US 9,057,803 B2 · Methods, apparatus and systems for measuring snow structure and stability

Abstract

The present inventions relate generally to methods, apparatus and systems for measuring snow stability and structure which may be used to assess avalanche risk. The disclosed apparatus includes a sensing unit configured to measure a size of snow grains as the sensing unit is being driven into a layer of snow. The disclosed apparatus may also be configured to take other environmental measurements, including resistance to penetration, temperature, humidity, slope aspect and inclination. Methods and apparatus are also disclosed for generating a profile of snow grain size according to depth based on the measured size of snow grains. Systems and apparatus are also disclosed for sharing the generated profiles among a plurality of users via a central server, and for evaluating an avalanche risk at a geographic location.

Claims17

Dependent claims

An apparatus for measuring snow structure and stability comprising:

a pole having a length, a first end and a second end;
a sensing unit located at the first end of the pole, the sensing unit comprising a head shaped for probing a layer of snow, the sensing unit configured to measure a size of snow grains within the layer of snow;
a range sensor configured to measure a distance between the range sensor and a surface of the layer of snow;
and
a processor configured to
determine a depth of penetration based on the distance measured by the range sensor and the length of the pole;
and
determine a profile of snow grain size according to depth based on the measured size of snow grains measured by the sensing unit.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

14/063,649Filed 25 Oct 2013 · us provisional application

Priority

25 Oct 2012

Published

US 2014/0116127 A11 May 2014

Granted

16 Jun 2015

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification20 codes

G01N 33/18
Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00: water
G01B 5/30
Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of mechanical techniques: for measuring the deformation in a solid, e.g. mechanical strain gauge
G01B 7/26
Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electric or magnetic techniques: for measuring depth
G01B 11/14
Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques: for measuring distance or clearance between spaced objects or spaced apertures

Methods, apparatus and systems for measuring snow structure and stability

Life of this patent

Methods, apparatus and systems for measuring snow structure and stability

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17