US3715748A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for measuring the intensity of atmospheric turbulence
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1971-04-30
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Granted: 1973-02-06
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Expires: 1991-04-30
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for measuring, with radar, the intensity of atmospheric turbulence and/or distinguishing between the radar reflections from clear air turbulence and those produced either by clouds or by the occurrence of a large vertical gradient in radar refractivity. Two or more conventional microwave radars operated simultaneously at different preselected frequencies, transmit and receive reflected energy from a selected atmospheric volume. The received signals are processed to obtain a comparison of the signal amplitudes or intensities from the radars and the data derived from this comparison is utilized to indicate the intensity of detected clear air turbulence and to distinguish such turbulence from other atmospheric phenomena; e.g., clouds, etc. which also produce radar reflections.
Inventors
- 👤 J Hicks
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 01:27
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S13/00; G01S13/88; G01S13/95; G01S13/951; G01S13/87; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A90/00; Y02A90/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
An atmospheric turbulence detection system comprising, in combination, a plurality of microwave radar means operating simultaneously at different associated and predetermined frequencies for transmitting microwave energy towards and receiving reflected energy from a selected atmospheric volume, the operating frequencies of said plurality of radar means encompassing a known radar frequency at which atmospheric turbulence is detectable by radar, each of said radar means producing a signal output corresponding to the amount of reflected energy received by that particular radar means, signal processing means operably connected to each of said radar means for processing the signal outputs from said plurality of radar means to obtain a comparison of the reflected energy received by, and recording means operably connected to said signal processing means for producing a registration indicating the results of the comparison performed by said signal processing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
An atmospheric turbulence detection system comprising, in combination, a plurality of microwave radar means operating simultaneously at different associated and predetermined frequencies for transmitting microwave energy towards and receiving reflected energy from a selected atmospheric volume, the operating frequencies of said plurality of radar means encompassing a known radar frequency at which atmospheric turbulence is detectable by radar, each of said radar means producing a signal output corresponding to the amount of reflected energy received by that particular radar means, signal processing means operably connected to each of said radar means for processing the signal outputs from said plurality of radar means to obtain a comparison of the reflected energy received by, and recording means operably connected to said signal processing means for producing a registration indicating the results of the comparison performed by said signal processing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
138 words
An atmospheric turbulence detection system comprising, in combination, a plurality of microwave radar means operating simultaneously at different associated and predetermined frequencies for transmitting microwave energy towards and receiving reflected energy from a selected atmospheric volume, the operating frequencies of said plurality of radar means encompassing a known radar frequency at which atmospheric turbulence is detectable by radar, each of said radar means producing a signal output corresponding to the amount of reflected energy received by that particular radar means, signal processing means operably connected to each of said radar means for processing the signal outputs from said plurality of radar means to obtain a comparison of the reflected energy received by, and recording means operably connected to said signal processing means for producing a registration indicating the results of the comparison performed by said signal processing means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
138 words
An atmospheric turbulence detection system comprising, in combination, a plurality of microwave radar means operating simultaneously at different associated and predetermined frequencies for transmitting microwave energy towards and receiving reflected energy from a selected atmospheric volume, the operating frequencies of said plurality of radar means encompassing a known radar frequency at which atmospheric turbulence is detectable by radar, each of said radar means producing a signal output corresponding to the amount of reflected energy received by that particular radar means, signal processing means operably connected to each of said radar means for processing the signal outputs from said plurality of radar means to obtain a comparison of the reflected energy received by, and recording means operably connected to said signal processing means for producing a registration indicating the results of the comparison performed by said signal processing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The atmospheric turbulence detection system specified in claim 1 further includinG integrator means operably connecting each radar means to said signal processing means for increasing the signal to noise ratio of the signal output from each of said radar means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
152 words
The atmospheric turbulence detection system specified in claim 1 wherein the radar energy reflected from said selected atmospheric volume when occupied by clear air turbulence varies substantially as a linear function of wavenumber at a first known slope below a predetermined limiting wavenumber and at a second known slope of greater magnitude than said first slope for wavenumbers greater than said limiting wavenumber, wherein a first one of said radar means is operated at a frequency corresponding to a wavenumber greater than said limiting wavenumber and a second one of said radar means is operated at a frequency corresponding to a wavenumber less than said limiting wavenumber, and wherein said signal processing means includes amplitude comparator means responsive to the signal output produced by each of said radar means for producing a signal output representing the ratio of the reflected radar powers which are received by said first and second radar means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-06 | 1976-08-07 | 1977-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-06 | 1980-08-07 | 1981-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-06 | 1984-08-07 | 1985-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |