Camera-Based Turbulence Detection Using Celestial Refraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring atmospheric turbulence and winds aloft, especially over oceans and in underdeveloped regions, are inadequate due to limited ground-based instrumentation and infrequent aircraft data, leading to inaccurate weather forecasting and increased risk of clear air turbulence encounters.
Innovation Solution
A camera-based system on an airborne or mobile platform uses solar and lunar observable features to detect distortions caused by atmospheric refractivity changes, estimating turbulence and winds by analyzing images from multiple cameras and processing them to determine refractivity profiles and wind velocities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ground-based instrumentation and dedicated sensor equipment are deployed to measure atmospheric conditions, then measurement accuracy is improved, but cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the sun and moon as intermediary objects to measure atmospheric conditions. Instead of deploying complex ground-based instrumentation, the system observes distortions in celestial bodies caused by atmospheric refraction, using these distortions as proxies for turbulence and wind data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical sensor systems with optical observation. Rather than using physical sensors to directly measure atmospheric conditions, the system uses optical distortions of celestial bodies to infer atmospheric properties, substituting a complex mechanical measurement system with a simpler optical one.
2Measurement precision
If aircraft-based sensors are used to measure atmospheric conditions, then current condition data is obtained, but coverage is limited to areas near the aircraft and data is infrequent
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the sun and moon as self-service measurement targets that are always available in the sky. The atmospheric distortions of these celestial bodies provide continuous, passive measurement opportunities without requiring active sensor deployment or frequent aircraft passages through specific zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from point-based measurements (aircraft passing through specific zones) to field-based measurements (observing celestial bodies across the entire sky). This dimensional change allows simultaneous measurement of atmospheric conditions over much larger spatial areas without requiring frequent revisits.
3Reliability
If modeling based on past measurements is used to forecast atmospheric conditions, then general regional conditions can be approximated, but accuracy decreases at finer granularities and over time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurements of atmospheric refractivity profiles using solar and lunar occultation techniques. These preliminary data are then used to initialize and constrain forecast models, providing accurate initial conditions that improve both regional and fine-grain forecast accuracy before the actual weather events occur.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method provides remote, cost-effective, and accurate measurements of turbulence and winds aloft, enhancing aircraft safety, fuel efficiency, and weather forecasting, with improved coverage over ocean regions and reduced maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
detects distortions in a visual scene, for example the lunar surface or the edge of the sun, that are caused by changes in the refractivity of the atmosphere
Data Source
AI summary
Presented is a system and method for detecting turbulence in the atmosphere comprising an image capturing device for capturing a plurality of images of a visual feature of a celestial object such as the sun, combined with a lens having focal length adapted to focus an image onto image capturing device such that the combination of the lens and the image capturing device are adapted to resolve a distortion caused by a turbule of turbulent air, and an image processor adapted to compare said plurality of images of said visual feature to detect the transit of a turbule of turbulent air in between said image capturing device and said celestial object, and compute a measurement of the angular velocity of the turbule. A second plurality of images is used to triangulate the distance to the turbule and the velocity of the turbule.