Mobile platform for measuring flow velocity, ice thickness and water depth across the ice

Abstract

Mobile platform for measuring flow velocity, ice thickness and water depth across ice, comprising a carriage (6) equipped with an angle controller (5), wherein an ice thickness and water depth transmitter (1) and a flow velocity transmitter (2) are each mounted on a lifting device (3), wherein a heating device (4) is provided at the bottom of the lifting device (3); wherein the lifting device (3) on which the ice thickness and water depth transmitter (1) are arranged is mounted directly on the carriage (6), and the lifting device (3) on which the flow velocity transmitter (2) is arranged is mounted on the angle controller (5).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a mobile platform for measuring flow velocity, ice thickness and water depth across ice and belongs to the technical field of hydrographic measurement.

[0002] Polar acoustics is one of the three main research branches of water acoustics. In winter, the ice-covered region is covered with a thick layer of ice. As sound waves propagate, they interact with the ice, creating a unique acoustic propagation environment in the ice region. Researching acoustic signal processing methods and devices adapted to the environment of ice regions is a key focus for Chinese scientists in the field of Arctic water acoustics.

[0003] Monitoring hydrological information beneath the ice using acoustic methods is of considerable scientific and practical value, particularly in polar or high-alpine regions. Conventional methods for obtaining hydrological data under the ice typically rely on manually drilling large holes in the ice to lower sensors into the water for data collection. This method is not only cumbersome and inefficient, but also carries numerous potential risks. Drilling holes in the ice is not only labor-intensive, material-intensive, and time-consuming, but can also cause cracks or collapses due to unstable ice structures. This can lead to serious consequences such as equipment damage or even personal injury, increasing the uncertainties of the experiment and driving up costs.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a novel, ice-capable acoustic monitoring device capable of efficiently and accurately acquiring hydrological information beneath the ice without damaging the ice structure. Such devices should be portable, miniaturized, and modular, able to handle various complex ice surface topographies, and be easy to operate and deploy quickly. Simultaneously, they should possess robust data processing and wireless transmission capabilities to achieve standardization, automation, and repeatability of the measurement process.

[0005] To solve the aforementioned technical problems, this invention aims to create a mobile platform for measuring flow velocity, ice thickness and water depth across the ice, in order to acquire hydrological information through the ice layer.

[0006] The specific technical solution is as follows: mobile platform for measuring flow velocity, ice thickness and water depth across ice, comprising a carriage equipped with an angle controller, wherein an ice thickness and water depth transmitter and a flow velocity transmitter are each attached to a lifting device, wherein a heating device is provided at the bottom of the lifting device; wherein the lifting device on which the ice thickness and water depth transmitters are arranged is attached directly to the carriage, and the lifting device on which the flow velocity transmitter is arranged is attached to the angle controller.

[0007] In addition, a leveling device is arranged on the floor surface of the vehicle.

[0008] Furthermore, the lifting device comprises an outer tube with a base plate at its bottom, the base plate being equipped with a heating device; wherein a main lifting plate is located at the top of the outer tube, which realizes the lifting function by being screwed to a main lifting guide rod;

[0009] Furthermore, a converter mounting plate is provided inside the outer tube, which serves to mount the ice thickness and water depth transmitter as well as the flow velocity transmitter; wherein the converter mounting plate is firmly connected to a secondary lifting plate which is screwed to a secondary lifting guide rod to enable a lifting movement.

[0010] This invention supports rapid measurements at multiple consecutive points, is suitable for large-scale operations on ice surfaces, and enables water surveying and data acquisition, thereby significantly increasing work efficiency. Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of the structure of the present invention. Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of the structure of a lifting device of the present invention.

[0011] As in Fig. Figure 1 shows a mobile platform for measuring flow velocity, ice thickness and water depth across the ice, comprising a carriage 6 equipped with an angle controller 5, wherein an ice thickness and water depth transmitter 1 and a flow velocity transmitter 2 are each attached to a lifting device 3, wherein a heating device 4 is provided at the bottom of the lifting device 3; wherein the lifting device 3, on which the ice thickness and water depth transmitter 1 are arranged, is attached directly to the carriage 6, and the lifting device 3, on which the flow velocity transmitter 2 is arranged, is attached to the angle controller 5; wherein a leveling device is arranged on the floor surface of the carriage 6.

[0012] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the lifting device 3 comprises an outer tube 37, at the bottom of which a base plate 35 is arranged, the base plate 35 being provided with a heating device 4; wherein on the top of the outer tube 37 a main lifting plate 33 is arranged, which realizes the lifting function by being screwed to a main lifting guide rod 31; wherein a converter mounting plate 36 is provided inside the outer tube 37, which serves for mounting the ice thickness and water depth transmitter 1 and the flow velocity transmitter 2; wherein the converter mounting plate 36 is rigidly connected to a secondary lifting plate 34, which is screwed to a secondary lifting guide rod 32 to enable a lifting movement. Both the main lifting guide rod 31 and the secondary lifting guide rod 32 are driven by electrodes.

[0013] This invention is suitable for river ice areas with an ice thickness greater than 0.1 m. The system performs multi-point measurements using the portable cart 6 and meets the following functional and structural requirements: The heating device 4 is attached to the lower end of the lifting device 3 to locally melt the ice surface, thus facilitating the coupling of the sensors to the water; the cart 6 is equipped with two lifting devices 3, one of which operates vertically and the other at an angle of 30 degrees to the bottom of the cart. The cart 6 is characterized by its lightweight structure, ease of disassembly, and mobility, allowing for simple transport by a single person and the distribution of multiple measurement points.

[0014] The physical converter body: Length 93 mm, width 56 mm, weight (without cable): 0.4 kg.

[0015] The specific application method is as follows: 1. On-site preparation: Transport of the mobile platform for ice-crossing measurement of flow velocity, ice thickness, and water depth to the target area on the ice surface and selection of a measurement point with a relatively flat terrain profile without visible cracks or obstacles. Commissioning of the device and functional testing of all subsystems and performance of necessary system self-tests to ensure proper operating condition. 2. Device Fixing: Stable deployment of the mobile platform for measuring flow velocity, ice thickness, and water depth across the ice surface at the selected measuring point. Height and tilt adjustment of the leveling device to ensure overall horizontal alignment of the system and to prevent tilting or vibrations, thus guaranteeing subsequent measurement accuracy. Use of anti-slip devices to increase stability on the ice surface, if necessary. 3. Lowering the lifting device 3 and preheating the ice surface: Actuation of the stepper motor via the display to rotate the main lifting guide rod 31, lowering the main lifting plate 33 until the lower end of the outer tube 37 makes contact with the heating device 4 on the ice surface. Activation of the heating device 4 via the display to rapidly melt the contact area by electrical heating and form a thin film of water to create an acoustically optimized coupling environment for sound propagation. Real-time monitoring of temperature changes during the heating process to prevent overheating damage to the device or the ice structure. 4. Converter coupling: The stepper motor is controlled via the display to rotate the secondary lifting guide rod 32, lowering the secondary lifting plate 34 with the ice thickness and water depth transmitter 1 and the flow velocity transmitter 2 into the melted area to ensure complete contact with the water film and the formation of a stable sound propagation channel. The described state is maintained for several seconds to verify the effective coupling and stable positioning of the ice thickness and water depth transmitter 1 and the flow velocity transmitter 2 on the ice surface, followed by the automatic execution of acoustic adjustment processes and the system transition to the measurement-ready state. 5. Measurement sequence start: Pressing the measurement start button on the control terminal sequentially activates the ice thickness and water depth transmitter 1. The system emits acoustic signals and detects the echo signals, subsequently calculating the water depth and ice thickness based on the signal propagation time and the speed of sound in the medium. The measurement results are displayed in real time on the main control terminal's display. The system then switches to the flow velocity transmitter 2 and activates the velocity measurement. The current flow velocity at the measuring point is determined using the Doppler principle or alternative algorithms, and the results are displayed on the control terminal to complete a full multiparameter measurement task. 6. Device retrieval: Reactivation of the heating device 4 to melt the contact area of ​​the ice surface after measurement completion, ensuring the easy release of the ice thickness and water depth transmitter 1 and the flow velocity transmitter 2 from the ice surface. Actuation of the lifting device 3 to rotate the main lifting guide rod 31 and secondary lifting guide rod 32, uniformly raising the main lifting plate 33 with the ice thickness and water depth transmitter 1 and the flow velocity transmitter 2 into the starting position, ensuring damage-free and resistance-free retraction of the device and preparation for transfer to the next measuring point. 7. Repeat measurement: Move carriage 6 by manual pushing or remote control to the next predefined measuring point and repeat the field measurement procedure according to the above described procedure steps. Reference symbol list 1 Ice thickness and water depth transmitter 2 flow velocity transmitters 3 Lifting device 31 Main lifting guide rod 32 Secondary lift guide rod 33 Main lifting plate 34 Secondary lifting plate 35 Base plate 36 Converter mounting plate 37 Outer pipe 4 Heating device 5 angle controls 6 cars

Claims

[1] Mobile platform for measuring flow velocity, ice thickness and water depth across ice, comprising a carriage (6) equipped with an angle controller (5), wherein an ice thickness and water depth transmitter (1) and a flow velocity transmitter (2) are each mounted on a lifting device (3), wherein a heating device (4) is provided at the bottom of the lifting device (3); wherein the lifting device (3) on which the ice thickness and water depth transmitter (1) are arranged is mounted directly on the carriage (6), and the lifting device (3) on which the flow velocity transmitter (2) is arranged is mounted on the angle controller (5). [2] Mobile platform for measuring flow velocity, ice thickness and water depth across the ice according to claim 1, characterized by , that a leveling device is arranged on the floor surface of the carriage (6). [3] Mobile platform for measuring flow velocity, ice thickness and water depth across the ice according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the lifting device (3) comprises an outer tube (37) at the bottom of which a base plate (35) is arranged, the base plate (35) being provided with a heating device (4); wherein a main lifting plate (33) is located on the top of the outer tube (37), which realizes the lifting function by being screwed to a main lifting guide rod (31); wherein a converter mounting plate (36) is provided inside the outer tube (37), which serves to mount the ice thickness and water depth transmitter (1) and the flow velocity transmitter (2); wherein the converter mounting plate (36) is fixedly connected to a secondary lifting plate (34), which is screwed to a secondary lifting guide rod (32) to enable a lifting movement.

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