METHOD OF AND SYSTEM FOR INDUCING A PLANNED AVALANCHE
A method and system for inducing a planned or controlled avalanche is disclosed. The system includes one or more sources of vibration mounted within a mass which is mounted within an aperture in the ground in the area where an avalanche has been determined to be likely to occur. The source of vibration is a drive system from a vehicle (such as a golf cart), preferably modified to increase the vibration and mounted in a vibrating mass (such as a concrete culvert). The vibrating mass may be mounted within an aperture in the ground and secured in place using concrete to increase the vibration-transmitting characteristics of the vibrating mass. An electrical system including a source of electricity and a storage device, as well as controls, is mounted separate from the source of vibration and the vibrating mass (e.g., the concrete culvert) to isolate portions of the electrical system (including the storage device) from some of the effects of the vibration.
The present patent application is a continuation-in-part of my co-pending patent application Ser. No. 14/069,341 filed Oct. 31, 2013 and entitled “METHOD OF AND SYSTEM FOR INDUCING A PLANNED AVALANCHE”. The specification and drawings of that patent application, which is sometimes referred to as the “Tuning Patent”, are specifically incorporated herein by reference.
The Tuning Patent referenced above is a continuation-in-part patent application of my then co-pending patent application, Ser. No. 13/176,723 filed Jul. 5, 2011, entitled “AVALANCHE CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD”, issuing as U.S. Pat. No. 8,596,929 on Dec. 3, 2013. The specification and drawings of that patent, which is sometimes referred to as the “Avalanche Patent”, are specifically incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of Invention:
The present invention is an improved method and system of inducing a planned (or controlled) avalanche in a region in which an uncontrolled avalanche of snow might occur. That is, a controlled avalanche may be induced at a time which is most convenient and as frequently as desired to avoid a large avalanche at an undesirable time.
BACKGROUND ARTSki slopes, roadways, housing and railways through canyons are at risk of an uncontrolled avalanche in some areas. An avalanche can occur spontaneously when a snow pack is unstable and there is enough vertical angle. Areas where the instability is the greatest are known as avalanche “birthing” areas
Naturally occurring avalanches are somewhat predictable, yet uncontrollable. It is well known that earthquakes have caused several of history's great avalanches. Snowmobiles are risky to ride in avalanche-prone areas due to their propensity to initiate an avalanche.
Avalanches are also hazardous—every year a number of people are killed as a result of an avalanche, and more are injured as a result of an avalanche. While some of the injuries may be minor, other injuries are significant, making an uncontrolled avalanche something which should be avoided, to the extent possible.
Various approaches have been suggested to mitigate avalanche events. One approach has been to use a concussive event to trigger a controlled avalanche, for example, artillery ordinance, dynamite or a mortar shell. More recently, gas explosions in one of a variety of types have become popular. For example, a fixed concussive device using explosive gases is one such system for using a gas explosion to initiate an avalanche, while a “Daisy Bell” concussive device carried by a helicopter is another such device.
The use of ordinance requires special handling skills and is the subject of increased regulation due to safety concerns.
Some avalanche control systems do not work well during times of snowfall or other adverse weather situations, such as fog, such as those avalanche control systems which require a helicopter.
Some of the avalanche control systems are costly to use—for example, the Daisy Bell system requiring a helicopter and pilot.
Additionally, some of these prior art systems for creating an avalanche employ chemical compounds which are harmful (adverse) to the environment, including the water supply. Some of the chemicals which are released during use of those prior art avalanche control system release chemicals which are harmful to humans or animals when those chemicals become part f the water supply.
My previously-filed Avalanche Patent describes a system and method for causing a controlled avalanche. My Tuning Patent describes a method and system for setting up an avalanche-generating system and operating it at a desirable frequency based on the local environment of an installation, particularly the characteristics of ground in the area of mounting. However, neither patent describes a convenient source of available vibrating parts for use in assembling such an avalanche control system, nor does either patent (or the known prior art) address the effects of vibration on some of the components of the system described in the Avalanche Patent.
Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the prior art system for inducing an avalanche have undesirable disadvantages and limitations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention overcomes some of the disadvantages and limitation of the prior art systems for inducing a planned or controlled avalanche of snow in those areas which have been identified as prone to avalanche activity.
The present invention allows for creating many smaller and/or controlled avalanches to reduce the risk of a large, uncontrolled and unpredictable avalanche.
The present invention is “friendlier” to the environment in avoiding undesirable chemicals and inconveniently-timed avalanches which may jeopardize lives. Further, since an avalanche may close roadways and other accesses, it would be desirable to “schedule” such avalanches at a time which is convenient (like the middle of the night), rather than at a time of peak activity.
The present invention includes a method of setting up a vibrational system to induce a controlled avalanche at a desired time.
The present invention may also allow for the avalanche-inducing system to be “tuned” to a desired frequency to compensate for differences in the ground surrounding an avalanche birthing area. The tuning can also compensate for variations in the attachment of a vibration-inducing source with the surrounding ground.
The present system is also relatively inexpensive to use (and reuse) and provides a minimal environmental impact compared with alternate systems. It also has the advantage that it can be operated in almost any kind of weather, not being dependent on moving people or equipment to the site of the desired avalanche.
The present system also can use “recycled” parts from devices which have served other functions in the past—therefore it is not necessary to make or buy additional (new) parts. Some recreation areas use transportation products such as golf carts and then dispose of those products when they look “used” or “worn”, but while the operating structures remain reliable and in good working condition.
The present system and method also addresses the undesirable effects of vibration in an avalanche control apparatus and isolates some of the components (particularly some of the electrical components such as batteries and solar panels) from undesirable effects of vibration created by the avalanche causing structure. By mounting those electrical components separate from components having greatest vibration, those electrical components will enjoy a longer useful life and/or be more efficient.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the following description of the invention, taken in combination with the accompanying drawings.
Using components from a golf cart or similar device also allows for the use of control mechanism (a throttle assembly, not shown) to be used to tune the device by selecting a desirable frequency at which to operate the vibration device. Such a tuning of the vibration system may be accomplished as taught in the Tuning Patent referenced above.
As will be appreciated by those handling systems which impart a significant vibration, the mounting of some of the electrical components on a vibrating member may decrease the useful life of selected electrical components as well as reduce the effectiveness of the assembly. For example, mounting of batteries to a significantly-vibrating member should be avoided, if possible. Also, since the solar panels are oriented toward the sun to produce the greatest power, vibrating those panels can reduce their effectiveness, since those panels will be moved away from the desired position as the panel is vibrated. Thus, it is desirable to mount the battery and the solar panels separate from the vibrating mass to reduce the effect of the vibration and to allow for greater efficiency.
Of course, many modifications are possible to the present invention without departing from its spirit and some of the features described can be used to advantage without the corresponding use of other features. For example, the drive system from a golf cart might easily be replaced with a drive system from another similar device, including as a land vehicle such as a car or truck or tractor. Further, those skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that the present invention can be operable without being at its greatest effectiveness. Various devices to provide the desirable mass can also be substituted for the concrete culvert described herein. Further, various other shapes of masses, either single pieces or assemblies of multiple pieces, can be used other than cylindrical mass of a concrete culvert, especially if the ground has a complementary recess to receive the mass. The devices and methods of the preferred embodiment which has been described in some detail in the foregoing material may also include things which are desirable, but not essential, to the practicing of the present invention. For example, tuning of operating frequency of the present invention as described in the Tuning Patent may be desirable in many situations, but is not believed to be essential to practicing the present invention, especially if the soil in the area is known and similar devices have been operated in such soil. It is also suggested that the system be re-tuned at periodic intervals, such as annually, to compensate for changes in the soil and/or attachment or changes in the operating characteristics of the vibrational source. It may also be possible to predict the changes over time or in connection with different soils and adjust for the suspected changes in the operational characteristics without redoing the testing. Various other techniques to tune the vibration system may be employed, such as using the tuning information from historical records or similar devices in other locations, if desired, or tuning may be determined to be unnecessary in some situations. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the description of the preferred embodiment is for the purpose of illustrating the principles of the present invention and not in limitation thereof.
Claims
1. A method of triggering a controlled avalanche, the steps of the method comprising:
- removing a drive system from a vehicle;
- modifying the removed drive system to increase its vibration;
- mounting the removed drive system in a member having a significant mass and mounting the significant mass in the ground in an area where a controlled avalanche is desired;
- mounting a power source adjacent the drive system and coupling the power source to the drive system; and
- using the power source to controllably energizing the drive system with its increased vibration to vibrate the member of significant mass and thereby cause a controlled avalanche.
2. A method including the steps of claim 1 wherein the step of removing a drive system includes the step of removing the drive system from a golf cart.
3. A method including the steps of claim 1 wherein the step of mounting the significant mass in the ground includes the steps of preparing an aperture in the ground and mounting the significant mass within the aperture in the ground.
4. A method including the steps of claim 1 wherein the step of increasing the vibration includes the step of mounting weights on a portion of the vehicle drive system.
5. A method including the steps of claim 4 wherein the step of mounting weights on a portion of the drive system includes the step of mounting at least one weight on at least one tire of the drive system and thereby creating an asymmetric weight distribution about a rotational axis of the tire.
6. A method including the steps of claim 1 wherein the step of mounting a power source includes the step of isolating the power source from the vibration of the significant mass.
7. A method including the steps of claim 1 wherein the step of mounting a source of power includes the steps of installing a solar cell and connecting the solar cell to an electrical storage device.
8. A method including the steps of claim 1 wherein the method further includes the step of isolating at least one of the solar cell and the storage device from the vibration of the drive system and the significant mass.
9. A method including the steps of claim 1 wherein the step of mounting the drive in a member having a significant mass includes the step of mounting the drive to a concrete culvert.
10. A method including the steps of claim 6 further including the step of coupling a single power source to power more than one drive system, each of the more than one drive system having its own significant mass and source of vibration.
11. A method including the steps of claim 6 wherein the method includes positioning the power source between a first and second vibrating masses and electrically coupling the same power source to the first vibrating mass and the second bvibrating mass.
12. A system for causing a controlled avalanche on command comprising:
- a massive base mounted within the ground in an area where a controlled avalanche is desired;
- components from a vehicle drive system mounted to the massive base, said vehicle drive components being modified to provide an increased level of vibration; and
- a source of electrical power mounted to drive the vehicle drive system to general vibration of the massive base upon command.
13. A system including the elements of claim 12 wherein the source of electrical power includes a solar cell and an electric power storage device.
14. A system including the elements of claim 12 wherein at least a portion of the the source of electrical power is isolated from the vibration of the vehicle drive system and the massive base to reduce the impact of the vibration on the source of electric power.
15. A system including the elements of claim 12 and further including a second vibrating mass mounted in the ground at a spaced location from the massive base, said second vibrating mass, being coupled to the same source of electrical power as massive base with its drive system to generate vibration.
16. A system including the elements set forth in claim 12 and further including a second vehicle drive system mounted to a second massive base located at a spaced distance from the other massive base and drive system, said other massive and drive system each electrically coupled to the same source of electric power, allowing the same power source to control two different drive systems to create a controlled avalanche in the vicinity of the second drive system or the other drive system.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 28, 2014
Publication Date: Jun 26, 2014
Inventor: James R. Hughes (Hilton Head Island, SC)
Application Number: 14/193,699