DYNAMIC 3D WIND MAPPING SYSTEM AND METHOD
First Claim
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1. A method for measuring wind velocity, the method comprising:
- collecting volumetric aerosol density distribution data from at least two lidar scan volumes at separate time intervals, wherein the lidar scan volumes are within an atmospheric volume of interest, and wherein each lidar scan volume is three-dimensional so as to extend in an axial direction and in two mutually orthogonal transverse directions relative to individual lidar scan pulses;
analyzing the data so as to obtain a set of intermediate values; and
calculating at least one wind vector from the set of intermediate values.
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Abstract
Systems for obtaining data regarding a volume of atmosphere can include a lidar transceiver. Some systems include scanning devices that are capable of directing laser beams produced by the lidar transceiver in a pattern that sweeps through the volume of atmosphere. Information regarding light that is backscattered from the laser beams can be used to construct a three-dimensional data set. In some methods, wind-field information can be extracted from the three-dimensional data set.
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Citations
48 Claims
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1. A method for measuring wind velocity, the method comprising:
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collecting volumetric aerosol density distribution data from at least two lidar scan volumes at separate time intervals, wherein the lidar scan volumes are within an atmospheric volume of interest, and wherein each lidar scan volume is three-dimensional so as to extend in an axial direction and in two mutually orthogonal transverse directions relative to individual lidar scan pulses; analyzing the data so as to obtain a set of intermediate values; and calculating at least one wind vector from the set of intermediate values. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of determining wind velocity, the method comprising:
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scanning, during a first time period, an atmospheric volume that has a three-dimensional outer boundary so as to obtain a first set of aerosol density distribution data from positions that are at or near the boundary about a periphery thereof and from positions that are spaced from the boundary and are at an interior thereof; scanning, during a second time period, the atmospheric volume so as to obtain a second set of aerosol density distribution data from positions that are at or near the boundary about the periphery thereof and from positions that are spaced from the boundary and are at the interior of the boundary; and comparing the second set of data to the first set of data. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method of measuring wind velocity, the method comprising:
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scanning in three dimensions an atmospheric volume via an elastic lidar system to obtain a first set of data regarding a first density distribution of aerosols that are within the atmospheric volume; scanning in three dimensions the atmospheric volume via the elastic lidar system to obtain a second set of data regarding a second density distribution of aerosols that are within the atmospheric volume; and comparing the first and second sets of data to each other. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method of evaluating aerosol characteristics of an atmospheric region, the method comprising:
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scanning a pulsed laser beam in a two-dimensional pattern so as to deliver a first series of laser pulses into an atmospheric volume in a pattern that ultimately forms a three-dimensional outer boundary via a first portion of the pulses, wherein a second portion of the pulses pass through a region that is ultimately interior to the outer boundary thus formed; receiving backscattered light from the laser pulses so as to obtain, for each laser pulse, information regarding aerosol density along a path traveled by the pulse; and storing the information regarding aerosol density. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A system for measuring wind velocity, the system comprising:
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a lidar transceiver that is configured to emit laser pulses and is configured to receive light signals that are returned from the emitted laser pulses; one or more scanning elements configured to transition among a variety of orientations so as to direct a series of laser pulses sequentially in a plurality of different directions to thereby form a two-dimensional scan pattern that can extend through a volume of atmosphere; and a processor configured to analyze data regarding the light signals that are returned from the emitted laser pulses and regarding an orientation of the one or more scanning elements when each of the light signals is received - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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Specification