US3706136A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle maneuver indicator
Assignee: Collins Radio Co
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Filing: 1971-04-05
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Granted: 1972-12-19
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Expires: 1991-04-05
Abstract
Abstract A maneuver indicator device in the form of an overlay for a radar plan position indicator screen is disclosed. The device includes a fixed frame member extending annularly about the periphery of the radar screen, and a transparent rotatable cursor member rotatable with respect to the annular frame about an axis coincident with the sweep axis of the radar screen. Rotation of the cursor member to align parallel lines inscribed on its face with the relative velocity vector as defined by the radar returns of an intruding vessel, aligns command indicia on the cursor with maneuver indicating segments defined on the fixed frame member to provide a direct indication of evasive action in terms of speed and/or course change, and the relative effectiveness of these commands.
Inventors
- 👤 Ernst A Sielaff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 09:27
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S7/00; G01S7/02; G01S7/04; G01S7/06; G01S13/00; G01S13/88; G01S13/93; G01S13/937
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
271 words
A maneuver indicator for use in conjunction with a radar plan position indicator screen comprising an annular frame member adapted to be rigidly affixed to and extending about the periphery of said radar indicator, said frame member having formed on the surface thereof first, second, third, and fourth segmented areas, first and second ones of said segmented areas extending about respective forward and aft semi-circular portions of said plan position indicator viewing screen, said third and fourth ones of said segmented areas extending about the respective port and starboard semi-circular portions of said plan position indicator viewing screen, said first and second segments being visually coded to present commands representing respective decreases and increases in ship''s speed, said third and fourth segments being visually coded to present interpretable commands representing respective port and starboard turn maneuvers, a second annular member carried over said frame member and said plan position indicator viewing screen and being rotatable about an axis coincident with the center axis of said plan position indicator, said second member comprising an outer annular ring coextensive with that of said frame member and carrying thereon index lines lying on a diameter of said annular ring, said second member being rotatable to align said index lines perpendicular to the relative velocity vector of an intruding vessel as depicted by radar returns on said plan position indicator screen, whereby a predetermined one of said index lines is positioned over a predetermined segment pair on said frame member to indicate a composite speed and turn maneuver the initiation of which increases the miss distance between vessels over that existing prior to said maneuver.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
271 words
A maneuver indicator for use in conjunction with a radar plan position indicator screen comprising an annular frame member adapted to be rigidly affixed to and extending about the periphery of said radar indicator, said frame member having formed on the surface thereof first, second, third, and fourth segmented areas, first and second ones of said segmented areas extending about respective forward and aft semi-circular portions of said plan position indicator viewing screen, said third and fourth ones of said segmented areas extending about the respective port and starboard semi-circular portions of said plan position indicator viewing screen, said first and second segments being visually coded to present commands representing respective decreases and increases in ship''s speed, said third and fourth segments being visually coded to present interpretable commands representing respective port and starboard turn maneuvers, a second annular member carried over said frame member and said plan position indicator viewing screen and being rotatable about an axis coincident with the center axis of said plan position indicator, said second member comprising an outer annular ring coextensive with that of said frame member and carrying thereon index lines lying on a diameter of said annular ring, said second member being rotatable to align said index lines perpendicular to the relative velocity vector of an intruding vessel as depicted by radar returns on said plan position indicator screen, whereby a predetermined one of said index lines is positioned over a predetermined segment pair on said frame member to indicate a composite speed and turn maneuver the initiation of which increases the miss distance between vessels over that existing prior to said maneuver.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
A maneuver indicator as defined in claim 1 wherein said segments on said frame member include means defining predetermined relative maneuver efficiencies of the respective speed and course change commands defined thereby, said efficiencies varying as functions of the angular position of said second member with respect to said frame member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
81 words
A maneuver indicator as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second segmented areas on said frame member are formed concentrically about said third and fourth segmented areas, and each of said first and second, and second and third segmented area pairs being defined by radial dimensions varying respectively as the absolute values of the cosine and sine functions of the relative angle between said second member index lines and the instant course of a vessel carrying said maneuver indicator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
A maneuver indicator as defined in claim 1 wherein said second member comprises means facilitating a predetermined angular orientation of said second member with respect to said frame member, whereby said second member index lines extend perpendicular to the observed line of action of an intruding vessel as defined by sequential radar returns on said plan position indicator screen.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
93 words
A maneuver indicator as defined in claim 4 wherein said second member further comprises a pluraLity of paralleled lines extending on the face thereof transverse of said diametrically extending index lines the parallel alignment of which with the relative velocity vector between an intruding vessel and the vessel carrying said maneuver indicator defines the one of said first and second diametrically extending index lines on said second member utilized for command interpretation for a particular maneuver as that one comprising an extension of the radial defined by the observed miss distance between vessels.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
69 words
A maneuver indicator as defined in claim 1 wherein said first segmented area on said frame member exhibits visual command information indicative of a decrease in ship''s speed, said second segmented area exhibits visual command information indicative of increase in ship''s speed, said third segmented area exhibits visual command information indicative of a starboard turn, and said fourth segmented area exhibits visual command information indicative of a port turn.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
178 words
Means for providing maneuver commands for a first vessel on predetermined course so as to increase the miss distance between said first vessel and a second intruding vessel on predetermined course comprising means for establishing a decrease in speed command when the relative velocity vector of said intruding vessel defines a miss distance extending forward of the bow of said first vessel, means for establishing an increase in speed command when the relative velocity vector of said intruding vessel defines a miss distance extending astern of said first vessel, means for establishing a port turn maneuver command when the relative velocity vector of said intruding vessel defines a miss distance extending to the starboard side of said first vessel, means for establishing a starboard turn maneuver command when the relative velocity vector of said intruding vessel defines a miss distance extending to the port side of said first vessel, and means for proportioning said speed change and turn maneuver commands in accordance with the relative efficiencies of said commands as defined by the intercept geometry of said vessels.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
178 words
Means for providing maneuver commands for a first vessel on predetermined course so as to increase the miss distance between said first vessel and a second intruding vessel on predetermined course comprising means for establishing a decrease in speed command when the relative velocity vector of said intruding vessel defines a miss distance extending forward of the bow of said first vessel, means for establishing an increase in speed command when the relative velocity vector of said intruding vessel defines a miss distance extending astern of said first vessel, means for establishing a port turn maneuver command when the relative velocity vector of said intruding vessel defines a miss distance extending to the starboard side of said first vessel, means for establishing a starboard turn maneuver command when the relative velocity vector of said intruding vessel defines a miss distance extending to the port side of said first vessel, and means for proportioning said speed change and turn maneuver commands in accordance with the relative efficiencies of said commands as defined by the intercept geometry of said vessels.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
61 words
Means for providing maneuver commands as defined in claim 7 wherein said means for proportioning comprises means for establishing respective speed change and turn maneuver command magnitudes in proportion to the absolute values of respective cosine and sine functions of the relative bearing between the line of action of said second intruding vessel and the instant heading of said first vessel.
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) | 1975-12-19 | 1976-06-19 | 1976-12-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-12-19 | 1980-06-19 | 1980-12-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-12-19 | 1984-06-19 | 1984-12-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |