US5131758A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of remotely characterizing thermal properties of a sample
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1991-09-30
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Granted: 1992-07-21
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Expires: 2011-09-30
Abstract
Abstract A sample in a wind tunnel is radiated from a thermal energy source exteriorly of the wind tunnel. A thermal imager system, also located exteriorly of the wind tunnel, reads surface radiations from the sample as a function of time. The produced thermal images are characteristic of the heat transferred from the sample to the flow across the sample. In turn, the measured rates of heat loss of the sample are characteristic of the flow and the sample.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph S. Heyman
- 👤 D. Michele Heath
- 👤 Christopher Welch
- 👤 William P. Winfree
- 👤 William E. Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 03:54
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N25/00; G01N25/72
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of remotely and non-invasively characterizing the thermal properties of a solid sample, comprising the steps of: imparting thermal energy to the sample without the sample being n physical contact with a thermal energy source; obtaining a plurality of thermal measurements over time by simultaneously measuring thermal radiations from each of a plurality of measurement areas of the sample; providing a plurality of respective reference calibration standards for each measurement area which is based on a thermal theoretical model for that measurement area; and comparing the relative difference between each of the plurality of thermal measurements and the respective plurality of reference calibration standards for each measurement area thereby characterizing the thermal properties of said sample.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of remotely and non-invasively characterizing the thermal properties of a solid sample, comprising the steps of: imparting thermal energy to the sample without the sample being n physical contact with a thermal energy source; obtaining a plurality of thermal measurements over time by simultaneously measuring thermal radiations from each of a plurality of measurement areas of the sample; providing a plurality of respective reference calibration standards for each measurement area which is based on a thermal theoretical model for that measurement area; and comparing the relative difference between each of the plurality of thermal measurements and the respective plurality of reference calibration standards for each measurement area thereby characterizing the thermal properties of said sample.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein the measurement areas are on the surface of the sample.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein the thermal energy is imparted in a pulse mode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 3 further including the step of applying to the samples at least one of a thermal insulator coating and a surface absorbing coating.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention of claim 4 further including the step of placing the sample in a wind tunnel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein the thermal energy is imparted in a continuous mode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein the thermal energy is imparted in a modulated mode.
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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) | 1995-07-21 | 1996-01-20 | 1996-07-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-07-21 | 2000-01-20 | 2000-07-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-07-21 | 2004-01-20 | 2004-07-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |