Precipitation sensor
DCFirst Claim
1. A precipitation sensor comprising:
- a cantilevered sensor member having a cantilevered portion and an upper and a lower surface extending on opposite sides of the cantilevered portion, the sensor member for receiving falling precipitation on the upper surface and vibrating when struck by such precipitation, the cantilevered portion having outer perimeter edges that are sloped downwardly for shedding the precipitation off the cantilevered portion;
an electromechanical sensor incorporated with at least a part of the cantilevered portion of the sensor member for sensing vibrations of the sensor member caused by the precipitation, and generating an electrical response from which precipitation properties can be determined; and
a support structure connected to the lower surface of the cantilevered portion at about a central region of the sensor member for supporting the sensor member, the cantilevered portion extending outwardly beyond the support structure.
1 Assignment
Litigations
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A precipitation sensor including a cantilevered sensor member having a cantilevered portion and an upper and a lower surface extending on opposite sides of the cantilevered portion. The sensor member can receive falling precipitation on the upper surface and vibrate when struck by such precipitation. The cantilevered portion can have outer perimeter edges that are sloped downwardly for shedding the precipitation off the cantilevered portion. An electromechanical sensor can be incorporated with at least a part of the cantilevered portion of the sensor member for sensing the vibrations of the sensor member caused by the precipitation, and generating an electrical response from which precipitation properties can be determined. A support structure can be connected to the lower surface of the cantilevered portion at about a central region of the sensor member for supporting the sensor member. The cantilevered portion extends outwardly beyond the support structure.
-
Citations
33 Claims
-
1. A precipitation sensor comprising:
-
a cantilevered sensor member having a cantilevered portion and an upper and a lower surface extending on opposite sides of the cantilevered portion, the sensor member for receiving falling precipitation on the upper surface and vibrating when struck by such precipitation, the cantilevered portion having outer perimeter edges that are sloped downwardly for shedding the precipitation off the cantilevered portion; an electromechanical sensor incorporated with at least a part of the cantilevered portion of the sensor member for sensing vibrations of the sensor member caused by the precipitation, and generating an electrical response from which precipitation properties can be determined; and a support structure connected to the lower surface of the cantilevered portion at about a central region of the sensor member for supporting the sensor member, the cantilevered portion extending outwardly beyond the support structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A precipitation sensor comprising:
-
a cantilevered sensor member having a cantilevered portion and an upper and a lower surface extending on opposite sides of the cantilevered portion, the sensor member for receiving falling precipitation on the upper surface and vibrating when struck by such precipitation, the cantilevered portion having a generally round outer perimeter with outer perimeter edges that are sloped downwardly for shedding the precipitation off the cantilevered portion; a piezoelectric sensor attached to the lower surface of the cantilevered portion of the sensor member for sensing vibrations of the sensor member caused by the precipitation, and generating an electrical response from which precipitation properties can be determined; and a rigid post connected to the lower surface of the cantilevered portion at about a central region of the sensor member for rigidly supporting the sensor member, the cantilevered portion being generally annular and extending outwardly beyond the support structure.
-
-
18. A method of sensing precipitation comprising:
-
vibrating a cantilevered sensor member with falling precipitation, the cantilevered sensor member having a cantilevered portion and an upper and a lower surface extending on opposite sides of the cantilevered portion, the sensor member for receiving falling precipitation on the upper surface and vibrating when struck by such precipitation, the cantilevered portion having outer perimeter edges that are sloped downwardly for shedding the precipitation off the cantilevered portion; sensing vibrations of the sensor member caused by the precipitation with an electromechanical sensor incorporated with at least a part of the cantilevered portion of the sensor member, and generating an electrical response from which precipitation properties can be determined; and supporting the sensor member with a support structure connected to the lower surface of the cantilevered portion at about a central region of the sensor member, the cantilevered portion extending outwardly beyond the support structure. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
-
Specification