Hydrometeor Sensor Calibration via Laser-Induced Thermal Expansion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mechanical calibration methods for hydrometeor sensors are unreliable and prone to errors due to the variability in mechanical impact effects.

Innovation Solution

The calibration method replaces mechanical impact with a short-duration, high-intensity electromagnetic pulse, specifically a laser pulse, to induce a controlled mechanical impulse on the detector surface, allowing for precise calibration of hydrometeor sensors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If mechanical calibration methods (standard ball or lever striker) are used to calibrate the detector surface, then the calibration process can be performed with simple equipment, but the calibration reliability and measurement precision deteriorate due to variability in mechanical impact effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of calibration equipmentVSAvoidcalibration reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical calibration system (balls, levers, strikers) with an electromagnetic pulse generation system. The electromagnetic pulse is transmitted through a transmission line to the detector surface, creating a controlled mechanical impulse without mechanical contact. This substitution eliminates the variability and unreliability of mechanical impact while maintaining calibration functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the calibration method from mechanical impact parameters (force, mass, velocity) to electromagnetic pulse parameters (energy, duration, amplitude). By controlling the electromagnetic pulse characteristics, the calibration process achieves consistent and reliable results that are not affected by mechanical variability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If mechanical calibration methods are used, then the calibration process is simple to implement, but measurement precision deteriorates due to errors in mechanical impact consistency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of calibration operationVSAvoidmeasurement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical calibration operations with electromagnetic pulse transmission. The pulse is sent through a transmission line to the detector surface, creating a consistent and controllable mechanical impulse. This eliminates mechanical operation variability and significantly improves measurement precision while remaining easy to operate through automated pulse generation and signal analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If electromagnetic pulse calibration is used, then calibration reliability and measurement precision improve, but device complexity increases due to additional calibration equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalibration reliabilityVSAvoidcomplexity of calibration apparatus

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the calibration system to be integrated with the existing measuring device structure. The electromagnetic pulse transmission line can be combined with the signal processing electronics, and the same detector surface serves both measurement and calibration functions. This multi-functionality approach reduces the need for separate, complex calibration equipment while maintaining high reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 approach provides a reliable and accurate calibration method for hydrometeor sensors by generating consistent mechanical impulses, reducing errors and improving measurement precision.

Implementation Method 1

the electromagnetic pulse is a laser pulse... the laser pulse induces thermal expansions, which create a mechanical impulse

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

the electromagnetic pulse is a laser pulse

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Implementation Method 3

the laser pulse induces thermal expansions, which create a mechanical impulse

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentUS9268061B2Method for calibrating or testing a detector surface of a device for detecting hydrometeors and a calibration and testing device

Publication Date: 2016.02.23 VAISALA

AI summary

The invention relates to a method and device for calibrating or testing the detector surface (10) of a measuring device (1) detecting hydrometeors. According to the method, impulses are focussed on the detector surface (10) in a controlled manner, the responses caused by the impulses, detected by the detector of the measuring device (1), are measured, the measurement values of the responses are compared with the target values and the required corrections to the settings of the measuring device (1) are analyzed, and the measuring device (1) is adjusted on the basis of the analysis. According to the invention, an electromagnetic radiation pulse (70) of short duration is focussed on the detector surface (10), whereby this causes a thermal-expansion reaction in the detector surface (10), detected by the detector.