People interested in weather stations or a student in search of a project may find this article interesting
An active impact transducer has been designed and tested for the purpose of monitoring hail fall in the vicinity of the Space Shuttle launch pads. An important outcome of this design is the opportunity to utilize frequency analysis to discriminate between the audio signal generated from raindrop impacts and that of hailstone impacts.
It's an interesting approach. Hard to imagine what the market would be outside of shuttle launch pads located in regions subject to hail.
On a more serious note, there is a device called a Stormscope that analyzes the pattern and intensity of radio emissions from lightning to determine storm severity and direction. They have been in use for many years now as both substitutes for and supplements to weather radar.
I was thinking about a system that would protect a plastic covered greenhouse from hail. With the hail sensor one could close an existing thermal blanket or sun shade.
jpanhalt said:
It's an interesting approach. Hard to imagine what the market would be outside of shuttle launch pads located in regions subject to hail.