Rainwise, Inc.

Other

Warner Electric Brake & Clutch Company

Dana Corporation

The Jackson Laboratory

Dana Corporation, Warner Electric Brake & Clutch Division

John S Baer

Michael A Vietti

Daniel J LaPointe

William R Coon

Stephen K Bohrer

John Frus

John H Weatherby

A wireless weather station for measuring a number of weather parameters over an extended time at a data collection location. The weather data can be transmitted to a remote location using substantially less total power than would be necessary to provide real time continuous transmission, yet provide the appearance of real time continuous transmission. A sensor assembly is positioned at the data collection location, powered by a battery that is recharged using a solar panel. A clock controlled microprocessing unit controls the data transducers to provide a data sampling rate and a data transmission interval. The data sampling rate for a parameter corresponds to the rate of change of the parameter. The microprocessor unit provides a plurality of data transmission intervals, with each of the data transmission intervals having a predetermined length of time corresponding to the power requirements of the sensor assembly and the current power status of the battery. In this manner, the data output that is provided to the remote receiving station appears to be real time continuous transmission but is actually delayed by the length of time of the data transmission interval. While the invention is particularly well suited for use with a weather station, it can also be used in any situation where power requirements need to be conserved and data needs to be transmitted to a remote location.

Wireless weather station

There is provided an apparatus for measuring operating parameters of a rotating shaft, which apparatus includes an encoder module attached to a first end of the shaft, an elongate member having a first end attached to a second end of the shaft and extending along the shaft, and an encoder disk attached to a second end of the elongate member and operatively disposed in proximity to the encoder module, such that twisting of the shaft caused by torque applied thereto will cause relative angular displacement between the encoder module and the encoder disk. In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for measuring the rate of revolution of a shaft, which apparatus includes a hollow, cylindrical, inwardly facing race defined within the shaft, a freely rolling ferromagnetic ball disposed in the race, and a permanent magnet with a coil therearound fixedly disposed with respect to the shaft and disposed near the race such that proximity of the ball to the magnet and coil will change the amount of magnetic flux to which the coil is otherwise subjected, so that the coil will output a pulse of current each time the magnet passes the ball as the shaft rotates.

Apparatus for monitoring operation of a drive shaft

A total precipitation gauge (10) incorporates a float gauge (16) extending downward to a liquid level (18) in a precipitation storage container. The float gauge (16) is formed with an elongate stillwell (20) extending into the liquid level (18), a float element (22) suspended in the stillwell (20) for rising and falling motion within the stillwell in response to the liquid level, and an elongate code bearing surface (24) coupled to the float (22). A code sensor (34) senses motion of the code bearing surface (34) for generating electrical signals (35) corresponding to motion of the float element and liquid level. The code bearing surface is a flexible coded strip (24) secured at one end to the float element (22) and at the other end to a spring loaded reel (25). The spring force of the spring loaded reel (25) is less than the weight of the float element (22) and ballast (26). The code sensor (34) is an optical interruption sensor with first and second optical sensors (a1,a2) coupled in a quadrature relationship with respect to the coded strip (24) to determine direction of motion of the coded strip (24). The total precipitation gauge may be constructed in the configuration of a removable and replaceable cover (12) for fitting over a precipitation storage container (14). The cover (12) includes a collector passageway (15) for proportionately restricting precipitation passing into the precipitation storage container (14).

Total precipitation gauge with float sensor

An axial pole stepping motor having a stator assembly on one or both sides of a disc-shaped rotor and including a plurality of teeth extending parallel to the rotational axis of the motor's drive shaft with the teeth arranged into at least two groups and evenly spaced within each of the two groups such that the teeth of each group may be axially aligned with the north-south poles of the permanent magnets evenly spaced about the circumference of the rotor. The two groups of teeth are circumferentially offset from each other such that the teeth of both groups cannot be simultaneously aligned with the north-south poles of the rotor. The circumferential offsetting of the two groups defines a stepping angle for the rotation of the motor shaft. A continuous skein winding woven in a labyrinth pattern between and among the teeth of each group transforms the teeth into salient poles. The windings may be energized in several modes. In order to provide stability in all modes of energization, at least one extra tooth not associated with the windings can be provided in the circumferential intergroup gap separating adjacent groups of teeth in the single stator assembly.

Axial pole stepping motor

A wind speed and wind direction indicator is constructed on a center support pole or mast having a vertical scale of wind speed indicia for visually reading wind speed at a distance from the pole. A swivel head is mounted at the top of the pole for rotation to different compass directions. A rigid arm pendulum is pivotally coupled to the swivel head for pivotal motion of the pendulum to different angles with respect to the support pole. A wind drag structure such as a wind sock is coupled to the free end of the rigid arm pendulum for angular positioning in response to varying wind speed. A sliding collar is mounted on the support pole for sliding motion up and down over the scale of wind speed indicia. A line is coupled between the free end of the rigid arm and the sliding collar for sliding motion of the collar over the scale of wind speed indicia in response to varying wind speed. A generally cylindrical compass direction sleeve is mounted on the support pole in relation to the swivel head and rigid arm pendulum. It is formed with wind direction compass indicia around the support pole for visual reading at a distance from the pole. The compass sleeve may be secured to the swivel head for rotation with the swivel head for indicating compass direction of origin of wind from a selected vantage point.

Wind speed and wind direction indicator

A wind speed and wind direction signal generator includes first and second pulse signal generators each with a respective stator and rotor. The stator for each pulse generator has at least two stator coils mounted at a radial angle relative to each other in the direction of rotation of a rotor so that pulse signals excited on the stationary output lines of the two stator coils are phase shifted relative to each other at a phase detectable angle. The rotor has at least one permanent magnet with two poles spaced from each other for rotation relative to the respective stator coils and for exciting the pulse signals on the stator coil stationary output lines. First and second wind propellers are secured to the respective rotors and are oriented to compass directions at approximately 90.degree. defining a quadrant of a compass coordinate system. The wind propellers cause rotation of the respective rotors at respective frequencies proportional to first and second wind speed components. Phase detectors detect the direction of phase shift of pulse signals from each pair of stator coils from the first and second pulse signal generators. Counters count the pulses from the respective signals over predetermined time intervals generating wind speed component magnitude signals. A microprocessor and program elements compute the desired wind speed and wind direction information from the wind speed component magnitude signals, wind direction angle signals, quadrant signals, calibration factor signals, and trigonometric function signals.

Wind speed and wind direction signal generator

A weather station display system displays weather data on a video monitor, TV receiver or other raster screen display. The weather data is derived from a weather station having multiple weather parameter sensors or transducers for measuring weather parameters and generating electrical signals representative of the measured values of the weather parameters. The electrical signals are conditioned and converted to digitally coded weather data. A microprocessor periodically samples and stores the digitally coded weather data and transfers weather data to a screen memory for raster scanning onto a raster screen display. The microprocessor also loads screen display format data including a main screen display format to the screen memory from program and screen data memory. A light pen coupled to the raster controller permits interrogation of character locations for selectively modifying displayed weather data. The program components stored in program memory direct updating weather data, user interactive light pen recall of maximum and minimum weather data, and interactive assembly of user messages.

Light pen interactive weather parameter display system

A rotational position indicator useful for example for indicating wind direction is provided by a stator having nine position sensors substantially equally spaced around the circumference of a circle and an armature mounted for rotation on an axis located at the center of the circle. The armature is formed with two position sensor actuators mounted at approximately 140.degree. relative to each other. Each position sensor actuator is mounted at a radial position for selectively actuating the position sensors upon rotation of the armature. An electric circuit is coupled to each position sensor for indicating actuation or not of the respective position sensor. The output provides a unique position code for successive intervals of angular positioning of the armature relative to the stator. The actuators have an actuating effect over a selected angular interval sufficient to produce 36 unique position codes for indentifying successive 10.degree. intervals of angular positioning of the armature relative to the stator.

Rotational position indicator

Laboratory animal shipping containers having a generally cylindrical configuration container housing may be stacked and the stacks placed in a close packing density arrangement while still affording adequate air ventilation substantially entirely around the containers. The generally cylindrical configuration container housing is formed by two substantially symmetrical and interchangeable mating halves each having a substantially circular base and a ventilated side wall depending or extending from the base. A plurality of mating tabs or flanges extend from the perimeter of the side wall of each mating half. A slotted strap or locking band is formed with elongate spaced slots around the locking band for sliding over flush pairs of mating tabs around the middle of the container for securing the mating halves together at the roots of the tabs. Radial partitions define a plurality of compartments within the container housing. At least one base is formed with score lines or tear lines defining a plurality of holes to be opened along the score lines for loading or unloading animals in the respective compartments. A plurality of inner score lines or tear lines define loading holes. Lids are provided for securely covering the loading holes during shipping. A plurality of outer score lines or tear lines are formed around at least a portion of the inner score lines and define the unloading holes.

Animal shipping container

Parameter sensors and monitors are described incorporating one of a variety of parameter responsive structures constructed and arranged for expansion and contraction causing a component of motion and displacement along at least one direction in response to variations of a selected parameter. A reference mounting supports the parameter responsive structure and either a magnet element or Hall effect transducer is secured relative to the reference mounting or housing in alignment with a selected direction of a component of motion and displacement caused by expansion and contraction of the parameter responsive structure. The other of said magnet element and Hall effect transducer is mounted for relative displacement along said selected direction in response to expansion and contraction of the parameter responsive structure. The magnet element and linear Hall effect transducer are juxtaposed relative to each other for variable spacing in response to changes in the selected parameter by expansion and contraction of the parameter responsive structure. An HET enhancer in the form of a magnet receiver sleeve of magnetically permeable material enhances the linearity and sensitivity of the HET voltage response to magnet element displacement. The invention is applied by way of example to barometers, altimeters, hygrometers, pressure gauges and force gauges using parameter responsive structures such as ambient pressure responsive bellows and capsules, ambient humidity responsive tubes or hollow cylinders of hydroscopic material, Bourdon tubes and pressure tubes of various configurations, and force gauge proving rings.

Parameter sensors and monitors

A magnet switch or selector for selecting the functions of a multiple function electronic circuit device in a housing. A plurality of reed switches are incorporated into the electronic circuit device for switching on and off respectively the multiple functions. The reed switches are arranged in a sequence in proximity to a horizontal surface of the housing. An elongate sliding groove or sliding channel is formed in the horizontal surface of the housing in proximity to the reed switches, and the channel is oriented and arranged in a configuration along the sequence of reed switches. A magnet element having a cross-sectional profile substantially conforming to the cross-sectional profile of the channel is seated in the channel for restrained and controlled sliding motion back and forth along the sliding channel. The magnet element is magnetized with magnetic lines of force extending into the housing below the magnet element when the magnet element is seated in the sliding channel for selected magnetic actuation of the reed switches according to the position of the magnet element in the sliding channel. The magnet selector may also have a plurality of sliding channels and a plurality of magnet elements seated in respective sliding channels.

Magnet selector or switch

A totally digitalized weather station provides a digital display with selection elements for selecting a particular transducer and indication elements for indicating which parameter is being sensed at the time. Elements are provided to select from memory maximum and minimum readings of various parameters. Some transducers may employ a broadly new digital technique whereby the dial cooperable with a pointer on the shaft is used to produce digital calibrations which are attached to the shaft and move with the shaft and are read by at least a pair of fixed heads. In non-linear situations, corresponding scales are adjustable rotationally relative to one another to permit the corresponding calibrations of the two scales to be present underneath the respective reading heads simultaneously.

Digital weather station

An electric step motor has a rotor member and a stator member aligned on a common axis with one of the two members having two pairs of interdigital pole teeth extending perpendicularly to the axis. The two pairs of pole teeth are axially spaced from each other with the inner pole teeth in each pair spaced both radially and circumferentially from the outer pole teeth in that pair. A pair of coils are associated with the two pairs of interdigital pole teeth for magnetizing the inner and outer pole teeth in each pair with opposite polarities when the corresponding coil is energized. The other member has multiple permanent magnets spaced circumferentially from each other and located axially between the two pairs of interdigital pole teeth so that energization of either coil draws the permanent magnets into register with a selected pair of interdigital pole teeth. The permanent magnets are polarized in the axial direction with each adjacent pair of the permanent magnets preferably polarized in opposite directions, and the pole teeth in one of the two interdigital pairs are preferably circumferentially offset from the pole teeth in the other pair.

Step motor with circumferential stators on opposite sides of disc-like

A first thermometer is conventionally calibrated and a second is calibrated to read a predetermined temperature lower than actual temperature and provided with a heater resistor in good heat transfer relation to its bulb. Switch means connects a battery to the resistor to heat the second thermometer until it is observed to read the same as the first. Then the switch is repositioned such that appropriate circuitry causes reduced heating such that the elevated temperature condition of the second thermometer is merely 'held' at that position and the bulb of the second thermometer is exposed to the wind and after a predetermined time (on the order of 30 seconds) the second thermometer is read, its reading representing the effective temperature as the result of wind chill.

Growing community of inventors

Bar Harbor, ME, United States of America

John S Baer