Michael D Wojcik

US Patent:

20110149268, Jun 23, 2011

Filed:

Dec 17, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/972074

Inventors:

Alan B. Marchant - Hyrum UT, US
Robert D. Barson - Hyde Park UT, US
Michael Wojcik - Mendon UT, US

International Classification:

G01P 3/36

US Classification:

356 27

Abstract:

Systems for obtaining data regarding a volume of atmosphere can include a lidar transceiver. Some systems include scanning devices that are capable of directing laser beams produced by the lidar transceiver in a pattern that sweeps through the volume of atmosphere. Information regarding light that is backscattered from the laser beams can be used to construct a three-dimensional data set. In some methods, wind-field information can be extracted from the three-dimensional data set.

US Patent:

20120002689, Jan 5, 2012

Filed:

Jun 15, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/160737

Inventors:

Michael Wojcik - Mendon UT, US
Robert Foltynowicz - Smithfield UT, US

Assignee:

UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION - North Logan UT

International Classification:

H01S 3/10

US Classification:

372 28

Abstract:

An OPO is disclosed capable of rapid frequency tuning by non-mechanical means. The OPO includes a resonant cavity including one or more non-linear crystals in an optical path thereof. A pump laser pulse is transmitted into the resonant cavity simultaneously with a seed beam having a desired wavelength. The output beam from the resonant cavity has the same center wavelength as the seed beam. The wavelength of the seed beam may be modulated at a frequency larger than the pulse rate of the pump laser or larger than the inverse of the pulse duration. The OPO disclosed may be used to perform DIAL analysis wherein intra-pulse modulation of an output beam is used to obtain measurements of absorption at multiple frequencies for each pulse of a pump beam.

US Patent:

20120120230, May 17, 2012

Filed:

Nov 17, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/948003

Inventors:

Thomas Wilkerson - Richmond UT, US
Alan B. Marchant - Hyrum UT, US
William James Bradford - Logan UT, US
Michael Wojcik - Mendon UT, US

Assignee:

Utah State University - North Logan UT

International Classification:

G06K 9/00
H04N 7/18
B64B 1/40
G01C 3/08
G01W 1/00

US Classification:

348135, 356 401, 702 3, 382103, 348E07085

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for wind profiling using a lighter than air tracer balloon moving under the influence of air currents. A retroreflective target is attached to the tracer balloon to improve the intensity of a return signal reflected back to the rangefinder. After the balloon is released, the rangefinder and attitude sensor are used to measure the range and direction angles of the retroreflective target on the tracer balloon at periodic time intervals. The recorded trajectory data are processed by a computer program using data smoothing and filtering techniques to calculate the wind velocity components, horizontal wind speed and direction, and an estimate of wind shear,