Air turbulence detection
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for remotely sensing changes in the spatial temperature profile of a column of atmospheric air comprising, in combination:
- (a) collecting means for receiving the thermal radiation from a column of atmospheric air, and for directing it to intensity sensing means;
(b) intensity sensing means comprising means for sequentially sensing the intensity in said column of atmospheric air of at least two spectral peaks in the 4.17 to 4.2 μ
m region of the CO2 spectral emission band; and
(c) means for detecting temporal changes in the relative intensity of said spectral peaks.
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Abstract
Air turbulence (windshear as well as clear air turbulence) in navigable airspace is detected by remotely sensing changes in the spatial temperature profile of an air column ahead of an aircraft by repeatedly sensing the intensity of the thermal radiation from the column of atmospheric air in at least two spectral peaks in the 4.17 to 4.2 μm region of the CO2 spectral emission band, and comparing the relative intensity of the spectral peaks over time. Apparatus which includes a tunable Fabry-Perot etalon is provided for the practice of the method.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. Apparatus for remotely sensing changes in the spatial temperature profile of a column of atmospheric air comprising, in combination:
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(a) collecting means for receiving the thermal radiation from a column of atmospheric air, and for directing it to intensity sensing means; (b) intensity sensing means comprising means for sequentially sensing the intensity in said column of atmospheric air of at least two spectral peaks in the 4.17 to 4.2 μ
m region of the CO2 spectral emission band; and(c) means for detecting temporal changes in the relative intensity of said spectral peaks. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. The method for remotely sensing changes in the spatial temperature profile of a column of atmospheric air comprising, in combination:
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(a) repeatedly sensing the intensity of the thermal radiation from said column of atmospheric air in at least two spectral peaks in the 4.17 to 4.2 μ
m region of the CO2 spectral emission band; and(b) comparing the relative intensity of said spectral peaks over time. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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Specification