Patent · US Active

Apparatus and method for non-intrusive off-body measurements in hypersonic flight experiments

US10060777B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by

4References

22Claims

0Family size

Inventors

Alan B. Cain · Saint Louis, US
Stanislav Gordeyev · Mishawaka, US
R. Mark Rennie · Notre Dame, US

Key dates

Filing date	May 4, 2016
Grant date	Aug 28, 2018
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Oct 13, 2036

Classification

Technology area (CPC G)Physics
CPC primaryG01P5/26
WIPO fieldMeasurement
WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An “air-data probe” system measures at least one component of freestream velocity by tracking the motion of a laser-induced breakdown (“LIB”) spark created in a freestream flow. Neutral density filters are positioned or deployed so that the brightness of the initial LIB spark doesn't over saturate the LIB sensor system. This allows for more consistent tracking of the LIB spark throughout the duration of the LIB spark, including the later stages where the LIB spark is not nearly as bright as the initial LIB spark, thereby allowing all or substantially all of the light generated by the LIB spark to reach the sensors. This provides for enhanced visibility and more accurate detection of the LIB spark over time and as air density changes.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.