US3667044A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Emergency lunar communications system
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
•
Filing: 1970-11-03
•
Granted: 1972-05-30
•
Expires: 1990-11-03
Abstract
Abstract A communication system for emergency use on the moon that includes three transceivers. One of the transceivers is carried by an astronaut and another is positioned at a basecamp. The system also includes a hand held launcher and rocket vehicle that is utilized by the astronaut to launch a third relay transceiver in an upward trajectory above the lunar surface. The relay transceiver is mounted in the rocket vehicle and functions to relay voice communications between the two transceivers located on the lunar surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Otha H Vaughan
- 👤 Lee B Malone
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 22:07
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B7/00; H04B7/14; H04B7/15; H04B7/185
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
220 words
An emergency communication system for transmitting signals between two points that are not in line of sight of one another comprising: a first mobile transceiver means for use by a person encountering an emergency situation; a second transceiver means adapted to be located at a basecamp for communicating with the person using said first transceiver means when an emergency is encountered; a hand held rocket vehicle and launcher for use by said person using said first transceiver means to launch said rocket vehicle in an upward trajectory; and a relay transceiver means mounted in said rocket vehicle and activated on launch thereof, whereby said relay transceiver means can relay radio signals between said first and second transceiver means to permit the person using said first transceiver means to communicate with the basecamp; said launcher is a tubular casing and said rocket vehicle is an elongated cylinder that fits slidingly into said launcher; said rocket vehicle comprises, an elongated cylindrical casing that is divided into two electrically separated end parts by an integral ring of dielectric material so as to form a dipole antenna, a rocket motor mounted in one end of said cylindrical casing and said relay transceiver means mounted in the other end of said cylindrical casing, and said relay transceiver means being electrically connected to said dipole antenna.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
220 words
An emergency communication system for transmitting signals between two points that are not in line of sight of one another comprising: a first mobile transceiver means for use by a person encountering an emergency situation; a second transceiver means adapted to be located at a basecamp for communicating with the person using said first transceiver means when an emergency is encountered; a hand held rocket vehicle and launcher for use by said person using said first transceiver means to launch said rocket vehicle in an upward trajectory; and a relay transceiver means mounted in said rocket vehicle and activated on launch thereof, whereby said relay transceiver means can relay radio signals between said first and second transceiver means to permit the person using said first transceiver means to communicate with the basecamp; said launcher is a tubular casing and said rocket vehicle is an elongated cylinder that fits slidingly into said launcher; said rocket vehicle comprises, an elongated cylindrical casing that is divided into two electrically separated end parts by an integral ring of dielectric material so as to form a dipole antenna, a rocket motor mounted in one end of said cylindrical casing and said relay transceiver means mounted in the other end of said cylindrical casing, and said relay transceiver means being electrically connected to said dipole antenna.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The emergency communication system recited in claim 1 which further includes: a plurality of flip out antenna stubs mounted on each end part of the dipole antenna in a position to give a desired antenna pattern.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
151 words
In an emergency line of sight communications system of the type wherein a relay transceiver means is deployed between two remote transceivers, at least one of which is mobile; that are out of sight of one another to relay radio signals therebetween and thus extend the effective operating range of the system, the improvements therein comprising: a small rocket adapted to be transported with the mobile one of the remote transceivers, said small rocket being encased in a cylindrical container that functions as a hand held launcher and carrying case; said small rocket including a tubular casing that is electrically divided into two sections to form a dipole antenna; and a relay transceiver means mounted in one end of said tubular casing and electrically connected thereto for receiving and transmitting radio signals between the remote transceivers, said relay transceiver means being activated by launching of said rocket from said cylindrical container.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
151 words
In an emergency line of sight communications system of the type wherein a relay transceiver means is deployed between two remote transceivers, at least one of which is mobile; that are out of sight of one another to relay radio signals therebetween and thus extend the effective operating range of the system, the improvements therein comprising: a small rocket adapted to be transported with the mobile one of the remote transceivers, said small rocket being encased in a cylindrical container that functions as a hand held launcher and carrying case; said small rocket including a tubular casing that is electrically divided into two sections to form a dipole antenna; and a relay transceiver means mounted in one end of said tubular casing and electrically connected thereto for receiving and transmitting radio signals between the remote transceivers, said relay transceiver means being activated by launching of said rocket from said cylindrical container.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The communications system recited in claim 3 wherein said relay transceiver means includes a thermal battery means that is energized upon launch of said small rocket.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The communications system of claim 3 wherein each of said two sections of said tubular casing have pop-out antenna stubs attached thereto that deploy when the rocket is launched.
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) | 1975-05-30 | 1975-11-29 | 1976-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-30 | 1979-11-29 | 1980-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-30 | 1983-11-29 | 1984-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |