Apparatus for Weight Monitoring of Beehives

Abstract

An apparatus and method for continuously monitoring the weight of an object are disclosed. The apparatus does not obstruct a central portion of the bottom of the object being monitored, and is especially well-suited for monitoring the weight of a beehive. In the illustrative embodiment, a ring-shaped fluid-filled bladder is sandwiched between a ring-shaped top surface and a ring-shaped base, and a pressure hose connects the bladder to a pressure gauge. Beehive weight data can be obtained in a continuous fashion, without requiring any moving of the beehive or of the apparatus, and without any other type of disruption. Moreover, the apparatus provides a stable platform that keeps the beehive immobile during monitoring, which is beneficial for the health of the colony. Advantageously, the apparatus can be constructed from inexpensive, off-the-shelf components and materials, and is capable of obtaining accurate measurements over a wide range of temperatures and environmental conditions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for monitoring the weight of a beehive, said apparatus comprising:
 a surface for stably supporting said beehive, wherein a marginal portion of a bottom of said beehive is disposed on said surface and an interior portion of the bottom of said beehive is not disposed on said surface;   an element whose electrical resistance varies with pressure, on which said surface is disposed; and   measuring means to measure a value based on the electrical resistance of said element, wherein a change in value measured by the measuring means is correlatable to a change in the weight of said beehive.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said element is a load cell. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said element is a smart fabric. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a transmitter to transmit said value to a machine that stores said value. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said value is stored as part of a data time-series. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said data time-series is an input to a real-time analysis. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said data time-series is an input to an archival analysis. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said apparatus is physically configured to enable access to the bottom of said beehive during the monitoring. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said apparatus is physically configured to keep said beehive level during the monitoring. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said apparatus is physically configured to enable waste produced in said beehive to exit said beehive during the monitoring. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for monitoring the weight of a beehive, said apparatus comprising:
 an element whose electrical resistance varies with pressure, wherein a marginal portion of a bottom of said beehive is disposed on said element and an interior portion of the bottom of said beehive is not disposed on said element; and   measuring means to measure a value based on the electrical resistance of said element, wherein a change in value measured by the measuring means is correlatable to a change in the weight of said beehive.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said element is a load cell. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said element is a smart fabric. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising a transmitter to transmit said value to a machine that stores said value. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein said value is stored as part of a data time-series. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein said data time-series is an input to a real-time analysis. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein said data time-series is an input to an archival analysis. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said apparatus is physically configured to enable access to the bottom of said beehive during the continuous monitoring. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said apparatus is physically configured to enable one or more gases to flow into and out of the bottom of said beehive during the monitoring. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said apparatus is physically configured to enable unobstructed deployment of a sensor underneath said beehive during the monitoring.