US3710385A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle initial speed and stopping distance indicator
Assignee: Bendix Corp
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Filing: 1970-09-29
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Granted: 1973-01-09
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Expires: 1990-09-29
Abstract
Abstract A system utilizing Doppler radar for indication of vehicle speed at the time of a brake application and the stopping distance for that particular brake application. The output from the Doppler radar is a frequency that is directly related to the velocity of the vehicle with respect to ground. By the proper selection of the other constants, a given number of Hertz can correspond to a given velocity. Counting all the cycles from initial brake application until stopped and dividing by the appropriate value will give the total stopping distance. Dual counters that alternately record a velocity signal are applied. Light emitting diodes provide a visual readout of velocity and stopping distance.
Inventors
- 👤 D Howard
- 👤 D Eppley
- 👤 H Steininger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 06:05
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S13/00; G01S13/02; G01S13/50; G01S13/58; G01S13/60; G01L; G01L5/00; G01L5/28; G01L5/284
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
224 words
A speed and stopping distance indicator for a vehicle comprising: pulse generating means for generating pulses at a rate proportional to the distance traveled by the vehicle; means for determining the distance traveled by the vehicle including means for counting the pulses generated by said pulse generating means and generating a first output signal representative of the number of pulses counted; first display means responsive to said first output signal to display the distance traveled by the vehicle; means for determining the instantaneous velocity of the vehicle including oscillating means generating a first signal during periodic time periods and generating a second signal during time periods when the first signal is not generated, a first counter responsive to said first signal to count said pulses during the time period that said first signal is generated, a second counter responsive to said second signal for counting said pulses during the time periods that said second signal is generated; means producing a second output signal representative of the number of pulses counted by one of said counters divided by the length of the time period to thereby determine the velocity of the vehicle during the time period that the other counter is counting pulses; and second display means responsive to said second output signal to display the velocity of the vehicle for a corresponding time period.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
224 words
A speed and stopping distance indicator for a vehicle comprising: pulse generating means for generating pulses at a rate proportional to the distance traveled by the vehicle; means for determining the distance traveled by the vehicle including means for counting the pulses generated by said pulse generating means and generating a first output signal representative of the number of pulses counted; first display means responsive to said first output signal to display the distance traveled by the vehicle; means for determining the instantaneous velocity of the vehicle including oscillating means generating a first signal during periodic time periods and generating a second signal during time periods when the first signal is not generated, a first counter responsive to said first signal to count said pulses during the time period that said first signal is generated, a second counter responsive to said second signal for counting said pulses during the time periods that said second signal is generated; means producing a second output signal representative of the number of pulses counted by one of said counters divided by the length of the time period to thereby determine the velocity of the vehicle during the time period that the other counter is counting pulses; and second display means responsive to said second output signal to display the velocity of the vehicle for a corresponding time period.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention of claim 1; and manually actuable reset means for resetting said distance determining means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
The invention of claim 1: said pulse generating means including means for transmitting a signal and receiving reflections of said signal, coupling means for comparing said transmitted signal with reflections of said transmitted signal to produce an intermediate signal representative of the difference in frequency between the transmitted signal and the reflected signal, and signal conditioning means for charging said intermediate signal into a pulsed waveform.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention of claim 1: said first and second display means including a light emitting matrix composed of a plurality of individually actuable segments, and coding means responsive to the value of said output signals for actuating appropriate segments of said matrix.
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) | 1976-01-09 | 1976-07-10 | 1977-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-09 | 1980-07-10 | 1981-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-09 | 1984-07-10 | 1985-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |