Improved apparatus for sounding the atmosphere and method
AssigneeWindbidco Pty Ltd
InventorAndrew L. Martin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A Sodar apparatus is disclosed for sounding the atmosphere. The apparatus includes a transducer for converting an electrical signal to an acoustic wave and/or vice-versa and transferring means associated with the transducer for transferring the acoustic wave towards the atmosphere and/or for transferring a reflected acoustic wave from the atmosphere. The apparatus further includes isolating means or structure for isolating or attenuating the acoustic wave such that energy of the acoustic wave transferred in a substantially horizontal direction is reduced below energy of the acoustic wave transferred in a substantially vertical direction by a factor of at least 45 dB and more preferably by a factor of at least 70 dB. A method for sounding the atmosphere is also disclosed.
Claims21
1-42. (canceled)
Apparatus for sounding the atmosphere, said apparatus comprising:
- a transducer for converting an electrical signal to an acoustic wave and/or vice-versa;
- transferring structure associated with said transducer for transferring the acoustic wave towards the atmosphere and/or for transferring a reflected acoustic wave from said atmosphere;
- and
- acoustic isolating structure for isolating or attenuating the acoustic wave such that energy of said acoustic wave transferred in a substantially horizontal direction is reduced below energy of said acoustic wave transferred in a substantially vertical direction by a factor of at least 45 dB.
A method for sounding the atmosphere comprising:
- generating an acoustic wave;
- transferring the acoustic wave towards the atmosphere;
- receiving a reflected acoustic wave from the atmosphere, and
- isolating or attenuating energy of said acoustic wave transferred in a substantially horizontal direction such that said energy transferred in said substantially horizontal direction is reduced below energy of said acoustic wave transferred in a substantially vertical direction by a factor of at least 45 dB.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.