Patent US3569920A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3569920A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Heading-sensing apparatus
Assignee: Edo Corp
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Filing: 1969-06-06
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Granted: 1971-03-09
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Expires: 1989-06-06
Abstract
Abstract A heading-sensing arrangement employs spaced transmitting and receiving transducers and signal-processing apparatus for determining the relative heading between two vessels displaced in three dimensions. The desired heading is computed by normalizing measured angles between the vessels to account for elevation variations.
Inventors
- 👤 Herbert S Antman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 20:03
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S5/00; G01S5/18; G01S5/24; G01S3/00; G01S3/80; G01S3/802; G01S3/808; G01S3/8083; G01S5/186
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
In combination in a heading-sensing arrangement for determining the relative heading between first and second craft, first and second spaced signal emitting transducer means included on said second craft, multiplexing means for energizing said transmitting transducer means with signals which are uniquely distinguishable, first and second spaced receiving transducer means included on said first craft, each of said receiving transducer means including means for receiving the signals emitted by each of said transmitting transducer means and for separately developing an output signaling the time of arrival of each of said received signals, first timing means for taking a measure of the time interval between the reception of a signal emitted by one of said transmitting transducer means at said first and second receiving transducer means, second timing means for taking a measure of the time interval between the reception of signals emitted by each of said transmitting transducer means at one of said receiving transducer means, and computing means including means responsive to output signals from said first and second timing interval measure taking means for developing an output signal identifying the relative heading between said craft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
In combination in a heading-sensing arrangement for determining the relative heading between first and second craft, first and second spaced signal emitting transducer means included on said second craft, multiplexing means for energizing said transmitting transducer means with signals which are uniquely distinguishable, first and second spaced receiving transducer means included on said first craft, each of said receiving transducer means including means for receiving the signals emitted by each of said transmitting transducer means and for separately developing an output signaling the time of arrival of each of said received signals, first timing means for taking a measure of the time interval between the reception of a signal emitted by one of said transmitting transducer means at said first and second receiving transducer means, second timing means for taking a measure of the time interval between the reception of signals emitted by each of said transmitting transducer means at one of said receiving transducer means, and computing means including means responsive to output signals from said first and second timing interval measure taking means for developing an output signal identifying the relative heading between said craft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
84 words
A combination as in claim 1 wherein said computing means includes means for effecting the computation wherein: H is the desired relative heading between two craft; c1 and c2 are the wave propagation velocities in the vicinity of the first and second craft; L1 is the spacing between said first and second receiving transducer means; L2 is the spacing between said first and second transmitting transducer means; and dT1 and dT2 are the output signals developed by said first and second timing means, respectively.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A combination as in claim 1 wherein said first and second transmitting transducer means are located in a horizontal plane and wherein said first and second receiving transducer means are located in a horizontal plane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A combination as in claim 3 wherein said first and second transmitting transducer means are mounted abeam on said second craft, and wherein said first and second receiving transducer means are mounted abeam on said first craft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
A combination as in claim 1 adapted to determine the relative heading between said first and second craft which may be displayed in three dimensions, further comprising means for developing a signal indicative of the elevation angle between said first and second craft, and wherein said relative heading-identifying means in said computing means further includes means responsive to output signals from said elevation angle-determining means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
73 words
A combination as in claim 5 wherein said elevation angle indicating means comprises third receiving transducer means included on said first craft and offset from the axis coNnecting said first and second receiving transducer means, and third timing means for taking a measure of the time interval between reception of a signal emitted by one of said emitting transducer means at said third and one of said first or second receiving transducer means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
107 words
A combination as in claim 6 wherein said computing means includes means for effecting the computation wherein: H is the desired relative heading between the two craft; c1 and c2 are the wave propagation velocities in the vicinity of the first and second craft; L1 is the spacing between said first and second receiving transducer means; L2 is the spacing between said first and second transmitting transducer means; L3 is the spacing between said third receiving transducer means and one of said first or second receiving transducer means; and dT1, dT2 and dT3 are the output signals developed by said first, second and third timing means, respectively.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A combination as in claim 7 further comprising means for encoding the signals generated by said transmitting transducer means, and means for decoding the signals received by said receiving transducer means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
A combination as in claim 8 wherein said multiplexing means includes means for energizing said transmitting transducer means with signals of a different frequency, and where each of said receiving transducer means includes filter means responsive to each of said emitted frequencies.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
A combination as in claim 9 wherein said first and second transmitting transducer means are located in a horizontal plane and wherein said first and second receiving transducer means are located in a horizontal plane.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A combination as in claim 10 wherein said first and second transmitting transducer means are mounted abeam on said second craft, and wherein said first and second receiving transducer means are mounted abeam on said first craft.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2557900A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-03-08 | 1974-09-07 | 1975-03-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-08 | 1978-09-07 | 1979-03-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-08 | 1982-09-07 | 1983-03-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |