US3581073A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic course line computer
Assignee: NARCO AVIONICS Inc 270 COMMERCE DRIVE FORT WASHINGTON PA A CORP OF
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Filing: 1969-02-17
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Granted: 1971-05-25
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Expires: 1989-02-17
Abstract
Abstract A method of electronically computing navigational course lines and apparatus for carrying out said method is disclosed, whereby a first vector representation of the aircraft location with respect to a VORTAC station is electronically generated by using the VOR signal to control a chopper circuit which acts on the DME distance voltage; a second vector representation of the location of the destination point with respect to the VORTAC is electronically generated in a similar manner, the bearing and distance information being introduced manually by the pilot; the inverse of said second vector is generated; and said first vector representation and said inverse of said second vector representation are electronically added to obtain a third vector representation of the aircraft location with respect to the destination point. Such third vector representation is then compared with a manually adjusted reference signal to provide course direction control, and is processed to provide range information.
Inventors
- 👤 Wilbur A Visher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 14:22
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06G; G06G7/00; G06G7/48; G06G7/78; G01; G01S; G01S1/00; G01S1/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
410 words
Electronic Course Line Computer apparatus for providing continuous control signals directing navigation of an aircraft in a direct course to a desired point of destination, and utilizing signals transmitted from a ground station, comprising: a. input means for detecting and amplifying a 0* phase reference signal; b. input means for isolating and amplifying a variable signal having a phase with respect to said reference signal equal to the bearing of said aircraft with respect to said ground station; c. input means to generate a first DC voltage representing the distance from said aircraft to said ground station; d. input means to generate a second DC voltage representing the distance from said point of destination to said ground station; e. first electronic modulation means to generate a first pulse waveform representing the vector from said ground station to said aircraft, driven by said variable signal and operating on said first DC voltage; f. first phase shifting and amplifying means, driven by said reference signal; g. inverter means, driven by the output of said first phase shifting and amplifying means; h. second electronic modulation means to generate a second pulse waveform representing the inverse of the vector from said ground station to said point of destination, driven by the output of said inverter means and operating on said second DC voltage; i. summing means, into which are coupled said first pulse waveform and said second pulse waveform; j. amplifying and filtering means, driven by the outpuT of said summing means, to generate a sinusoidal signal representing the vector from said point of destination to said aircraft; k. second phase shifting and amplifying means driven by said reference signal; l. first phase detector means into which are coupled (1) the output of said amplifying and filtering means, and (2) the output of said second phase shifting and amplifying means; m. first display means driven by the output of said first phase detector means; n. 90* phase shifting means, driven by the output of said amplifying and filtering means; o. second phase detector means into which are coupled (1) the output of said 90* phase shifting means, and (2) the output of said second manually operated phase shifting means; p. second display means driven by the output of said second phase detector means; q. detector means to detect peak-to-peak voltage changes driven by the output of said amplifying and filtering means; and r. third display means driven by the output of said detector means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
410 words
Electronic Course Line Computer apparatus for providing continuous control signals directing navigation of an aircraft in a direct course to a desired point of destination, and utilizing signals transmitted from a ground station, comprising: a. input means for detecting and amplifying a 0* phase reference signal; b. input means for isolating and amplifying a variable signal having a phase with respect to said reference signal equal to the bearing of said aircraft with respect to said ground station; c. input means to generate a first DC voltage representing the distance from said aircraft to said ground station; d. input means to generate a second DC voltage representing the distance from said point of destination to said ground station; e. first electronic modulation means to generate a first pulse waveform representing the vector from said ground station to said aircraft, driven by said variable signal and operating on said first DC voltage; f. first phase shifting and amplifying means, driven by said reference signal; g. inverter means, driven by the output of said first phase shifting and amplifying means; h. second electronic modulation means to generate a second pulse waveform representing the inverse of the vector from said ground station to said point of destination, driven by the output of said inverter means and operating on said second DC voltage; i. summing means, into which are coupled said first pulse waveform and said second pulse waveform; j. amplifying and filtering means, driven by the outpuT of said summing means, to generate a sinusoidal signal representing the vector from said point of destination to said aircraft; k. second phase shifting and amplifying means driven by said reference signal; l. first phase detector means into which are coupled (1) the output of said amplifying and filtering means, and (2) the output of said second phase shifting and amplifying means; m. first display means driven by the output of said first phase detector means; n. 90* phase shifting means, driven by the output of said amplifying and filtering means; o. second phase detector means into which are coupled (1) the output of said 90* phase shifting means, and (2) the output of said second manually operated phase shifting means; p. second display means driven by the output of said second phase detector means; q. detector means to detect peak-to-peak voltage changes driven by the output of said amplifying and filtering means; and r. third display means driven by the output of said detector means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first electronic modulation means are comprised of a conventional squarer circuit which controls a chopper circuit, said chopper circuit operating on said first DC voltage, said chopper circuit also being controlled by a set circuit and a calibrating circuit to control the amplitude of the chopper output, and wherein said second electronic modulation means are comprised of similar circuits.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said first detector means are sensitive to both the phase difference of the two input signals and the magnitude of the output of said amplifying and filtering means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said first and second phase shifting means are manually operated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
280 words
Electronic course line computer apparatus for providing continuous control signals for navigation of an aircraft in a direct course to a desired destination, comprising: a. radio input means to generate electrical representations of the location of an aircraft with respect to a ground location; b. reference signal means to generate an electrical representation of a 0* course bearing; c. aircraft bearing signal means, driven by said radio input means, to generate an aircraft bearing signal representing the bearing of the course line between said aircraft and said ground location; d. first DC voltage means driven by said radio input means to generate a first DC voltage representing the distance of said aircraft to said ground station; e. first electronic modulation means, operating on said first DC voltage and driven by said aircraft bearing signal, to generate a first pulse waveform representing the vector from said ground station to said aircraft; f. first manually operated phase shifting means, driven by said reference signal means; g. inverter means, driven by the output of said first manually operated phase shifting means; h. second DC voltage means, manually operated, to generate a second DC voltage representing the distance from said destination to said ground station; i. second electronic modulation means operating on said second DC voltage, and driven by the output of said inverter means, to generate a second pulse waveform representing the inverse of the vector from said ground station to said destination; j. summing and filtering means, into which are coupled said first pulse waveform and said second pulse waveform; and k. first detection means, driven by the output of said summing and filtering means, to generate a course bearing control signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
280 words
Electronic course line computer apparatus for providing continuous control signals for navigation of an aircraft in a direct course to a desired destination, comprising: a. radio input means to generate electrical representations of the location of an aircraft with respect to a ground location; b. reference signal means to generate an electrical representation of a 0* course bearing; c. aircraft bearing signal means, driven by said radio input means, to generate an aircraft bearing signal representing the bearing of the course line between said aircraft and said ground location; d. first DC voltage means driven by said radio input means to generate a first DC voltage representing the distance of said aircraft to said ground station; e. first electronic modulation means, operating on said first DC voltage and driven by said aircraft bearing signal, to generate a first pulse waveform representing the vector from said ground station to said aircraft; f. first manually operated phase shifting means, driven by said reference signal means; g. inverter means, driven by the output of said first manually operated phase shifting means; h. second DC voltage means, manually operated, to generate a second DC voltage representing the distance from said destination to said ground station; i. second electronic modulation means operating on said second DC voltage, and driven by the output of said inverter means, to generate a second pulse waveform representing the inverse of the vector from said ground station to said destination; j. summing and filtering means, into which are coupled said first pulse waveform and said second pulse waveform; and k. first detection means, driven by the output of said summing and filtering means, to generate a course bearing control signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said first electronic modulation means are comprised of a conventional squarer circuit which controls a chopper circuit, said chopper circuit operating on said first DC voltage, said chopper circuit also being controlled by a set circuit and a calIbrating circuit to control the amplitude of the chopper output, and wherein said second electronic modulation means are comprised of similar circuits.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein said first detection means include second manually operated phase shifting means to generate a detector reference signal, and coupling means to couple said detector reference signal to said first detection means.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
259 words
A method for computing the course line of an aircraft to a desired point of destination which comprises the processing of radio signals transmitted from a ground station to provide (a) a bearing signal representing the bearing of the course line from said ground station to said aircraft, (b) a reference signal carrying information representing a 0* bearing, and (c) a first DC voltage representing the distance of said aircraft from said ground station, the processing of said bearing signal into a form suitable to drive a first chopper circuit, the chopping of said first DC voltage by said first chopper circuit, thereby generating a pulse waveform representing the vector location of said aircraft with respect to said ground station, the processing of said reference signal whereby it is phase shifted and inverted and caused to drive a second chopper circuit, the generation of a second DC voltage to represent the distance of a said desired location from said ground station, the chopping of said second DC voltage by said second chopper circuit, thereby generating a second pulse waveform representing the vector location of said ground station with respect to said point of destination, the summing and filtering of said first and second pulse waveforms to generate a variable electrical signal carrying amplitude and phase information representing the distance and bearing respectively of the course from said point of destination to said aircraft, and the processing of said variable electrical signal through detection circuits to provide control signals by which said aircraft can be navigated to said desired location.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
259 words
A method for computing the course line of an aircraft to a desired point of destination which comprises the processing of radio signals transmitted from a ground station to provide (a) a bearing signal representing the bearing of the course line from said ground station to said aircraft, (b) a reference signal carrying information representing a 0* bearing, and (c) a first DC voltage representing the distance of said aircraft from said ground station, the processing of said bearing signal into a form suitable to drive a first chopper circuit, the chopping of said first DC voltage by said first chopper circuit, thereby generating a pulse waveform representing the vector location of said aircraft with respect to said ground station, the processing of said reference signal whereby it is phase shifted and inverted and caused to drive a second chopper circuit, the generation of a second DC voltage to represent the distance of a said desired location from said ground station, the chopping of said second DC voltage by said second chopper circuit, thereby generating a second pulse waveform representing the vector location of said ground station with respect to said point of destination, the summing and filtering of said first and second pulse waveforms to generate a variable electrical signal carrying amplitude and phase information representing the distance and bearing respectively of the course from said point of destination to said aircraft, and the processing of said variable electrical signal through detection circuits to provide control signals by which said aircraft can be navigated to said desired location.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
279 words
Apparatus for continuously calculating the course line of an aircraft to a given destination, comprising: a. receiving means to receive radio signals from a ground station, carrying information representing a first bearing and distance of said aircraft with respect to said ground station, and first signal means to generate from said radio signals a first sinusoidal signal representing said first bearing and a first DC signal representing said first distance; b. input means to introduce information representing a second bearing and distance of said destination with respect to said ground station, and second signal means to generate from said input means a second sinusoidal signal representing said second bearing and a second DC signal representing said second distance; c. first electronic modulating means controlled by said first bearing signal which operates on said first distance signal, to generate a first square wave representation of the vector from said ground station to said aircraft; d. second electronic modulating means controlled by said second bearing signal which operates on said second distance signal, to generate a second square wave representation of the vector from said destination to said ground station; e. summing means coupled to the outputs of said first and second electronic modulating means, to generate a first electrical representation of the vector of said aircraft with respect to said destination; f. bearing reference means to generate a second electrical representation of a given course bearing; g. phase comparator means, driven by said first and second electrical representations, to generate a bearing control signal by which the aircraft can be maintained on the proper course to the desired location; and h. bearing display means, driven by said bearing control signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
279 words
Apparatus for continuously calculating the course line of an aircraft to a given destination, comprising: a. receiving means to receive radio signals from a ground station, carrying information representing a first bearing and distance of said aircraft with respect to said ground station, and first signal means to generate from said radio signals a first sinusoidal signal representing said first bearing and a first DC signal representing said first distance; b. input means to introduce information representing a second bearing and distance of said destination with respect to said ground station, and second signal means to generate from said input means a second sinusoidal signal representing said second bearing and a second DC signal representing said second distance; c. first electronic modulating means controlled by said first bearing signal which operates on said first distance signal, to generate a first square wave representation of the vector from said ground station to said aircraft; d. second electronic modulating means controlled by said second bearing signal which operates on said second distance signal, to generate a second square wave representation of the vector from said destination to said ground station; e. summing means coupled to the outputs of said first and second electronic modulating means, to generate a first electrical representation of the vector of said aircraft with respect to said destination; f. bearing reference means to generate a second electrical representation of a given course bearing; g. phase comparator means, driven by said first and second electrical representations, to generate a bearing control signal by which the aircraft can be maintained on the proper course to the desired location; and h. bearing display means, driven by said bearing control signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as described in claim 9, comprising distance display means, driVen by said first electrical representation, to generate a continuous indication of the distance of said aircraft to said destination.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
180 words
Apparatus for continuously calculating the position of an aircraft with respect to a given destination, said aircraft having VOR-DME equipment for continuously providing AC bearing and DC distance signals representing the aircraft''s position with respect to a VORTAC station, comprising: a. first chopper means driven by said AC bearing signal for chopping the DC distance signal, a first square wave representing the position of said VORTAC station with respect to said aircraft; b. first generator means for providing a second AC bearing signal representing the bearing of said VORTAC station with respect to said destination; c. second generator means for providing a second DC distance signal representing the distance of said VORTAC station from said destination; d. second chopper means driven by said second AC bearing signal for chopping said second DC distance signal, thereby generating a second square wave representing the position of said destination with respect to said VORTAC station; and e. summing means for adding said first and second square waves, thereby generating a square wave representing the position of said destination with respect to said aircraft.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
180 words
Apparatus for continuously calculating the position of an aircraft with respect to a given destination, said aircraft having VOR-DME equipment for continuously providing AC bearing and DC distance signals representing the aircraft''s position with respect to a VORTAC station, comprising: a. first chopper means driven by said AC bearing signal for chopping the DC distance signal, a first square wave representing the position of said VORTAC station with respect to said aircraft; b. first generator means for providing a second AC bearing signal representing the bearing of said VORTAC station with respect to said destination; c. second generator means for providing a second DC distance signal representing the distance of said VORTAC station from said destination; d. second chopper means driven by said second AC bearing signal for chopping said second DC distance signal, thereby generating a second square wave representing the position of said destination with respect to said VORTAC station; and e. summing means for adding said first and second square waves, thereby generating a square wave representing the position of said destination with respect to said aircraft.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus as described in claim 11 comprising indicator means for continuously indicating variance of said aircraft from a predetermined course to said destination, and for continuously indicating distance of said aircraft to said destination.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-24 | 1974-11-23 | 1975-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-24 | 1978-11-23 | 1979-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-24 | 1982-11-23 | 1983-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |