US3602594A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser calibration of large radio reflector
Assignee: Holobeam Inc
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Filing: 1969-01-09
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Granted: 1971-08-31
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Expires: 1989-01-09
Abstract
Abstract A device for calibrating a large body surface to determine surface irregularities is described. A laser is modulated with a sinusoidal high frequency source and its beam directed at the body surface. Reflected optical signals are detected and phase compared with the sinusoidal source. The phase error measured is representative of antenna surface variations.
Inventors
- 👤 Melvin S Cook
- 👤 Ronald L Kirk
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 09:10
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q15/00; H01Q15/14; H01Q15/147; G; G01; G01R; G01R29/00; G01R29/08; G01R29/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
231 words
A system for detecting amplitude irregularities in the contour of a remotely located body, comprising means for generating a coherent beam of light for directing the beam at a preselected target area on the surface of said body, means for generating a first modulating signal of a free space wavelength commensurate with that necessary for sensing the amplitude of the irregularity on the body surface, means for amplitude-modulating said coherent light beam with said first modulating signal and for directing said modulated coherent light beam at said body surface, sensing means located directly adjacent said modulating means for receiving the reflected modulated light beam from the target area on the body surface and for producing a signal representative of the reflected light beam means for detecting the amplitude modulation in the reflected light beam signal corresponding to said modulating signal, first comparator means coupled to said detecting means for comparing said modulating signal and the detected first modulating signal and for producing a first phase error signal representative of the difference in phase therebetween in response to that comparison, the variations in said first phase error signal being representative of variations in the contour of said body surface, and means coupled to said comparator means and including means for comparing said first phase error signal from adjacent body surface portion for providing an indication of an irregularity on the body surface.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
231 words
A system for detecting amplitude irregularities in the contour of a remotely located body, comprising means for generating a coherent beam of light for directing the beam at a preselected target area on the surface of said body, means for generating a first modulating signal of a free space wavelength commensurate with that necessary for sensing the amplitude of the irregularity on the body surface, means for amplitude-modulating said coherent light beam with said first modulating signal and for directing said modulated coherent light beam at said body surface, sensing means located directly adjacent said modulating means for receiving the reflected modulated light beam from the target area on the body surface and for producing a signal representative of the reflected light beam means for detecting the amplitude modulation in the reflected light beam signal corresponding to said modulating signal, first comparator means coupled to said detecting means for comparing said modulating signal and the detected first modulating signal and for producing a first phase error signal representative of the difference in phase therebetween in response to that comparison, the variations in said first phase error signal being representative of variations in the contour of said body surface, and means coupled to said comparator means and including means for comparing said first phase error signal from adjacent body surface portion for providing an indication of an irregularity on the body surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
152 words
The system as recited in claim 1 further comprising means for generating a second modulating signal of a free space wavelength commensurate with that necessary for removing distance ambiguities between the body surface and the light beam generating means, said second modulating signal having a substantially longer wavelength than the wavelength of said first modulating signal, said amplitude-modulating means being responsive to said second modulating signal for amplitude-modulating said coherent light beam with both said first and second modulating signals, means for detecting the amplitude-modulating in the reflected light beam signal corresponding to said second modulation signal, and second comparator means responsive to the first modulating signal and to the detected second modulating signal for producing a second phase signal representative of the difference in phase therebetween with variations in said second phase signal being substantially representative of variations in the distance between said body surface and the light beam generating means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-30 | 1975-03-01 | 1975-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-30 | 1979-03-01 | 1979-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-30 | 1983-03-01 | 1983-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |