Surface condition sensing system
US5497100A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 17, 1994 |
| Grant date | Mar 5, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 17, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N22/04
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A surface condition sensing system includes a frequency controlled source of electromagnetic power adapted to produce a band of selected frequencies which are directed to a surface under examination. A monitoring circuit compares transmitted and reflected electromagnetic power as a function of frequency from the surface, and generates a plurality of absorption signals representing the difference between the amplitude of the transmitted signal with the corresponding amplitude of the reflected signal. An evaluator circuit generates a surface condition signal representing the results of a comparison between the plurality of absorption signals with known surface models. A control circuit generates a status signal representative of the surface condition. The system can be configured as a road condition sensor or as an aircraft ice detection sensor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.