Ultraviolet sensing apparatus with mirror amplification

Patent · 21 December 2021

OSTI ID:1860183

Moore, Andrew J.; Rymer, Nicholas H.; Schubert, Matthew R.

Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments may enable the detection and localization of power line corona discharges and/or electrical arcs by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) including an ultraviolet (UV) sensor and a reflective parabolic dish. In various embodiments, the UV sensor may use the photoelectric effect to sense narrow-band UV photons in a Geiger-Mueller tube and circuit configuration. In various embodiments, the reflective parabolic dish may be fixed relative to the UV sensor and include a reflective concave surface. The reflective concave surface may be configured to reflect narrow-band UV photons toward the UV sensor.

• Research Organization: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Washington, DC (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE; National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA)
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of NASA (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): 11,204,274
• Application Number: 16/159,907
• OSTI ID: 1860183
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English