Droplet Measurement Technologies, Inc.

Darrel Gibson Baumgardner

Michael M Carrabba

Roy Newton

Embodiments of the invention are directed to an optoelectronic device for detection and identification of individual water droplets, ice crystals, dust particles and volcanic ash particles, the device comprising a source of ultraviolet collimated monochromatic radiation that illuminates an area of air external to the aircraft through which freely pass individual atmospheric particles to create an illuminated sample volume of air; an optical surveillance system for monitoring the clarity of light transmission through the light transmissive window to indicate a need for preventive maintenance; a first optical detection system that is constructed and arranged to collect light scattered from individual particles over an explicit angle ranging from 137° to 173° that defines the illuminated sample volume for measurement of S and P components of return scattered light from the sample volume to photodetectors that provide signals representative of intensity and change in polarization state caused by the interaction of particles with the incident illumination in the sample volume; a second optical detection system for selectively detecting fluorescence emanating from individual ash particles over an explicit angle ranging from 137° to 173° that defines the illuminated sample volume for measurement of fluoresence from the sample volume to a photodetector that provide a signal representative of intensity caused by the interaction of particles with the incident illumination in the sample volume; a signal processor that is constructed and arranged to condition the signals from the photodetectors by removing electronic noise, restoring baseline shifts and analyzing the pulse shapes to provide processed signals; a signal analyzer configured to operate upon the processed signals for extraction of data representing maximum amplitude, width, rise time and fall time of individual pulses in the S and P components, and the magnitude of the fluorescence signal which correlates to the size and/or composition of ash particles present; an information synthesizer that receives the data and produces analytical results allocated to particles by particle type including equivalent optical diameter (EOD), number and mass size distributions, and number and mass concentrations, the particle type being selected as at least one member among the group consisting of individual water droplets, ice crystals, dust particles and volcanic ash particles; and a report generator that creates an information packet utilizing information from the information synthesizer to assist in decision making related to hazard avoidance for aircraft flight, the optoelectronic system being adapted for mounting and operation on an aircraft.

Optical particle detector with fluorescence

An optical device mounted on the interior of an aircraft for distinguishing the morphology of individual atmospheric particles, identifying them as water droplets, ice crystals, dust particles or volcanic ash, including a source of collimated, polarized light and providing this information to the flight crew to assist them in making informed decisions on conditions that might impact aircraft performance.

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Taos, NM, United States of America

Darrel Gibson Baumgardner