Laser-based system for measuring fluid data of a vehicle

Abstract

Examples involving a laser-based system for measuring fluid data of a vehicle are disclosed. In one example, the system includes a laser, a sensor system, and a computing system. The computing system is configured to send a control signal to the laser causing the laser to emit a laser into a medium outside of the vehicle to cause one or more plasma sparks in the medium. The computing system is further configured to receive sensor data from the sensor system, the sensor data indicating one or more properties of the one or more plasma sparks, the one or more properties including an orientation of the one or more plasma sparks relative to the vehicle. The computing system is further configured to calculate fluid data of the vehicle based at least on the sensor data including the orientation of the one or more plasma sparks relative to the vehicle and output the fluid data of the vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to measuring fluid data of a vehicle, and more specifically to observing laser-induced plasma sparks to measure fluid data of a vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] Conventional sensors used to measure fluid data of a vehicle are typically mechanical devices mounted on the outer surface of the vehicle. In one example, a conventional mechanical sensor for measuring an aircraft's angle of attack (AoA) is mounted on a surface of the fuselage adjacent to the aircraft's nose. More specifically, a conventional mechanical sensor comprises a mechanical probe that extends from the surface of the aircraft and rotates to align itself with the local airflow (pointing towards the relative wind to measure the aircraft's AoA).

[0003] Traditional mechanical sensors present various problems. As an example, probes extending from the surface of an aircraft increase drag. Furthermore, the increased drag caused by traditional mechanical sensors leads to increased fuel consumption. As another example, traditional mechanical sensors include mechanical components such as tubes, gears, arms, and linkages that require maintenance to ensure proper functioning. Moreover, these mechanical components are susceptible to various failure modes, such as insects, sand, bird strikes, icing, wear, and corrosion. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Examples of laser-based systems for sensing, detecting, observing, monitoring, characterizing, or measuring fluid data, fluid information, fluid characteristics, "air data," "fluid data," or "medium data" of a vehicle are disclosed. In one example, the system includes a laser, a sensor system, and a computing system. The computing system is configured to send a control signal to the laser, causing the laser to emit laser light into a medium outside the vehicle to induce one or more plasma sparks in the medium. The computing system is also configured to receive sensor data from the sensor system indicating one or more properties of the one or more plasma sparks, including the orientation, position, direction, angle, or velocity of the one or more plasma sparks relative to the vehicle and / or relative to one or more other plasma sparks. The computing system is further configured to calculate and output the fluid data of the vehicle based at least on the sensor data including the orientation of the one or more plasma sparks relative to the vehicle.

[0005] The features and functions already discussed can be implemented independently in various embodiments or combined in other embodiments, further details of which can be seen in the following description and figures. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Figure 1 An exemplary aircraft is shown, including a laser-based system for measuring fluid data of the aircraft.

[0007] Figure 2 This diagram illustrates a laser-based system for measuring fluid data from an aircraft. Figure 1 A front view of the aircraft.

[0008] Figure 3 A schematic block diagram of an exemplary laser-based system for measuring fluid data from a vehicle is shown.

[0009] Figure 4 It shows that it can be used Figure 3 A schematic block diagram of a single laser used in a laser-based system.

[0010] Figure 5 It shows that it can be used Figure 3 A schematic block diagram of multiple lasers used in a laser-based system.

[0011] Figures 6A to 6D Exemplary visual representations of plasma sparks in different orientations are shown.

[0012] Figures 7A to 7B An exemplary method for measuring fluid data of a vehicle is shown.

[0013] Figure 8 An exemplary computing system is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0014] Conventional sensors used to measure fluid data of a vehicle are typically mechanical devices mounted on the outer surface of the vehicle. In one example, a conventional mechanical sensor for measuring the angle of attack (AoA) of an aircraft is mounted on a surface of the fuselage adjacent to the nose of the aircraft. More specifically, a conventional mechanical sensor comprises a mechanical probe that extends from the surface of the aircraft and rotates to align itself with the local airflow (pointing towards the relative wind to measure the aircraft's AoA).

[0015] Traditional mechanical sensors suffer from a variety of problems. As an example, probes extending from the surface of an aircraft increase drag. Furthermore, the increased drag caused by traditional mechanical sensors leads to increased fuel consumption. As another example, traditional mechanical sensors include mechanical components such as tubes, gears, arms, and linkages that require maintenance to ensure proper functioning. Moreover, these mechanical components are susceptible to various failure modes, such as insects, sand, bird strikes, icing, wear, and corrosion. Traditional mechanical AoA sensors are just one example among many different traditional mechanical sensors used to measure different types of fluid data in vehicles such as aircraft. Such traditional mechanical sensors suffer from at least the same problems described above, as well as other issues discussed herein.

[0016] Therefore, examples of laser-based systems for measuring fluid data of a vehicle are disclosed. In one example, the system includes a laser, a sensor system, and a computing system positioned within, on, outside, or attached to the vehicle. The computing system is configured to send control signals to the laser, causing the laser to emit laser light into a medium outside the vehicle to induce one or more plasma sparks in the medium. The term plasma spark refers to a one-dimensional phenomenon occurring at a specific location (e.g., X, Y, Z coordinates). Each of the one or more plasma sparks has a separate position and orientation that can be tracked by the sensor system. In examples where multiple plasma sparks are generated by a laser-based system, the multiple plasma sparks also have orientations and can be tracked relative to each other and / or relative to the vehicle. The computing system is also configured to receive sensor data from the sensor system indicating one or more properties of the one or more plasma sparks, including the orientation of the one or more plasma sparks relative to the vehicle and / or relative to other plasma sparks. The computing system is also configured to calculate and output fluid data of the vehicle based at least on sensor data including the orientation of one or more plasma sparks relative to the vehicle and / or relative to other plasma sparks.

[0017] Laser-based systems utilize the behavior of one or more plasma sparks observed, sensed, detected, monitored, characterized, or measured in a medium outside the vehicle to calculate different types of environmental parameters represented as fluid data. For example, observations of the behavior of one or more plasma sparks in the medium can be used to calculate highly accurate real-time measurements of AoA, vehicle velocity (e.g., airspeed in the aircraft example), climb or descent rate (e.g., vertical airspeed in the aircraft example), and characteristics of the medium flow (e.g., airflow, sideslip, eddies, laminar flow, turbulence, anomalous disturbances, and wind shear), as well as other environmental parameters of the vehicle.

[0018] Plasma sparks are generated by the breakdown of a medium by a laser emitted from a laser. This allows plasma sparks to be observed without introducing any specific material into the medium, as is the case when using LiDAR technology or other seeding systems. Furthermore, in some examples, plasma sparks are visible to the human eye. This allows laser-based sensor systems to be easily tested for functionality through visual confirmation of plasma sparks generated outside the vehicle. In examples of laser-based systems used in aircraft, the systems can be tested through visual confirmation of plasma sparks on displays before flight from the ground, during flight from the cockpit, or within the aircraft cockpit.

[0019] One or more plasma sparks can be generated by a low-power laser that consumes relatively little energy, possibly comparable to or even less than that consumed by a conventional mechanical sensor. Furthermore, the energy of the laser emitted by the laser to generate the plasma sparks is sufficiently low to avoid harm to people or the environment.

[0020] Furthermore, in the example where components of a laser-based system are positioned within a vehicle, the laser-based system does not require any external probes or other external components. Therefore, in this example, compared to vehicles employing conventional mechanical sensors (e.g., conventional mechanical AoA sensors) that include external probes, the laser-based system reduces the vehicle's drag. Moreover, compared to vehicles employing conventional mechanical sensors, the reduced drag results in lower fuel consumption.

[0021] Furthermore, because laser-based systems comprise fewer mechanical parts than traditional mechanical sensors, they require less maintenance compared to traditional mechanical sensors that include multiple mechanical parts (e.g., tubes, gears, arms, linkages). Additionally, because laser-based systems (in some examples) are located within the vehicle and have fewer mechanical parts, they exhibit fewer failure modes compared to traditional mechanical sensors that extend away from the vehicle's outer surface. For example, among other failure modes, laser-based systems are less susceptible to insect, sand, bird strikes, icing, abrasion, and corrosion.

[0022] Figure 1 and Figure 2 An exemplary aircraft 100 is shown, including a laser-based system 102 for measuring fluid data of the aircraft 100. (See also:) Figure 1 As shown, the aircraft 100 includes a frame 104 supporting structural components and systems. The frame 104 includes a fuselage 106, wings 108, wings 110, and a tail assembly 112, as well as other structural components of the aircraft. In this example, the laser-based system 102 is located in the forward region of the fuselage 106 near the nose 114 of the aircraft 100. In other examples, the laser-based system 102 is located at other locations on the vehicle. For example, the laser-based system 102 may be positioned such that the laser is further aft on the fuselage, above or below the fuselage, forward or aft of the fuselage, above or below the wings or tail, or positioned at the leading edge of the wings or tail. More specifically, as... Figure 2 As shown, window 116 is positioned within frame 104 of aircraft 100, and laser-based system 102 is positioned to emit laser light through window 116 into the air outside aircraft 100 to induce one or more plasma sparks 118. Laser-based system 102 emits pulsed or non-pulsed / continuous laser light according to a specified pulse frequency / time interval to generate one or more plasma sparks, which have individual positions in the air relative to aircraft 100 and / or relative to other plasma sparks. Furthermore, in the example where laser-based system 102 generates multiple plasma sparks, the common orientation of the multiple plasma sparks 118 relative to aircraft 100 or relative to other plasma sparks 118 is determined by sensor system 304 (…). Figure 3 (As shown in the image) Tracking.

[0023] In one example, the laser-based system 102 is positioned in front of wings 108 and 110 and close to the nose 114 of the aircraft, such that one or more plasma sparks 118 interact with the airflow around the aircraft 100 before the airflow is affected by wings 108, 110, and / or other control surfaces of the aircraft 100. Furthermore, note that in some examples, one or more plasma sparks 118 are generated outside the boundary layer surrounding the aircraft 100. Thus, one or more plasma sparks 118 are positioned to interact with the airflow unaffected by the boundary layer to accurately characterize the behavior of the local airflow around the aircraft 100 and accurately calculate the fluid data of the aircraft 100. In other examples, one or more plasma sparks 118 may be positioned within the boundary layer to measure the characteristics of the boundary layer.

[0024] The laser-based system 102 is configured to communicate with the sensor system 304 ( Figure 3 (As shown in the diagram) Detect one or more properties of one or more plasma sparks 118. For example, one or more properties may include the individual location of each plasma spark in one or more plasma sparks 118, the size of the plasma sparks of one or more plasma sparks 118, the orientation of one or more plasma sparks 118 relative to the aircraft 100 or other plasma sparks, and other properties. The laser-based system 102 is configured to calculate fluid data 338 of the aircraft 100 based at least on sensor data received from the sensor system 304. Figure 3 (As shown in the image).

[0025] In some examples, fluid data 338 includes the angle of attack of the aircraft 100, which may be calculated based at least on the orientation of one or more plasma sparks 118 relative to the aircraft 100. In some examples, fluid data 338 includes the velocity of the aircraft 100, which may be calculated based at least on the change in position of one or more plasma sparks 118 relative to the aircraft 100 or relative to other plasma sparks over a specified duration. In some examples, fluid data 338 includes characteristics of the airflow outside the aircraft 100. More specifically, among other examples, the characteristics of the airflow outside the aircraft 100 may include sideslip, eddies, laminar flow, turbulence, anomalous disturbances, and wind shear.

[0026] The laser-based system 102 is configured to output fluid data 338 from the aircraft. For example, the laser-based system 102 may be configured to output the fluid data 338 to the flight cockpit control interface 346 in the cockpit 120 of the aircraft 100. Figure 3(As shown in the diagram) to warn the pilot of fluid data 338. In this way, the pilot can be informed of fluid data 338 and can make appropriate adjustments to the flight of the aircraft 100 based at least on fluid data 338.

[0027] In the illustrated embodiment, the laser-based system 102 is positioned near the nose 114 of the aircraft 100. In some embodiments, the laser-based system 102 may be positioned on other areas of the aircraft 100, such as the wings 108, wing 110, or tail assembly 112. In some embodiments, multiple laser-based systems are positioned at different locations on the aircraft 100 to calculate fluid data 338 located in those different areas of the aircraft 100. Furthermore, by employing multiple laser-based systems on the aircraft 100, the fluid data 338 calculated by each laser-based system can be compared with each other to verify different calculations and improve the overall robustness of the laser-based systems.

[0028] In the illustrated embodiment, the laser-based system 102 is configured to measure fluid data 338 of the aircraft 100. However, the concepts disclosed herein are broadly applicable to other types of vehicles. In some embodiments, laser-based systems are used in automobiles. In some embodiments, laser-based systems are used in marine vehicles, such as ships or submarines. Laser-based systems can be used in any suitable type of vehicle operating in a medium, wherein the laser achieves optical breakdown of the medium to generate one or more plasma sparks.

[0029] Figure 3 A schematic block diagram of an exemplary laser-based system 300 for measuring fluid data 338 of a vehicle is shown. For example, the laser-based system 300 may correspond to... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The illustrated laser-based system 102 is configured to measure fluid data 338 from an aircraft 100. The laser-based system 300 includes one or more lasers 302, a sensor system 304, and a computing system 306. The laser-based system 300 is positioned within a vehicle frame 308. In some embodiments, the laser-based system 300 is mounted flush with the frame 308. In some embodiments, different components of the laser-based system 300 are contained within a housing attached to the frame 308.

[0030] The laser-based system 300 includes a window 310 positioned within a frame 308 of a vehicle. A laser 302 is positioned to emit a continuous or pulsed laser 312 through the window 310 into a medium 314 outside the vehicle. In an example where the vehicle is an aircraft, the medium includes air outside the aircraft. In other examples where the vehicle is a marine vehicle (e.g., a submarine), the medium includes water.

[0031] In some embodiments, the window 310 is treated to preserve transmittance across varying environmental conditions. In some embodiments, the window 310 includes an anti-fog coating. In some embodiments, the window 310 includes a coating to prevent ice buildup on the window 310. In some embodiments, the window 310 includes a slippery surface coating to prevent insects from crawling on or becoming attached to the window. In some embodiments, the window 310 includes a wiping blade or other mechanical adaptation on the inside or outside of the window to remove any debris from the window.

[0032] Laser 302 is configured to emit laser 312 into a medium 314 outside the vehicle to induce one or more plasma sparks 316 in the medium 314. More specifically, one or more lasers 302 are controlled to emit continuous or pulsed laser light at a specified power level and for a specified duration to achieve optical breakdown of the medium, wherein the molecules of the medium split to generate luminescent plasma sparks. For example, for a 1 picosecond pulse, the optical intensity required for optical breakdown in air at atmospheric pressure is approximately 2 × 10⁻⁶. 13 Watts per square centimeter. The threshold intensity is typically proportional to the inverse square root of the laser pulse duration.

[0033] In some examples, laser 302 includes a Q-switched laser that emits laser light for nanosecond durations. In other examples, one or more lasers 302 include a mode-locked laser configured to emit laser light for picosecond or femtosecond pulse durations amplified by a regenerative amplifier. In still other examples, one or more lasers 302 include different types of lasers configured to emit laser light at specified power levels and for specified durations to achieve optical breakdown of the medium, thereby generating one or more plasma sparks 316.

[0034] One or more lasers 302 are configured to repeatedly emit laser 312 at specified time intervals to generate one or more plasma sparks 316. In the example shown, the plasma spark generated at time interval T3 corresponds to three time intervals prior to the current time. The plasma spark generated at time interval T2 corresponds to two time intervals prior to the current time. The plasma spark generated at time interval T1 corresponds to one time interval prior to the current time. The plasma spark generated at time interval T0 corresponds to the current time. The laser 302 can be controlled to emit laser 312 according to any appropriate time interval.

[0035] As the vehicle moves, the plasma spark 316 moves individually relative to the vehicle based on the vehicle's speed and the flow of the medium 314 outside the vehicle. In the example of the aircraft, one or more plasma sparks 316 are spaced apart from each other and from the aircraft, at least based on the aircraft's speed and the airflow conditions outside the aircraft.

[0036] In some embodiments, the laser 302 can be controlled to adjust the pulse frequency / time interval based at least on one or more operating conditions of the vehicle. For example, the pulse frequency / time interval can be adjusted at least based on the speed of the vehicle. In some examples, the pulse frequency can increase as the speed of the vehicle increases, and the pulse frequency can decrease as the speed of the vehicle decreases, so as to preserve accurate calculations of the fluid data 338 based at least on one or more properties of one or more plasma sparks 316 when the operating conditions of the vehicle change. In other embodiments, the pulse frequency / time interval of the laser 302 is fixed.

[0037] In some embodiments, one or more lasers 302 are configured to emit laser 312 at a focal length, which is set to generate one or more plasma sparks 316 at a specified distance (D) from the vehicle, outside the boundary layer 318 that is in direct contact with the surface of the vehicle. In an example where the medium the vehicle travels through is air, within the boundary layer 318, the air velocity varies from zero (e.g., at the vehicle surface, due to no-slip conditions) to near the free-flow velocity of the surrounding air farther from the vehicle surface. By positioning one or more plasma sparks 316 outside the boundary layer 318, the one or more plasma sparks 316 can accurately characterize the behavior of the airflow, unaffected by the vehicle's travel and changes in the airflow around the vehicle within the boundary layer.

[0038] In some implementations, the laser-based system 300 includes a single laser 302 configured to emit a laser 312 to induce one or more plasma sparks 316 in a medium 314. Figure 4 A schematic block diagram of a single laser 400 is shown. This single laser 400 can be used in laser-based systems for measuring fluid data 338 from a vehicle, such as... Figure 3 The illustrated laser-based system 300 has a laser 400 positioned within a frame 308 of the vehicle, aligned with a window 310 located within the frame 308. The laser 400 is positioned to emit a pulsed laser 312 through the window 310 into a medium 314 outside the vehicle.

[0039] Laser 400 includes an optical stack 402, which includes an adjustable lens 404, a beam sampler 406, a power meter 408, a variable attenuator 410, a shutter 412, a laser source 414, and a power supply 416. The adjustable lens 404 can be adjusted to adjust the focal length of the laser 312 emitted by laser 400. Computational system 306 ( Figure 3 (As shown in the diagram) is configured to send control signals to laser 400 via adjustable lens 404 to adjust the focal length of laser 312. In some examples, computing system 306 may adjust the focal length of laser 312 based on different operating conditions, as will be discussed in further detail herein.

[0040] The beam sampler 406 is configured to redirect a portion of the laser 312 to the energy meter 408 for analytical, monitoring, and / or measurement purposes. The amount of laser light redirected to the energy meter 408 is very small, i.e., it does not interfere with the propagation or intensity of the main laser beam / laser 312 emitted by the laser 400.

[0041] Energy meter 408 is configured to measure the energy output of laser 312 emitted by laser 400, based at least on a portion of the laser beam directed by beam sampler 406. Energy meter 408 is configured to output laser data 320 to computing system 306. Figure 3 (As shown in the diagram). The computing system 306 is configured to send control signals to the laser 400, causing the laser 400 to adjust one or more operating parameters based at least on the laser data 320 and / or fluid data 338 of the vehicle. In some examples, the operating parameters of the laser 400 are adjusted to achieve a desired power level of the emitted laser 312 emitted by the laser 400. In other examples, the operating parameters of the laser 400 are adjusted to achieve a desired focal length (D) for generating one or more plasma sparks 316. In other examples, the operating parameters of the laser 400 are adjusted to achieve a desired pulse frequency / time interval for generating one or more plasma sparks 316. Any suitable operating parameters of the laser 400 can be adjusted to achieve a desired arrangement of one or more plasma sparks 316 relative to the vehicle.

[0042] The variable attenuator 410 is configured to variably control the reduction of the power or intensity of the laser source 414 to achieve the desired power level of the laser 312 ultimately output by the laser 400. The variable attenuator 410 can adjust the output power of the laser 312 without changing other properties of the laser 312, such as wavelength or beam quality.

[0043] Shutter 412 is configured to control the passage of laser light emitted from laser source 414. More specifically, shutter 412 can act as an on / off switch for the laser. Shutter 412 can be controlled by computing system 306 ( Figure 3 (As shown in the diagram) Control. Shutter 412 is switchable to block or allow the laser to pass through shutter 412, thus providing precise control when laser 400 is activated. For example, shutter 412 can be closed when laser 400 is not activated. In the example where the vehicle is an aircraft, shutter 412 can be closed when the aircraft is on the ground to prevent laser 400 from accidentally emitting laser when the aircraft is not in flight.

[0044] Laser source 414 is configured to emit laser light, at least based on power supplied by power supply 416. In some examples, laser source 414 is configured to emit laser light at a high peak intensity to generate one or more plasma sparks 316. In other examples, laser source 414 is configured to emit different types of laser light to generate one or more plasma sparks.

[0045] Power supply 416 is configured to provide electrical energy to laser source 414 to excite the laser medium of laser source 414, thereby exciting atoms or molecules within the medium to higher energy states in a process known as "pumping". Pumping of the laser medium allows laser source 414 to generate and maintain coherent light output. Power supply 416 can be configured to provide continuous or pulsed energy to maintain laser operation. For continuous-wave lasers, power supply 416 is configured to provide a stable input, while for pulsed lasers, power supply 416 supplies energy in pulsed form.

[0046] Laser 400 is provided as an example configuration of a laser that can be used in a laser-based system 300 for measuring fluid data of a vehicle. In some embodiments, one or more components of the optical stack 402 of laser 400 may be omitted or replaced with different components. In other embodiments, different types of laser configurations may be employed.

[0047] In some embodiments, the laser-based system 300 includes a plurality of lasers configured to collectively emit laser 312 to induce one or more plasma sparks 316 in a medium 314. Figure 5 A schematic block diagram of multiple lasers 500, 502 is shown. Lasers 500, 502 can be used in laser-based systems for measuring fluid data from vehicles, such as... Figure 3 The laser-based system 300 is shown. In some embodiments, components of each of the lasers 500, 502 (these components can be connected to...) Figure 4 The components of the laser 400 shown are substantially the same and are identified in the same manner, and will not be described further. The first laser 500 includes components related to... Figure 4 The components corresponding to the components of the laser 400 shown are indicated by the symbol (') after the component number (e.g., Figure 4 Component 404 in the text is equivalent to Figure 5 Component 404' in the middle). The second laser 502 includes components with Figure 4 The components corresponding to the laser 400 shown are indicated by the symbol () after the component number (e.g., Figure 4 Component 404 in the text is equivalent to Figure 5 (element 404 in the original text). However, it should be noted that in different embodiments of the invention, the components of lasers 500 and 502 may be at least partially different. In some embodiments, lasers 500 and 502 may be different types of lasers.

[0048] Each of the plurality of lasers 500, 502 is positioned within the frame 308 of the vehicle and aligned with a window 310 positioned within the frame 308. Lasers 500, 502 are positioned to emit lasers 312A, 312B through the window 310 into a medium 314 outside the vehicle. Each of lasers 312A, 312B is directed to the same focal point at the same focal length (D) relative to the vehicle to generate one or more plasma sparks 316. The power of lasers 500, 502 is set / adjusted to collectively provide a specified total power to generate one or more plasma sparks 316. By employing multiple lasers collectively providing laser 312 to generate one or more plasma sparks 316, each laser can be smaller, less powerful, and / or less costly than a single, larger laser. Furthermore, multiple lasers offer redundancy and better robustness compared to a single laser, because if one of the multiple lasers deteriorates or becomes inoperable, the others can still be controlled to provide laser 312 to generate one or more plasma sparks 316. This would not be possible if a laser in a single-laser configuration deteriorates or becomes inoperable.

[0049] In the illustrated embodiment, two lasers jointly provide lasers 312A and 312B to generate one or more plasma sparks 316. In other embodiments, more than two lasers may be used to jointly generate laser 312 to generate one or more plasma sparks 316 (e.g., three, four, five or more lasers).

[0050] Typically, the laser-based system 300 has been described as being configured to generate one plasma spark at a time, and within a time window, one or more plasma sparks are generated by corresponding multiple laser pulses. In other embodiments, the laser-based system 300 includes multiple lasers individually controlled by a computing system 306 to simultaneously emit multiple laser pulses to generate one or more plasma sparks at different locations relative to each other and relative to the vehicle. In some examples, the simultaneously generated one or more plasma sparks are generated relative to each other in a designated formation. One or more plasma sparks can be generated in any suitable formation that can be observed to determine fluid data of the vehicle.

[0051] return Figure 3 When one or more lasers 302 emit laser 312 to generate one or more plasma sparks 316, a sensor system 304 is configured to detect one or more properties of the one or more plasma sparks 316. The sensor system 304 is configured to output sensor data 322, indicating one or more properties of the one or more plasma sparks 316, to a computing system 306. In some examples, one or more properties of the one or more plasma sparks 316 include the position of each plasma spark among the one or more plasma sparks 316. In some examples, one or more properties of the one or more plasma sparks 316 include the size of each plasma spark among the one or more plasma sparks 316. In some examples, one or more properties of the one or more plasma sparks 316 include the intensity or brightness of each plasma spark among the one or more plasma sparks 316. In some examples, one or more properties of the one or more plasma sparks 316 include the orientation of the one or more plasma sparks 316 relative to a vehicle and / or relative to other plasma sparks. In some examples, one or more properties of the one or more plasma sparks 316 include identifying the arrangement of the one or more plasma sparks 316 relative to each other and / or the vehicle.

[0052] In some embodiments, sensor system 304 includes camera 324 configured to acquire multiple images of one or more plasma sparks 316. More specifically, the field of view (FOV) 326 of camera 324 is positioned to observe one or more plasma sparks 316 through window 310 and capture images of one or more plasma sparks 316. Camera 324 is configured to output image data 328 corresponding to the multiple images to computing system 306. Camera 324 can be any suitable type of camera capable of capturing images of one or more plasma sparks 316. In some examples, the camera is a visible light camera. In other examples, the camera is an infrared or near-infrared camera. In some examples, the camera is a hyperspectral camera. In some embodiments, multiple cameras are used to observe one or more plasma sparks 316. For example, different cameras can be used for different operating conditions, such as using an infrared IR camera in cloudy or low-light conditions and a visible light camera in bright ambient light conditions.

[0053] In other embodiments, sensor system 304 includes radar subsystem 330 configured to emit radar waves toward one or more plasma sparks 316 and detect reflected radar waves reflected back from the one or more plasma sparks 316. Radar subsystem 330 is configured to output radar data 332 corresponding to the reflected radar waves to computing system 306.

[0054] In some implementations, the sensor system 304 includes an additional sensor that outputs sensor data 322 to the computing system 306.

[0055] The computing system 306 includes a logic subsystem 334 and a storage subsystem 336. The storage subsystem 336 stores instructions executable by the logic subsystem 334 to perform various computational operations that facilitate the measurement of fluid data of the vehicle. In one example, the storage subsystem 336 stores instructions executable by the logic subsystem 334 to send control signals to one or more lasers 302, causing the one or more lasers 302 to emit laser 312 into a medium 314 outside the vehicle to induce one or more plasma sparks 316 in the medium 314.

[0056] In an example where the laser-based system 300 includes a first laser and a second laser, a storage subsystem 336 stores instructions executable by a logic subsystem 334 to send control signals to the first and second lasers, thereby causing the first and second lasers to emit laser 312 into a medium 314 outside the vehicle. The first and second lasers are configured such that the laser 312 emitted from the first and second lasers together induce one or more plasma sparks 316 in the medium 314.

[0057] Storage subsystem 336 stores instructions executable by logic subsystem 334 to receive sensor data 322 from sensor system 304 indicating one or more attributes of one or more plasma sparks 316 detected by sensor system 304. In one example, one or more attributes of the one or more plasma sparks 316 include the orientation of the one or more plasma sparks 316 relative to the vehicle. In some examples, the orientation of the one or more plasma sparks 316 is a three-dimensional orientation of the one or more plasma sparks 316 relative to the vehicle. In other examples, the orientation of the one or more plasma sparks 316 is a two-dimensional orientation of the one or more plasma sparks 316 relative to the vehicle. In another example, one or more attributes of the one or more plasma sparks 316 include the three-dimensional positioning of each plasma spark relative to each other. In yet another example, one or more attributes of the one or more plasma sparks 316 include the distance of the one or more plasma sparks 316 relative to the vehicle.

[0058] In an embodiment where sensor system 304 includes camera 324, computing system 306 receives image data 328 as sensor data. In an embodiment where sensor system 304 includes radar subsystem 330, computing system 306 receives radar data 332 as sensor data.

[0059] Storage subsystem 336 stores instructions executable by logic subsystem 334 to calculate vehicle fluid data 338 based at least on sensor data 322. In some embodiments, the vehicle fluid data 338 is calculated in real time, at least based on sensor data 322. In embodiments where sensor system 304 includes camera 324, storage subsystem 336 stores instructions executable by logic subsystem 334 to calculate vehicle fluid data 338 based at least on image data 328. In embodiments where sensor system 304 includes radar subsystem 330, storage subsystem 336 stores instructions executable by logic subsystem 334 to calculate vehicle fluid data 338 based at least on radar data 332.

[0060] In some implementations, fluid data 338 is calculated based at least on the orientation of one or more plasma sparks 316 relative to the vehicle. In some examples, fluid data 338 includes an angle of attack 340 of the vehicle calculated based at least on the orientation of one or more plasma sparks 316 relative to the vehicle.

[0061] In some examples, fluid data 338 includes the velocity 342 of the vehicle. The velocity 342 of the vehicle may be calculated at least based on the change in the position of one or more plasma sparks 316 relative to the vehicle over time. More specifically, in embodiments where the vehicle is an aircraft, fluid data 338 may include the vertical airspeed (climb or descent rate) of the aircraft.

[0062] In some examples, fluid data 338 includes characteristics of airflow 344 outside the vehicle. For example, characteristics of airflow 344 may include sideslip, eddies, laminar flow, turbulence, anomalous disturbances, and / or wind shear. These different characteristics of airflow 344 can be calculated at least based on the orientation of one or more plasma sparks 316 relative to each other and the movement of one or more plasma sparks 316 over time.

[0063] Storage subsystem 336 stores instructions executable by logic subsystem 334 to output fluid data 338 of the vehicle. Fluid data 338 can be output to any suitable source. In some embodiments, fluid data 338 is output to storage subsystem 336 of computing system 306. Fluid data 338 can be used for downstream processing or feedback control of the vehicle. In some embodiments where the vehicle is an aircraft, fluid data 338 is output to cockpit control interface 346, such as an instrument panel or array of meters. In some examples, cockpit control interface 346 includes display 348, and storage subsystem 336 stores instructions executable by logic subsystem 334 to send control signals to display 348, causing display 348 to display a visual representation of fluid data 338. In some embodiments, storage subsystem 336 stores instructions executable by logic subsystem 334 to send control signals to display 348, causing display 348 to display a visual representation of multiple plasma sparks and / or a visual representation of fluid data. In some embodiments, the display 348 shows an image captured by the camera 324. In other embodiments, the display 348 shows a graphical representation of one or more plasma sparks 316 generated based at least on sensor data 322 received from the sensor system 304.

[0064] Figures 6A to 6D It can be shown through a display (such as Figure 3 The display 348 shown presents an example visual representation of plasma sparks in different orientations. In the example shown, the plasma sparks are generated by an aircraft. In other examples, the plasma sparks may be generated by different vehicles.

[0065] Figure 6AAn example scenario is shown in which display 348 shows a visual representation of a single plasma spark 600 generated at the current time T0. For example, a single plasma spark 600 can be generated in a test mode to test the functionality of the laser-based system 300 in flight or when the aircraft is stationary on the ground.

[0066] Figure 6B An example scene is shown in which display 348 shows a visual representation of one or more plasma sparks 602 generated during a time window ranging from T3 to T0 (the current time). The one or more plasma sparks 602 are spaced apart from and from the aircraft due to its flight. That is, as the aircraft flies through the air, the plasma sparks travel away from the aircraft in the airflow. In the example shown, the orientation of the one or more plasma sparks 602 is horizontal relative to the aircraft, indicating an angle of attack of 0°.

[0067] Figure 6C An example scene is shown in which display 348 shows a visual representation of one or more plasma sparks 604 generated during a time window ranging from T3 to T0 (the current time). The one or more plasma sparks 604 are spaced apart from and from the aircraft due to its flight. That is, as the aircraft flies through the air, the plasma sparks travel away from the aircraft in the airflow. In the example shown, the azimuth of the one or more plasma sparks 604 is tilted upwards relative to the main axis of the aircraft, indicating a negative angle of attack (e.g., -30°).

[0068] Figure 6D An example scenario is shown in which display 348 shows a visual representation of one or more plasma sparks 606 generated during a time window ranging from T3 to T0 (the current time). The one or more plasma sparks 606 are spaced apart from and from the aircraft due to its flight. That is, as the aircraft flies through the air, the plasma sparks travel away from the aircraft in the airflow. In the example shown, the azimuth of the one or more plasma sparks 604 is tilted downwards relative to the main axis of the aircraft, indicating a positive angle of attack (e.g., +30°).

[0069] Figures 6A to 6D The visual representations shown are provided as non-limiting examples. The properties of one or more plasma sparks can be visually represented in any suitable form. In some embodiments, in addition to one or more plasma sparks, fluid data 338 is displayed on display 348.

[0070] return Figure 3In some embodiments, the laser-based system 300 includes a heating system 350 connected to the window 310. The heating system 350 can be activated to prevent fog, condensation, and / or ice formation on the window 310. A storage subsystem 336 stores instructions executable by a logic subsystem 334 to send control signals to the heating system 350, causing the heating system 350 to heat the window 310 to reduce the amount of fog, condensation, and / or ice formation on the window 310. In some embodiments, a computing system 306 adjusts the control of the heating system 350 based on environmental parameters of the vehicle, such as those indicated by sensor data 322 received from a sensor system 304. In one example, the computing system 306 is configured to activate the heating system 350 at least based on the ambient temperature outside the vehicle being less than a threshold temperature. In another example, the computing system 306 is configured to activate the heating system 350 at least based on the vehicle's height being greater than a threshold height.

[0071] In some implementations, other methods may be employed to prevent fog, condensation, and / or ice buildup on window 310. For example, a fan may be positioned close to window 310 to direct airflow onto window 310 to provide defrosting functionality.

[0072] In some embodiments, the computing system 306 is configured to adjust various operating parameters of the laser-based system 300 based at least on sensor data 322 and / or fluid data 338. In some embodiments, the computing system 306 is configured to adjust the operation of one or more lasers 302 based at least on sensor data 322 and / or fluid data 338. In one example, the storage subsystem 336 stores instructions executable by the logic subsystem 334 to send control signals to one or more lasers 302, causing the one or more lasers 302 to adjust the power or intensity level of the laser 312 emitted by the laser based at least on sensor data 322 and / or fluid data 338. For example, the laser-induced air breakdown to generate a plasma spark depends on the air pressure. More specifically, as the air pressure increases, the threshold power or intensity level of the laser that causes the plasma spark decreases. Therefore, in some examples, the power or intensity level of the laser 302 is adjusted at least based on the air pressure.

[0073] In another example, storage subsystem 336 stores instructions executable by logic subsystem 334 to send control signals to one or more lasers 302, causing the one or more lasers 302 to adjust a specified distance (D) relative to the vehicle for generating one or more plasma sparks 316, at least based on the vehicle's operating conditions. In some examples, the specified distance (D) relative to the vehicle for generating one or more plasma sparks 316 is adjusted at least based on the visibility level outside the vehicle. For example, the specified distance (D) for generating one or more plasma sparks 316 may be reduced when the vehicle is traveling in cloudy conditions (e.g., flying in clouds) compared to when it is traveling in clear conditions.

[0074] In other examples, the storage subsystem 336 stores instructions executable by the logic subsystem 334 to calculate the size of the boundary layer around the vehicle based at least on sensor data 322 and / or fluid data 338, and sends control signals to one or more lasers 302 such that the one or more lasers 302 are adjusted to a specified distance (D) relative to the vehicle for generating one or more plasma sparks 316 outside the boundary layer outside the vehicle.

[0075] In yet another example, storage subsystem 336 stores instructions executable by logic subsystem 334 to send control signals to one or more lasers 302, causing the one or more lasers 302 to adjust the frequency / pulse rate of laser light 312 emitted from the one or more lasers 302 based at least on sensor data 322 and / or fluid data 338. For example, the frequency / pulse rate may increase with increasing vehicle speed and vice versa.

[0076] In other examples, sensor system 304 and / or heating system 350 may be adjusted at least based on sensor data 322 and / or fluid data 338 to account for changing environmental conditions in order to preserve accurate calculations of the vehicle's fluid data 338 based at least on the observed, monitored, or measured behavior of one or more plasma sparks 316.

[0077] Figures 7A to 7B An exemplary method for measuring fluid data of a vehicle is shown. For example, method 700 can be performed by... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The laser-based system 102 shown is Figure 3 The laser-based system 300 shown is used to perform this. Note that in some embodiments, the method steps indicated by dashed lines may be selectively performed.

[0078] exist Figure 7AIn method 700, at 702, a control signal may be sent to a laser positioned in the vehicle, causing the laser to emit continuous or pulsed laser light into a medium outside the vehicle to induce one or more plasma sparks in the medium.

[0079] In some examples of laser-based systems that include two lasers, method 700 at 704 may include sending a control signal to a second laser positioned in a vehicle, causing the second laser to emit continuous or pulsed laser light into a medium outside the vehicle. In such embodiments, the first and second lasers are configured such that the continuous or pulsed laser light emitted from the first and second lasers together induce one or more plasma sparks in the medium.

[0080] Method 700 at 706 includes receiving sensor data from a sensor system located in a vehicle, indicating one or more properties of one or more plasma sparks detected by the sensor system, including the orientation of one or more plasma sparks relative to the vehicle and / or relative to other plasma sparks.

[0081] In some embodiments of the sensor system that include a camera, method 700 at 708 may include receiving image data from the camera. The image data corresponds to images of one or more plasma sparks.

[0082] In some embodiments of the sensor system that includes a radar subsystem, method 700 at 710 may include receiving radar data from the radar subsystem. The radar data corresponds to radar waves reflected back from one or more plasma sparks.

[0083] Method 700 at 712 includes calculating fluid data of the vehicle based at least on sensor data, the fluid data indicating the orientation of one or more plasma sparks relative to the vehicle. In some examples, the fluid data includes the angle of attack of the vehicle. In other examples, the fluid data includes the velocity of the vehicle. In still other examples, the fluid data includes characteristics of the airflow outside the vehicle.

[0084] In some implementations of the sensor system including a camera, method 700 at 714 may include at least calculating fluid data based on image data.

[0085] In some embodiments of the sensor system, including a radar subsystem, method 700 at 716 may include at least calculating fluid data based on radar data.

[0086] exist Figure 7B In method 700, 718 includes outputting fluid data of the vehicle.

[0087] In some embodiments, method 700 at 720 may include sending control signals to a display located in the vehicle, causing the display to show a visual representation of a plurality of plasma sparks and / or a visual representation of fluid data.

[0088] In some embodiments where the heating system is connected to a window (through which the laser emits laser light into a medium outside the vehicle), method 700 at 722 may include sending a control signal to the heating system to cause the heating system to heat the window. Heating the window can reduce fog, condensation, and / or ice buildup on the window.

[0089] In some implementations, method 700 at 724 may include sending a control signal to the laser, causing the laser to adjust its operating parameters based at least on fluid data from the vehicle. In some examples, the power or intensity level may be adjusted based at least on fluid data from the vehicle. In some examples, the distance relative to the vehicle and / or relative to other plasma sparks from which one or more plasma sparks are generated may be adjusted based at least on fluid data. In some examples, the pulse frequency / time interval from which one or more plasma sparks are generated may be adjusted based at least on fluid data.

[0090] Method 700 can be repeatedly performed to provide real-time fluid data of a vehicle, based at least on the observation, monitoring, or measurement of the behavior of one or more plasma sparks in a medium outside the vehicle. Furthermore, Method 700 can be performed for any appropriate number of different laser-based systems deployed at different locations on the vehicle to provide localized fluid data. Method 700 utilizes the observed behavior of one or more plasma sparks in the medium to calculate different types of environmental parameters represented as fluid data. Plasma sparks are generated by the breakdown of the medium by laser light emitted from a laser. This allows plasma sparks to be observed without having to seed the medium with any specific material, as is the case when LiDAR technology is employed. Furthermore, in some examples, plasma sparks are visible to the human eye. This allows laser-based sensor systems to be easily tested for functionality through visual confirmation of plasma sparks generated outside the vehicle. In the aircraft example, laser-based systems can be tested through visual confirmation of plasma sparks from the ground before flight, during flight from the cockpit, or on displays within the aircraft cockpit.

[0091] One or more plasma sparks can be generated by a low-power laser that consumes relatively little energy, possibly comparable to or even less than that consumed by a conventional mechanical sensor. Furthermore, the energy of the laser emitted by the laser to generate the plasma sparks is sufficiently low to avoid harm to people or the environment.

[0092] Furthermore, one or more plasma sparks can be generated without requiring any components located outside the vehicle, which reduces vehicle drag compared to vehicles employing conventional mechanical sensors (e.g., conventional mechanical AoA sensors) that include external probes. Additionally, the reduced drag results in lower fuel consumption compared to vehicles using conventional mechanical sensors. Moreover, one or more plasma sparks can be generated in a manner requiring less maintenance and exhibiting fewer failure modes than conventional mechanical sensors.

[0093] Method 700 can be performed to measure fluid data of any suitable vehicle traveling through a medium that can be broken down by a laser to generate a plasma spark. This suitable vehicle includes aircraft, automobiles, and marine vehicles such as ships and submarines, as well as other vehicles.

[0094] The methods and processes described herein can be attached to a computing system of one or more computing devices. Specifically, such methods and processes can be implemented as executable computer applications, network-accessible computing services, application programming interfaces (APIs), libraries, or combinations of the above and / or other computing resources.

[0095] Figure 8 A simplified representation of a computing system 800 configured to provide any of the computing functions described herein is illustrated schematically. The computing system 800 may take the form of one or more embedded controllers, personal computers, network-accessible server computers, tablet computers, home entertainment computers, gaming devices, mobile computing devices, mobile communication devices (e.g., smartphones), virtual / augmented / mixed reality computing devices, wearable computing devices, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, embedded computing devices, and / or other computing devices. For example, the computing system 800 may represent... Figure 3 The laser-based system 300 shown includes a computing system 306. The computing system 800 can also represent... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The computing system of the laser-based system 102 shown.

[0096] The computing system 800 includes a logic subsystem 802 and a storage subsystem 804. The computing system 800 may optionally include a display subsystem 806, an input subsystem 808, a communication subsystem 810, and / or... Figure 8 Other subsystems not shown.

[0097] The logical subsystem 802 includes one or more physical devices configured to execute instructions. For example, the logical subsystem may be configured to execute instructions as part of one or more applications, services, or other logical constructs. The logical subsystem may include one or more hardware processors configured to execute software instructions. Alternatively or concurrently, the logical subsystem may include one or more hardware or firmware devices configured to execute hardware or firmware instructions. The processor of the logical subsystem may be single-core or multi-core, and the instructions executed thereon may be configured for sequential, parallel, and / or distributed processing. The various components of the logical subsystem may optionally be distributed across two or more separate devices that may be remotely located and / or configured for collaborative processing. Aspects of the logical subsystem may be virtualized and executed by remotely accessible, networked computing devices configured in a cloud computing configuration.

[0098] Storage subsystem 804 includes one or more physical devices configured to temporarily and / or permanently store computer information such as instructions and data executable by the logical subsystem. When the storage subsystem includes two or more devices, the devices may be co-located and / or remotely located. Storage subsystem 804 may include volatile, non-volatile, dynamic, static, read / write, read-only, random access, sequential access, location-addressable, file-addressable, and / or content-addressable devices. Storage subsystem 804 may include removable and / or built-in devices. The state of storage subsystem 804 may be changed—for example, to store different data—when the logical subsystem executes instructions.

[0099] Various aspects of the logic subsystem 802 and the storage subsystem 804 can be integrated together into one or more hardware logic components. For example, such hardware logic components may include programmable and application-specific integrated circuits (PASIC / ASIC), programmable and application-specific standard products (PSSP / ASSP), system-on-a-chip (SOC), and complex programmable logic devices (CPLD).

[0100] Logical subsystems and storage subsystems can collaborate to instantiate one or more logical machines. As used herein, the term "machine" is used collectively to refer to a combination of hardware, firmware, software, instructions, and / or any other components that collaborate to provide computer functionality. In other words, a "machine" is never an abstract concept and always has a tangible form. A machine can be instantiated by a single computing device, or a machine can include two or more sub-components instantiated by two or more different computing devices. In some implementations, a machine includes local components (e.g., software applications executed by a computer processor) that collaborate with remote components (e.g., cloud computing services provided by a network of server computers). Software and / or other instructions that give particular machine functionality can optionally be stored as one or more unexecuted modules on one or more appropriate storage devices.

[0101] The terms "module," "program," and "engine" can be used to describe aspects of a computing system 800, typically implemented in software by a processor to perform specific functions using portions of volatile memory. These functions involve specialized configuration of the processor to perform translational processing. Therefore, a module, program, or engine can be instantiated by a logical subsystem 802 that executes instructions stored in a storage subsystem 804. It will be understood that different modules, programs, and / or engines can be instantiated from the same application, service, code block, object, library, routine, API, function, etc. Similarly, the same module, program, and / or engine can be instantiated from different applications, services, code blocks, objects, routines, APIs, functions, etc. The terms "module," "program," and "engine" can include individual or grouped executable files, data files, libraries, drivers, scripts, database records, etc.

[0102] When a display subsystem 806 is included, the display subsystem 806 can be used to present a visual representation of the data stored by the storage subsystem 804. This visual representation may take the form of a graphical user interface (GUI). The display subsystem 806 may include one or more display devices utilizing virtually any type of technology. In some implementations, the display subsystem may include one or more virtual, augmented, or mixed reality displays.

[0103] When the input subsystem 808 is included, it may include or interface with one or more input devices. Input devices may include sensor devices or user input devices. Examples of user input devices include a keyboard, mouse, touchscreen, or game controller. In some embodiments, the input subsystem may include or interface with a selected Natural User Input (NUI) component. Such components may be integrated or peripheral, and the conversion and / or processing of input actions may be handled on-board or off-board. Examples of NUI components may include a microphone for voice and / or sound recognition; an infrared, color, stereo, and / or depth camera for machine vision and / or gesture recognition; and a head tracker, eye tracker, accelerometer, and / or gyroscope for motion detection and / or intent recognition.

[0104] When a communication subsystem 810 is included, the communication subsystem 810 can be configured to communicatively connect the computing system 800 to one or more other computing devices. The communication subsystem 810 may include wired and / or wireless communication devices compatible with one or more different communication protocols. The communication subsystem can be configured to communicate over personal, local area, and / or wide area networks.

[0105] In addition, this disclosure includes configurations based on the following examples.

[0106] In one example, a system for measuring fluid data of a vehicle includes: a laser located in, on, or attached to the vehicle, configured to emit laser light into a medium outside the vehicle to induce one or more plasma sparks in the medium; a sensor system located in, on, or attached to the vehicle, configured to detect one or more properties of the one or more plasma sparks, including the orientation of the one or more plasma sparks relative to the vehicle and / or relative to other plasma sparks; and a computing system located in, on, or attached to the vehicle, including logic components. The system includes a storage subsystem that stores instructions executable by a logic subsystem to send control signals to a laser, causing the laser to emit laser light into a medium outside the vehicle to induce one or more plasma sparks in the medium. The system also receives sensor data from a sensor system indicating one or more properties of the one or more plasma sparks detected by the sensor system, including the orientation of the one or more plasma sparks relative to the vehicle and / or relative to other plasma sparks. The system calculates fluid data for the vehicle based at least on the sensor data indicating the orientation of the one or more plasma sparks relative to the vehicle and / or relative to other plasma sparks, and outputs the fluid data for the vehicle. In this example and / or other examples, the fluid data may include the angle of attack of the vehicle. In this example and / or other examples, the fluid data may include the speed of the vehicle. In this example and / or other examples, the fluid data may include characteristics of airflow outside the vehicle. In this example and / or other examples, the storage subsystem may store instructions executable by the logic subsystem to send control signals to the laser, causing the laser to adjust its operating parameters based at least on the fluid data for the vehicle. In this example and / or other examples, the adjustment of operating parameters may include adjusting the position of one or more plasma sparks outside the boundary layer outside the vehicle. In this example and / or other examples, the laser may be a first laser, and the system may also include a second laser located in, on, or attached to the vehicle, configured to emit laser light into a medium outside the vehicle, and a storage subsystem may store instructions executable by a logic subsystem to send control signals to the second laser, causing the second laser to emit laser light into the medium outside the vehicle, wherein the first and second lasers are configured such that the laser light emitted from the first and second lasers together induce one or more plasma sparks in the medium.In this example and / or other examples, the system may further include: a frame of a vehicle; a window positioned within the frame of the vehicle, wherein a laser is positioned to emit laser light through the window into a medium outside the vehicle; and a heating system connected to the window, wherein a storage subsystem may store instructions executable by a logic subsystem to send control signals to the heating system, causing the heating system to heat the window. In this example and / or other examples, the system may further include a display positioned within the vehicle, wherein a storage subsystem may store instructions executable by a logic subsystem to send control signals to the display, causing the display to show a visual representation of one or more plasma sparks and / or a visual representation of fluid data. In this example and / or other examples, the sensor system may include a camera configured to acquire multiple images of one or more plasma sparks, and a storage subsystem may store instructions executable by a logic subsystem to calculate fluid data of the vehicle based at least on the multiple images of one or more plasma sparks. In this example and / or other examples, the sensor system may include a radar subsystem configured to emit radar waves toward one or more plasma sparks and detect reflected radar waves reflected back from one or more plasma sparks, and a storage subsystem may store instructions executable by a logic subsystem to calculate fluid data of the vehicle based at least on the reflected radar waves.

[0107] In another example, a method for measuring fluid data of a vehicle includes: sending a control signal to a laser positioned in, on, or attached to the vehicle, causing the laser to emit laser light into a medium outside the vehicle to induce one or more plasma sparks in the medium; receiving sensor data from a sensor system positioned in, on, or attached to the vehicle, the sensor data indicating one or more properties of the one or more plasma sparks detected by the sensor system, the one or more properties including the orientation of the one or more plasma sparks relative to the vehicle and / or relative to other plasma sparks; calculating fluid data of the vehicle based at least on the sensor data indicating the orientation of the one or more plasma sparks relative to the vehicle and / or relative to other plasma sparks; and outputting the fluid data of the vehicle. In this example and / or other examples, the fluid data may include one or more of the vehicle's angle of attack, the vehicle's speed, and characteristics of airflow outside the vehicle. In this example and / or other examples, the method may further include sending a control signal to a laser, causing the laser to adjust its operating parameters based at least on fluid data from the vehicle. In this example and / or other examples, the laser may be a first laser, and the method may further include sending a control signal to a second laser positioned in, on, or attached to the vehicle, causing the second laser to emit laser light into a medium outside the vehicle. The first and second lasers may be configured such that the laser light emitted from the first and second lasers co-initiates one or more plasma sparks in the medium. In this example and / or other examples, the method may further include sending a control signal to a heating system connected to a window positioned in the frame of the vehicle, causing the heating system to heat the window through which the laser emits laser light into a medium outside the vehicle. In this example and / or other examples, the method may further include sending a control signal to a display positioned in the vehicle, causing the display to show a visual representation of multiple plasma sparks and / or a visual representation of fluid data.

[0108] In yet another example, a system for measuring fluid data of an aircraft includes: a laser located in, on, or attached to the aircraft, configured to emit laser light into the air outside the aircraft to induce one or more plasma sparks in the air; a sensor system located in, on, or attached to the aircraft, configured to detect one or more properties of the one or more plasma sparks, including the orientation of the one or more plasma sparks relative to the aircraft; and a computing system located in, on, or attached to the aircraft, including a logic subsystem and a storage subsystem. The storage subsystem stores instructions executable by the logic subsystem to send control signals to the laser, causing the laser to emit laser light into the air outside the aircraft to induce one or more plasma sparks. It receives sensor data from a sensor system indicating one or more properties of the one or more plasma sparks detected by the sensor system, including the orientation of the one or more plasma sparks relative to the aircraft and / or relative to other plasma sparks. It calculates fluid data for the aircraft based at least on the sensor data indicating the orientation of the one or more plasma sparks relative to the aircraft and / or relative to other plasma sparks, and outputs the aircraft's fluid data. In this example and / or other examples, the fluid data may include one or more of the aircraft's angle of attack, aircraft speed, and characteristics of the airflow outside the aircraft. In this example and / or other examples, the storage subsystem may store instructions executable by the logic subsystem to send control signals to the laser, causing the laser to adjust its operating parameters based at least on the aircraft's fluid data.

[0109] It will be understood that the configurations and / or methods described herein are exemplary in nature, and these specific implementations or examples should not be considered limiting, as many variations are possible. The specific routines or methods described herein may represent one or more of any number of processing strategies. Therefore, the different actions shown and / or described may be performed in the shown and / or described order, in a different order, in parallel, or omitted. Similarly, the order of the above processes may be changed.

[0110] The subject matter of this disclosure includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and sub-combinations of the various processes, systems and configurations disclosed herein, as well as other features, functions, actions and / or attributes and any and all equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A system for measuring fluid data of a vehicle, the system comprising: A laser is located in, on, or attached to the vehicle, and the laser is configured to emit a laser beam into a medium outside the vehicle to induce one or more plasma sparks in the medium. A sensor system is located in, on, or attached to the vehicle, and the sensor system is configured to detect one or more properties of the one or more plasma sparks, the one or more properties including the orientation of the one or more plasma sparks relative to the vehicle and / or relative to other plasma sparks; as well as A computing system is located in, on, or attached to the vehicle, and the computing system includes a logic subsystem and a storage subsystem, the storage subsystem storing instructions executable by the logic subsystem to: A control signal is sent to the laser, causing the laser to emit the laser beam into the medium outside the vehicle to induce one or more plasma sparks in the medium; Sensor data is received from the sensor system, the sensor data indicating one or more properties of the one or more plasma sparks detected by the sensor system, the one or more properties including the orientation of the one or more plasma sparks relative to the vehicle and / or relative to other plasma sparks; The fluid data of the vehicle are calculated based at least on sensor data indicating the orientation of the one or more plasma sparks relative to the vehicle and / or relative to other plasma sparks; as well as Output the fluid data of the vehicle.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The fluid data includes one or more of the vehicle's angle of attack, the vehicle's speed, and characteristics of the airflow outside the vehicle.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The storage subsystem stores instructions that can be executed by the logic subsystem in the following ways: A control signal is sent to the laser, causing the laser to adjust its operating parameters based at least on the fluid data from the vehicle.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein, Adjusting the operating parameters includes adjusting the position of the one or more plasma sparks outside the boundary layer outside the vehicle.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The laser is a first laser, and the system further includes: A second laser is positioned in, on, or attached to the vehicle, and the second laser is configured to emit laser light into a medium outside the vehicle; and The storage subsystem stores instructions that can be executed by the logic subsystem as follows: A control signal is sent to the second laser, causing the second laser to emit the laser into the medium outside the vehicle, wherein the first laser and the second laser are configured such that the lasers emitted from the first laser and the second laser together cause the one or more plasma sparks in the medium.

6. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: The frame of the vehicle; A window positioned within the frame of the vehicle, wherein the laser is positioned to emit the laser light through the window onto a medium outside the vehicle; and A heating system connected to the window; The storage subsystem stores instructions that can be executed by the logic subsystem as follows: A control signal is sent to the heating system to cause the heating system to heat the window.

7. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: The display is located in the vehicle. The storage subsystem stores instructions that can be executed by the logic subsystem as follows: A control signal is sent to the display, causing the display to show a visual representation of the one or more plasma sparks and / or a visual representation of the fluid data.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The sensor system includes a camera configured to acquire multiple images of the one or more plasma sparks, and wherein the storage subsystem stores instructions executable by the logic subsystem to: The fluid data of the vehicle are calculated based at least on the plurality of images of the one or more plasma sparks.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The sensor system includes a radar subsystem configured to emit radar waves toward the one or more plasma sparks and detect reflected radar waves reflected back from the one or more plasma sparks, wherein the storage subsystem stores instructions executable by the logic subsystem to: The fluid data of the vehicle are calculated based at least on the reflected radar waves.

10. A method for measuring fluid data of a vehicle, the method comprising: Send a control signal to a laser located in, on, or attached to the vehicle, causing the laser to emit laser light into a medium outside the vehicle to induce one or more plasma sparks in the medium; Sensor data is received from a sensor system located in, on, or attached to the vehicle, the sensor data indicating one or more properties of the one or more plasma sparks detected by the sensor system, the one or more properties including the orientation of the one or more plasma sparks relative to the vehicle and / or relative to other plasma sparks; The fluid data of the vehicle are calculated, at least based on sensor data indicating the orientation of the one or more plasma sparks relative to the vehicle and / or relative to other plasma sparks; and Output the fluid data of the vehicle.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein, The fluid data includes one or more of the vehicle's angle of attack, the vehicle's speed, and characteristics of the airflow outside the vehicle.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising: A control signal is sent to the laser, causing the laser to adjust its operating parameters based at least on the fluid data from the vehicle.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein, The laser is a first laser, and the method further includes: A control signal is sent to a second laser located in, on, or attached to the vehicle, causing the second laser to emit laser light into the medium outside the vehicle, wherein the first laser and the second laser are configured such that the laser light emitted from the first laser and the second laser together induce one or more plasma sparks in the medium.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising: A control signal is sent to a heating system connected to a window positioned in the frame of the vehicle, causing the heating system to heat the window, wherein the laser emits the laser light through the window into the medium outside the vehicle.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising: A control signal is sent to a display located in the vehicle, causing the display to show a visual representation of the one or more plasma sparks and / or a visual representation of the fluid data.

16. A system for measuring fluid data of an aircraft, the system comprising: A laser is located in, on, or attached to the aircraft, and the laser is configured to emit a laser beam into the air outside the aircraft to induce one or more plasma sparks in the air. A sensor system is located in, on, or attached to the aircraft, and the sensor system is configured to detect one or more properties of the one or more plasma sparks, the one or more properties including the orientation of the one or more plasma sparks relative to the aircraft; as well as A computing system, located in, on, or attached to the aircraft, and the computing system includes a logic subsystem and a storage subsystem, the storage subsystem storing instructions executable by the logic subsystem to: Send a control signal to the laser, causing the laser to emit the laser beam into the air outside the aircraft to induce one or more plasma sparks in the air; Sensor data is received from the sensor system, the sensor data indicating one or more properties of the one or more plasma sparks detected by the sensor system, the one or more properties including the orientation of the one or more plasma sparks relative to the spacecraft and / or relative to other plasma sparks; The fluid data of the spacecraft are calculated based at least on sensor data indicating the orientation of the one or more plasma sparks relative to the spacecraft and / or relative to other plasma sparks; as well as Output the fluid data of the aircraft.

17. The system according to claim 16, wherein, The fluid data includes one or more of the aircraft's angle of attack, the aircraft's speed, and characteristics of the airflow outside the aircraft.

18. The system according to claim 16, wherein, The storage subsystem stores instructions that can be executed by the logic subsystem in the following ways: A control signal is sent to the laser, causing the laser to adjust its operating parameters based at least on the fluid data of the aircraft.

Images