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System for detection of ice, water, glycol solution, and other chemical species

  • US 5,596,320 A
  • Filed: 04/28/1995
  • Issued: 01/21/1997
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/28/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method for detecting the presence of chemical species in an environment, comprising:

  • positioning an optical element in the environment, the optical element having a surface which forms a reflective/refractive interface with the environment;

    directing a plurality of beams in sequence internally onto said surface, each beam having a different angle of incidence on said surface;

    detecting each of said plurality of beams which have been totally internally reflected at said surface;

    computing the refractive index of the chemical species from the detected totally internally reflected beams;

    determining the presence of the chemical species from the computed refractive index.

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