# US 2014/0360037 A1 · Dendrometer > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0360037 A1 - Document ID: US20140360037A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/298,448 - Filed: 2014-06-06 - Published: 2014-12-11 - Earliest claimed: 2013-06-07 - Assignees: Global Change Solutions LLC - Applicants: Global Change Solutions LLC - Inventors: Evan H. DeLucia; Timothy A. Mies - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140360037A1 ## CPC - G01B 7/12: for measuring diameters - G01B 5/0035: {Measuring of dimensions of trees} - G01B 7/16: for measuring the deformation in a solid, e.g. by resistance strain gauge - G01N 33/0098: {Plants or trees (wood G01N33/46)} - G01B: MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract A dendrometer comprises a dendrometer band whose length is extendable for encircling a tree trunk. The dendrometer further comprises an elongated electronic component that is closely or contiguously attached to the dendrometer band for moving along with the dendrometer band in order to follow length extension of the dendrometer band. Length variation of the dendrometer band is configured to be converted to electronic signals by the electronic component. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Dendrometer comprising: A dendrometer band that is extendable for encircling a tree trunk, and An electronic component attached to the dendrometer band for moving together with the dendrometer band, wherein length variation of the dendrometer band is configured to be converted to electronic signals by the electronic component. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) Dendrometer of claim 1, wherein The electronic component comprises a passive electronic component. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) Dendrometer of claim 2, wherein The passive electronic component comprises a potentiometer. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) Dendrometer of claim 1, wherein The dendrometer band comprises a circuit band and a plunger band that are configured to cooperate with each other for extending the dendrometer band. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) Dendrometer of claim 4, wherein The circuit band, the plunger band or both comprise at least one stainless steel strip. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) Dendrometer of claim 4, wherein The plunger band comprises a stainless ribbon for mounting a plunger of the potentiometer. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) Dendrometer of claim 4, wherein The dendrometer band comprises a clip for guiding movement of the circuit band, the plunger band or both. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) Dendrometer of claim 4, wherein The dendrometer band comprises a stopper for limiting movement of the circuit band, the plunger band or both. ### Claim 9 (depends on 4) Dendrometer of claim 4, wherein The dendrometer band further comprises a spring for connecting the circuit band and the plunger band. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) Dendrometer of claim 1, wherein The dendrometer band, the electronic component or both are weatherproof, scratchproof, dustproof, shockproof or a combination of any of these. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) Dendrometer of claim 1, wherein The dendrometer band, the electronic component or both are protected against intrusion of solid particles, liquid ingress, mechanical impact, electric shock or a combination of any of these. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) Dendrometer of claim 1 further comprising: A data logger that is connected to the electronic component for reading the electronic signals. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) Dendrometer of claim 12 further comprising: A cable for connecting the electronic component to the data logger. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) Dendrometer of claim 12, wherein The data logger comprises an electrical energy source for powering the data logger. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) Dendrometer of claim 12, wherein The data logger further comprises a memory device for data storage. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) Dendrometer of claim 12, wherein The data logger further comprises an antenna for signal transmission or reception. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) Dendrometer of claim 1, wherein The dendrometer band, the electronic component or both comprises visible markings or inscriptions for visualizing the length variation. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) Dendrometer of claim 1 further comprising: A temperature sensor for correcting measurement error due to temperature variation. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) Sensor Network comprising: The dendrometer of claim 1, and A gateway sensor node that is connected to the dendrometer. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) Wireless Sensor Network comprising: Sensor network of claim 19, and At least one radio transceiver having an aerial for providing communication between the dendrometer, the gateway sensor node or other computing devices. ### Claim 21 Method for using a dendrometer comprising: Clasping the dendrometer onto a tree trunk such that the dendrometer can extend its length following circumference growth of the tree trunk, Powering the dendrometer for generating electronic signals according length extension of the dendrometer, and Converting the electronic signals to circumference growth data of the tree trunk. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) Method for claim 21 further comprising: Connecting an electronic component of the dendrometer to a data logger for data processing locally. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) Method for claim 21 further comprising: Calculating the circumference growth data by compensating for thermal expansion of the dendrometer. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) Method for claim 21 further comprising Transmitting the electronic signals to another electronic device. ### Claim 25 Method for installing a dendrometer comprising: Providing a dendrometer band having a circuit band, a plunger band and a clip for longitudinal extension of the circuit band, the plunger band or both, Encircling the dendrometer band around a tree trunk, and Joining the circuit band and the plunger band by a spring for clasping the tree trunk. ### Claim 26 (depends on 1) Method for servicing the dendrometer according to claim 1 comprising: Cleaning a dendrometer band for giving sufficient range of longitudinal extension to the dendrometer band. ### Claim 27 (depends on 1) The method for servicing the dendrometer of claim 1, further comprising: Replacing faulty parts of the dendrometer band. ### Claim 28 Method for configuring a dendrometer comprising: Providing a circuit band and a plunger band, Examining range of relative movements between the circuit band and the plunger band, Adjusting lengths of the circuit band, the plunger band or both for providing sufficient operation range to an electronic component of the dendrometer when clasping a tree trunk. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) Method of claim 28 further comprising Compensating thermal expansion of the dendrometer. ### Claim 30 Method for making a dendrometer comprising: Providing a dendrometer band, Attaching an electronic component to the dendrometer band for generating electronic signals when extending the dendrometer band, and Connecting leads of the electronic component to a cable for providing external access. ### Claim 31 (depends on 29) Method of claim 29 further comprising: Connecting a data logger to the cable for receiving the electronic signals.