METHOD FOR REMOTE DETECTION OF SUBSIDENCE, THICKNESS AND HEIGHT OF ICE Russian patent published in 2013 - IPC G01B17/02 

FIELD: measurement equipment.

SUBSTANCE: in the method properties of a sonar interferometer are used, which is realised in the form of a sideward-looking interferometric sonar, they measure in a wide swath the heights of z_i points of the lower ice surface relative to the horizontal plane stretching via the middle point of the interferometer base, and also horizontal distances L_i from the middle point of the interferometer base to these points of the lower ice surface, with subsequent calculations of ice thickness H_i according to the values of its subsidence d_i with the help of the equation of linear regression of type H_i (cm) = ad_i (cm) + b (cm), making it possible to take into account seasonal changes of floating ice density and height of snow cover on it, which substantially increases accuracy of ice thickness measurement in comparison with the prototype. At the same time the height of ice e_i may be calculated in accordance with the formula e_i=(H_i-d_i). The width of the swath L_i of the non-ridged ice, in which it is possible to measure subsidence, thickness and height of ice by the proposed method, makes L_i=(4-5)h₀.

EFFECT: determination of morphometric characteristics of floating ice cover along the area of the ice surface with high accuracy specified by elimination of errors in estimation of ice thickness arising as a result of seasonal changes of floating ice density and height of snow cover on it.

3 cl, 2 dwg