Clear air turbulence detector
OwnerAllen R. Geigerinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A clear air turbulence detector includes an ultraviolet laser for generating a coherent beam which scans an area on an aircraft's flight path. A photodetector monitors optical radiation backscattered from the area, providing an intensity-controlling electrical signal for a CRT display. Updrafts contain greater-than-normal amounts of ultraviolet-absorbing water vapor and result in a blank spot on the display while downdrafts contain less-than-normal amounts of water vapor and result in a bright spot on the display.
Claims11
A system for use in an aircraft in flight for detecting clear air turbulence in a predetermined area along the aircraft's flight path comprising:
- a laser device for providing a coherent beam of optical radiation having a wavelength in the ultraviolet region;
- horizontal and vertical scan generator means for directing the coherent beam through a predetermined area in the aircraft's flight path which clear air turbulence is to be detected;
- a photodetector for detecting optical radiation backscattered from the predetermined area to produce electrical signals proportional to the intensity of the backscattered radiation;
- and
- display means connected to said photodetector and operating in synchronism with said horizontal and vertical scan generator means for providing a visual display of the intensity of backscattered radiation over the predetermined area, turbulence being indicated by nonuniformities in the visual display.
A method of detecting clear air turbulence along the flight path of a flying aircraft comprising the steps of:
- directing a coherent beam of ultraviolet radiation in a rectilinear manner through a predetermined area to be monitored in the flightpath of the flying aircraft;
- and
- providing a visual display of the intensity of backscattered optical radiation over the predetermined area with updrafts being identifiable as regions of relatively lesser backscattered radiation and downdrafts being identifiable as regions of relatively greater backscattered radiation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.