公开(公告)号：US3626189A

公开(公告)日：1971-12-07

申请号：US3626189D

申请日：1968-12-31

Applicant: NASA

Inventor： BERG OTTO E

IPC: G01T1/29 ,  H01J47/10 ,  H01J49/40 ,  G01T1/18

CPC classification number: G01T1/29 ,  H01J47/10

Abstract: A sensor for detecting and measuring the energy, velocity and direction of travel of a cosmic dust particle, comprises an array of electrodes. Some of the electrodes are arranged in columns and spaced in close proximity to other electrodes that are disposed in rows. Together the columns and rows define a plurality of sectors through which a cosmic particle may traverse. Each electrode includes electrically biased conductor layers supported on an optically transparent matrix. Ions and electrons from an impacting cosmic dust particle compose an ionized plasma for collection on the electrically biased conductors, creating an electrical output pulse which may be amplified. A second array of electrodes in columns and grids in rows is included in spaced relationship from the first array. An impacting cosmic dust particle on the second array produces an electrical output pulse in the same manner as described. Should a particle penetrate the first array and impact upon the second spaced array, a pair of time spaced electrical outputs will result, the time spacing of the pulses being proportional to the velocity of the particle. The direction of the particle''s travel, and thereby its origin in space is determined by the alignment of respective sectors traversed by the particle. Behind the second array is placed a microphone plate which arrests further penetration of the particle. The microphone output amplitude is an indication of the momentum of a particle. At least one of the secottors in each of the arrays is bounded by an epoxy coating rendering it impervious to plasma collection. Accordingly, a pulse output originated from the impervious sector gives an indication of noise or other interference collected by the sensor. Additionally, a second microphone of small area is segregated from the first-described microphone and is provided with a separate output. Accordingly, electrical signals from the small microphone which are disproportionate with respect to the small area of the second microphone are indicative of interfering noise as well as particle impact.

公开(公告)号：US3509419A

公开(公告)日：1970-04-28

申请号：US3509419D

申请日：1967-08-31

Applicant: NASA

Inventor： BERG OTTO E

IPC: H01J27/02 ,  H01J29/56 ,  H01J33/02

CPC classification number: H01J27/02