The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Jul. 02, 2019

Filed:

Jan. 05, 2017
Applicant:

The Regents of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (US);

Inventor:

Nilton O. Rennó, Ann Arbor, MI (US);

Assignee:
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B64D 45/00 (2006.01); B64D 15/22 (2006.01); G01N 21/35 (2014.01); G01N 33/00 (2006.01); G01V 8/12 (2006.01); B64D 15/20 (2006.01); B64D 43/00 (2006.01); G01V 9/00 (2006.01); G01N 21/17 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
B64D 45/00 (2013.01); B64D 15/20 (2013.01); B64D 15/22 (2013.01); B64D 43/00 (2013.01); G01N 21/35 (2013.01); G01N 33/0036 (2013.01); G01V 8/12 (2013.01); G01N 2021/1793 (2013.01); G01N 2201/12 (2013.01); G01V 9/007 (2013.01); Y02A 50/25 (2018.01);
Abstract

Methods and systems for detecting ice crystals and volcanic ash in concentrations capable of causing power loss in aircraft jet engines. These hazard conditions are inferred from the detection of ice crystals or ash in air recently lifted from the lower atmosphere by convective updrafts. The detection systems can comprise subsystems for detecting air recently lifted from the lower troposphere by measuring radon activity along the aircrafts' flight track, as well as subsystems for detecting ice crystals or volcanic ash around the aircraft via multispectral measurements. The detection of ice crystals in air recently lifted from the lower troposphere indicates that the ice crystals are likely present in large concentration. The detection of volcanic ash in air recently lifted from lower atmosphere also indicates that volcanic ash is likely present in high concentration. These are hazards conditions that could cause power loss, jet engine flameout, and even damage jet engines.


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