LIDAR Wind Velocity Measurement via Aerosol Backscatter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring wind velocity, such as the Pitot tube, are limited by the need for costly calibration, protrusion from the aircraft body, and inability to account for three-dimensional wind turbulence, and they only measure airspeed in the direction of travel.
Innovation Solution
A Direct Detection LIDAR system with a multi-element detector array and processor apparatus that measures wind profile by analyzing laser backscatter from aerosols, calculating crosswind velocity, turbulence strength, and wind direction, providing accurate wind velocity calculations applicable across a wide range of turbulence strengths and fluctuations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a Pitot tube is used to measure wind velocity, then airspeed can be measured in the direction of travel, but the system requires costly calibration, protrudes from the aircraft body, and cannot account for three-dimensional wind turbulence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical Pitot tube system with an optical LIDAR system. The LIDAR system uses laser beams to measure wind velocity by analyzing the backscatter from aerosols and particles in the atmosphere, eliminating the need for mechanical protrusions and costly calibration procedures while providing three-dimensional wind turbulence data
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces aerosols and particles in the atmosphere as intermediaries to enable wind velocity measurement. The LIDAR system measures the backscatter of laser light from these atmospheric particles, allowing indirect measurement of wind velocity and turbulence without direct contact with the airflow
2Adaptability or versatility
If a Pitot tube is used to measure airspeed, then the measurement is simple and direct, but it only measures airspeed in the direction of travel and does not capture three-dimensional wind turbulence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional airspeed measurement (Pitot tube) to three-dimensional wind velocity measurement using LIDAR. The system measures wind velocity components in multiple directions by analyzing the spatial distribution and temporal characteristics of laser backscatter signals, capturing both mean wind velocity and turbulence information
3Measurement precision
If a LIDAR anemometer is mounted on the aircraft to obtain wind speed information, then wind profile can be measured, but the system requires complex signal processing and has limited range accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement system into multiple independent elements: a laser transmitter, a multi-element detector array, and signal processing units for each element. This segmentation allows parallel processing of signals from different spatial locations, improving computational efficiency while maintaining high measurement precision for wind profile characterization
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
The system offers improved accuracy in wind velocity measurement, is airframe-independent, does not require calibration, has low discoverability, and can detect wind shear and clear air turbulence, providing true aircraft speed, sideslip, and angle of attack data.
Implementation Method 1
looking at laser backscatter from aerosols (or droplets and particles suspended in the air, or air molecules)
Implementation Method 2
measure signal fluctuations of an element of the multi-element detector array, and compute therefrom crosswind velocity of wind in the atmosphere, wherein the processor apparatus is operative to calculate turbulence strength changes
Data Source
AI summary
An atmospheric turbulence data optical LIDAR system for computation of wind velocity includes a laser (16) to transmit one or more beams to a target, an optical head (10) including a transmitting optics (12) and a collecting lens (14) for receiving one or more corresponding beam returns from the target. A detection system (18) includes a multi-element detector array at near a focal plane of the collecting lens. For each element of the multi-element detector array there is a specific optical path in the atmosphere leading from the laser to the target and back from the target to the element. A processor measures (20) signal fluctuations of an element of the multi-element detector array and computes therefrom crosswind velocity of wind in the atmosphere. The processor calculates turbulence strength changes.