US3745830A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Remote surface temperature determination
Assignee: Gulf Research and Development Co
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Filing: 1971-07-13
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Granted: 1973-07-17
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Expires: 1991-07-13
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for making remote surface temperature surveys of the earth, as from aircraft, wherein the emissivity error is eliminated by use of a laser which is pulsed on and off to permit determination of earth reflectivity and hence a value for its emissivity. Apparent measured temperature is then corrected to true temperature using this value of emissivity.
Inventors
- 👤 R Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:05
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01J; G01J5/00; G01J5/02; G01J5/08; G01J5/007; G01J5/0801; G01J5/0802; G01J5/0896; G01J5/80; G01J5/802
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A method of making a remote surface temperature survey of a portion of the earth from an aircraft flying over said portion of the earth, comprising the steps of determining a value for the apparent surface temperature of said portion of the earth based on measurements made from said aircraft, determining a value for the reflectivity of said portion of the earth based on measurements made from said aircraft, determining a value for the emissivity of said portion of the earth by using said value for reflectivity, measuring the altitude of said aircraft above said portion of the earth, using the measured value for aircraft altitude to correct the determined value for emissivity for the height of the aircraft above said portion of the earth, and using the corrected determined value for emissivity to correct the value of apparent surface temperature for the emissivity error contained therein.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
147 words
A method of making a remote surface temperature survey of a portion of the earth from an aircraft flying over said portion of the earth, comprising the steps of determining a value for the apparent surface temperature of said portion of the earth based on measurements made from said aircraft, determining a value for the reflectivity of said portion of the earth based on measurements made from said aircraft, determining a value for the emissivity of said portion of the earth by using said value for reflectivity, measuring the altitude of said aircraft above said portion of the earth, using the measured value for aircraft altitude to correct the determined value for emissivity for the height of the aircraft above said portion of the earth, and using the corrected determined value for emissivity to correct the value of apparent surface temperature for the emissivity error contained therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, and flying said aircraft at night to make said survey.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said value for apparent temperature is determined by the steps of measuring the natural radiant emittance of said portion of the earth, and using the value measured for natural radiant emittance to determine apparent temperature.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
101 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said value for reflectIvity is determined by measuring the natural radiant emittance of said portion of the earth, measuring the radiant emittance of said portion of the earth when said portion of the earth is exposed to energy from a CO2 laser on board said aircraft, and using said two different values of radiant emittance of said portion of the earth and a value of radiant emittance of said laser dependent upon the height of said aircraft above said portion of the earth to determine said value for reflectivity of said portion of the earth.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 4, wherein said laser is pulsed on and off to alternately permit measurement of said two different values of radiant emittance of said portion of the earth.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 5, wherein said laser is pulsed on and off at about 100 cycles per second.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
102 words
Apparatus for making a remote surface temperature survey of a portion of the earth comprising a vehicle for traversing said portion of the earth, a CO2 laser adapted to direct its energy onto said portion of the earth, energy receiving means on said vehicle, computer means on said vehicle for manipulating signals from said energy receiving means and for controlling said laser; to determine the apparent surface temperature, the reflectivity and then the emissivity of said portion of the earth, and using said determined value for emissivity in said computer to correct said apparent surface temperature for the emissivity error contained therein.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
102 words
Apparatus for making a remote surface temperature survey of a portion of the earth comprising a vehicle for traversing said portion of the earth, a CO2 laser adapted to direct its energy onto said portion of the earth, energy receiving means on said vehicle, computer means on said vehicle for manipulating signals from said energy receiving means and for controlling said laser; to determine the apparent surface temperature, the reflectivity and then the emissivity of said portion of the earth, and using said determined value for emissivity in said computer to correct said apparent surface temperature for the emissivity error contained therein.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
72 words
The combination of claim 7, wherein said vehicle comprises an aircraft, means for measuring the altitude of said aircraft above said portion of the earth as said survey is being made, means for sending signals from said altitude measuring means to said computer means, whereby said measured value for altitude may be used to correct the determined value for emissivity for the height of said aircraft above said portion of the earth.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
70 words
The combination of claim 7, and said computer means including means to pulse said laser on and off, whereby the natural radiant emittance of said portion of the earth and the radiant emittance of said portion of the earth when said portion of the earth is exposed to said laser energy may both be measured to permit determination of a value for the reflectivity of said portion of the earth.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination of claim 9, wherein said laser is pulsed on and off at about 100 cycles per second.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination of claim 7, wherein said energy receiving means comprises an infrared remote thermometer and a 10.6 micrometer filter.
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) | 1976-07-16 | 1977-01-15 | 1977-07-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-16 | 1981-01-15 | 1981-07-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-16 | 1985-01-15 | 1985-07-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |