US3626189A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cosmic dust sensor
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1968-12-31
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Granted: 1971-12-07
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Expires: 1988-12-31
Abstract
Abstract A sensor for detecting and measuring the energy, velocity and direction of travel of a cosmic dust particle, comprises an array of electrodes. Some of the electrodes are arranged in columns and spaced in close proximity to other electrodes that are disposed in rows. Together the columns and rows define a plurality of sectors through which a cosmic particle may traverse. Each electrode includes electrically biased conductor layers supported on an optically transparent matrix. Ions and electrons from an impacting cosmic dust particle compose an ionized plasma for collection on the electrically biased conductors, creating an electrical output pulse which may be amplified. A second array of electrodes in columns and grids in rows is included in spaced relationship from the first array. An impacting cosmic dust particle on the second array produces an electrical output pulse in the same manner as described. Should a particle penetrate the first array and impact upon the second spaced array, a pair of time spaced electrical outputs will result, the time spacing of the pulses being proportional to the velocity of the particle. The direction of the particle''s travel, and thereby its origin in space is determined by the alignment of respective sectors traversed by the particle. Behind the second array is placed a microphone plate which arrests further penetration of the particle. The microphone output amplitude is an indication of the momentum of a particle. At least one of the secottors in each of the arrays is bounded by an epoxy coating rendering it impervious to plasma collection. Accordingly, a pulse output originated from the impervious sector gives an indication of noise or other interference collected by the sensor. Additionally, a second microphone of small area is segregated from the first-described microphone and is provided with a separate output. Accordingly, electrical signals from the small microphone which are disproportionate with respect to the small area of the second microphone are indicative of interfering noise as well as particle impact.
Inventors
- 👤 Otto E Berg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 06:52
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/29; H; H01; H01J; H01J47/00; H01J47/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
A detector for cosmic dust or other similar outer space particles comprising biased first electrode means for deriving a plasma stream in response to said particles impinging thereon, second electrode means biased with the opposite polarity from said first electrode means for collecting charged carriers in the plasma stream, means connected to said first electrode means for deriving a first signal in response to the plasma stream being derived by the first electrode means and charged carriers in the stream returning to the first electrode means, and means connected to said second electrode means for deriving a second signal in response to charged carriers from the plasma stream being collected thereby, said first electrode means including a first plurality of strips insulated from each other and having parallel longitudinal axes extending in a first direction, said second electrode means including a second plurality of strips insulated from each other and having parallel longitudinal axes extending in a second direction at right angles to the first direction, and means responsive to said first and second signals for indicating the strips of the first and second plurality which receive the charged carriers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
190 words
A detector for cosmic dust or other similar outer space particles comprising biased first electrode means for deriving a plasma stream in response to said particles impinging thereon, second electrode means biased with the opposite polarity from said first electrode means for collecting charged carriers in the plasma stream, means connected to said first electrode means for deriving a first signal in response to the plasma stream being derived by the first electrode means and charged carriers in the stream returning to the first electrode means, and means connected to said second electrode means for deriving a second signal in response to charged carriers from the plasma stream being collected thereby, said first electrode means including a first plurality of strips insulated from each other and having parallel longitudinal axes extending in a first direction, said second electrode means including a second plurality of strips insulated from each other and having parallel longitudinal axes extending in a second direction at right angles to the first direction, and means responsive to said first and second signals for indicating the strips of the first and second plurality which receive the charged carriers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The detector of claim 1 further including a third electrode means positioned in the path of charged carriers in the stream that pass through the second electrode means, said third electrode means being biased to repel the charged carriers passing through the second electrode means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The detector of claim 1 wherein said second electrode means includes first and second elements respectively positioned proximate opposite faces of said first electrode means, said first element being configured to enable the particles to pass through it so that they can impinge on the first electrode means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The detector of claim 1 wherein the first element is a mesh.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
97 words
A detector for cosmic dust or other similar outer space particles comprising first biased electrode means for deriving a plasma stream in response to said particles impinging thereon, second electrode means biased with the opposite polarity from said first electrode means for collecting charged carriers in the plasma stream, at least one of said electrodes being segmented into areas insulated from each other, each of said areas defining an impact area for charged carriers in the plasma stream, and means connected to said areas for deriving an indication of the area onto which the charged carriers impact.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
97 words
A detector for cosmic dust or other similar outer space particles comprising first biased electrode means for deriving a plasma stream in response to said particles impinging thereon, second electrode means biased with the opposite polarity from said first electrode means for collecting charged carriers in the plasma stream, at least one of said electrodes being segmented into areas insulated from each other, each of said areas defining an impact area for charged carriers in the plasma stream, and means connected to said areas for deriving an indication of the area onto which the charged carriers impact.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
87 words
A detector for cosmic dust or other similar outer space particles comprising first biased electrode means for deriving a plasma stream in response to said particles impinging thereon, second electrode means biased with The opposite polarity from said first electrode means for collecting charged carriers in the plasma stream, a third electrode means positioned in the path of charged carriers in the stream that pass through the second electrode means, said third electrode means being biased to repel the charged carriers passing through the second electrode means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
87 words
A detector for cosmic dust or other similar outer space particles comprising first biased electrode means for deriving a plasma stream in response to said particles impinging thereon, second electrode means biased with The opposite polarity from said first electrode means for collecting charged carriers in the plasma stream, a third electrode means positioned in the path of charged carriers in the stream that pass through the second electrode means, said third electrode means being biased to repel the charged carriers passing through the second electrode means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
115 words
A detector for cosmic dust or other similar outer space particles comprising first biased electrode means for deriving a plasma stream in response to said particles impinging thereon, second electrode means biased with the opposite polarity from said first electrode means for collecting charged carriers in the plasma stream, means connected to one of said electrode means for deriving a signal in response to charged carriers from the plasma stream being collected thereby, said second electrode means including first and second elements respectively positioned proximate opposite faces of said first electrode means, said first element being configured to enable the particles to pass through it so that they can impinge on the first electrode means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
115 words
A detector for cosmic dust or other similar outer space particles comprising first biased electrode means for deriving a plasma stream in response to said particles impinging thereon, second electrode means biased with the opposite polarity from said first electrode means for collecting charged carriers in the plasma stream, means connected to one of said electrode means for deriving a signal in response to charged carriers from the plasma stream being collected thereby, said second electrode means including first and second elements respectively positioned proximate opposite faces of said first electrode means, said first element being configured to enable the particles to pass through it so that they can impinge on the first electrode means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The detector of claim 7 wherein the first element is a mesh.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The detector of claim 7 wherein the first element is a thin film.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
The detector of claim 7 further including a third electrode means positioned in the path of charged carriers in the stream that pass through the second electrode means, said third electrode means being biased to repel the charged carriers passing through the second electrode means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
53 words
The detector of claim 10 wherein the third electrode means includes third and fourth elements respectively positioned outside the first and second elements of said second electrode, said first and third elements being configured to enable the particles to pass through them so that the particles can impinge on the first electrode means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
92 words
The detector of claim 7 wherein said first electrode means includes a first plurality of strips insulated from each other and having parallel longitudinal axes extending in a first direction, said second electrode means includes a second plurality of strips insulated from each other and having parallel longitudinal axes extending in a second direction at right angles to the first direction, and means responsive to said first and second electrode means collecting charged carriers from the stream for indicating the strips of the first and second plurality which receive the charged carriers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
245 words
A detector for enabling the velocity vector of cosmic dust or other similar outer space particles to be determined comprising a first array including: first biased electrode means for deriving a first plasma stream in response to said particles impinging thereon, second electrode means biased with the opposite polarity from said first electrode means for collecting charged carriers in the first plasma stream, both of said first and second electrodes being segmented into areas insulated from each other, each of said areas defining an impact area for charged carriers in the first plasma stream, and means connected to said areas defined by the first and second electrodes for deriving an indication of the area of the first array onto which the charged carriers of the first stream impact; a second array positioned downstream of the first array, said second array including: third biased electrode means for deriving a second plasma stream in response to said particles impinging thereon, fourth electrode means biased with the opposite polarity from said third electrode means for collecting charged carriers in the second plasma stream, both of said third and fourth electrodes being segmented into areas insulated from each other, each of said areas defining an impact area for charged carriers in the second plasma stream, and means connected to said areas defined by the third and fourth electrodes for deriving an indication of the area of the second array onto which the charged carriers of the second stream impact.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
245 words
A detector for enabling the velocity vector of cosmic dust or other similar outer space particles to be determined comprising a first array including: first biased electrode means for deriving a first plasma stream in response to said particles impinging thereon, second electrode means biased with the opposite polarity from said first electrode means for collecting charged carriers in the first plasma stream, both of said first and second electrodes being segmented into areas insulated from each other, each of said areas defining an impact area for charged carriers in the first plasma stream, and means connected to said areas defined by the first and second electrodes for deriving an indication of the area of the first array onto which the charged carriers of the first stream impact; a second array positioned downstream of the first array, said second array including: third biased electrode means for deriving a second plasma stream in response to said particles impinging thereon, fourth electrode means biased with the opposite polarity from said third electrode means for collecting charged carriers in the second plasma stream, both of said third and fourth electrodes being segmented into areas insulated from each other, each of said areas defining an impact area for charged carriers in the second plasma stream, and means connected to said areas defined by the third and fourth electrodes for deriving an indication of the area of the second array onto which the charged carriers of the second stream impact.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
ThE detector of claim 13 further including means responsive to the signals for enabling an indication of the velocity of the particles to be derived.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
184 words
A particle impact sensor apparatus comprising: first array of electrically conducting films, second array of electrically conducting films in spaced relationship with respect to said first array, first electrical output means associated with said first array, second electrical output means associated with second array, time spaced electrical signals being produced by said first and second output means in response to a particle impacting said arrays, each of said arrays being electrically biased to collect ionized plasma products resulting from impacting by said particle, each of said arrays having electrically positive biased films and electrically negative biased films, said positively biased films being arranged in coplanar rows, said negative biased films being arranged in coplanar columns, said columns and rows being superimposed, a plurality of sectors each defined by a corresponding pair of superimposed column and row arranged films, said electrical output means producing the electrical signals in such a manner as to identify the particular sectors impacted by the particle, portions of the films within at least one of said sectors in each array being provided with dielectric coatings impervious to particle impact thereon.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
184 words
A particle impact sensor apparatus comprising: first array of electrically conducting films, second array of electrically conducting films in spaced relationship with respect to said first array, first electrical output means associated with said first array, second electrical output means associated with second array, time spaced electrical signals being produced by said first and second output means in response to a particle impacting said arrays, each of said arrays being electrically biased to collect ionized plasma products resulting from impacting by said particle, each of said arrays having electrically positive biased films and electrically negative biased films, said positively biased films being arranged in coplanar rows, said negative biased films being arranged in coplanar columns, said columns and rows being superimposed, a plurality of sectors each defined by a corresponding pair of superimposed column and row arranged films, said electrical output means producing the electrical signals in such a manner as to identify the particular sectors impacted by the particle, portions of the films within at least one of said sectors in each array being provided with dielectric coatings impervious to particle impact thereon.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-06 | 1975-06-07 | 1975-12-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-06 | 1979-06-07 | 1979-12-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-06 | 1983-06-07 | 1983-12-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |