US3843887A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self calibrating isotopic precipitation measurement gage
Assignee: MEASUREMENTS Inc A CORP OF
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Filing: 1972-05-22
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Granted: 1974-10-22
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Expires: 1992-05-22
Abstract
Abstract An isotopic source emitting highly energetic gamma rays transmitted through attenuating materials to a given point at which energy discriminating detectors are located and an electronic circuit connected to the detectors to establish a continuously calibrated density measurement from which the water content in a snow field is determined.
Inventors
- 👤 R Morrison
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 13:33
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N23/00; G01N23/02; G01N23/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
In a system for measuring accumulation of atmospheric precipitation in a measurement zone by trAnsmission of radiation from a radioactive source of energy through the measurement zone and detection of said transmitted radiation by measurement and reference detectors producing output pulses at rates dependent on the energy level of the detected radiation; the improvement comprising a body of radiation transmitting medium of constant density, means for mounting said detectors in fixed spaced relation to the source, shield means for directing radiation from said source along separate collimated beams extending respectively through the accumulated precipitation and constant density medium to said detectors, attenuation means mounted in said body of constant density medium for establishing a reference ratio of pulse rates between the output pulses of the detectors, and means for registering the output pulses of the measurement detector during a period determined by a fixed number of output pulses from the reference detector; whereby the number of output pulses registered during said period is a function of the density of the accumulated precipitation in the measurement zone.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
In a system for measuring accumulation of atmospheric precipitation in a measurement zone by trAnsmission of radiation from a radioactive source of energy through the measurement zone and detection of said transmitted radiation by measurement and reference detectors producing output pulses at rates dependent on the energy level of the detected radiation; the improvement comprising a body of radiation transmitting medium of constant density, means for mounting said detectors in fixed spaced relation to the source, shield means for directing radiation from said source along separate collimated beams extending respectively through the accumulated precipitation and constant density medium to said detectors, attenuation means mounted in said body of constant density medium for establishing a reference ratio of pulse rates between the output pulses of the detectors, and means for registering the output pulses of the measurement detector during a period determined by a fixed number of output pulses from the reference detector; whereby the number of output pulses registered during said period is a function of the density of the accumulated precipitation in the measurement zone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said mounting means includes a pair of vertical pipes between which the measurement zone is defined, said detectors being positioned in vertically spaced relation within at least one of the pipes, the source being positioned in the other of the pipes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system of claim 2 including a tubular member enclosing said body of constant density medium and extending between said pipes to establish a path for one of the collimated beams between the source and the reference detector at an angle to the other of the collimated beams in the measurement zone.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said shield means includes a block of dense material enclosing a cavity within which the source is positioned and passages extending therefrom at said angle between the collimated beams.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 4 including digital readout means connected to the output pulse registering means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 5 including an additional source of radiation positioned in one of the pipes and additional detectors connected to the digital readout means receiving radiation through the measurement zone from said additional source.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 6 wherein said variable density media includes atmospheric precipitation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said precipitation is accumulated in subsurface soil.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system of claim 3 including means for directing radiation from the source at said angle through a second measurement zone containing a medium more dense than the accumulated precipitation and an additional measurement detector positioned in said second measurement zone for receiving said directed radiation from the source.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3432656A
Cited
US3657532A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-21 | 1978-04-22 | 1978-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-21 | 1982-04-22 | 1982-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-21 | 1986-04-22 | 1986-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |