JPH0979977A - Water-content measuring apparatus for snow - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to automatically measure the water content of snow real time. SOLUTION: A snow intake port door 3 is opened, snow 4 during falling is deposited in a predetermined quantity on the upper surface of a snow reception belt 5 to generate snow lump, and then infrared rays are emitted from an infrared emitting unit 8 to the lump on the belt 5, and the water content is measured based on the reflectivity of the reflected light from the lump of this case. After the measurement is ended, the belt 5 is rotated by a driving mechanism 7, a collected snow discharge port door 10 is opened to form a discharge port, and the lump on the belt 5 is discharged out of an apparatus via the discharge port. Further, the water content on the surface of the belt 5 is removed by a water content removing unit 11 for next measurement.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a snow water content measuring device for automatically measuring the water content of snow.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in roads, railroads, electric power transmission, etc., it is desirable to understand the characteristics of falling snow because measures against snowfall are necessary. Moisture content is one of the indicators of snow properties. Conventionally, there are the following four methods for measuring the water content of snow that have been proposed.

(1) A method of measuring the latent heat of ice in snow (latent heat method). This latent heat method measures the amount and temperature of hot water for melting snow, throws the measured amount of snow into the hot water, measures the temperature after mixing hot water and snow, and measures the calorific value after measurement. This is a method of calculating the water content by calculation. (2) A method of mechanically separating water in snow by centrifugal force.

After putting snow into a test tube, rotating it,
This is a method in which water is separated by the centrifugal force and the weight of each is measured to obtain the water content. (3) A method of evaluating the water content for each snowfall crystal unit. This is a method in which the moisture test paper is impregnated with the moisture of snow and the amount of moisture is measured from the impregnated area.

(4) Irradiating the snow with infrared light, the light passing through the snow at that time is received on the opposite side, or the light reflected from the snow is received on the irradiation side, and the light receiving condition causes water to be contained. How to rate. This method uses the reflectance of reflected light (or the absorptance of transmitted light) when illuminating snow in the near infrared region.
Is that it changes depending on the water content of snow,
In particular, since the reflectance (absorption rate) changes greatly in a specific wavelength band, measurement is performed in this wavelength band.

Specific known techniques for measuring snow include, for example, JP-A-64-33089 (snowfall detector), JP-A-4-8987 (snow quality automatic measuring sensor), and JP-A-Hei. 1-50937 (water content measuring device for snowfall particles) and JP-A-1-50985 (device for measuring distribution of number, size and area of snowfall).

[0007]

However, all of the above-mentioned prior arts require manual operation for some or all of the steps, which requires time and cannot perform real-time measurement. Further, the method (1) requires a means for boiling hot water, a means for measuring the weight, a means for inserting snow, a means for discharging hot water after the measurement, etc., so that the apparatus becomes large. In the case of the above method (2), the size of the device is increased because a centrifuge or a storage device is required, and the snow throwing means may be a bottleneck when attempting unmanned operation.

Further, the above method (3) also inevitably increases the size of the apparatus, and means for impregnating the test paper and the like becomes a problem when unmanned. Further, the method of (4) above has not yet been technically solved with respect to a method for collecting a fixed amount of snowflakes in the measuring portion and discharging the snow after the measurement, a cooling means for preventing the collected snow from melting, and the like. However, there are still issues to be solved when trying to unmanned.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a snow water content measuring apparatus capable of unmanned and real-time measurement of the water content of snow.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a snowfall water content measuring apparatus for measuring the water content in naturally snowed snow using infrared light. Means for forming an opening for collecting the snow, a snow receiving portion for accumulating a predetermined amount of snow during the snowfall, and infrared light for a snow mass formed in the snow receiving portion. A measurement unit that receives reflected light or transmitted light from the snow mass and irradiates and measures the water content, and discharges the snow mass on the snow reception part to the outside after the measurement is completed, and at least the snow reception part. A preparation means for removing water on the surface is provided.

The snow receiving portion may be a belt-shaped rotating body. Further, the preparation means includes an outlet for collecting snowfall formed in association with the rotation of the rotating body, and an ejecting means for feeding the snow mass on the rotating body to the outlet as the rotating body rotates. be able to. Further, it is preferable that the snow receiving portion is kept cold by a cold keeping means for keeping the snow mass cold at least from a stage of starting the collection of natural snowfall to a stage of completing measurement.

[0012]

According to the above-mentioned means, the snowfall intake is formed on the snow receiving portion at the time of measurement, the snowfall during the snowfall falls on the snow receiving portion, and a snow mass occurs after a predetermined time. Therefore, by closing the snowfall inlet and irradiating the snow mass with infrared light from the measurement unit, the water content can be obtained based on the reflectance of the reflected light from the snow mass or the transmittance of the transmitted light. After the measurement, the snowflakes on the snow receiving section are automatically discharged to the outside of the device, and the snow receiving section is returned to the initial state in preparation for the next measurement. Therefore, the water content of snow can be measured automatically and in real time.

By using the belt-shaped rotating body as the snow receiving portion, the snow receiving portion is returned to the initial state after the rotating body makes one rotation. Therefore, the preparation for the next measurement is completed in a short time, and the waiting time can be made extremely short. Further, when a belt-shaped rotating body is used for the snow receiving part, the outlet for the collected snowfall is opened in association with the drive of the rotating body after the measurement, and the snow on the snow receiving part is rotated as the rotating body is rotated. The lump moves toward the discharge port, is automatically extruded from the tip portion to the discharge port in order, and is finally discharged to the outside of the apparatus. As a result, the measured snowflakes can be automatically processed with a simple configuration.

Since the snow on the snow receiving portion does not melt by operating the cold insulation means, it is possible to prevent the measurement accuracy from deteriorating.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front sectional view showing a snowfall water content measuring apparatus according to the present invention. The housing 1 is formed in a sealed state on the bottom surface and the periphery thereof, and an upper portion thereof is opened, and a cylindrical or box-shaped snow receiver 2 is provided. An openable snowfall intake door 3 (which constitutes a snowfall intake forming means together with a drive mechanism thereof) is provided at the upper end of the snow receiver 2 to take in the falling snow 4. A snow receiving belt 5 (snow receiving portion) having an endless structure is rotatably disposed at a position facing the snow intake door 3. A transparent vinyl material or the like is used for the snow receiving belt 5 so that the light from the measuring unit can reciprocate, and is developed so as to form a "B" shape. Four guide rollers 6 are arranged at each corner of the snow receiving belt 5 so that the snow receiving belt 5 can rotate smoothly. Using these rollers as support points, the snow receiving belt 5
Can be rotated (stopped from the start of measurement to completion, and rotated counterclockwise after measurement). As a drive source for rotating the guide roller 6, a drive mechanism 7 (a configuration including a motor, a drive roller 7a to which the rotational force of the motor is transmitted, and a driven roller 7b) is provided in the lower portion.

Further, below the upper surface of the snow receiving belt 5, an infrared light receiving and emitting device 8 as a measuring unit is arranged. The infrared light receiving and emitting device 8 has a configuration in which a collected snow clump (not shown) is irradiated with infrared light or light in the near infrared region from a light emitting element, and reflected light from the snow clump is received by a light receiving element. I have it. A water content recording device 9 for processing the light detected by the light receiving element and recording the water content is connected to the infrared light emitting and receiving device 8.

After one measurement is completed, the side surface of the snow receiver 2 is openably and closably collected to form an outlet for discharging the snow on the snow receiving belt 5 out of the apparatus. A snow discharge outlet door 10 (which constitutes a discharge means together with a driving means for the snow receiving belt 5) is provided. Further, after the measurement, the snow receiving belt 5
A water removing device 11 (preparation means) is installed to remove water on the surface of the snow receiving belt 5
Blower 12 is placed at the bottom of the device to dry the surface of the
(Preparation means) is provided. Further, in order to prevent the snow from being melted during the sampling and the measurement from being melted and the measurement accuracy being lowered, a cooler 13 (cooling means) for cooling the inside of the apparatus is installed inside. As the cooler 13, a cooling device using a thermoelectric conversion element using the Peltier effect can be used.

The operation of measuring the water content in the snow content measuring apparatus having the above structure will be described with reference to FIGS. The snow content measuring device is installed at a position where the falling snow can pour outdoors. A water content recording device 9 is installed indoors, and the water content recording device 9 is installed.
Between the infrared ray receiving and emitting device 8 and the driving mechanism 7, the blower 1
Cables for supplying electric power to 2 etc. are wired between the snowfall water content measuring device and the room.

First, as shown in FIG. 1, the snowfall intake door 3
Is driven so as to open, and a snowfall intake is formed at the upper end of the snow receiver 2 so that the snow 4 during snowfall can be collected. At this time, the collection snowfall discharge door 10 is closed, and the guide roller 6, the drive mechanism 7, the moisture removing device 11, the blower 12 and the like are stopped. However, the cooler 13 is operated to prevent the snow accumulated on the snow receiving belt 5 from melting.

In the state shown in FIG. 1, the snow 4 is continuously collected, and after a predetermined time elapses, the snow 4 is accumulated on the snow receiving belt 5. When the snow intake door 3 is closed when the snow 4 reaches a certain thickness, a snow mass 14 is formed on the snow receiving belt 5 as shown in FIG. Therefore, the infrared light emitting and receiving device 8 is driven to irradiate the snowflakes 14 with infrared light or light in the near infrared region,
The reflected light from the snowflakes 14 at that time is received by the light receiving element of the infrared light emitting and receiving device 8, and the level of the reflected light on the snowflakes 14 is measured to calculate the water content. The calculation result is transmitted to the water content recording device 9, and the water content recording device 9 files and displays the calculation result, and further, prints out if necessary.

When the measurement thus performed is completed, as shown in FIG. 3, the snow collecting and discharging outlet door 10 is opened,
The snow receiving belt 5 is rotationally driven in the direction of the arrow in the figure, and the snowflakes 14 on the snow receiving belt 5 are discharged to the outside of the device. Further, the snow receiving belt 5 is rotated to remove water such as snow and water drops adhering to the sheet surface after removing the snow lumps 14, and further the blower 12 is operated to dry it for the next measurement. Prepare This is the state shown in FIG. In this way, since the preparation for the next measurement can be quickly prepared after the end of the previous measurement, the measurement can be performed in real time.

Moreover, since it is not necessary to replace parts during use, maintenance-free operation is possible, unattended observation for a long period of time is possible, and measurement values can be automatically recorded. Therefore, it can be attached to a power transmission tower or the like, and the occurrence of snow damage on the power transmission line can be predicted. In the above embodiment, the infrared light emitting and receiving device 8 is installed under the snow receiving belt 5 for measurement, but the infrared light receiving and emitting device 8 is installed over the snow receiving belt 5 (or diagonally above) for measurement. It may be configured to perform. In this case, the snow receiving belt 5 does not need to be transparent, and is not affected by dirt on the belt surface.

Further, in the above embodiment, the snow receiving belt 5 is rotated to discharge the snow clumps 14, but a glass table or the like is used instead of the snow receiving belt 5 and is always fixed. Good. In this case, the snow lumps 14 may be discharged to the outside of the apparatus by using a wiper, a rotating brush mechanism, or the like, and the water content may be removed by using a cleaner mechanism or the like using a woven cloth or the like.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the infrared light receiving and emitting device 8 receives the reflected light from the snow mass 14 and obtains the water content from the state of this reflectance. If separated and arranged opposite to each other on both sides of the snow clump 14, the water content can be obtained based on the transmittance of transmitted light.

[0025]

As described above, according to the present invention, a snow receiving portion for accumulating a predetermined amount of snow during snowfall, and a snowfall removing portion having an opening for collecting natural snowfall above the snow receiving portion. Inlet forming means, a measuring unit for irradiating the snowflakes formed on the snow receiving portion with infrared light and receiving reflected light or transmitted light from the snowflakes to measure the water content, and the measurement end Since the snow mass on the snow receiving portion is discharged to the outside later and at least the preparation means for removing water on the surface of the snow receiving portion is provided, it is possible to automatically and in real time measure the water content of snowfall. You can

Further, since it is not necessary to replace parts and the like,
Allows unattended measurement of water content for a long period of time.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front sectional view showing a snowfall water content measuring apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front cross-sectional view of the snow content measuring device showing a state where measurement is possible after the state of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a front cross-sectional view of the snow water content measuring apparatus showing a process of discharging the snow clump from the state of FIG. 2 to the outside of the apparatus when the measurement is completed.

FIG. 4 is a front cross-sectional view of the snow content measuring device showing an initial state in which the next measurement is possible from the state of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Snow receiver 3 Snowfall intake door 5 Snow receiving belt 6 Guide roller 7 Drive mechanism 8 Infrared light receiving and emitting device 9 Moisture content recording device 10 Collection snowfall discharge outlet door 11 Moisture removing device 12 Blower 13 Cooler 14 Snow mass

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Uejo Misao 7-2-1, Nakayama, Aoba-ku, Sendai-shi, Miyagi Tohoku Electric Power Co., Inc. Research and Development Center (72) Inventor Takashi Kawakami 4 Kawajiri-cho, Hitachi-shi, Ibaraki 1-10-1 Hitachi Cable Ltd. Toyoura Plant (72) Inventor Yusuke Nakano 5-1-1 Hidakacho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture Hitachi Cable Ltd. Power System Laboratory

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A snow water content measuring apparatus for measuring the water content of naturally snowed snow using infrared light, and snowfall intake forming means for forming an opening for collecting natural snowfall, Taking natural snowfall from the opening, and irradiating infrared light to the snow receiving part that accumulates a predetermined amount of snow during the snowfall, and the snow clump formed in the snow receiving part, and from the snow crate A measuring unit that receives reflected light or transmitted light to measure the water content, and a preparation unit that discharges snow clumps on the snow receiving unit to the outside after the measurement is completed and removes water on at least the surface of the snow receiving unit. And a water content measuring device for snowfall. 2. The snow water content measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the snow receiving portion is a belt-shaped rotating body. 3. The preparation means feeds a snow collecting discharge port formed in association with the rotation of the rotating body and a snow mass on the rotating body to the discharging port as the rotating body rotates. The snow water content measuring apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a discharging means. 4. The water content of snow according to claim 1, wherein the snow receiving part is kept cold by a cold keeping means for keeping the snow mass cold at least from a stage of starting to collect natural snow to a stage of completing measurement. measuring device.