US 7,062,962 B2Granted

Portable apparatus and method for measuring hydraulic features in rivers and streams

AssigneeThe Regents of the University of California

InventorsGreg Pasternack, Brett Valle, David Paige, Ken M. Shaw

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A portable apparatus for measuring characteristics of hydraulic features in rivers and streams that are unwadeable. The apparatus consists of a tripod base, a horizontal boom that articulates on the tripod, a carriage configured to travel on the boom, and a measuring rod that can be moved vertically on the carriage. These components are designed to be portable, carried by hand or in a raft, and are adapted to be assembled on rugged terrain. The measuring rod is configured to accommodate sensors to measure characteristics such as channel topography, water surface topography, air-water mixing, velocity pressure differentials, and lift and drag forces. The apparatus can be adapted for measurement and monitoring in harsh environments such as volcanic lakes, fumaroles, and hot springs. The invention can be utilized for sampling air quality, weather, water quality, fluid mechanics (gas or liquid), soils, sediments, volcanic gases and hydrothermal fluids.

Claims29

Dependent claims

A portable apparatus for measuring characteristics of a hydraulic feature in a river or stream, comprising:

a measuring rod, said measuring rod adapted to measure characteristics of a hydraulic feature;
means for positioning said measuring rod in a desired location relative to a hydraulic feature, comprising:
a boom, said boom oriented horizontally and coupled to said platform;
said boom adapted to articulate on a vertical axis through said platform;
said boom further adapted to extend over a hydraulic feature;
and
a carriage, said carriage adapted to travel along said boom;
said carriage further adapted to position said measuring rod vertically;
wherein said measuring rod is positioned to measure a characteristic of a hydraulic feature when said boom is positioned at a desired orientation on said platform, said carriage is positioned at a desired location on said boom, and said measuring rod is positioned at a desired elevation relative to a hydraulic feature;
a support carriage, said support carriage adapted to travel on said boom;
a support rod, said support rod slidingly coupled to said support carriage;
said support rod adapted to contact the ground and provide vertical support to said boom through said support carriage;
wherein said boom is supported when said support carriage is positioned in a desired location on said boom and said support rod is positioned to contact the ground and is secured to said support carriage;
and
a platform;
said platform adapted to support said positioning means;
said platform further adapted for positioning adjacent the hydraulic feature.

14 more elements

A portable apparatus for measuring characteristics of a hydraulic feature in a river or stream, comprising:

a platform, said platform adapted for positioning adjacent to a hydraulic feature;
a boom, said boom coupled to said platform;
said boom adapted to be oriented horizontally relative to said platform;
said boom adapted to articulate on a vertical axis through said platform;
said boom further adapted to extend over a hydraulic feature;
a carriage, said carriage adapted to travel along said boom;
means for positioning said carriage on said boom;
a measuring rod, said measuring rod slidingly coupled to said carriage;
said measuring rod having a measuring end, said measuring end adapted to measure a characteristic of a hydraulic feature;
and
means for positioning said measuring rod vertically relative to said carriage;
wherein said measuring rod is positioned to measure a characteristic of a hydraulic feature when said boom is positioned at a desired orientation on said platform, said carriage is positioned at a desired location on said boom, and said measuring end of said measuring rod is positioned at a desired elevation relative to a hydraulic feature;
a support carriage, said support carriage adapted to travel on said boom;
and
a support rod, said support rod slidincily coupled to said support carriage;
said support rod adapted to contact the ground and provide vertical support to said boom through said support carriage;
wherein said boom is supported when said support carriage is positioned in a desired location on said boom and said support rod is positioned to contact the ground and is secured to said support carriage.

14 more elements

A portable apparatus for measuring characteristics of a hydraulic feature in a river or stream, comprising:

a tripod, said tripod adapted for positioning adjacent to a hydraulic feature;
a boom, said boom coupled to said tripod;
said boom adapted to be oriented horizontally relative to said tripod;
said boom adapted to articulate on a vertical axis through said tripod;
said boom adapted to extend over a hydraulic feature;
a support carriage, said support carriage adapted to travel on said boom;
a support rod, said support rod slidingly coupled to said support carriage;
said support rod adapted to contact the ground and provide vertical support to said boom through said support carriage;
wherein said boom is supported when said support carriage is positioned in a desired location on said boom and said support rod is positioned to contact the ground and is secured to said support carriage;
a mast, said mast coupled to said tripod;
said mast oriented on a vertical axis through said tripod;
a support cable having a first end, a mid portion and a second end;
said first end of said support cable coupled to said boom;
said mid portion of said support cable slidingly coupled to said mast;
said second end of said support cable coupled to an anchoring object;
a carriage, said carriage adapted to travel along said boom;
a positioning rod, said positioning rod coupled to said carriage;
said positioning rod adapted to position said carriage at a desired location along said boom;
said positioning rod configured to releasably couple to said tripod;
when said carriage is positioned at a desired location on said boom;
a measuring rod, said measuring rod slidingly coupled to said carriage;
said measuring rod oriented vertically;
said measuring rod having a measuring end, said measuring end adapted to measure a characteristic of a hydraulic feature;
a winch, said winch coupled to said boom;
a winch cable, said winch cable having a first end and a second end, said first end coupled to said winch;
and
a pulley, said pulley coupled to said carriage;
said pulley adapted to support said winch cable;
said second end of said winch cable coupled to said measuring rod proximate said measuring end;
wherein said measuring end of said measuring rod is repositioned upward when said winch cable is retracted by said winch through said pulley;
and
wherein said measuring rod is positioned to measure a characteristic of a hydraulic feature when said boom is positioned at a desired orientation on said tripod, said carriage is positioned at a desired location on said boom, and said measuring end of said measuring rod is positioned at a desired elevation relative to a hydraulic feature.

29 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/821,410Filed 9 Apr 2004
Published: US 2005/0223792 A113 Oct 2005
Granted: 20 Jun 2006
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

G01F 1/002
Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow: wherein…
G01N 1/10
Devices for withdrawing samples: in the liquid or fluent state
G01N 1/12
In the liquid or fluent state: dippers; Dredgers
Y02A 90/30
Technologies having an indirect contribution to adaptation to climate change: assessment of water resources