US3690169A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Snow moisture integrator
Assignee: Michigan Technological University
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Filing: 1971-04-16
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Granted: 1972-09-12
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Expires: 1991-04-16
Abstract
Abstract A snow moisture integrator for automatically measuring and recording changes in moisture content related to the surface of a snow pack includes two spaced vertical conduits interconnected by a horizontal conduit. The conduits are positioned in the vicinity of the snow pack and are substantially filled with a non-freezing liquid. A sample holding assembly, including an open top receptacle for holding snow and a float rod connected to the receptacle, floats in the column of liquid in one of the vertical conduits. A float is operatively connected to a continuous stage recorder and floats in the column of liquid in the other vertical conduit. A sample of snow in the receptacle is exposed to the same ambient conditions as the snow pack. As the weight of the snow sample varies, either a loss of weight due to evaporation or a gain of weight due to condensation, the float rod rises or sinks in the liquid in the vertical conduit. The change in amount of liquid thus displaced by the sample holding assembly is reflected in a change in the liquid level in the other vertical conduit. The float responds to the liquid level changes in the conduit and this movement is recorded thereby providing a record of weight changes in the snow sample and, hence, the amount of evaporation and condensation.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry S Santeford Jr
- 👤 John G Meier
- 👤 George R Alger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 19:48
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N5/00; G01N5/04; G01N5/045; G01W; G01W1/00; G01W1/14; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A90/00; Y02A90/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
202 words
A snow moisture integrator comprising, first and second vertical conduits spaced apart and interconnected by a generally horizontal conduit so that said vertical conduits are in liquid communication, said conduits containing a liquid with a column of liquid being defined by each of said vertical conduits; recording means; a float operatively connected to said recording means and floating in the column of liquid in said first vertical conduit; a sample holding assembly adapted to hold a sample of snow from a snow pack for which the moisture content is to be measured and further adapted to float in the column of liquid in said second vertical column so that a change in the buoyancy of said sample holding assembly, corresponding to a change in the weight of said sample, produces a change in the liquid level in said first conduit, said liquid level change in said first vertical conduit being recorded by said recording means as said float responds thereto; and means for locating said second conduit and said sample holding assembly in the vicinity of said snow pack so that the snow held in said sample holding assembly is exposed to the same environment as the surface of said snow pack.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
202 words
A snow moisture integrator comprising, first and second vertical conduits spaced apart and interconnected by a generally horizontal conduit so that said vertical conduits are in liquid communication, said conduits containing a liquid with a column of liquid being defined by each of said vertical conduits; recording means; a float operatively connected to said recording means and floating in the column of liquid in said first vertical conduit; a sample holding assembly adapted to hold a sample of snow from a snow pack for which the moisture content is to be measured and further adapted to float in the column of liquid in said second vertical column so that a change in the buoyancy of said sample holding assembly, corresponding to a change in the weight of said sample, produces a change in the liquid level in said first conduit, said liquid level change in said first vertical conduit being recorded by said recording means as said float responds thereto; and means for locating said second conduit and said sample holding assembly in the vicinity of said snow pack so that the snow held in said sample holding assembly is exposed to the same environment as the surface of said snow pack.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The snow moisture integrator according to claim 1 wherein said sample holding assembly includes a generally flat receptacle for holding said sample which is open at the top to expose said sample to the environmental conditions at said snow pack.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The snow moisture integrator according to claim 1 wherein said sample holding assembly includes a generally flat receptacle for holding said sample which is open at the top to expose said sample to the environmental conditions at said snow pack.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The snow moisture integrator according to claim 2 wherein said liquid has a freezing point substantially below the minimum ambient temperature expected in the vicinity of said snow pack.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The snow moisture integrator according to claim 3 wherein said sample holding assembly includes a vertical float rod connected to the bottom of said receptacle, said float rod being slidably mounted inside said second vertical conduit and partially submerged in the column of liquid therein.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
57 words
The snow moisture integrator according to claim 4 wherein said sample holding assembly includes diffusing means connected to said receptacle and covering said sample, which diffuses winds passing over said sample so as to prevent it from being blown from said receptacle but permits substantially free circulation of the ambient air over the surface of said sample.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The snow moisture integrator according to claim 5 including a shield positioned over the upper end of said second conduit to prevent the entry of snow into said second conduit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The snow moisture integrator aCcording to claim 1 wherein the bottom portion of said vertical conduits and said horizontal conduit are mounted underground.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The snow moisture integrator according to claim 3 wherein said receptacle is constructed from a light weight, blown plastic material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The snow moisture integrator according to claim 5 wherein said vertical conduits and said float rod are cylindrically shaped and said float rod is tubular with a closed bottom.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for determining the changes in the moisture content in the surface of the snow pack comprising, arranging conduit means containing a liquid to define first and second vertical liquid columns, said liquid columns being in liquid communication with each other; providing means for holding a sample of snow from the snow pack, said snow sample being exposed to the environmental conditions at said snow pack; floating said sample holding means in said first liquid column so that the amount of liquid displaced therein, corresponding to the combined weight of said sample and sample holding means, is reflected by changes in the liquid level of said second liquid column; and measuring said changes in the liquid level of said second liquid column.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for determining the changes in the moisture content in the surface of the snow pack comprising, arranging conduit means containing a liquid to define first and second vertical liquid columns, said liquid columns being in liquid communication with each other; providing means for holding a sample of snow from the snow pack, said snow sample being exposed to the environmental conditions at said snow pack; floating said sample holding means in said first liquid column so that the amount of liquid displaced therein, corresponding to the combined weight of said sample and sample holding means, is reflected by changes in the liquid level of said second liquid column; and measuring said changes in the liquid level of said second liquid column.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method according to claim 10 wherein said measuring and determining is accomplished by a float means floating in said second liquid column operatively connected to a means calibrated to indicate the amount of and changes in moisture in said sample.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein said calibrated means is a continuous stage recorder.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2497759A
Cited
FR69455E
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-12 | 1976-03-13 | 1976-09-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-12 | 1980-03-13 | 1980-09-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-12 | 1984-03-13 | 1984-09-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |