Sensor elements for supercavitating vehicles
First Claim
1. A sensor for sensing the presence of media in contact with the sensor, comprising:
- a light source emitting an optical signal;
a light sensitive receiver positioned to detect a reflection of said optical signal, said light sensitive receiver generating a reflection signal corresponding to an index of refraction of said media;
a reflective/refractive interface positioned between said light source and said media; and
a processing circuit coupled to said light sensitive receiver, said processing circuit configured to receive said reflection signal and compare said reflection signal with a predetermined threshold value;
wherein if said received reflection signal meets or exceeds said threshold value, a determination is made that a first media is in contact with said reflective/refractive interface, and wherein if said received reflection signal is less than said threshold value, a determination is made that said first media is not in contact with said reflective/refractive interface; and
wherein said sensor is incorporated in a supercavitational vessel to sense a distance between said supercavitational vessel and a cavity wall formed by operation of said supercavitational vessel.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Sensing elements that quickly and accurately determine if a liquid or gas is present around the sensing elements are disclosed. These sensing elements find particular application in identifying the location of the cavity wall in which a supercavitating vehicle is operating, relative to the vehicle. In certain embodiments signal emitting elements carried on the vehicle emit signals towards the presumed position of the cavity wall, and sensing elements carried on the vehicle receive the emitted signals after they are reflected off of the cavity wall. The sensing elements identify the location where the reflected signal is received, and based on this identified location, the location of the cavity wall is determined. In alternative embodiments, sensing elements are positioned along fins extending outward with respect to the hull of the vehicle, and the sensors sense the presence of liquid or gas.
3 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A sensor for sensing the presence of media in contact with the sensor, comprising:
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a light source emitting an optical signal; a light sensitive receiver positioned to detect a reflection of said optical signal, said light sensitive receiver generating a reflection signal corresponding to an index of refraction of said media; a reflective/refractive interface positioned between said light source and said media; and a processing circuit coupled to said light sensitive receiver, said processing circuit configured to receive said reflection signal and compare said reflection signal with a predetermined threshold value; wherein if said received reflection signal meets or exceeds said threshold value, a determination is made that a first media is in contact with said reflective/refractive interface, and wherein if said received reflection signal is less than said threshold value, a determination is made that said first media is not in contact with said reflective/refractive interface; and wherein said sensor is incorporated in a supercavitational vessel to sense a distance between said supercavitational vessel and a cavity wall formed by operation of said supercavitational vessel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20)
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11. A method for sensing the presence of media in contact with the sensor, comprising:
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emitting an optical signal from a light source; detecting a reflection of said optical signal using a light sensitive receiver, said light sensitive receiver generating a reflection signal corresponding to an index of refraction of said media; positioning a reflective/refractive interface between said light source and said media; and receiving said reflection signal and comparing said reflection signal with a predetermined threshold value; wherein if said received reflection signal meets or exceeds said threshold value, a determination is made that a first media is in contact with said reflective/refractive interface, and wherein if said received reflection signal is less than said threshold value, a determination is made that said first media is not in contact with said reflective/refractive interface; and incorporating the sensor in a supercativational vehicle to sense a distance between said supercavitational vessel and a cavity wall formed by operation of said supercavitational vessel. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification