Patent Description:
Additionally, the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a radiosonde.

Various radiosondes are known and widely used for studying the atmosphere. Radiosondes typically transmit data such as GPS location, temperature, humidity, and pressure back to a ground station.

Document <CIT>, for example, discloses a radiosonde comprising measurement and telecommunication electronics, an energy supply, a measurement boom having at least one sensor, a string pin as well as a balloon coupled to the string pin via a string. The string pin comprises an attachment and tilting means by means of which the measurement boom can be tilted into a predetermined position when the string pin is installed. Further, document <CIT> describes a device comprising a temperature sensor, a data logger and a heat insulating box. Additionally, document <CIT> discloses a dual cap for protecting a humidity sensor of a radiosonde. The dual cap includes an outer cap and an inner cap. The dual cap surrounds the humidity sensor.

Once the balloon has arrived at a certain altitude and bursts, the radiosonde falls back to earth. A small parachute may be provided to reduce the risk of damage to life and property when the radiosonde reaches the ground. Less than <NUM> % of the launched radiosondes are recovered. While radiosondes are usually physically capable of reuse, the issue lies in the lack of recovery effort. As a consequence, the different parts of the radiosondes launched around the world typically remain in nature.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a radiosonde comprising a first housing, a measurement boom partially extending through a part of the first housing, wherein the first housing is made of a first biodegradable material, the radiosonde further comprises a second housing arranged within the first housing, wherein the second housing is made of a second biodegradable material, wherein the second housing comprises a plurality of protrusions arranged on an outer surface of the second housing or wherein the first housing comprises a plurality of protrusions arranged on an inner surface of the first housing, wherein a printed circuit board is arranged within the second housing and the measurement boom is coupled to the printed circuit board, and wherein the measurement boom coupled to the printed circuit board further partially extends through a part of the second housing.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a radiosonde, the method comprising providing a first housing, coupling a measurement boom to the first housing such that the measurement boom partially extends through a part of the first housing, making the first housing of a first biodegradable material, arranging a second housing within the first housing, wherein the second housing is made of a second biodegradable material, arranging a plurality of protrusions on an outer surface of the second housing or arranging a plurality of protrusions on an inner surface of the first housing, arranging a printed circuit board within the second housing, and coupling the measurement boom to the printed circuit board such that the measurement boom further partially extends through a part of the second housing.

Various embodiments of the second aspect may comprise at least one feature from the following bulleted list:.

Considerable advantages are obtained by means of certain embodiments of the present invention. A radiosonde and a method of manufacturing a radiosonde are provided.

Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a radiosonde with improved thermal insulation of the printed circuit board due to arrangement of the printed circuit board within a second housing having a plurality of protrusions in the form of ribs. An air pocket or air channel is provided between two adjacent ribs, the outer surface of the second housing and the inner surface of the first housing. The air pockets or air channels reduce the contact area between the first housing and the second housing. Only relatively thin ribs conduct heat. Heat transfer from within the second housing can be therefore reduced. Further, heat produced by the printed circuit board as well as the energy supply can be guided from within the second housing to the air pockets or air channels. Thus, a thermal insulation layer is provided between the inner surface of the first housing and the outer surface of the second housing. Air pockets further prevent movement of air between the first housing and the second housing, and thus an effective thermal insulation layer is formed.

Further, certain embodiments of the present invention provide a radiosonde with improved impermeability to water due to the "housing-in-housing" solution.

Additionally, at least some of the components of the radiosonde according to certain embodiments may be made of biodegradable material. According to the invention, the first housing is made of a first biodegradable material. The first housing may comprise a cut portion forming a feedthrough for the measurement boom. Once the measurement boom is installed, the first biodegradable material presses against the surfaces of the measurement boom due to the material characteristics, thus providing an impermeable or water tight feedthrough. Additional elements such as a seal are not required for the first feedthrough. Alternatively, a part of the measurement boom is arranged between two covers of the first housing. The printed circuit board is further protected by the second housing arranged within the first housing. According to the invention, the second housing is made of a second biodegradable material. The measurement boom is guided through a second feedthrough in the second housing and coupled to the printed circuit board. At least one coupler, for example in the form of a string comprising two elements, may be wrapped around the first housing in order to form the radiosonde package. The at least one coupler may be made of a third biodegradable material. Use of chemical components such as adhesive is not required. Also the string pin and/or the string may at least partially comprise biodegradable material. Therefore, less parts of the radiosonde remain in nature over time and environmental pollution can be reduced. Use of biodegradable material for at least some of the different parts of the radiosonde further results in a lightweight construction of the radiosonde. Additionally, the first housing and the second housing are somewhat flexible, and thus less damage can be created due to an impact of the radiosonde when the radiosonde reaches the ground.

According to certain embodiments, the material of the first housing is preferably somewhat impermeable to water in order to avoid water from entering the first cavity within the first housing. Further, the material of the second housing is preferably capable of absorbing water that has entered the first cavity. The material of the second housing may be, for example, porous. Consequently, the printed circuit board and the energy supply arranged in the second cavity within the second housing are protected against damage caused by water or moisture.

In this document, biodegradable means the capability to be degraded by microorganisms' cell activity by lowering the molar mass of the macromolecules that form the material ultimately turning it into water, carbon dioxide, other gases, minerals and biomass or resulting altered chemical structures and losses in specific/undesirable properties. "Biodegradable" as used herein means, with respect to a material, such as a polymeric material as a whole and/or a substance within a polymeric material, that the polymeric material and/or the substance within is capable of undergoing and/or does undergo biodegradation as defined above in natural environments and in a municipal or industrial solid waste composting facility or home composting, and no more than <NUM>% of the original dry weight mass of the polymeric material and/or substance within remains after the degradation period, for example <NUM> days, <NUM> days or <NUM> days, when ultimately the rest is converted into CO2, water, inorganic compounds and biomass at a rate consistent with other known biodegradable materials without leaving any visible, distinguishable or toxic residue as measured according to the OECD (<NUM>) Guideline for the Testing of Chemicals 301B; Ready Biodegradability - C02 Evolution (Modified Sturm Test) Test incorporated herein by reference.

Examples of biodegradable materials are wood or natural fibres such as cotton or linen. Further examples are biodegradable polyesters or biodegradable polymers of ethylene oxide. Biodegradable materials may also be proteins such as whey, collagen, keratin, silk or soybean, for instance. Additionally, polysaccharides such as cellulose, starch, hemicelluloses, pectins, chitin or glycogen are examples of biodegradable materials. Furthermore, cellulose derivatives such as cellulose acetate or methyl cellulose are examples of biodegradable materials. Regenerated cellulose such as viscose are other example materials. Furthermore, biodegradable example materials may be copolymers and composites from the materials above.

In <FIG> a schematic cross-sectional view of a radiosonde <NUM> in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention is illustrated. The radiosonde <NUM> comprises a first housing <NUM>. The first housing <NUM> comprises a first cover <NUM> and a second cover <NUM>. The material of the first housing <NUM> may be, for example, a first biodegradable material such as recycled pulp. Recycled pulp is an environmental-friendly biodegradable and <NUM> % recyclable material. The material can be moulded in the desired three-dimensional form. The material of the first housing <NUM> is typically impermeable to water in order to avoid water from entering a first cavity within the first housing <NUM>. According to an example, the first cover <NUM> and the second cover <NUM> may be attached to each other at one side, like in egg-shell packages.

The radiosonde <NUM> further comprises a second housing <NUM> arranged within the first cavity formed by the first housing <NUM>. The second housing <NUM> comprises a plurality of protrusions <NUM> arranged on an outer surface <NUM> of the second housing <NUM>. Alternatively, the first housing <NUM> may comprise a plurality of protrusions <NUM> arranged on an inner surface of the first housing <NUM>. A protrusion <NUM> may be, for example, a stud or a rib as shown in <FIG>. An air pocket <NUM> or air channel is provided between two adjacent ribs <NUM>, the outer surface <NUM> of the second housing <NUM> and the inner surface of the first housing <NUM>. The air pockets <NUM> or air channels reduce the contact area between the first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM>. Heat is only conducted by the relatively thin ribs <NUM>. The thickness of the ribs <NUM> may be in the range between <NUM> and <NUM>, for example, <NUM> or <NUM>. Heat transfer from within the second housing <NUM> can be therefore reduced. The second housing <NUM> comprises a first part <NUM> and a second part <NUM>. The material of the second housing <NUM> may be, for example, a second biodegradable material such as plant-based material. The first part <NUM> and the second part <NUM> typically comprise a flange fit. Thus, a second cavity is provided within the second housing <NUM>. The material of the second housing <NUM> is preferably capable of absorbing water that has entered the first cavity.

A printed circuit board <NUM> is arranged within the second cavity formed by the second housing <NUM>. The printed circuit board <NUM> typically comprises measurement and telecommunication electronics. For example, measurement signals received from at least one sensor of the radiosonde <NUM> may be processed and measurement data may be transmitted by a transmitter to a ground station. Additionally, the radiosonde <NUM> may comprise a receiver configured to receive signals from an external positioning system such as a GPS satellite.

Additionally, an energy supply or energy source <NUM> may be arranged within the second housing <NUM>. Typically, at least one battery is arranged within the second housing <NUM>. The battery may be replaceable, for instance.

The radiosonde yet further comprises a measurement boom <NUM> coupled to the printed circuit board <NUM>. The measurement boom <NUM> extends from the outside of the first housing <NUM> through a part of the first housing <NUM> and through a part of the second housing <NUM>. At least one sensor is comprised by the measurement boom <NUM>. An example of a sensor is a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor.

The radiosonde <NUM> even further comprises at least one coupler <NUM> configured to couple the first cover <NUM> of the first housing <NUM> to the second cover <NUM> of the first housing <NUM>. The at least one coupler <NUM> may, for example, comprise a first strap <NUM> and a second strap <NUM>. The first strap <NUM> and the second strap <NUM> may be configured to be coupled to each other. The at least one coupler <NUM> may be configured to be wrapped around the first cover <NUM> and the second cover <NUM>. In such a case, a grove or indentation may be provided in the outer surface of the first housing <NUM>. The grove or indentation may be provided circumferentially in the outer surface of the first housing <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The material of the at least one coupler <NUM> may be, for example, a third biodegradable material.

Furthermore, the radiosonde <NUM> comprises a string pin <NUM> configured to be coupled to the at least one coupler <NUM> at one end and to a balloon (not shown) via a string (not shown) at another end. According to certain embodiments, the string pin <NUM> is configured to tilt or bend the measurement boom <NUM> into its predetermined measurement position when being coupled to the at least one coupler <NUM>. In the measurement position, the measurement boom is inclined at an angle relative to the string pin <NUM>. The string pin <NUM> may be, for example, coupled to the at least one coupler <NUM> by sliding of an end of the string pin <NUM> relative to a coupling portion comprised by the at least one coupler <NUM>. The material of the string pin <NUM> may be, for example, at least partially a fourth biodegradable material.

In <FIG> a schematic perspective view of a first cover <NUM> of a first housing of a radiosonde in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention is illustrated. As can be seen, an indentation or a groove <NUM> is arranged in the outer surface of the first cover <NUM> in order to provide space for a coupler or a first strap <NUM> of a coupler as shown in <FIG>. The first cover <NUM> of the first housing may be made of a first biodegradable material such as pulp, recycled pulp or wood fibre pulp, for instance.

In case that the first cover <NUM> is made of recycled pulp, a cut portion may be provided through a part of the first cover <NUM> in order to form a feedthrough for the measurement boom. The cut portion may be made using a knife or cutter, for instance. The cut portion is typically made into a surface of the first cover <NUM> facing towards the balloon during use of the radiosonde <NUM>. Of course, the cut portion may also be made into another surface of the first cover <NUM> or the second cover <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. Once the measurement boom is installed, the first biodegradable material presses against the surfaces of the measurement boom due to the material characteristics of the first cover, thus providing an impermeable or water tight feedthrough. Additional elements such as a seal are not required for the first feedthrough. Alternatively, a part of the measurement boom is arranged between the two covers <NUM>, <NUM> of the first housing <NUM>.

In <FIG> a schematic perspective view of a first part <NUM> of a second housing of a radiosonde in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention is illustrated. The first part <NUM> comprises a plurality of protrusions <NUM> in the form of ribs arranged on an outer surface <NUM> of the first part <NUM>. The first part <NUM> is configured to be arranged within the first housing. The outer contour formed by the ribs <NUM> of the first part <NUM> conforms with the inner surface of the first cover <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The ribs <NUM> are provided in different planes. The planes are typically parallel to each other. Additionally, further planes may be provided perpendicular to the previously mentioned parallel planes. Thus, air pockets <NUM> and/or air channels are provided between adjacent ribs <NUM>, the outer surface <NUM> of the first part <NUM> and the inner surface first cover <NUM> of the first housing. The first part <NUM> further comprises a flange <NUM> configured to be coupled to the flange of the second part <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The material of the first part <NUM> may be, for example, a second biodegradable material such as plant-based material.

In <FIG> a schematic perspective view of a measurement unit of a radiosonde in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention is illustrated. The measurement unit comprises a printed circuit board <NUM>, an energy source in the form of one or more batteries, for example two replaceable batteries, and a measurement boom <NUM>. The printed circuit board <NUM> and the energy source <NUM> are configured to be arranged within the second housing. The printed circuit board <NUM> comprises measurement and telecommunication electronics. The printed circuit board <NUM> may, for example comprise a processor, a memory, a transmitter, and a receiver. Signals received from a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor comprised by the measurement boom <NUM> and/or signals received from a pressure sensor comprised by the radiosonde may be processed and measurement data may be transmitted by the transmitter to a ground station during use of the radiosonde. Additionally, data obtained from signals received from an external positioning system such as a GPS satellite may be transmitted by the transmitter to the ground station during use of the radiosonde.

In <FIG> a schematic perspective view of a second part <NUM> of a second housing of a radiosonde in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention is illustrated. The second part <NUM> comprises a plurality of protrusions <NUM> in the form of ribs arranged on its outer surface <NUM>. The second part <NUM> is configured to be arranged within the first housing. The outer contour formed by the ribs <NUM> of the second part <NUM> conforms with the inner surface of the second cover <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The ribs <NUM> are provided in different planes. The planes are typically parallel to each other. Additionally, further planes may be provided perpendicular to the previously mentioned parallel planes. Thus, air pockets <NUM> and/or air channels are provided between adjacent ribs <NUM>, the outer surface <NUM> of the second part <NUM> and the inner surface of the second cover <NUM> of the first housing. The second part <NUM> further comprises a flange <NUM> configured to be coupled to the flange of the first part <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The material of the second part <NUM> may be, for example, the second biodegradable material.

In <FIG> a schematic perspective view of a second cover <NUM> of a first housing of a radiosonde in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention is illustrated. As can be seen, an indentation or a groove <NUM> is arranged in the outer surface of the second cover <NUM> in order to provide space for a coupler or a second strap <NUM> of a coupler as shown in <FIG>. The second cover <NUM> of the first housing may be made of the first biodegradable material.

In <FIG> a schematic perspective view of a string pin <NUM> of a radiosonde in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention is illustrated. The string pin <NUM> comprises an eye <NUM> at a first end. A string can be connected to the eye <NUM> for connecting the radiosonde to a balloon. Further, the string pin <NUM> comprises a tilting unit <NUM>. The tilting unit <NUM> is configured to bend or tilt the measurement boom <NUM> shown in <FIG> into its final measurement position when the string pin <NUM> is coupled to the first housing, the coupler or a second strap of the coupler as shown in <FIG>. The string pin <NUM> further comprises a coupling portion <NUM>. The coupling portion <NUM> of the string pin <NUM> can be coupled to the radiosonde, the first housing or a coupling portion <NUM> of the second strap as shown in <FIG>. The material of the string pin <NUM> may be at least partially a third biodegradable material.

In <FIG> a schematic perspective view of a first strap <NUM> of a coupler of a radiosonde in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention is illustrated. The first strap <NUM> is configured to fit into the groove <NUM> of the first cover <NUM> of the first housing as shown in <FIG>. The material of the first strap <NUM> may be at least partially a fourth biodegradable material.

In <FIG> a schematic perspective view of a second strap <NUM> of a coupler of a radiosonde in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention is illustrated. The second strap <NUM> is configured to fit into the groove <NUM> of the second cover <NUM> of the first housing as shown in <FIG>. The second strap may comprise a coupling portion <NUM> to which the coupling portion <NUM> of the string pin <NUM> may be coupled by, for example, sliding of the coupling portions <NUM>, <NUM> relative to each other. The first strap <NUM> as shown in <FIG> and the second strap <NUM> can further be connected to each other to form the coupler. The material of the second strap <NUM> is typically identical with the material of the first strap <NUM>.

In the description, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of lengths, widths, shapes, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention.

At least some embodiments of the present invention find industrial application in measurement of parameters of the atmosphere.

Claim 1:
A radiosonde (<NUM>) comprising:
- a first housing (<NUM>),
- a measurement boom (<NUM>) partially extending through a part of the first housing (<NUM>),
characterized in that
- the first housing (<NUM>) is made of a first biodegradable material,
- the radiosonde further comprises a second housing (<NUM>) arranged within the first housing (<NUM>),
- wherein the second housing (<NUM>) is made of a second biodegradable material,
- wherein the second housing (<NUM>) comprises a plurality of protrusions (<NUM>) arranged on an outer surface (<NUM>) of the second housing (<NUM>) or wherein the first housing (<NUM>) comprises a plurality of protrusions (<NUM>) arranged on an inner surface of the first housing (<NUM>),
- wherein a printed circuit board (<NUM>) is arranged within the second housing and the measurement boom (<NUM>) is coupled to the printed circuit board (<NUM>), and
- wherein the measurement boom (<NUM>) coupled to the printed circuit board (<NUM>) further partially extends through a part of the second housing (<NUM>).