Patent US2212441A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4937447A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4937447A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Air turbulence detection
Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
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Filing: 1989-02-24
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Granted: 1990-06-26
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Expires: 2009-02-24
Abstract
Abstract Air turbulence (windshear as well as clear air turbulence) in navigable airspace is detected by remotely sensing changes in the spatial temperature profile of an air column ahead of an aircraft by repeatedly sensing the intensity of the thermal radiation from the column of atmospheric air in at least two spectral peaks in the 4.17 to 4.2 μm region of the CO 2 spectral emission band, and comparing the relative intensity of the spectral peaks over time. Apparatus which includes a tunable Fabry-Perot etalon is provided for the practice of the method.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph J. Barrett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:14
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01J; G01J5/00; G01J5/60; G01J5/602; G01J5/0014; G01J5/601; G01W; G01W1/00; G01W2001/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
Apparatus for remotely sensing changes in the spatial temperature profile of a column of atmospheric air comprising, in combination: (a) collecting means for receiving the thermal radiation from a column of atmospheric air, and for directing it to intensity sensing means; (b) intensity sensing means comprising means for sequentially sensing the intensity in said column of atmospheric air of at least two spectral peaks in the 4.17 to 4.2 μm region of the CO 2 spectral emission band; and (c) means for detecting temporal changes in the relative intensity of said spectral peaks.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
Apparatus for remotely sensing changes in the spatial temperature profile of a column of atmospheric air comprising, in combination: (a) collecting means for receiving the thermal radiation from a column of atmospheric air, and for directing it to intensity sensing means; (b) intensity sensing means comprising means for sequentially sensing the intensity in said column of atmospheric air of at least two spectral peaks in the 4.17 to 4.2 μm region of the CO 2 spectral emission band; and (c) means for detecting temporal changes in the relative intensity of said spectral peaks.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said intensity sensing means includes a frequency tunable Fabry-Perot etalon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said intensity sensing means further comprises a blocking filter in combination with said tunable Fabry-Perot etalon for selectively passing infrared radiation including the carbon dioxide band in the 4.17 to 4.2 μm region.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising scanner control means associated with said Fabry-Perot etalon for sequentially scanning selected peaks within the 4.17 to 4.2 μm region of the CO 2 spectral emission band.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said means for detecting temporal changes in the relative intensity of said spectral peaks further comprises signal processing and display means to provide an indication of sensed changes in the temperature profile of the column of atmospheric air.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
97 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said intensity sensing means comprises, in combination, a blocking filter for selectively passing infrared radiation including the carbon dioxide band in the 4.17 to 4.2 μm region; a frequency tunable Fabry-Perot etalon with associated scanner control means for sequentially scanning selected peaks within the 4.17 to 4.2 μm region of the CO 2 spectral emission band transmitted through said blocking filter; infrared radiation detector means for sensing the intensity of the infrared radiation passing through said Fabry-Perot etalon; and focusing means for directing said passing infrared radiation onto said radiation detector.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said means for detecting temporal changes in the relative intensity of said spectral peaks further comprises signal processing and display means to provide an indication of sensed changes in the temperature profile of the column of atmospheric air.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
67 words
The method for remotely sensing changes in the spatial temperature profile of a column of atmospheric air comprising, in combination: (a) repeatedly sensing the intensity of the thermal radiation from said column of atmospheric air in at least two spectral peaks in the 4.17 to 4.2 μm region of the CO 2 spectral emission band; and (b) comparing the relative intensity of said spectral peaks over time.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
67 words
The method for remotely sensing changes in the spatial temperature profile of a column of atmospheric air comprising, in combination: (a) repeatedly sensing the intensity of the thermal radiation from said column of atmospheric air in at least two spectral peaks in the 4.17 to 4.2 μm region of the CO 2 spectral emission band; and (b) comparing the relative intensity of said spectral peaks over time.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said spectral peaks are located at opposite ends of the 4.17 to 4.2 μm region for the CO 2 spectral emission band.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of displaying changes over time of the sensed differences in the relative intensity of said spectral peaks.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-06-25 | 1993-12-25 | 1994-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-06-25 | 1997-12-25 | 1998-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-06-25 | 2001-12-25 | 2002-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |