Triggering rainfall by high repetition rate high peak power laser induced shockwaves

Abstract

A method for weather modification and precipitation enhancement can include emitting a pulsed laser beam to promote in-cloud interactions by generating shock and acoustic waves in the cloud. The repetition rate of the pulsed laser can be between about 1 kHz and about 200 kHz, which can be arbitrarily modulated. These interactions can induce convection and turbulence within the cloud, improving the collision-coalescence process and facilitating efficient precipitation in the cloud. Furthermore, the method involves arbitrary modulation of the pulsed laser repetition rate, which can generate acoustic waves of a wide range of frequencies. This capability can initiate acoustic wave agglomeration, in turn enhancing the collision-coalescence process for precipitation. The method can also include steering the beam in a helical or spiral path to increase the scale of the rainfall enhancement. The method, which does not use chemicals, can provide an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional cloud seeding methods for rainfall induction.

Description

Cross-reference of related applications

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. non-provisional patent application No. 18 / 974,950, filed December 10, 2024, entitled “Rain Triggering by High-repetition Rate High-peak Power Laser-induced Shock Wave,” and U.S. provisional patent application No. 63 / 608,525, filed December 11, 2023, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0002] Examples generally involve methods and systems for modifying the weather by triggering rainfall, particularly in arid or drought-prone regions, using advanced laser technology. Background Technology

[0003] Rain induction methods involve artificially generating or enhancing precipitation in clouds. Cloud seeding is a widely used technique that enhances precipitation by introducing seeding agents (usually silver iodide or calcium chloride) into clouds to promote the formation of ice crystals or raindrops, ultimately increasing rainfall. Other rain induction techniques in practice or under experimental research include aerosol spraying, artificial ice nucleus formation, acoustic and ultrasonic methods, airborne flares and rockets, and atmospheric humidity enhancement. The effectiveness of many of these methods can vary depending on atmospheric conditions. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This article describes embodiments of methods and systems for triggering rainfall using pulsed lasers with high repetition rate and high peak power.

[0005] In some embodiments, a method may include: generating a beam from a pulsed laser, emitting the beam into a cloud, and redirecting the beam according to a pattern within the cloud. The repetition frequency of the pulsed laser may be between about 1 kHz and about 200 kHz and may be arbitrarily modulated. The peak power of the pulsed laser may be between about 10 GW and about 50 GW, enabling it to generate plasma within the cloud. The beam emitted into the cloud may induce shock waves and / or acoustic waves within the cloud. Arbitrary modulation of the repetition frequency of the pulsed laser beam can result in the generation of a wide range of acoustic frequencies, which is necessary to effectively promote particle aggregation within the cloud. This redirection pattern may increase precipitation and / or reduce the duration of cloud-to-cloud precipitation.

[0006] In some embodiments, the system may include a remote sensor and a pulsed laser. The remote sensor may be configured to monitor changes in cloud conditions. The pulsed laser may be configured to emit a laser beam into the cloud in response to changes in cloud conditions to enhance cloud precipitation. The repetition frequency of the pulsed laser may be between about 1 kHz and about 200 kHz and may be arbitrarily modulated. The peak power of the pulsed laser may be between about 10 GW and about 50 GW, enabling it to generate plasma in the cloud.

[0007] The above embodiments, along with their additional features, functions, and details, will be described below. Similarly, corresponding and other embodiments will also be described below. Attached Figure Description

[0008] The various aspects of this disclosure are best understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, according to industry practice, the features are not drawn to scale. In fact, for ease of discussion, the dimensions of the features may be arbitrarily increased or decreased.

[0009] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a system according to some embodiments is shown; Figure 2 A schematic diagram illustrating a dynamic process according to some embodiments is shown; Figure 3A and 3B The diagram illustrates the firing of laser beams with different focusing configurations into a cloud according to some embodiments; Figure 4 This diagram illustrates, according to some embodiments, how a laser beam is redirected to reposition particles in a cloud; Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating a method according to some embodiments is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0010] The following disclosure provides numerous different embodiments or examples for implementing various features of the provided subject matter. To simplify this disclosure, specific examples of components and arrangements are described below. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to constitute limitation. For example, the process for performing a first operation and performing a second operation as described below may include embodiments in which the first and second operations are performed sequentially, or embodiments in which additional operations may be performed between the first and second operations, such that the second operation is not immediately following the first operation. Furthermore, reference numerals and / or letters may be repeated in the examples throughout this disclosure. Such repetition, in itself, does not determine the relationship between the various embodiments and / or configurations discussed.

[0011] Spatial relative terms such as “below,” “lower,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and similar terms may be used herein to describe the relationship between one element or feature shown in the figures and other elements or features. These spatial relative terms are intended to cover different orientations of the device in use or operation, other than those shown in the figures. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or located in other orientations), and the spatial relative descriptors used herein shall be interpreted accordingly.

[0012] It should be noted that the terms "an embodiment," "an exemplary embodiment," "exemplary embodiment," and "model" used in the specification indicate that the described embodiment may include a specific feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes that specific feature, structure, or characteristic. Furthermore, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Moreover, when a specific feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, whether explicitly described or not, applying such feature, structure, or characteristic to other embodiments is within the knowledge scope of those skilled in the art.

[0013] It should be understood that the wording or terminology used herein is for descriptive purposes and not for limiting purposes; therefore, the terminology or terminology used herein should be interpreted by those skilled in the art based on the teachings herein.

[0014] In some embodiments, the terms "about" and "generally" may indicate that a given quantity varies within a range of 5% of that value (e.g., ±1%, ±2%, ±3%, ±4%, ±5% of that value). These values ​​are merely examples and are not intended to constitute a limitation. The terms "about" and "generally" may refer to a percentage of a value as interpreted by a person skilled in the art based on the teachings of this specification.

[0015] In some respects, weather modification, particularly rainfall induction, is an important way to alleviate water scarcity, especially in arid and drought-prone regions. Cloud seeding can increase rainfall. However, the dispersing chemicals used in cloud seeding can have negative environmental impacts. Other methods, including aerosol spraying, artificial ice nucleus formation, acoustic and sonic methods, airborne flares and rockets, and atmospheric humidity enhancement technologies, introduce external chemicals into the atmosphere, and these methods do not always guarantee the desired results.

[0016] In some areas, ultra-high-power, compact, ultrafast laser technology can be used for precipitation triggering methods using high-intensity laser beams. In some cases, 800 nm laser pulses can be used to induce precipitation, primarily in controlled environments, with limited real-world experimental applications. In other areas, ultrashort ultraviolet (UV) laser pulses can be used, employing fewer photons for precipitation induction, but this presents atmospheric propagation challenges and safety hazards. In still other areas, ultrafast lasers with finite repetition frequencies (1 kHz in a cloud chamber, 10 Hz in the atmosphere) can be used, limiting the frequency of interaction with the medium. In yet another area, additional cloud condensation nuclei (CCNs) can be utilized through interaction with air molecules via femtosecond lasers. In some cases, introducing additional CCNs into dusty clouds can disrupt the delicate balance required for rain enhancement and can shift atmospheric conditions from supersaturated to saturated or unsaturated, potentially having a negative impact on precipitation.

[0017] The embodiments described herein aim to address the aforementioned challenges. In some embodiments, a method for inducing rainfall in clouds may employ a pulsed laser with a high repetition rate and high peak power. In some embodiments, the pulsed laser may have a repetition rate between about 1 kHz and about 200 kHz, which can be arbitrarily modulated. In some embodiments, the pulsed laser may fire a laser beam at the cloud, the high repetition rate and high peak power of which may generate shock waves and acoustic waves in the cloud, thereby promoting collision-merging processes within the cloud, which is beneficial for enhancing precipitation in the cloud. In some embodiments, arbitrary modulation of the repetition rate of the pulsed laser may generate acoustic waves over a wide frequency range, thereby inducing acoustic wave aggregation, which in turn alters the collision-merging process. In some embodiments, the laser beam may be redirected to broaden the coverage of shock waves and acoustic waves in the cloud, thereby altering the scale of precipitation enhancement. In some embodiments, the method may not rely on generating additional cloud condensation nuclei (CCNs) in the cloud, which avoids disrupting atmospheric balance. In some embodiments, the method may not use chemicals, thus providing an environmentally friendly alternative to some cloud seed dispersal methods. Figure 1A schematic diagram of a system 100 according to some embodiments is shown. For example, system 100 can be used to induce rainfall by emitting a high-repetition-rate, high-peak-power laser beam toward a cloud. In some embodiments, the high repetition rate can be arbitrarily modulated. In some embodiments, system 100 may include fixed platforms (e.g., ground station 110) and / or mobile platforms (e.g., ground vehicle 120 on ground 102 and air vehicle 130 at a high altitude above ground 102) equipped with remote sensing devices for collecting cloud (e.g., cloud 104) information and / or lasers for triggering cloud rainfall. In some embodiments, ground vehicle 120 may be equipped with remote sensor 126 and laser 122. In another example, air vehicle 130 may be equipped with remote sensor 136 and laser 132. In a third example, ground station 110 may be equipped with remote sensor 116 and laser 112. In some embodiments, fixed platforms and / or mobile platforms may communicate with each other wirelessly and share collected cloud information. In some embodiments, cloud 104 may be a cloud suitable for triggering rainfall based on information about cloud 104 collected by remote sensing devices (e.g., sensors 116, 126, and / or 136). For example, cloud 104 may be a cumulonimbus cloud, nimbostratus cloud, or a similar cloud. In some embodiments, the altitude range of cloud 104 may extend from below about 2,000 meters to above about 6,000 meters. For example, the base of cloud 104 may be located at an altitude of about 1,000 meters, while the top of cloud 104 may be located at an altitude of about 7,000 meters. In some embodiments, the ground station 110 may be built in a selected area where the cloud 104 frequently forms. For example, as Figure 1 As shown, the ground station 110 may be located below the bottom of the cloud 104. In some embodiments, the remote sensor 116 may detect the condition of the cloud 104 from the bottom of the cloud 104 by transmitting and / or receiving signals 118. In some embodiments, the laser 112 may emit a laser beam 114 from the bottom of the cloud 104 into the cloud 104.

[0018] In some embodiments, the ground vehicle 120 may be deployed within the area formed by the cloud 104. For example, as Figure 1 As shown, the ground vehicle 120 can be deployed at a location away from but close to cloud 104. In some embodiments, the ground vehicle 120 can be a vehicle and its position can be changed. For example, the ground vehicle 120 can travel from a first position not below cloud 104 to a second position below cloud 104.

[0019] In some embodiments, the remote sensor 126 can detect the condition of the cloud 104 from the side and / or bottom of the cloud 104 by using the signal 128 to detect the cloud 104. In some embodiments, laser 122 may emit laser beam 124 from the side and / or bottom of cloud 104 into cloud 104.

[0020] In some embodiments, the air vehicle 130 may be deployed within the area formed by the cloud 104. In some embodiments, the air vehicle 130 may be deployed at an altitude within the altitude range of the cloud 104. For example, as... Figure 1 As shown, the air vehicle 130 can be deployed at an altitude between approximately 2,000 meters and approximately 6,000 meters. In some embodiments, the air vehicle 130 can be deployed at an altitude below the bottom of the cloud 104. In some embodiments, the air vehicle 130 can fly around the cloud 104. In some embodiments, the air vehicle 130 can fly into the interior of the cloud 104. In some embodiments, the remote sensor 136 can detect the condition of the cloud 104 from the side and / or bottom of the cloud 104 or from inside the cloud 104 by using the signal 138 to detect the cloud 104. In some embodiments, laser 132 may emit a laser beam 134 into cloud 104 from the side or bottom of cloud 104.

[0021] In some embodiments, sensors 116, 126, and / or 136 may collect information about cloud 104, such as the type of cloud 104, the temperature and pressure of cloud 104, the chemical composition of cloud 104, and its density and distribution. In some embodiments, sensors 116, 126, and / or 136 may detect the average size of cloud droplets in cloud 104. The information collected by sensors 116, 126, and / or 136 may be useful in determining variables that trigger rainfall from cloud 104, such as the positions of ground vehicle 120 and air vehicle 130, and parameters for configuring lasers 112, 122, and / or 132. In some embodiments, remote sensors 116, 126, and / or 136 may be radar, and signals 118, 128, and / or 138 may be radio signals. In some embodiments, remote sensors 116, 126, and / or 136 may be optical sensors, and signals 118, 128, and / or 138 may be optical signals. In some embodiments, remote sensors 116, 126, and / or 136 may be the same type of remote sensing device. In some embodiments, remote sensors 116, 126, and / or 136 may be different types of remote sensing devices. In some embodiments, remote sensors 116, 126, and / or 136 may scan the surface of cloud 104. For example, as... Figure 1 As shown, remote sensor 116 can scan the bottom of cloud 104, remote sensor 126 can scan the sides and bottom of cloud 104, and remote sensor 136 can scan the sides of cloud 104.

[0022] In some embodiments, lasers 112, 122, and / or 132 may be pulsed lasers (e.g., femtosecond lasers) with high repetition rates and high peak power. In some embodiments, the repetition rates of lasers 112, 122, and / or 132 may be between about 1 kHz and about 200 kHz. For example, the repetition rates may be between about 1 kHz and about 30 kHz, between about 30 kHz and about 50 kHz, between about 50 kHz and about 100 kHz, and between about 100 kHz and about 200 kHz. In some embodiments, the repetition rate may be 30 kHz. In some embodiments, the repetition rates of lasers 112, 122, and / or 132 may be arbitrarily modulated.

[0023] In some embodiments, the peak power of lasers 112, 122, and / or 132 may be greater than about 20 GW, enabling them to generate the desired plasma in the cloud. In some embodiments, the peak power of the lasers may be about 50 GW operating at a repetition frequency of 30 kHz. In some embodiments, lasers 112, 122, and 132, having repetition frequencies and peak powers within the aforementioned range, can generate shock waves 150 in cloud 104 due to the large amplitude and long propagation distance of laser beams 114, 124, and 134, thereby promoting an increase in the interaction frequency of cloud droplets within cloud 104. The shock waves 150 can induce convection and turbulence within cloud 104, thereby altering the collision-merging process and promoting precipitation over a wide area. Furthermore, as... Figure 1 As shown, the shock wave 150 generated by laser beams 114, 124, and 134 can be further converted into sound wave 160. The sound wave 160 in cloud 104 can promote rapid particle aggregation and generate larger aerosol particles. In some embodiments, precipitation processes facilitated by laser beams 114, 124, and 134 with high repetition rates and high peak power can be achieved without chemical additives or the introduction of foreign substances into the atmosphere, thereby reducing the environmental and health risks associated with the use of dispersing agents and providing a more sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to weather modification.

[0024] In some embodiments, parameters of the laser beams 114, 124, and / or 134, such as their repetition frequency, power, wavelength, polarization, beam profile, pulse duration, etc., may be adjusted based on information collected by the sensors 116, 126, and / or 136 to facilitate rainfall induction from the cloud 104. In some embodiments, the trajectory of the laser beams 114, 124, and / or 134 within the cloud 104 may be adjusted based on information collected by the sensors 116, 126, and / or 136. In some embodiments, the laser beams 114, 124, and / or 134 may be redirected in a pattern such as a spiral path or a helical trajectory to cause the shock wave 150 to cover a wider area within the cloud 104, thereby increasing rainfall. In some embodiments, the pattern by which the laser beams 114, 124, and / or 134 are redirected may also be other paths, such as a straight path, an elliptical path, or an irregular path, based on information collected by the sensors 116, 126, and / or 136. In some embodiments, the parameters, trajectory, and steering pattern of the laser beams 114, 124, and / or 134 can be adjusted in real time based on information collected by the remote sensors 116, 126, and / or 136.

[0025] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a dynamic process 200 according to some embodiments is shown. For example, Figure 2 This can be used to trigger clouds to promote rainfall using a pulsed laser beam. In some embodiments, the pulsed laser beam can be a reference... Figure 1 The laser beams 114, 124 and / or 134 may have a repetition frequency and peak power within the aforementioned range.

[0026] In some embodiments, water vapor 212 may undergo an ascent process 215 and rise from the ground to a higher altitude to form a cloud 220, which includes water vapor 212, water droplets 222, and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) 224. In some embodiments, cloud 220 can be as follows: Figure 1 The cloud 104 is shown. In some embodiments, the cloud 220 may undergo a condensation process 225, in which water droplets 222 condense around cloud condensation nuclei 224 to form cloud droplets 232. In some embodiments, during the triggering process of a pulsed laser beam entering the cloud 220, a shock wave can be generated within the cloud 220 due to the high repetition frequency and peak power of the pulsed laser beam. This generates plasma within the cloud at a higher rate, promoting a collision-merging process 246 within the cloud 220. The collision-merging process 246 can promote the aggregation of particles within the cloud 220 and facilitate the growth of cloud droplets 232 by aggregating surrounding water droplets 222, thereby forming cloud droplets 242 that are larger than the cloud droplets 232. Once they acquire sufficient mass to fall from the atmosphere, the cloud droplets 242 can undergo a precipitation process 245 and fall as rain 252 and / or snow 254.

[0027] Figure 3A and 3B The diagram illustrates, according to some embodiments, the firing of laser beams with different focusing configurations into a cloud. For example, the focusing configuration of the laser beams can be controlled. In some embodiments, the focusing configuration can be adjusted to control the self-focusing and filament propagation effects of the laser beam in the cloud, which can affect the induction of shock waves and sound waves. For example, the focusing angle of the laser beam can be adjusted to control the regional profile in the cloud that induces shock waves and / or sound waves. like Figure 3A As shown, a laser beam 324A with a focal angle α can be input into a cloud 320, within which shock waves and sound waves can be induced around a region 340A with a width of W1 and a length of L1. In comparison, such as Figure 3B As shown, a laser beam 324B with a focusing angle β smaller than angle α can enter cloud 320 and induce shock waves and acoustic waves around region 340B with width W2 and length L2. Compared with laser beam 324B, laser beam 324A can be more focused and has higher power intensity over a shorter distance around its focal plane. Therefore, the width W1 of region 340A can be greater than the width W2 of region 340B, while the length L1 of region 340A can be less than the length L2 of region 340B. In some embodiments, the focusing configuration of the laser beam can be controlled according to local cloud conditions, for example, according to a remote sensor (e.g., Figure 1 The density and / or distribution of water vapor, water droplets and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) in the cloud detected by the remote sensors 116, 126 and / or 136 shown.

[0028] Figure 4 The diagram illustrates, according to some embodiments, how a laser beam can be redirected to reposition particles in a cloud. For example, the electric field of the laser beam can be used to capture particles and move them from one location to another.

[0029] Cloud 420 may include unevenly distributed water vapor 412, water droplets 422, and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) 424. Laser 402 may first project a laser beam 404 onto a region of cloud 420 with a high density of cloud condensation nuclei 424 to capture them, and then redirect the beam 404 to carry the CCN 424 through cloud 420, placing it in another region of cloud 420 with a high density of water vapor 412 and water droplets 422, to promote [further action]. Figure 2 The condensation process 225 shown forms cloud droplets 232. In some embodiments, the laser beam 404 may be directed to deliver particles from a distance (e.g., on the ground or in the air where artificially distributed particles are located) into the cloud 420.

[0030] Figure 5 A flowchart of a method 500 according to some embodiments is shown. For example, method 500 can be used to promote rainfall using a pulsed laser beam. In some embodiments, method 500 may focus on applying a pulsed laser beam having a repetition frequency and peak power, as shown in reference to Figure 1 , 2 As described in 3A, 3B, and 4. This disclosure is not limited to this operational description. Other operations may be performed between the various operations of method 500, which are omitted for clarity only. Furthermore, not all operations are necessary for implementing this disclosure. Additionally, some operations may be performed simultaneously or in different ways. Figure 5 The operations are executed in the sequence shown. In some embodiments, one or more other operations may be performed in addition to the operations currently described, or the operations currently described may be replaced by other operations.

[0031] In some embodiments, operation 505 can be used to select clouds for promoting precipitation by remotely sensing cloud conditions. For example, as referenced Figure 1 Information regarding the condition of cloud 104 can be collected by remote sensors 116, 126, and / or 136. In some embodiments, the cloud condition may be cloud type, cloud temperature, cloud pressure, cloud density, cloud chemical composition, etc. In some embodiments, a cloud may be selected if it is a suitable candidate for promoting rainfall (e.g., cumulonimbus or nimbostratus). In some embodiments, sensing the cloud condition may include deploying a mobile platform equipped with remote sensors to a location near the cloud. For example, a ground vehicle 120 may be deployed to a location where the sides and bottom of cloud 104 are within the detection range of remote sensor 126. In another example, an air vehicle 130 may be deployed to a location where the sides of cloud 104 are at an altitude range of approximately 1,500 meters to approximately 5,000 meters.

[0032] In some embodiments, step 510 may be used to generate a beam from a pulsed laser having a high repetition rate and high peak power. For example, as shown in the reference... Figure 1Lasers 112, 122, and 132 can generate laser beams 114, 124, and 134, respectively. In some embodiments, generating the beam may include selecting the position and / or altitude of lasers 112, 122, and / or 132 by deploying a platform equipped with pulsed lasers to a specific location (e.g., the location of ground station 110, ground vehicle 120, and air vehicle 130). In some embodiments, selecting the position and / or altitude of lasers 112, 122, and / or 132 may be based on information about the condition of cloud 104 collected by sensors 116, 126, and / or 136 in operation step 505. In some embodiments, generating the beam may include configuring the repetition frequency of the pulsed lasers to be between about 1 kHz and about 200 kHz. For example, the repetition frequency of the pulsed lasers may be configured to be about 30 kHz. In some embodiments, the repetition frequency may be arbitrarily modulated. For example, the repetition frequency may be modulated between about 1 kHz and about 200 kHz. In some embodiments, generating the beam may include configuring the peak power of the pulsed lasers to be higher than 20 GW. For example, the peak power of the pulsed laser may be configured to approximately 50 GW. In some embodiments, the repetition frequency and / or peak power configuration of lasers 112, 122, and / or 132 may be based on information about the condition of cloud 104 collected by sensors 116, 126, and / or 136. In some embodiments, generating the beam may include other parameters configuring the pulsed laser, such as the wavelength, polarization, beam profile, and / or pulse duration of the pulsed laser.

[0033] In some embodiments, step 515 can be used to project a light beam into a cloud to induce shock waves and / or sound waves within the cloud. For example, as... Figure 1 As shown, laser beams 114, 124, and 134 can be emitted into cloud 104, generating propagating shock waves 150 and sound waves 160 within cloud 104. In some embodiments, due to the repetition frequency on the order of kHz described in operation 515, laser beams 114, 124, and 134 can penetrate a certain distance within cloud 104. For example, the distance at which laser beams 114, 124, and 134 penetrate cloud 104 can be between approximately 500 meters and approximately 2000 meters. In some embodiments, operation 515 may include adjusting the focus of the beam, as shown in reference... Figure 3A and 3B As stated above.

[0034] In some embodiments, step 520 may be used to direct the beam of light according to a pattern in the cloud. For example, as shown in reference Figure 1The laser beams 114, 124, and 134 can be redirected according to patterns such as helical paths or spiral trajectories to cause the shock wave 150 and sound wave 160 to cover a wider area within the cloud 104 and alter the scale of rainfall. In some embodiments, the patterns used to redirect the laser beams 114, 124, and / or 134 may also be other paths, such as straight paths, elliptical paths, or irregular paths. In some embodiments, operation 520 may include, as referred to Figure 4 The beam is redirected to reposition particles in the cloud. In some embodiments, operation 520 may include redirecting the beam to transport cloud condensation nuclei (CCNs) within the cloud.

[0035] In some embodiments, operation 525 can be used to monitor changes in the cloud. For example, as referenced Figure 1 The remote sensors 116, 126, and / or 136 can monitor in real time the changes in the cloud 104 as it develops in response to the laser beams 114, 124, and / or 134 incident on the cloud 104. In some embodiments, the remote sensors 116, 126, and / or 136 can monitor the formation and development of cloud droplets in the cloud 104, such as changes in the distribution, density, and average size of cloud droplets caused by the shock wave 150 and sound wave 160 generated by the laser beams 114, 124, and / or 134. In some embodiments, the ground station 110, the ground vehicle 120, and the air vehicle 130 can share information collected by the remote sensors 116, 126, and / or 136 regarding changes in the cloud 104 in real time. In some embodiments, monitoring changes in the cloud 104 may include scanning the sides and / or bottom of the cloud 104. For example, as shown in reference... Figure 1 The remote sensor 116 can scan part or all of the bottom area of ​​the cloud 104, the remote sensor 126 can scan the sides and bottom of the cloud 104 simultaneously, and the remote sensor 136 can scan the sides of the cloud 104 within a certain altitude range (e.g., between about 1000 meters and about 5000 meters) and / or a certain horizontal azimuth range (e.g., between about 0° and about 360°).

[0036] In some embodiments, step 530 can be used to adjust the parameters of the pulsed laser based on changes in cloud conditions. For example, as shown in reference... Figure 1 The parameters, trajectory, and turning mode of the laser beams 114, 124, and / or 134 can be adjusted in real time in response to changes in cloud conditions, based on information collected by remote sensors 116, 126, and / or 136. In some embodiments, the emission azimuth of the laser beams 114, 124, and / or 134, or the position of the ground vehicle 120 or the air vehicle 130, can be adjusted according to changes in cloud conditions 104. In some embodiments, based on reference... Figure 2The progress of the collision-merging process 246, as monitored by sensors 116, 126, and / or 136, can be used to adjust the parameters of laser beams 114, 124, and / or 134 to adjust the conditions of the shock wave 150 and acoustic wave 160 in cloud 104. For example, if the average size of cloud droplets 242 is detected to be growing slower than a reference growth rate, the repetition frequency and / or power of laser beams 114, 124, and / or 134 can be adjusted to facilitate the collision-merging process 246. In some embodiments, the parameters of the pulsed laser on the first platform can be adjusted based on cloud changes monitored by a remote sensing device on the second platform. For example, the parameters of laser beam 114 can be adjusted according to cloud changes at high altitudes monitored by sensor 136 (which may be beyond the monitoring range of sensor 116) and can be shared wirelessly between air vehicle 130 and ground vehicle 120. In some embodiments, operations 525 and 530 can be performed in real time in a coordinated manner, enabling a continuous feedback loop between monitoring changes in cloud conditions due to beam penetration and adjusting the parameters of the pulsed laser based on these changes, in order to promote cloud precipitation. It should be understood that the "Detailed Description" section, rather than the "Abstract" and "Summary of the Invention" sections (if any), is used to interpret the claims. The "Abstract" and "Summary of the Invention" sections (if any) may only list one or more exemplary embodiments conceived by the inventors, and not all of them, and therefore should not limit the invention or the appended claims in any way.

[0037] Although exemplary fields and applications have been described herein with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that these embodiments are not limited thereto. Other embodiments and modifications thereof are also possible and fall within the scope and spirit of this disclosure. For example, without limiting the generality of this paragraph, the embodiments are not limited to the software, hardware, firmware, and / or entities shown in the figures and / or described herein. Furthermore, the embodiments (whether explicitly described herein or not) have significant utility in fields and applications beyond those examples described herein.

[0038] This document describes embodiments using functional building blocks, which illustrate the implementation of specific functions and their relationships. For ease of description, the boundaries of these functional building blocks are arbitrarily defined herein. Other boundaries may be defined as long as the functions and their relationships (or equivalent alternatives) described above can be appropriately executed. Furthermore, alternative embodiments may execute functional blocks, steps, operations, methods, etc., in a different order than that described herein.

[0039] In this document, references to "an embodiment," "an exemplary embodiment," or similar phrases indicate that the described embodiment may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes that particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Furthermore, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Additionally, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, whether or not it is explicitly mentioned or described herein, incorporating that feature, structure, or characteristic into other embodiments is within the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[0040] The breadth and scope of the embodiments should not be limited by any of the exemplary embodiments described above, but should be defined only by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A method comprising: A beam is generated by a pulsed laser, wherein: The repetition frequency of the pulsed laser is between approximately 1 kHz and approximately 200 kHz, wherein the repetition frequency is adjustable; and The peak power of the pulsed laser is between approximately 10 GW and approximately 50 GW, wherein the peak power is adjustable; The beam of light is directed into the cloud to induce shock waves and / or sound waves within the cloud; and During launch, the beam is redirected based on the pattern in the cloud.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: Clouds are selected based on information collected from cloud conditions obtained through remote sensing.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: Monitor cloud changes during the turn.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: Adjust the mode based on changes in cloud conditions.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: The parameters of the pulsed laser are adjusted based on changes in cloud conditions.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising: Use repetition frequency or peak power as parameters.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: Collision-merging processes are induced in clouds based on shock waves and sound waves.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: Monitor the growth rate of the average size of cloud droplets in the cloud; as well as In response to the growth rate being less than the reference growth rate, the repetition frequency is adjusted accordingly.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: Adjust the position of the ground vehicle or the air vehicle equipped with the pulsed laser according to the changes in cloud conditions.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein, The launch includes emitting a beam of light toward a location at the bottom of the cloud.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising: The beam is directed to deliver cloud condensation nuclei within the cloud.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising: Adjust the focus of the beam.

13. A system comprising: Remote sensor, configured to monitor changes in cloud conditions; as well as A pulsed laser, configured to emit a laser beam into the cloud in response to changes in cloud conditions to promote precipitation, wherein: The repetition frequency of the pulsed laser is between approximately 1 kHz and approximately 200 kHz; and The peak power of the pulsed laser is between approximately 10 GW and approximately 50 GW.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein, The repetition frequency of the pulsed laser can be adjusted based on changes in cloud cover.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein, The peak power of the pulsed laser can be adjusted based on changes in cloud cover.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein: The remote sensor is mounted on an aerial platform; The pulsed laser is mounted on a ground platform; as well as Data on changes in cloud conditions are transmitted from the airborne platform to the ground platform.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein, The remote sensor is also configured to monitor cloud changes at altitudes between approximately 1,000 meters and 5,000 meters above the ground.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein, The pulsed laser is also configured to induce shock waves and / or sound waves in the cloud.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein: The changes in cloud conditions include changes in the average size of cloud droplets; and The pulsed laser is also configured to adjust the repetition frequency or peak power based on the fact that the growth rate of the average size of cloud droplets in the cloud is less than a reference growth rate.

20. The system of claim 13, wherein, The pulsed laser is also configured to steer the laser beam in a spiral pattern.

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