Measurement device design: Multipurpose rain gauge

Abstract

The need to size large hydraulic infrastructures, exploit extensive agricultural areas or simply arrange water assets for human consumption makes the evaluation of the available water resources essential. Water is a scarce resource that is poorly distributed both, spatially and temporally. Therefore, a set of hydrological networks that allow the evaluation of water quantity and quality is required. In order to achieve this, the first step is to retrieve reliable data on rainfall. To carry out a correct evaluation of water resources, both in the small and large scale, disposing hydrological networks that involve a certain number of measuring devices becomes critical. Despite the great amount of studies that have been developed on measuring devices such as rain gauges, there are still many errors that remain in the measurements and that have not been ruled out yet, thus affecting the accuracy of the measurements. Accordingly, the design of a device that provides an accurate measurement of rainfall and also results affordable, could be the key to a product with great acceptance in the market. This work aims at presenting the design of a measurement device that provides accurate data and can be used in multiple ways: As an ordinary rain gauge, as a rain gauge recorder, or even allowing to carry on both functions simultaneously. Therefore, the design must bring together acceptable requirements regarding precision and economic aspects. As a result of the work developed, the proposed design has led, after a long process, to be patented with previous examination.