Pivotable Deflector Wind Shield for Precipitation Gauges

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wind shields for precipitation gauges are either expensive and prone to blockage by snow or noisy and ineffective in high winds due to movable deflector fins.

Innovation Solution

A wind shield system with pivotably supported deflectors that have limited travel, featuring a pivoting attachment and damping material to reduce noise and wear, allowing for effective wind flow modification while maintaining structural integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If moveable deflector fins are used to reduce snow blockage, then reliability is improved, but noise increases and effectiveness decreases in high wind conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to snow blockageVSAvoidnoise

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the degree of freedom parameter from full rotation to limited angular travel (±45 degrees from vertical), which eliminates the harmful noise effect while preserving the reliability benefit of moveable deflectors that can adapt to snow accumulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If moveable deflector fins are used to reduce snow blockage, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to pivoting mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to snow blockageVSAvoidpivoting mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent simplifies the pivoting mechanism by constraining motion to a single vertical plane with limited angular travel, reducing the complexity of the pivoting attachment while maintaining the adaptability needed to prevent snow blockage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The pivoting attachment acts as an intermediary mechanism that provides just enough mobility to prevent snow blockage without the full complexity of unrestricted pivoting, mediating between the simplicity of fixed fences and the complexity of fully moveable deflectors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If deflectors are allowed to pivot freely in high wind conditions, then adaptability is improved, but measurement precision decreases due to horizontal blowing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewind flow adaptationVSAvoidprecipitation measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the angular travel parameter to a limited range (±45 degrees from vertical), which maintains adaptability to varying wind conditions while preventing the deflectors from blowing horizontal and losing effectiveness, thus preserving measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Device complexity

If stationary slats are used in wind shield structure, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability decreases due to blockage by snow and blowing material

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidresistance to blockage

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from stationary slats to dynamically adjustable deflectors that can pivot within a limited angular range, enabling the structure to adapt to snow accumulation and wind conditions while maintaining relative simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution results in a quieter, cost-effective wind shield that maintains accuracy and efficiency in precipitation measurement, collecting 20% more precipitation than prior designs while being easier to install and maintain.

Implementation Method 1

Each opening includes a damping material thereabout. The damping material may include rubber.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS8061193B2Low noise wind shield system

Publication Date: 2011.11.22 ROBINSON BRUCE R

AI summary

A meteorological system includes a precipitation gauge and a wind shield subsystem about the precipitation gauge. The wind shield subsystem includes an elevated support member about the precipitation gauge, a plurality of wind deflectors pivotably supported on the support member, and a pivoting attachment between each deflector and the support member. The pivoting attachment is configured to limit the travel of the deflector.