Patent US3665467A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3665467A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Clear air turbulence detector
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
•
Filing: 1969-11-19
•
Granted: 1972-05-23
•
Expires: 1989-11-19
Abstract
Abstract This disclosure describes an apparatus for warning the pilot of an aircraft of a region of clear air turbulence. A multi-channel radiometric sensor mounted on the aircraft detects both the ambient temperature of the air and any temperature anomaly that is present along the forward flight path. In those cases where temperature anomalies are associated with the presence of a clear air turbulence region, the invention provides means for remotely sensing these temperature anomalies through the application of a unique radiometric technique. By the detection of difference temperatures between a minimum of two channels, the invention provides a means for indicating the existence of a temperature anomaly indicative of clear air turbulence region. In addition, the distance from the aircraft to the anomalous temperature region is directly determined from the output indication of the radiometric sensor channels. The distance between the clear air turbulence region and the aircraft is determined by utilization of at least two observing frequencies which have known absorption coefficients of different values.
Inventors
- 👤 George G Haroules
- 👤 Wilfred E Brown
- 👤 Harold I Ewen
- 👤 Arthur E Lilley
- 👤 Ralph D Kodis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:23
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01W; G01W1/00; G01W2001/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
A clear air turbulence detector comprising: a multifrequency radiometer means having a plurality of channels for generating radiometric probes at predetermined frequencies and for generating output signals for each channel, said output signals being related to the anomalous temperature characteristics of the regions being probed; indicating means connected to said multifrequency radiometer means for sensing the output signals from said channels and for displaying said output signals in a predetermined manner; an antenna connected to said multifrequency radiometer means; said multifrequency radiometer means includes two channels, each of said channels including: a radiometer processing section connected to said antenna for processing the signals received by said channels so as to generate output signals for differential power comparison; a signal processing section connected to said radiometric processing section for processing signals from said radiometric processing section and for generating a processed signal related to the range to said regions of atmospheric temperature anomalies being probed; and an orthogonal mode transducer connected to said antenna to receive signals from said antenna and to said radiometric processing sections to apply the received signals to said radiometric processing section.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
185 words
A clear air turbulence detector comprising: a multifrequency radiometer means having a plurality of channels for generating radiometric probes at predetermined frequencies and for generating output signals for each channel, said output signals being related to the anomalous temperature characteristics of the regions being probed; indicating means connected to said multifrequency radiometer means for sensing the output signals from said channels and for displaying said output signals in a predetermined manner; an antenna connected to said multifrequency radiometer means; said multifrequency radiometer means includes two channels, each of said channels including: a radiometer processing section connected to said antenna for processing the signals received by said channels so as to generate output signals for differential power comparison; a signal processing section connected to said radiometric processing section for processing signals from said radiometric processing section and for generating a processed signal related to the range to said regions of atmospheric temperature anomalies being probed; and an orthogonal mode transducer connected to said antenna to receive signals from said antenna and to said radiometric processing sections to apply the received signals to said radiometric processing section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
154 words
A clear air turbulence detector for probing the atmosphere to detect atmospheric temperature anomalies associated with clear air turbulence regions, including a plurality of radiometric channels, wherein each of said channels comprises: an RF processing means adapted to receive RF signals related to the temperature and altitude of regions being probed; a signal processing means connected to said RF processing means for processing the signals processed by said RF processing means so as to obtain a signal including information about the range to anomalous temperature regions along the forward flight path of high performance aircraft; indicating means connected to said signal processing means for interpreting the signals generated by said signal processing means and for displaying information about the occurrence of clear air turbulence regions; and a calibration means connected to said RF processing means for balancing the output of said RF processing means when a clear air turbulence region is not being probed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
154 words
A clear air turbulence detector for probing the atmosphere to detect atmospheric temperature anomalies associated with clear air turbulence regions, including a plurality of radiometric channels, wherein each of said channels comprises: an RF processing means adapted to receive RF signals related to the temperature and altitude of regions being probed; a signal processing means connected to said RF processing means for processing the signals processed by said RF processing means so as to obtain a signal including information about the range to anomalous temperature regions along the forward flight path of high performance aircraft; indicating means connected to said signal processing means for interpreting the signals generated by said signal processing means and for displaying information about the occurrence of clear air turbulence regions; and a calibration means connected to said RF processing means for balancing the output of said RF processing means when a clear air turbulence region is not being probed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A clear air turbulence detector as claimed in claim 2, wherein said calibration means includes a noise generator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
A clear air turbulence detector as claimed in claim 3, including a reference noise generating means adapted to generAte a reference noise signal, said reference noise generating means being connected to said signal processing means and said RF processing means for applying a reference noise signal to said signal processing means and said RF processing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A clear air turbulence detector as claimed in claim 4, including a control means connected to said reference noise generating means for controlling the noise generated by said reference noise generating means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A clear air turbulence detector as claimed in claim 5, including an antenna means connected to the inputs of said RF processing means for receiving RF signals and applying the received RF signals to said RF processing means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
A clear air turbulence detector as claimed in claim 6, including signal splitting means connected to said antenna means and to said RF processing means for splitting the RF signal received by said antenna means and applying said signals to said RF processing means.
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) | 1975-05-23 | 1975-11-22 | 1976-05-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-23 | 1979-11-22 | 1980-05-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-23 | 1983-11-22 | 1984-05-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |