| Chinook Engineering is IML's research and development division, located in Sheridan, Wyoming. Chinook Engineering focuses on applied research and the development of innovative measurement technologies, especially related to environmental measurements. Chinook collaborates with universities, national labs, and experts in their respective fields to complement the in-house staff.
The Mission of Chinook Engineering is to develop innovative technologies. Such innovations will be developed through a partnering model, bringing talented people and their ideas together, to create new and useful products and opportunities.
Traceable Calibration Systems
Chinook manufactures the patented Streamline™ Flow Transfer Standard and Streamline Pro™ MultiCal™ System. These high performance fluid flow meters are used extensively in air quality measurements. Due to its superior and consistent performance, the Streamline™ FTS has become the "standard" flow meter in the ambient air quality measurements industry. The Streamline Pro™ MultiCal™ System simplifies measurements while also providing traceable temperature and barometric pressure measurements.
Streamline™ and Streamline Pro™ systems are sold exclusively by Rupprecht & Patashnick Co., Inc. Chinook Engineering provides all service and technical support for the Streamline™ and Streamline Pro™ systems.
Infrasonic Measurement Systems
Chinook Engineering is in the phase 1 of development of an avalanche detection system based on infrasonic acoustic energy emanating from snow slides. The system offers the ability to detect avalanches in situations where observations are not possible. Research and testing has been performed in Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, and Alaska. This project is funded by a Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grants from the US Department of Commerce, National Science Foundation, and the Wyoming Dept. of Transporation.
 View Model SS Infrasound Sensor Datasheet
Software Development
Chinook Engineering is developing a software system designed to simplify interpretation of water quality data. This software is being developed originally for tribal regulatory applications.
imLink™ Access-based, data analysis system provides an easy method to analyze environmental data such as water quality data through pre-established queries.
The imLink™ system provides reporting, statistical analysis, and simple graphing features; it also creates an automated link to Excel for more elaborate graphing requirements. To this basic structure, user-specific analysis and graphing features can be added.
Metrology - NIST Traceable Calibrations
Chinook operates an NIST – traceable calibration/certification facility to provide quality assurance (QA) support for the fundamental measurements related to obtaining air quality concentrations. Parameters which can be certified are:
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Air flow rate: |
50 cc/min – 22 lpm, and 8 – 85 cfm
(appx. 250 –2500 lpm) |
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Manometry: |
0.01 – 25 “ H2O, other by special setup |
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Barometry: |
fractions – 1.2 atmospheres |
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Thermometry: |
-40 – +80 °C |
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Avalanche Detection System
Inter-Mountain Labs, Inc. is concluding development of automated infrasound sensor array monitoring technology, which detects and identifies sub audible acoustic energy emanating from targeted signal sources. Current operational applications of the technology target snow avalanches in the Teton Pass, WY and Little Cottonwood Canyon, UT regions. These continuous near real-time monitoring systems provide avalanche detection in situations where visual observations are not possible, which offers department of transportation personnel valuable information regarding the state of highway threatening avalanche hazard. False positive avalanche identifications are minimized through the use of movement based pattern recognition techniques that exploit estimated source location of detected signals. Project funding through the summer of 2008 is being provided by Wyoming Department of Transportation, Utah Department of Transportation, and National Science Foundation Small Business Innovative Research program. Conclusion of project efforts are focused on porting technology prototypes into polished commercially viable forms that can be easily maintained and utilized by end users.
Turn key systems composed of the following integrated components:
| [ click images for larger view ] |
| CUSTOM INFRASOUND SENSOR: |
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| SENSOR ARRAY MONITORING NODE HARDWARE: |
| Sensor |
Data Acquisition,
and Telecommunications |
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| SENSOR ARRAY PROCESSING (WYDOT Glory Bowl Results): |
Beamforming Geographic
Detection Image |
Beamforming
Feature Set |
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Glory Bowl Avalanche Event
Geographic Identification Image |
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CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT
(UDOT White Pine Chutes Results showing and
Positive Avalanche Event Identification): |
| Interactive Graphical User Interface with Raw Data, Beamforming Feature Set, and Alarms |
White Pine Chute 1 Avalanche Event Geographic Identification Image |
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