Magnetic dendrometer apparatus and corresponding method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12092452-B2
Application number	US-202117541151-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 2, 2021
Priority date	Dec 2, 2021
Publication date	Sep 17, 2024
Grant date	Sep 17, 2024

Abstract

Described herein is a magnetic dendrometer having a frame, a spring-tension mechanism, and a magnet for moving together with the spring-tension mechanism. A magnetic sensor is attached to the frame. The magnetic sensor senses the linear motion of the magnet. This linear motion translates to trackable fluctuations in magnetic field. The magnetic fluctuations are converted to electrical signals by the magnetic sensor. A spring is attached to a free-floating wishbone-style component. The free-floating wishbone-style component is coupled to a slider which has an adjustable, single-contact point with a target (e.g., a vine, a branch, etc.). The frame is a stationary frame that carries the magnetic sensor. The frame connected via the spring to the wishbone/slider combination cooperates with each other for providing linear motion to extend or contract the spring in length directions. The length variations of the dendrometer spring are converted to linear motion of the magnet and then into electronic signals.

First claim

We claim:

1. A dendrometer comprising:
a frame configured to couple to a target object via a clamp;
a spring having a first end coupled to the frame;
a wishbone coupled to a second end of the spring;
an adjustable slider coupled to the wishbone;
a magnet on or under the wishbone; and
a sensor on or under the frame, wherein the sensor is to detect displacement of the magnet.

2. The dendrometer of claim 1 comprises a cable coupled to the sensor.

3. The dendrometer of claim 2 , wherein the cable is coupled to a computing system.

4. The dendrometer of claim 3 , wherein the computing system is placed in a waterproof housing.

5. The dendrometer of claim 3 , wherein the computing system includes a temperature and humidity sensor to compare the displacement with reference to an ambient condition.

6. The dendrometer of claim 1 , wherein the sensor converts magnetic fluctuations into electrical signals.

7. The dendrometer of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is attached to the frame via compression or epoxy.

8. The dendrometer of claim 1 , wherein the adjustable slider includes a notch substantially midway of the adjustable slider.

9. The dendrometer of claim 1 , wherein the frame and the wishbone comprise carbon fiber.

10. The dendrometer of claim 1 , wherein the second end of the spring is connected to a screw.

11. The dendrometer of claim 1 , wherein the sensor has a resolution which is at least 10 μm/m.

12. The dendrometer of claim 1 , wherein the clamp and the adjustable slider are adjacent to the target object.

13. The dendrometer of claim 1 , wherein the target object is a trunk of a plant.

14. A system comprising:
a plurality of dendrometers, wherein an individual dendrometer is configured to couple to an individual target object from among a plurality of target objects; and
a control hub to receive data signals from the plurality of dendrometers, wherein the control hub is to determine fluctuations in the plurality of target objects, and wherein the individual dendrometer comprises:
a frame configured to couple to the individual target object via a clamp;
a spring having a first end coupled to the frame;
a wishbone coupled to a second end of the spring;
an adjustable slider coupled to the wishbone;
a magnet on or under the wishbone; and
a sensor on or under the frame, wherein the sensor is to detect displacement of the magnet.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the control hub is coupled to a display.

16. The system of claim 14 , wherein the control hub is in a cloud.

17. The system of claim 14 , wherein the adjustable slider includes a notch substantially midway of the adjustable slider.

18. The system of claim 14 , wherein the frame and the wishbone comprise carbon fiber.

19. A dendrometer apparatus comprising:
a magnetic sensor to track linear motion of a magnet on a wishbone; and
a spring-tension mechanism coupled to the wishbone, wherein one end of the spring-tension mechanism is connected to a substantially stationary reference.

20. The dendrometer apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the spring-tension mechanism is coupled to a frame, and wherein the frame and the wishbone comprise carbon fiber.

Assignees

• Univ Oregon State

Inventors

• Clonch Cameron
• Goto Bryson
• Huynh Mark
• Selker John
• Udell Chet

Classifications

• G01B5/0035

  Measuring of dimensions of trees · CPC title

• G01B5/025

  Measuring of circumference; Measuring length of ring-shaped articles (G01B5/0035 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G01N33/0098 Primary

  Plants or trees (wood G01N33/46) · CPC title

• G01B7/12 Primary

  for measuring diameters · CPC title