an ice sheet is disclosed. The resistance of an electric circuit embedded in an ice sheet floating at the surface of a body of water is measured. A relationship between the measured electric resistance and the ice sheet thickness is possible because sea ice has a much larger resistance than sea water and, therefore, acts as an insulator. Thus, the resistance of the circuit is altered by the vertical location of the water'"'"'s surface on the circuit.
31 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A method for measuring the thickness of an ice sheet floating at the surface of a body of water with a circuit whose resistance is a function of the length of the circuit embedded in the ice, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) transmitting an electric current through the circuit; (b) measuring the electric resistance of the circuit as the current passes through the circuit; and (c) determining the thickness of the ice sheet by correlating the measured resistance of the circuit with predetermined calibrated ice thickness values. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method for measuring the thickness of an ice sheet floating at the surface of a body of water with a circuit whose resistance is a function of the length of the circuit embedded in the ice, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) placing the circuit through the surface of the body of water before the ice sheet begins to form; (b) transmitting an electric current through the circuit; (c) measuring the electric resistance of the circuit as the current passes through the circuit; and (d) determining the thickness of the ice sheet by correlating the measured resistance of the circuit with predetermined calibrated ice thickness values. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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7. A method for measuring the thickness of an ice sheet floating at the surface of a body of water with a circuit resistance is a function of the length of the circuit embedded in the ice, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) excavating a hole through the ice sheet; (b) inserting the circuit into the hole; (c) allowing ice to form within the hole between the circuit and the ice sheet so that at least a portion of the circuit is embedded within the ice sheet; (d) transmitting an electric current through the circuit; (e) measuring the electric resistance of the circuit as the current passes through the circuit; and (f) determining the thickness of the ice sheet by correlating the measured resistance of the circuit with predetermined calibrated ice thickness values. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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Specification