In-flight multiple field of view detector for supercooled airborne water droplets
US8144325B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 23, 2009 |
| Grant date | Mar 27, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 12, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S17/95
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An airborne multiple field-of-view water droplet sensor includes an illumination portion and a detection portion. The illumination portion includes a first optical beam emitter configured to output a light beam. The detection portion includes a kaleidoscope configured to channel a first portion of the backscattered light towards an inner reflective surface of a circle-to-line converter, a multiple field of view subsystem having at least a first detector configured to receive light reflected by the circle-to-line converter, and a single field-of-view subsystem configured to receive a second portion of the backscattered light, the second portion not having been reflected by the circle-to-line converter. The single field-of-view subsystem may include a dual channel circular polarization detector for distinguishing between liquid water droplets and ice crystals based on information in the single field-of-view.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.