Patent ID: 6957579
Filing Date: 2005-10-25
Classification: B63B,G01B,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A method of measuring the vapor-liquid boundary surrounding a supercavitational high speed underwater vehicle comprising the steps of: arranging a sensor on a surface of the vehicle, said sensor comprising a transmit source for emitting an optical signal, and a plurality of optical detectors for receiving a reflected optical signal; emitting an optical signal from said sensor at said transmit source; detecting a reflection of said emitted optical signal with at least one of said plurality of optical detectors of the sensor; measuring a duration of time between said emitting of said optical signal and said detecting of said reflection; computing a separation distance from said transmit source to at least one of said plurality of optical detectors having detected said reflection; and combining said duration of time and said separation distance to compute a boundary distance.