| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20080275572 | Aiming Feedback Control For Multiple Energy Beams - Plural energy beam sources are aimed at an energy receiving device by way of feedback control signals. Each energy beam is uniquely modulated by way of amplitude, polarization and/or coning patterns to enable individual detection and control. Sensors detect individual energy beams incident to the energy receiving device and provide corresponding detection signals. Control electronics receive the detection signals and derive one or more control signals that are coupled to the plural energy sources. Aircraft and other vehicles are thus provided with electrical and/or thermal energy without the need for source-to-vehicle cabling or substantial on-board energy resources. | 11-06-2008 |
| 20080312836 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING WATER VAPOR PROFILE USING GPS SIGNALS - A system and method for obtaining weather related information for a portion of the Earth's atmosphere between a predetermined surface portion of the Earth and an airborne object located over the predetermined surface portion, and operating at a known altitude, using position locating signals from a space vehicle. In one exemplary implementation the space vehicle transmits a first position locating signal. The first position locating signal is received by the airborne object directly from the space vehicle. A second position locating signal from the space vehicle is received by the airborne object after being reflected from the predetermined surface portion at a known angle. Phase information from the first and second position locating signals is used to determine a refractivity of the atmosphere between the predetermined surface portion and the airborne object. The refractivity is used to determine weather related information for the atmosphere. | 12-18-2008 |
| 20090009393 | AIRBORNE TURBULENCE LOCATION SYSTEM AND METHODS - A system and methods for calculating a range to a turbulent air region from an antenna platform is disclosed. The methods determine a correlation lag value corresponding to a time shift in receiving propagation of an interference pattern traveling along a path that is subject to the turbulent air region at antennas responsive to incident electromagnetic energy. Based upon the correlation lag value, the methods calculate the range to the turbulent air region from the antenna platform and issue a warning that indicate the range. | 01-08-2009 |
| 20090021388 | SYNTHETICALLY GENERATED SOUND CUES - A communications system is disclosed that may incorporate a first platform and a second platform. The second platform may have a relative position with respect to the first platform, with at least one of the platforms being mobile. A communications subsystem is included that is adapted to modify a signal sent from the second platform to a user on the first platform that provides a spatial indication to the user as to a position of the second platform relative to the user. | 01-22-2009 |
| 20090045969 | SYNTHETICALLY GENERATED SOUND CUES - Communication systems and apparatus to allow a user to perceive the relative spatial location or present position of other elements of interest in a control space, such as the location of a speaker participating in a telephone conference or that of an aircraft carrier to a remotely piloted vehicle on final approach. The system inserts synthetic sound cues into the communication to the user that represent the relative position(s). In one embodiment, the user will perceive the communication as though it were communicated through free space to the user from the relative position of the represented source, so that, for example, the squad leader will perceive his wingman to be at his immediate left. Methods of conveying relative position sound cues are also provided. | 02-19-2009 |
| 20090100934 | USING THERMAL BURSTS TO APPLY A COMBINED SHOCK WAVEFRONT TO STRUCTURAL BONDS - A system for applying a controlled stress on a joint in a structure includes means for applying a plurality of thermal bursts in a designated timing sequence and trajectory pattern to produce a combined shock wavefront directed toward the joint. This system can provide increased accuracy in measuring the strength and quality of composite bonds and laminations. | 04-23-2009 |
| 20090189802 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USING IRIDIUM SATELLITE SIGNALS FOR METEOROLOGICAL MEASUREMENTS - A method for obtaining weather related information for a portion of the Earth's atmosphere between a mobile platform traversing over a predetermined surface portion of the Earth, and at least one Iridium satellite from the Iridium satellite constellation. The method involves modifying at least one Iridium satellite from a constellation of Iridium satellites to include time and location information in wireless signals that are transmitted in real time by the one satellite. The mobile platform receives the wireless signals from the one Iridium satellite. An occultation system carried on the mobile platform analyzes the time and position information, in addition to location information pertaining to a real time location of the mobile platform, and to derive real time atmospheric weather related information for a geographic area between the mobile platform and the one Iridium satellite. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090230236 | AIRBORNE POWER STATION - Disclosed is a system for generating power from sunlight collected substantially above the earth's surface, comprised of an airborne platform which supports an apparatus to collect sunlight, an apparatus to convert sunlight to electricity, and an apparatus to transmit the electricity to a selected location on the earth's surface. The invention collects solar energy above the clouds and transmits the energy to a receiving station on the ground via a cable, thereby avoiding the attenuating effects of clouds and pollution, resulting in an improved solar power generation system. | 09-17-2009 |
| 20090230237 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MAKING OPTIMAL USE OF A PHOTOVOLTAIC ARRAY ON AN AIRBORNE POWER SYSTEM - A system for generating power from sunlight collected substantially above the earth's surface comprises an airborne platform which supports solar power generation system to collect sunlight, convert the sunlight to electricity, and to transmit the electricity to a selected location on the earth's surface. The solar power generation system is coupled to the airborne platform by a support which can be manipulated by a control system to move the solar power generation system away from a shadow that might be cast by the airborne platform. | 09-17-2009 |
| 20090267826 | SYSTEM FOR MEASURING TURBULENCE REMOTELY - A system for detecting turbulence along a path that is subject to turbulence. The system may make use of at least one transmitter to transmit electromagnetic (EM) energy along the path and at least one receiver to receive the EM energy. At least one of the transmitter and the receiver moves along the path. The receiver may have an antenna responsive to incident EM energy to produce a received signal, and an input for accepting a velocity signal indicating a velocity that the receiver or the transmitter is moving. The receiver processes the received signal using the velocity signal to remove a shift associated with the received signal because of relative motion between a source of the EM energy and the receiver or transmitter that is moving along the path. Thus, the receiver determines an alteration of the EM energy caused by the turbulence and outputs a signal indicative of the turbulence. | 10-29-2009 |
| 20090273510 | SYSTEM AND METHOD USING AIRBORNE RADAR OCCULTATION FOR MEASURING ATMOSPHERIC PROPERTIES - A method for estimating an atmospheric condition existing between a portion of the Earth's surface and an airborne mobile platform travelling over the portion of the Earth's surface. The method may involve emitting a radar signal beam toward the Earth's surface from the mobile platform and receiving back at least a portion of the radar signal beam reflected from the Earth's surface. The time of flight information of the radar signal beam is analyzed as a function of elevation angle to determine a specific time of flight value associated with a specific elevation angle of the radar signal beam. The specific time of flight value is used to determine a refractivity of the atmosphere through which the radar signal beam and the reflected radar signal has passed. The refractivity is used to determine the atmospheric condition. | 11-05-2009 |
| 20100052978 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING AIRBORNE RADAR HORIZON MEASUREMENTS TO MEASURE ATMOSPHERIC REFRACTIVITY PROFILES - A method for determining a refractivity profile of an atmosphere of the Earth. The method may involve: generating radar signals from a radar device located above the Earth's surface toward the Earth's surface; measuring a time of flight and a reflected intensity of reflected radar signals received back at the radar device; using the measured time of flight and the reflected intensity of the reflected radar signals received by the radar device to determine a distance to a radar horizon where the radar signals are tangent to the Earth's surface; and using the distance to the radar horizon to determine a refractivity profile of the atmosphere through which the radar signals and the reflected radar signals have travelled. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100133383 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TRACING AIRCRAFT VORTICES - Systems and methods for tracing aircraft vortices. One method includes directing a tracer from a first aircraft into a vortical flow generated by the first aircraft. The method can further include detecting a characteristic corresponding to the presence of the tracer directed into the vortical flow. Based at least in part on the detected characteristic, the method can include directing the flight of the first aircraft, or a second aircraft following the first aircraft, or both. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100133384 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TRACING AIRCRAFT VORTICES - Systems and methods for tracing aircraft vortices. One method includes directing a tracer from a first aircraft into a vortical flow generated by the first aircraft. The method can further include detecting a characteristic corresponding to the presence of the tracer directed into the vortical flow. Based at least in part on the detected characteristic, the method can include directing the flight of the first aircraft, or a second aircraft following the first aircraft, or both. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100138173 | TOOL TO ANALYZE PERFORMANCE OF POWER-BEAM PHOTOVOLTAIC RECEIVER - A tool to analyze the performance of a power-beam photovoltaic (PV) receiver is disclosed that includes a system and method for determining the output of a PV array under non-uniform, inconstant illumination. The system and method includes providing PV cells in a user-defined physical layout with various user-defined electrical connections among the PV cells and optional devices forming the PV array. The disclosure provides an analysis tool for designing optical power-beaming systems. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100154512 | Methods and Systems for Measuring Atmospheric Water Content - Methods and systems for measuring atmospheric water content, are provided. The method includes measuring a first air temperature and a first air pressure at a first location in a compressor, measuring a second air temperature and a second air pressure at a second location in the compressor, computing a ratio of specific heats from the first and second air temperatures and the first and second air pressures, and determining an atmospheric water content from the ratio of specific heats. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20110004407 | REFRACTIVITY RETRIEVAL VIA DIRECT MEASUREMENT OF GNSS BENDING ANGLE - A method and system for taking direct measurements of GNSS signal's arrival angle to remotely measure the atmospheric variables used for weather prediction. More specifically, an improved method and system for obtaining and processing accurate information regarding the weather and other atmospheric changes by measuring the total refractive bending angle of the GNSS signal. For mobile platforms on which receivers are mounted, phased array receivers are used to allow precise measurements of GNSS arrival angles. By measuring the refractive bending angle, more accurate and cost-efficient measurements of atmospheric changes are obtained, thereby resulting in more accurate predictions of the weather. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20110013016 | Visual Detection of Clear Air Turbulence - Presented is a system and method for detecting clear air turbulence comprising an image capturing element, a lens having focal length adapted to focus a scene onto the image capturing element such that the combination of the lens and array of pixels are capable of optically resolving any visual distortions of features in the scene that are caused by turbulent air, and a processor. The processor compares the image with a subsequent image, or a stored image of the scene, to detect a change in refraction of light received from the feature in the scene that is due to turbulence and produces an indication of the area of turbulence in the scene. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110025868 | Visual Occultation to Measure Refractivity Profile - Presented is a system and method for measuring the refractivity profile of a parcel of atmosphere comprising an image capturing device for capturing an image of a visual feature, such as a topographic feature like the horizon, combined with a lens having focal length adapted to focus an image onto image capturing device such that the combination of the lens and the image capturing device are adapted to resolve at least 100 microradians of angle, and an image processor adapted to compare a detected position of the visual feature in the image to the expected position of the visual feature. The system uses the difference between the detected position and the expected position to detect the change in arrival angle caused by atmospheric refraction of light from the visual feature as it passes through the atmosphere. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110085698 | Measuring Turbulence and Winds Aloft using Solar and Lunar Observable Features - Presented is a system and method for detecting turbulence in the atmosphere comprising an image capturing device for capturing a plurality of images of a visual feature of a celestial object such as the sun, combined with a lens having focal length adapted to focus an image onto image capturing device such that the combination of the lens and the image capturing device are adapted to resolve a distortion caused by a turbule of turbulent air, and an image processor adapted to compare said plurality of images of said visual feature to detect the transit of a turbule of turbulent air in between said image capturing device and said celestial object, and compute a measurement of the angular velocity of the turbule. A second plurality of images is used to triangulate the distance to the turbule and the velocity of the turbule. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110140955 | SYSTEM FOR MEASURING TURBULENCE REMOTELY - A method of predicting turbulence that may involve receiving electromagnetic energy that has traveled along a path subject to the turbulence, with the turbulence altering the electromagnetic energy. A determination may be made as to the alteration caused by the turbulence by filtering the electromagnetic energy as it was received with a velocity of one of a transmitter of the electromagnetic energy or a receiver that received the electromagnetic energy. | 06-16-2011 |
