Rain sensor

• US 6,401,530 B1
• Filed: 02/17/2000
• Issued: 06/11/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Claber SpA
• Original Assignee: Claber SpA
• Inventors: Roman, Gianfranco
• Primary Examiner(s): Fuller, Benjamin R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): AW MUSSE, ABDULLAHI H
• Application Number:
  US09/506,165
• Time in Patent Office: 845 Days
• Field of Search: 731/701.7, 731/702.1, 731/702.2, 731/702.3, 731/701.9, 731/700.8, 731/700.9, 733/225, 733/13, 733/19, 73D/IG.5, 200/84.C
• US Class Current: 73/170.21
• CPC Class Codes: G01W 1/14 Rainfall or precipitation gauges measuring volume in general G01F

Abstract

A rain sensor is described comprising a tray for the collection of rain water provided on top with evaporation and overflow side windows covered by a perforated cover. A finned float is housed in said tray so as to be able to move vertically as a function of the level of the water present in the tray. A permanent magnet supported by said float cooperates with an electric magneto-sensitive switch that is fixed to the tray in order to switch it between a first and a second electric state as a function of the vertical position of the float.

Claims

1. A rain sensor, comprising:

a tray for the collection of water having evaporation and overflow side windows, and a perforated cover;

a finned float housed in the tray so as to be able to move vertically as a function of a level of water present in the tray;

a permanent magnet supported by said float;

an electro magneto-sensitive switch that is fixed to the tray and is switchable between a first and a second electric state as a function of a vertical position of said float; and

airing windows having internal windows made in upper extensions of a side wall of the tray and radially communicating with external windows made in an external side wall with upper flaring.

2. The rain sensor according to claim 1, wherein said float has a slightly dome shaped upper wall.

3. The rain sensor according to claim 1, wherein said cover is provided with a central tip which extends vertically upward.

4. The rain sensor according to claim 1, wherein said windows communicate with each other through links on which a side edge of said cover rests.

5. The rain sensor according to claim 4, wherein between said side edge of the cover and said external side wall an interstice communicating with the interior of the tray through passages between said links and between said upper extensions is left.

6. The rain sensor according to claim 1, wherein said electric magneto-sensitive switch is placed horizontally under said magnet.

7. The rain sensor according to claim 1, wherein said electric magneto-sensitive switch is placed in a vertical cylindrical post which is substantially at the center of the tray and extends through said magnet.