Rotating Aperture Neutral Drift Sensor for Satellite Altitude Winds

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current technologies face challenges in accurately measuring neutral atmospheric conditions at satellite altitudes due to difficulties in instrument robustness, reliability, and the complexity of measuring cross-track winds, which hampers the understanding of ionospheric dynamics and interactions with the neutral atmosphere.

Innovation Solution

The Sweeping Aperture Neutral Drifts Sensor (SANDS) instrument uses a rotating aperture with slits to measure neutral winds and densities, reducing the number of components and complexity, and employs a single motor and ion gauge, allowing for more accurate and reliable cross-track wind measurements by analyzing pressure peaks over time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional instruments are used to measure neutral atmospheric conditions, then measurement capability is provided, but instrument robustness and reliability deteriorate due to component complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstrument robustnessVSAvoidinstrument complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple measurement functions into a single integrated ion gauge chamber. The rotating aperture plate with multiple apertures serves both as a mechanical shutter and a directional measurement tool, eliminating the need for separate component systems and reducing overall instrument complexity while maintaining measurement reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The ion gauge chamber is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the measurement chamber and the detection element, while the rotating aperture plate provides both mechanical protection and directional control. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, improving robustness without sacrificing measurement capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If multiple components are used to measure cross-track winds, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and volume increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecross-track wind measurement accuracyVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a rotating aperture plate that dynamically switches between multiple apertures during measurement. This dynamic configuration allows a single ion gauge to sequentially measure winds from different directions, achieving cross-track wind measurement capability without requiring multiple static sensor components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rotating aperture plate performs periodic measurements by cycling through multiple apertures in sequence. Each aperture provides measurement data for a specific directional component, and the periodic rotation enables complete cross-track wind vector reconstruction from a single sensor system over time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Measurement precision

If traditional neutral atmosphere sensors are used, then measurement capability is provided, but volume, mass, and power consumption are high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneutral wind and density measurement accuracyVSAvoidinstrument volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested structure where the rotating aperture plate is positioned within the ion gauge chamber assembly, and the aperture plate itself contains multiple apertures nested in a circular pattern. This nested arrangement maximizes functional density within a compact volume, reducing overall instrument size while maintaining measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The instrument achieves multiple measurement capabilities by changing operational parameters rather than adding components. The rotating aperture plate changes the effective measurement direction parameter over time, allowing a single ion gauge to extract multiple wind vector components through parameter variation rather than spatial distribution of multiple sensors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

SANDS provides improved sensitivity, accuracy, and reliability in measuring neutral winds and densities, enabling better understanding of ionospheric dynamics and interactions, and is suitable for CubeSat missions, reducing volume, mass, and power while increasing sensitivity and accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

an ion gauge configured to measure ion pressure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon flux detection:

Implementation Method 2

allow a neutral beam flux to enter the ion gauge

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNeutral beam flux detection:

Data Source

PatentUS11187827B1Spinning aperture neutral drift sensor (SANDS)

Publication Date: 2021.11.30 BOARD OF RGT THE UNIV OF TEXAS SYST

AI summary

A scientific instrument for measuring neutral atmospheric conditions at satellite altitudes is provided. In an illustrative embodiment, the scientific instrument includes an ion gauge configured to measure ion pressure. The scientific instrument also includes a lid covering the ion gauge. The lid includes a plurality of slits. The scientific instrument also includes an aperture plate that includes an aperture opening. The aperture plate is configured to rotate such that each of the slits are periodically exposed by the aperture opening to allow a neutral beam flux to enter the ion gauge.