Patent · US Expired

Cloud height measuring device with compensation for window fouling

US4605302A · kind A · utility

15Cited by
4References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 16, 1984
Grant dateAug 12, 1986
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 16, 2004

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01S2007/4975
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

In a cloud height measuring device, the attenuation caused by deposits on the output and/or receiver windows of the device (e.g. by rain and/or dirt) are compensated for by measuring the degree of reflection of light from the window(s) when illuminated by light pulses. By means of a special measuring sequence in a processor unit included in the cloud height measuring device, light pulses separate from those used for the cloud height measurement itself, can be employed to assess the extent of the fouling. The measurement energy can then be controlled during the cloud height measurement proper, so that the total attenuation, caused by rain and dirt on the windows, is properly compensated for.

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