US 2026/0298818 A1 · METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SENSING A REFRACTIVE DISTURBANCE

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for sensing and measuring refractive disturbances through a specified area and/or medium. A laser emits a beam that travels through a test region and is received by a sensor. The sensor detects a deflection of the beam that is caused by the passage of the beam through a refractive disturbance in the test region. A controller, including a processor and memory, is configured to detect a change in a refractive index caused by the passage of a refractive disturbance through a specified area, such as, the passage of different fluids through an area, a change in density of the fluid, a shockwave, and/or turbulence. The controller is configured to measure and calculate disturbances within the test region based on detected changes in the refractive index.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A system for monitoring a refractive index of a fluid, the system comprising:

a laser configured to emit a beam through a detection area in which the fluid is present;
a sensor spaced apart from the laser, wherein the sensor is configured to receive the beam emitted by the laser and collect corresponding data;
a memory configured to store a predefined distance traveled by the beam between the laser and the sensor and an expected refractive index within the detection area;
and
a processor configured to:
receive the data from the sensor;
calculate a current refractive index of the fluid in the detection area based on the data and the predefined distance between the laser and the sensor;
and
detect a change in a density of the fluid in response to determining that the current refractive index is different than the expected refractive index.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for sensing a refractive disturbance

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for sensing a refractive disturbance

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20