Micrometeorite Patents (Class 73/170.25)
  • Patent number: 9927455
    Abstract: A MEMS chip for wind speed measurements is provided. The chip integrates one or multiple embedded channels and a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor consists of a sensing membrane with a cavity beneath it. Each channel has one end connects to the cavity while the other end opens on the edge of the chip. To measure the wind speed, the membrane faces the wind and the air stagnates onto it while the channel connects the cavity to the static pressure. And the membrane deforms according to the wind pressure. The wind speed is then derived from the measured wind pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Inventor: Mingqiang Yi
  • Patent number: 8564430
    Abstract: The present invention has the object of simplifying apparatus configuration and avoiding a requirement for calibration. The present invention achieves the above object by forming a detection sheet element that retains in a predetermined array pitch a plurality of conductive detection lines that are lead lines formed by etching or the like on a non-conductive thin film that can be exposed in a space environment. A detection circuit connected to each detection line of the detection sheet element is provided. When an object flying in space collides with the detection sheet body, since a detection line on the detection sheet element is ruptured, constant monitoring of the conductivity of the detection line by the detection circuit enables detection of the object flying in space that has collided with the detection sheet element when a detection line is ruptured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignees: IHI Corporation, Institute for Q-Shu Pioneers of Space, Inc.
    Inventors: Yukihito Katazawa, Akira Sakurai
  • Patent number: 8275548
    Abstract: Described are methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for detecting lightning activity. Waveform data indicative of lightning activity is received by a waveform sensor from one or more signal converters. The waveform data comprises a group of electromagnetic waveforms. The waveform data is filtered by a processor to remove noise frequencies. One or more uncompressed portions of the waveform data are transmitted to a processing server. Digital filter data based on the one or more uncompressed portions of waveform data are received from the processing server. One or more frequencies are removed from the waveform data based on the digital filter data. The waveform data is compressed. The compressing includes selecting one or more points on a waveform, wherein the one or more points are above a predetermined threshold. The compressing includes determining an inflection of the selected points based on a predefined algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Earth Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Marshall, Christopher Dale Sloop, Ralph Joseph Markson, Stan Heckman, Benjamin E. Beroukhim, Chonglin Liu