US 11,774,634 B2
Systems and methods for determining snowpack characteristics
Benjamin Trustman, Truckee, CA (US); and Scotty Strachan, Reno, NV (US)
Assigned to Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education, on behalf of the University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV (US)
Appl. No. 16/91,958
Filed by Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education, on Behalf of the University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV (US)
PCT Filed Apr. 7, 2017, PCT No. PCT/US2017/026690
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Oct. 5, 2018,
PCT Pub. No. WO2017/177189, PCT Pub. Date Oct. 12, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/320,172, filed on Apr. 8, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2019/0107646 A1, Apr. 11, 2019
Int. Cl. G01W 1/14 (2006.01); G01D 21/02 (2006.01); G01N 5/00 (2006.01); G01G 17/04 (2006.01)
CPC G01W 1/14 (2013.01) [G01D 21/02 (2013.01); G01G 17/04 (2013.01); G01N 5/00 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for determining snowpack characteristics, comprising:
a weight plate;
at least one pressure sensor coupled to the weight plate; and
an inert plate surrounding the weight plate, the inert plate having an opening that receives the weight plate;
a first metal plate and a second metal plate that is spaced-apart from the first metal plate, the first and second metal plates supporting the inert plate, and the first and second metal plates being suspended below the inert plate,
wherein the weight plate and the inert plate are laterally spaced apart from one another to provide a first gap therebetween, the weight plate having a perimeter and the first gap extends the entirety of the perimeter of the weight plate,
wherein the weight plate and the at least one pressure sensor are supported by a third metal plate, the third metal plate being removably secured to the first and second metal plates, and
wherein the third metal plate, weight plate, and the at least one pressure sensor are configured to be installed and removed as a unit through the opening in the inert plate.