Method and apparatus for detecting clear air turbulences
US4266130A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 13, 1978 |
| Grant date | May 5, 1981 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 13, 1998 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01W2001/003
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An improved clear air turbulence (CAT) detector sensing infrared radiation in the 27-33 micrometer range of the water vapor rotational wavelength band. The improved clear air turbulence detector for use on an aircraft includes a forward looking and upwardly oriented between 8.degree. to 12.degree. optical assembly having a thallium bromoiodide infrared lens, a 27-33 micrometer wavelength interference filter and an infrared detector; a radiometer amplifier for amplifying the output of the optical assembly and for generating an analog voltage signal related to the received infrared intensity, a processing unit for analyzing the analog signal, and a display unit for generating a first signal when no clear air turbulence is detected, a second signal when a moderate turbulence is detected, and a third signal when extreme turbulence is detected. A method for determining the advance time for entering the clear air turbulence after detection is based upon the altitude of the aircraft.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.