Snow sensor
US5345223A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 4, 1992 |
| Grant date | Sep 6, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 4, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02A90/10
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention utilizes a single temperature sensor and heating element in thermal contact with the sensing surface. The signal from the temperature sensor and the signal from the heating element are input to a standard microprocessor integrated circuit. The microprocessor continuously compares the two signals to accurately assess whether snow is present on the sensing surface. The present invention eliminates the requirement for a moving airmass to accurately assess the presence of snow on the sensing surface. The present invention does not ingest snow nor require ice formation to operate. The snow sensing surface and the sensor housing are weather and debris resistant. The present invention may be mounted in an elevated position or in any suitable location proximate an area to be monitored. The present invention serves as an integral part of a closed loop control system for numerous snow removal applications.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.