System and method for detecting and discriminating between water and ice formation on objects
First Claim
1. A system for detecting and discriminating between water and ice formation on an object, comprising:
- a multi-wavelength light source;
an optical element mounted on the object and having an input coupled to receive at least first and second light beams from the multi-wavelength light source and an output adapted to provide attenuated versions of the first and second light beams;
a detector operative to receive and process the attenuated versions of the first and second light beams to provide corresponding first and second signals having predetermined characteristics representative of the attenuated versions of the first and second light beams; and
a processor coupled to receive and process the first and second signals to provide a light intensity value based on a predetermined ratio of the first and second signals, wherein based on predetermined characteristics of the light intensity value, the processor is operative to actuate any one of a number of indicators corresponding to one of a number of predetermined states of operation of the optical element mounted on the object.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for detecting and discriminating between water and ice formation on a number of objects, such as aircraft or roadways is described. The system includes an optical element or sensor adapted to receive at least first and second wavelengths of light from a multi-wavelength light source and for outputting attenuated versions of the first and second wavelengths of light. A detector senses and converts the attenuated versions of the first and second wavelengths of light to electrical signals proportional to the light intensities of the first and second wavelengths of light. A processor is coupled to receive and process the electrical signals for determining one or more light intensity values and for actuating one or more indicators corresponding to one of a number of predetermined states of operation of the optical element, including a normal state of operation, a rain state of operation and/or an ice state of operation.
-
Citations
14 Claims
-
1. A system for detecting and discriminating between water and ice formation on an object, comprising:
-
a multi-wavelength light source;
an optical element mounted on the object and having an input coupled to receive at least first and second light beams from the multi-wavelength light source and an output adapted to provide attenuated versions of the first and second light beams;
a detector operative to receive and process the attenuated versions of the first and second light beams to provide corresponding first and second signals having predetermined characteristics representative of the attenuated versions of the first and second light beams; and
a processor coupled to receive and process the first and second signals to provide a light intensity value based on a predetermined ratio of the first and second signals, wherein based on predetermined characteristics of the light intensity value, the processor is operative to actuate any one of a number of indicators corresponding to one of a number of predetermined states of operation of the optical element mounted on the object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A method for detecting and discriminating between water and ice formation on an optical element mounted on an object, comprising:
-
(a) exposing the optical element to weather conditions;
(b) passing at least first and second beams of light through the optical element to provide attenuated versions of the first and second beams of light at an output of the optical element;
(c) responding to detection of the attenuated versions of the first and second beams of light by providing respective first and second signals having predetermined characteristics representative of the attenuated versions of the first and second beams of light;
(d) receiving and processing the first and second signals at a processor to provide a first light intensity value, wherein if the first light intensity value corresponds to a first predetermined light intensity range, declaring a state of normal operation, if the first light intensity value corresponds to a second predetermined light intensity range, declaring a state of water present on the optical element and if the first light intensity value corresponds to a third predetermined light intensity range, declaring a state of ice present on the optical element. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
Specification