RU2809214C1 - Method for measuring tree height - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: forestry industry.

SUBSTANCE: invention is proposed namely to determine the heights of standing trees. The method for measuring the height of a tree is that the researcher, using two laser emitters, points two laser beams of a visible range and different shapes in cross section onto the trunk of the tree being measured. Laser beams are emitted at a certain angle relative to each other with the possibility of their intersection at a base distance corresponding to the distance from which the altimeter is used. After this, the researcher determines the base distance from the tree being measured, for which he, together with the laser emitters, moves relative to the measured tree until the laser beams align on its trunk. From this distance, using an altimeter using its measuring scale, the researcher determines the height of the tree being measured.

EFFECT: reducing the labor intensity of the work and increasing the productivity of the researcher when measuring the heights of standing trees.

1 cl, 2 dwg

Description

The method is intended for use in the forestry industry, namely, to determine the heights of standing trees.

There is a known method for determining the height of a standing tree using Christen's altimeter [Wolf Ruecker. Atkinson, Christen and faustmann hypsometers // Wolf's plumb bob news. - Issue 09. - September 1. - 2013. - P. 107-109. - Electronic resource. - Access mode: http://www.plumbbobcollectors.info/media//DIR_42117/DIR_233801/b70b152951a2b124ffff802affffff2.pdf, access date 12/16/2022] consisting of a copper ruler with divisions and small thickened protrusions at the ends. Carrying out measurements of tree height with this tool involves the use of a 4 m long pole, installed each time next to the tree being measured.

The disadvantage of the known method of measuring the height of a standing tree is the high labor intensity of the work and low labor productivity, due to the need for additional movements of the researcher when installing a 4 m high pole next to the tree being measured and moving the pole to the next measured tree.

There is a known method for measuring tree heights using a pendulum-type altimeter [Anuchin N.P. Forest taxation: Textbook for universities. - 5th ed., add. - M.: Timber industry. - 1982. - P. 36-39] having a flat body in the form of a sector on which a measuring scale is applied. A pendulum pointer is attached to the altimeter body and can be rotated around the mounting axis. With this method, the researcher needs to take measurements from a reference distance, which must first be set aside using additional measuring instruments, such as a measuring tape.

The disadvantage of the known method of measuring tree heights is the high labor intensity of the work and the low productivity of the researcher, associated with the difficulty of establishing the measurement point, which must be at a certain distance from the measurement object. This requires the use of an additional measuring tool, such as a measuring tape. In this case, each time taking a measurement, the researcher needs to approach the tree being measured, fasten the free end of the measuring tape on it, move away from the tree at a basic distance based on the readings of the measuring tape, measure the height of the tree, approach the tree again to unhook the end of the measuring tape attached to it tape, wind up the measuring tape. These operations lead to additional costs of time and effort for the researcher.

There is a known method for measuring the height of a tree using a multifunctional electronic laser rangefinder Nikon Laser Forestry Pro for forestry [Nikon Introduces New Laser Rangefinder "Forestry Pro". 09.09.2011. - Electronic resource. - Access mode: https://www.nikon.com/news/2011/0909_foresty-pro_01.htm, access date 12/16/2022], which allows you to measure the height of trees using the three-point method. With this method, the researcher, using an optical sight, points the device at the tree being measured. In this case, the device emits a laser beam invisible to the human eye, the laser beam is reflected from an obstacle in its path and the reflected signal is captured by the device. Based on the difference in the time of emission and reception of the signal, the distance to the measured object is determined and the measurement data is displayed on the LCD screen of the device.

The disadvantage of the known method of measuring tree height using the Nikon Laser Forestry Pro multifunctional electronic laser rangefinder is the inconvenience of use in open space due to poor visibility of the readings on the LCD screen in bright sunlight. Another drawback is that the known method uses a laser with a beam of color invisible to the eye, and when working in the forest, an obstacle in the form of undergrowth, bushes, etc. may appear in the path of the laser beam, while the researcher cannot visually control the correctness of the guidance laser beam onto the measured object. This may lead to gross measurement errors. Also, the unevenness of the outer surface of the bark covering the trunk of the tree being measured, its poor reflectivity, can lead to the fact that the reflected laser beam does not hit the lens of the reflected beam receiver and the distance will not be measured.

The closest in essence and taken as a prototype is the method of measuring tree height using the well-known forest taxation altimeter Suunto PM-5/1520 [Field methods manual // Technical Paper. No. 59. March 1995. pp. 33-36. - Electronic resource. - Access mode: https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/_ data/assets/pdf_file/0004/389803/Field-Methods-Manual.pdf, access date: 12/16/2022] having a flat (no protruding or moving parts) anodized, anti-corrosion milled aluminum body. Inside the case, in a chamber filled with a special frost-resistant liquid, there is a rotating disk with two scales designed for measurement from a distance of 15 and 20 m.

The disadvantage of the known method of measuring the height of a tree is the high labor intensity of the work and the low productivity of the researcher, associated with the difficulty of establishing the measurement point, which must be at a certain distance from the measurement object. This requires the use of an additional measuring tool, such as a measuring tape. In this case, each time taking a measurement, the researcher needs to approach the tree being measured, fasten the free end of the measuring tape on it, move away from the tree at a basic distance based on the readings of the measuring tape, measure the height of the tree, approach the tree again to unhook the end of the measuring tape attached to it tape, wind up the measuring tape. These operations lead to additional costs of time and effort for the researcher.

The technical result of the proposed method for measuring the height of a tree is to reduce the labor intensity of the work and increase the productivity of the researcher when measuring the heights of standing trees.

The technical result is achieved in that in the method of measuring the height of a tree, the researcher, using two laser emitters, points at the trunk of the tree being measured two laser beams of the visible range and of different shapes in cross section, emitted at a certain angle relative to each other and intersecting at a base distance corresponding to the distance of use altimeter, after which the researcher determines the base distance from the tree being measured, for which he, together with the laser emitters, moves relative to the tree being measured until the laser beams align on its trunk and from this distance, using an altimeter on its measuring scale, determines the height of the tree being measured.

In fig. Figure 1 shows a diagram of the implementation of the method for measuring the height of a tree. In fig. Figure 2 shows view A from the implementation diagram of the method for measuring the height of a tree.

The method for measuring the height of a tree involves pointing at the trunk of the tree being measured 5 by a researcher 6 by means of two laser emitters 8, 9, two laser beams 1, 2 of the visible range and a cross-sectional shape 3, 4 different from each other, emitted at a certain angle relative to each other and intersecting at base distance corresponding to the altimeter use distance. Based on the position of the laser beams 1, 2 on the trunk of the measured tree 5 relative to each other, the researcher 6 determines the base distance from the measured tree, for which, together with the laser emitters 8, 9, it moves relative to the measured tree 5 until the laser beams 1, 2 on its trunk are aligned and from there distance using the altimeter 10 on its measuring scale determines the height of the tree being measured. The researcher then moves on to measure the next tree.

The method is implemented using a device consisting of a bar 7 on which two laser emitters 8, 9 are installed, generating laser beams 1, 2 in the visible range and of various cross-sectional shapes 3, 4. Laser emitters 8, 9 are installed on the bar 7 in such a way that the laser beams 1, 2 generated by them intersect at a base distance corresponding to the distance (P) of using the altimeter 10.

The method is implemented as follows. The researcher 6 directs laser beams 1, 2 onto the trunk of the measured tree 5. Depending on the position of the projections of the laser beams 1, 2 on the trunk of the measured tree 5 relative to each other, the researcher decides on the need for a shift in one direction or another. If the projection of beam 1 is higher than the projection of beam 2 onto the trunk of the tree being measured, then the researcher with an altimeter in his hands needs to approach the measured tree; if the projection of beam 1 is lower than the projection of beam 2, then the researcher should increase the distance between him and the tree being measured. When the projections of beams 1 and 2 on the trunk of the measured tree 5 converge at one point, this indicates that the researcher is at a base distance from the measured tree. In this position relative to the tree being measured, the researcher measures the height of the tree using an altimeter.

Due to the fact that the method involves pointing two laser beams of the visible range and a cross-sectional shape different from each other, emitted at a certain angle relative to each other and intersecting at a base distance, onto the trunk of the tree being measured, the researcher uses the position of the projections of the laser beams on the trunk of the tree being measured can determine whether the reference measurement distance is being met and, if not, can determine the direction in which to move to maintain the reference distance. This makes it possible to reduce the labor intensity of work and increase labor productivity by minimizing the movement of the researcher during the work of measuring the heights of standing trees, by eliminating the need to use an additional measuring tool, such as a measuring tape, which requires the need to approach the trunk of the tree being measured to establish a reference point, postponing the required measuring distance, after taking the measurement of the height of the tree, bringing the measuring tool into the transport position.

Claims (1)

A method for measuring the height of a tree, which consists in the fact that the researcher, using two laser emitters, points at the trunk of the tree being measured two laser beams of the visible range and of different shapes in cross section, emitted at a certain angle relative to each other and intersecting at a base distance corresponding to the distance of use of the altimeter, after which the researcher determines the base distance from the tree being measured, for which he, together with the laser emitters, moves relative to the tree being measured until the laser beams align on its trunk and from this distance, using an altimeter on its measuring scale, determines the height of the tree being measured.

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