US3927324A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Micrometeoroid velocity and trajectory analyzer
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
•
Filing: 1974-08-30
•
Granted: 1975-12-16
•
Expires: 1994-08-30
Abstract
Abstract Movement of a charged particle through a region is detected by providing a detector including first, second and third spaced metal grids pervious to the particle and positioned so that the particle passes through them in sequence. The first and third grids are short-circuited to each other and to ground. A signal input terminal of a D.C. amplifier is connected in D.C. circuit with the second grid so that a voltage pulse induced in the second grid by the particle passing through the three grids results in an output pulse of the amplifier. A plurality of such detectors are arranged for enabling the position and velocity vectors of the charged particle to be detected in three mutually orthogonal axes, X, Y and Z. A first pair of detectors is spaced from each other in mutually parallel planes defined by the X and Y axes. A second pair of the detectors is spaced from each other in mutually parallel planes that intersect planes defined by the X and Y axes at a first acute angle to define variable times, in the directions of the Y and Z axes to the exclusion of the X axis, for the particle to pass through them relative to the time the particle passes through the first detector. A third pair of the detectors is spaced from each other in mutually parallel planes that intersect planes defined by the X and Y axes at a second angle differing from the first angle to define variable times, in the directions of the X and Z axes to the exclusion of the Y axis, for the particle to pass through them relative to the time the particle passes through the first detector. To determine the position and/or velocity vectors, the time displacement between the pulses derived from the different detectors is measured.
Inventors
- 👤 James C Administrator Fletcher
- 👤 Siegfried O Auer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 19:38
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T5/00; G01T1/00; G01T1/29; G01T1/2907
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
287 words
Apparatus for enabling the position and/or velocity vectors of a charged particle to be detected in three mutually orthogonal axes, X, Y and Z, said charged particle having a substantially straight line constant velocity path relative to the apparatus, comprising: an array of first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth planar detectors pervious to the particle and positioned to be in a line of flight of the particle so that the particle passes through the detectors in the numbered sequence; each of said detectors including means for deriving an output pulse in response to the particle passing through it; said first and fourth detectors being spaced from each other in mutually parallel planes defined by the X and Y axes; said second and fifth detectors being spaced from each other in mutually parallel planes that intersect planes defined by the X and Y axes at a first acute angle to define variable times, in the directions of the Y and Z axes to the exclusion of the X axis, for the particle to pass through them relative to the time the particle passes through the first detector; said third and sixth detectors being spaced from each other in mutually parallel planes that intersect planes defined by the X and Y axes at a second acute angle differing from the first angle to define variable times, in the directions of the X and Z axes to the exclusion of the Y axis, for the particle to pass through them relative to the time the particle passes through the first detector; and means responsive to the pulses derived from all of the detectors of the array for measuring the time displacement between the pulses derived from the different detectors.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
287 words
Apparatus for enabling the position and/or velocity vectors of a charged particle to be detected in three mutually orthogonal axes, X, Y and Z, said charged particle having a substantially straight line constant velocity path relative to the apparatus, comprising: an array of first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth planar detectors pervious to the particle and positioned to be in a line of flight of the particle so that the particle passes through the detectors in the numbered sequence; each of said detectors including means for deriving an output pulse in response to the particle passing through it; said first and fourth detectors being spaced from each other in mutually parallel planes defined by the X and Y axes; said second and fifth detectors being spaced from each other in mutually parallel planes that intersect planes defined by the X and Y axes at a first acute angle to define variable times, in the directions of the Y and Z axes to the exclusion of the X axis, for the particle to pass through them relative to the time the particle passes through the first detector; said third and sixth detectors being spaced from each other in mutually parallel planes that intersect planes defined by the X and Y axes at a second acute angle differing from the first angle to define variable times, in the directions of the X and Z axes to the exclusion of the Y axis, for the particle to pass through them relative to the time the particle passes through the first detector; and means responsive to the pulses derived from all of the detectors of the array for measuring the time displacement between the pulses derived from the different detectors.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
214 words
Apparatus for enabling the position and/or velocity vectors of a charged particle to be detected in at least a pair of mutually orthogonal axes, X and Z, said charged particle having a substantially straight line path and constant velocity relative to the apparatus, comprising: an array of first, second, third and fourth planar detectors pervious to the particle and positioned to be in a line of flight of the particle so that the particle passes through the detectors in the numbered sequEnce; each of said detectors including means for deriving an output pulse in response to the particle passing through it; said first and third detectors being spaced from each other in mutually parallel first and second planes orthogonal to the Z axis; said second and fourth detectors being spaced from each other in mutually parallel third and fourth planes that intersect planes parallel to the first and second planes at a first acute angle to define variable times, in the directions of the X and Z axes, for the particle to pass through them relative to the time the particle passes through the first detector; and means responsive to the pulses derived from all of the detectors of the array for measuring the time displacement between the pulses derived from the different detectors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
214 words
Apparatus for enabling the position and/or velocity vectors of a charged particle to be detected in at least a pair of mutually orthogonal axes, X and Z, said charged particle having a substantially straight line path and constant velocity relative to the apparatus, comprising: an array of first, second, third and fourth planar detectors pervious to the particle and positioned to be in a line of flight of the particle so that the particle passes through the detectors in the numbered sequEnce; each of said detectors including means for deriving an output pulse in response to the particle passing through it; said first and third detectors being spaced from each other in mutually parallel first and second planes orthogonal to the Z axis; said second and fourth detectors being spaced from each other in mutually parallel third and fourth planes that intersect planes parallel to the first and second planes at a first acute angle to define variable times, in the directions of the X and Z axes, for the particle to pass through them relative to the time the particle passes through the first detector; and means responsive to the pulses derived from all of the detectors of the array for measuring the time displacement between the pulses derived from the different detectors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein each of said detectors includes means for deriving the output pulse without affecting the charge or flight path of the particle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
121 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein each of said detectors comprises first, second and third spaced metal grids pervious to the particle and positioned so that the particle passes through them in the numbered sequence, means for maintaining said first and third grids at substantially the same D.C. voltage and for enabling the second grid to be at a floating voltage relative to the first and third grids, a D.C. amplifier having first and second input terminals, said first input terminal being substantially short circuited to the first and third grids, and D.C. circuit means for connecting said second input terminal to be responsive to a voltage pulse induced in the second grid by the particle passing through the three grids.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
192 words
Apparatus for enabling the position of a charged particle to be detected in a pair of mutually orthogonal axes, X and Z, said charged particle having a substantially straight line path relative to the apparatus, comprising: an array of first, second and third planar detectors pervious to the particle and positioned to be in a line of flight of the particle so that the particle passes through the detectors in the numbered sequence; each of said detectors including means for deriving an output pulse in response to the particle passing through it; said first and third detectors being spaced from each other in mutually parallel first and second planes at right angles to the Z axis; said second detector being in a plane at an acute angle to the first and third detectors to define variable times, in the directions of the X and Z axes, for the particle to pass through it relative to the time the particle passes through the first detector; and means responsive to the pulses derived from all of the detectors of the array for measuring the time displacement between the pulses derived from the different detectors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
192 words
Apparatus for enabling the position of a charged particle to be detected in a pair of mutually orthogonal axes, X and Z, said charged particle having a substantially straight line path relative to the apparatus, comprising: an array of first, second and third planar detectors pervious to the particle and positioned to be in a line of flight of the particle so that the particle passes through the detectors in the numbered sequence; each of said detectors including means for deriving an output pulse in response to the particle passing through it; said first and third detectors being spaced from each other in mutually parallel first and second planes at right angles to the Z axis; said second detector being in a plane at an acute angle to the first and third detectors to define variable times, in the directions of the X and Z axes, for the particle to pass through it relative to the time the particle passes through the first detector; and means responsive to the pulses derived from all of the detectors of the array for measuring the time displacement between the pulses derived from the different detectors.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein each of said detectors includes means for deriving the output pulse without affecting the charge or flight path of the particle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
121 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein each of said detectors comprises first, second and third spaced metal grids pervious to the particle and positioned so that the particle passes through them in the numbered sequence, means for maintaining said first and third grids at substantially the same D.C. voltage and for enabling the second grid to be at a floating voltage relative to the first and third grids, a D.C. amplifier having first and second input terminals, said first input terminal being substantially short circuited to the first and third grids, and D.C. circuit means for connecting said second input terminal to be responsive to a voltage pulse induced in the second grid by the particle passing through the three grids.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
122 words
Apparatus for detecting movement of a charged particle through a region comprising first, second and third spaced metal grids pervious to the particle and positioned so that the particle passes through them in the numbered sequence, means for maintaining said first and third grids at sUbstantially the same D.C. voltage and for enabling the second grid to be at a floating voltage relative to the first and third grids, a D.C. amplifier having first and second input terminals, said first input terminal being substantially short circuited to the first and third grids, and D.C. circuit means for connecting said second input terminal to be responsive to a voltage pulse induced in the second grid by the particle passing through the three grids.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
122 words
Apparatus for detecting movement of a charged particle through a region comprising first, second and third spaced metal grids pervious to the particle and positioned so that the particle passes through them in the numbered sequence, means for maintaining said first and third grids at sUbstantially the same D.C. voltage and for enabling the second grid to be at a floating voltage relative to the first and third grids, a D.C. amplifier having first and second input terminals, said first input terminal being substantially short circuited to the first and third grids, and D.C. circuit means for connecting said second input terminal to be responsive to a voltage pulse induced in the second grid by the particle passing through the three grids.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 8 further including means for detecting the peak amplitude of the voltage pulse.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
107 words
Apparatus for enabling the position of a charged particle to be detected comprising: an array of detectors pervious to the particle and positioned to be in a line of flight of the particle; each of said detectors including means for deriving an output pulse in response to the charge of the particle passing through it; and means responsive to the pulses derived from all of the detectors of the array for deriving a signal enabling the position of the particle as it traverses the array to be determined, said signal deriving means including means for measuring the time displacement between the pulses derived from the different detectors.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
107 words
Apparatus for enabling the position of a charged particle to be detected comprising: an array of detectors pervious to the particle and positioned to be in a line of flight of the particle; each of said detectors including means for deriving an output pulse in response to the charge of the particle passing through it; and means responsive to the pulses derived from all of the detectors of the array for deriving a signal enabling the position of the particle as it traverses the array to be determined, said signal deriving means including means for measuring the time displacement between the pulses derived from the different detectors.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
141 words
Apparatus for enabling the position of a charged particle to be detected comprising: an array of detectors pervious to the particle and positioned to be in a line of flight of the particle; each of said detectors including means for deriving an output pulse in response to the charge of the particle passing through it; and means responsive to the pulses derived from all of the detectors of the array for deriving a signal enabling the position of the particle as it traverses the array to be determined, each of the detectors including means for deriving the pulses as variable amplitude pulses having peak values indicative of the charge of the particle as it passes through the detectors, and means responsive to the peak values of pulses derived from a plurality of the detectors for indicating the charge of the particle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
141 words
Apparatus for enabling the position of a charged particle to be detected comprising: an array of detectors pervious to the particle and positioned to be in a line of flight of the particle; each of said detectors including means for deriving an output pulse in response to the charge of the particle passing through it; and means responsive to the pulses derived from all of the detectors of the array for deriving a signal enabling the position of the particle as it traverses the array to be determined, each of the detectors including means for deriving the pulses as variable amplitude pulses having peak values indicative of the charge of the particle as it passes through the detectors, and means responsive to the peak values of pulses derived from a plurality of the detectors for indicating the charge of the particle.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
121 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein each of said detectors comprises first, second and third spaced metal grids pervious to the particle and positioned so that the particle passes through them in the numbered sequence, means for maintaining said first and third grids at substantially the same D.C. voltage and for enabling the second grid to be at a floating voltage relative to the first and third grids, a D.C. amplifier having first and second input terminals, said first input terminal being substantially short circuited to the first and third grids, and D.C. circuit means for connecting said second input terminal to be responsive to a voltage pulse induced in the second grid by the particle passing through the three grids.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
105 words
Apparatus for enabling the position of a charged particle to be detected comprising: an array of detectors pervious to the particle and positioned to be in a line of flight of the particle; each of said detectors including an electrode for deriving an output voltage pulse in response to a charge variation induced therein resulting from a charge transfer between the particle and the electrode as the particle passes through the electrode; and means responsive to the pulses derived from all of the detectors of the array for deriving a signal enabling the position of the particle as it traverses the array to be determined.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
105 words
Apparatus for enabling the position of a charged particle to be detected comprising: an array of detectors pervious to the particle and positioned to be in a line of flight of the particle; each of said detectors including an electrode for deriving an output voltage pulse in response to a charge variation induced therein resulting from a charge transfer between the particle and the electrode as the particle passes through the electrode; and means responsive to the pulses derived from all of the detectors of the array for deriving a signal enabling the position of the particle as it traverses the array to be determined.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein each of the electrodes is unbiased.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3612858A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-12-15 | 1979-06-16 | 1979-12-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-15 | 1983-06-16 | 1983-12-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-15 | 1987-06-16 | 1987-12-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |