System and methods for detecting turbulence based upon observations of light scintillation
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorBrian Tillotson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for detecting turbulent air located between a light source and an observer based upon the scintillation of light produced by the light source. An optical sensor associated with the observer is configured to receive the light and to produce an indication of the light. A processor is configured to quantify scintillation in the light and to identify turbulent air between the light source and the optical sensor based upon the scintillation. A feedback device provides a notification when turbulent air is identified. Light sources and optical sensors may be located on airborne platforms or on the ground, and information may be transferred between multiple observers.
Claims24
A system for detecting turbulent air located between a light source and an observer, the system comprising:
- an optical sensor associated with the observer that is configured to receive light from the light source and to produce an indication of the light;
- a processor configured to receive the indication of the light, to quantify scintillation in the light based upon the indication, and to identify turbulent air between the light source and the optical sensor based upon the scintillation in the light, said quantification of said light scintillation comprising quantifying a change in intensity of said light from said light source with respect to time;
- and
- a feedback device configured to provide a notification when turbulent air is identified.
A method of detecting pockets of turbulent air located between a light source and an observer, the method comprising the steps of:
- receiving a light from the light source;
- quantifying scintillation in the light, said quantification of said light scintillation comprising quantifying a change in intensity of said light from said light source with respect to time;
- identifying turbulent air between the light source and the observer based upon the quantified scintillation in the light;
- and
- providing a notification when turbulent air is identified.
A system for detecting turbulent air comprising:
- a light source configured to produce a light;
- and
- a light observer system comprising:
- an optical sensor configured to receive the light from the light source and to produce an indication of the light;
- a processor configured to receive the indication of the light, to quantify scintillation in the light based upon the indication, and to identify turbulent air between the light source and the optical sensor based upon the quantified scintillation in the light, said quantification of said light scintillation comprising quantifying a change in intensity of said light from said light source with respect to time;
- and
- a feedback device configured to provide a notification when turbulent air is identified.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.