In-flight multiple field of view detector for supercooled airborne water droplets
First Claim
1. An airborne multiple field of view water droplet sensor, comprising:
- an illumination portion comprising;
a first optical beam emitter configured to output a light beam; and
a detection portion comprising;
a window configured to permit backscattered light from water droplets illuminated by said light beam to pass therethrough;
a first lens configured to focus said backscattered light after the backscattered light has passed through said window;
a kaleidoscope configured to channel a first portion of the backscattered light that has passed through the first lens, towards an inner reflective surface of a circle-to-line converter;
a multiple field of view subsystem comprising at least a first detector configured to receive light reflected by the circle-to-line converter; and
a single field of view subsystem configured to receive a second portion of the backscattered light that has passed through the first lens, the second portion not having been reflected by the circle-to-line converter.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An airborne multiple field-of-view water droplet sensor includes an illumination portion and a detection portion. The illumination portion includes a first optical beam emitter configured to output a light beam. The detection portion includes a kaleidoscope configured to channel a first portion of the backscattered light towards an inner reflective surface of a circle-to-line converter, a multiple field of view subsystem having at least a first detector configured to receive light reflected by the circle-to-line converter, and a single field-of-view subsystem configured to receive a second portion of the backscattered light, the second portion not having been reflected by the circle-to-line converter. The single field-of-view subsystem may include a dual channel circular polarization detector for distinguishing between liquid water droplets and ice crystals based on information in the single field-of-view.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An airborne multiple field of view water droplet sensor, comprising:
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an illumination portion comprising; a first optical beam emitter configured to output a light beam; and a detection portion comprising; a window configured to permit backscattered light from water droplets illuminated by said light beam to pass therethrough; a first lens configured to focus said backscattered light after the backscattered light has passed through said window; a kaleidoscope configured to channel a first portion of the backscattered light that has passed through the first lens, towards an inner reflective surface of a circle-to-line converter; a multiple field of view subsystem comprising at least a first detector configured to receive light reflected by the circle-to-line converter; and a single field of view subsystem configured to receive a second portion of the backscattered light that has passed through the first lens, the second portion not having been reflected by the circle-to-line converter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification