US3711200A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multiple-sensor laser velocimeter
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Co Inc
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Filing: 1970-09-18
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Granted: 1973-01-16
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Expires: 1990-09-18
Abstract
Abstract A laser velocimeter system for measuring the relative threedimensional vectorial velocity between a carrier and the surface over which the carrier moves. Light energy reflected from laser illuminated portions of the surface is utilized to compute the velocity of the carrier along each of three orthogonal coordinates. Different portions of the reflected energy are received by three light sensitive detectors after the energy first passes through coplanar optical gratings-a separate grating being associated with each of the light sensitive detectors. The output signals of the detectors are modulated by the effects of the gratings; and these last mentioned signals are processed by frequency tracker units and by a computer to provide signals representative of the relative vectorial velocity.
Inventors
- 👤 R Maughmer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:17
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01P; G01P3/00; G01P3/36; G01P3/366
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
An apparatus for measuring the relative three-dimensional vectorial velocity in a coordinate system between a moving object mounted thereto and an adjacent surface, said apparatus comprising: illuminating means developing a plurality of coherent beams of light for illuminating separate portions of said surface with light energy; means for receiving light energy reflected from said surface at three different angles of reflection, said last-mentioned receiving means having three functionally separate signal processing channels; three optical gratings disposed between said surface and said receiving means with each functionally separate grating modulating the reflected light energy processed by a corresponding one of said separate channels, a first one of said optical gratings effectively located at a different point in the coordinate system from said second and third ones of said optical gratings, said second and third gratings having a different orientation with respect to one another in the coordinate system; and means coupled to said receiving means for deriving signals representative of the three-dimensional vectorial velocity between said moving object and said surface.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
170 words
An apparatus for measuring the relative three-dimensional vectorial velocity in a coordinate system between a moving object mounted thereto and an adjacent surface, said apparatus comprising: illuminating means developing a plurality of coherent beams of light for illuminating separate portions of said surface with light energy; means for receiving light energy reflected from said surface at three different angles of reflection, said last-mentioned receiving means having three functionally separate signal processing channels; three optical gratings disposed between said surface and said receiving means with each functionally separate grating modulating the reflected light energy processed by a corresponding one of said separate channels, a first one of said optical gratings effectively located at a different point in the coordinate system from said second and third ones of said optical gratings, said second and third gratings having a different orientation with respect to one another in the coordinate system; and means coupled to said receiving means for deriving signals representative of the three-dimensional vectorial velocity between said moving object and said surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said three optical gratings are coplanar.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said optical gratings are formed in a single sheet of material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said illuminating means includes a laser transmitter for generating a beam of light, a beam splitter unit for dividing said beam of light inTo said plurality of light beams.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said receiving means includes a light detector device for converting light intensity into a voltage signal representative thereof, and a frequency tracker unit for providing a signal representative of the relative velocity.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
177 words
An apparatus for measuring the relative three-dimensional vectorial velocity in a predetermined coordinate system between a moving object mounted thereto and an adjacent surface, said apparatus comprising: illuminating means developing a pair of coherent beams of light for illuminating two separate portions of said surface with light energy; three separate means for receiving light energy reflected from three different angles of reflection, each said receiving means having a corresponding separate signal processing channel; three optical gratings disposed between said surface and said three receiving means with each functionally separate grating modulating the reflected light energy processed by a corresponding one of said separate channels, a first one of said optical gratings effectively located at a different point in said predetermined coordinate system from second and third ones of said gratings, said second and third gratings having a different orientation with respect to one another in said predetermined coordinate system; and means coupled to said three receiving means for deriving signals representative of the vectorial velocity in the predetermined coordinate system between said moving object and said surface.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
177 words
An apparatus for measuring the relative three-dimensional vectorial velocity in a predetermined coordinate system between a moving object mounted thereto and an adjacent surface, said apparatus comprising: illuminating means developing a pair of coherent beams of light for illuminating two separate portions of said surface with light energy; three separate means for receiving light energy reflected from three different angles of reflection, each said receiving means having a corresponding separate signal processing channel; three optical gratings disposed between said surface and said three receiving means with each functionally separate grating modulating the reflected light energy processed by a corresponding one of said separate channels, a first one of said optical gratings effectively located at a different point in said predetermined coordinate system from second and third ones of said gratings, said second and third gratings having a different orientation with respect to one another in said predetermined coordinate system; and means coupled to said three receiving means for deriving signals representative of the vectorial velocity in the predetermined coordinate system between said moving object and said surface.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
200 words
An apparatus for measuring the relative three-dimensional vectorial velocity in a predetermined coordinate system between a moving object mounted thereto and an adjacent surface, said apparatus comprising: illuminating means projecting a pair of coherent beams of light for illuminating two separate portions of said surface with light energy; three separate means for receiving energy reflected from at least two different angles of reflection, first and second ones of said three receiving means aligned to receive energy radiated in a first one of said pair of coherent beams, a third one of said receiving means aligned to receive energy radiated in a second one of said pair of coherent beams, each said receiving means having a corresponding separate signal processing channel; three optical gratings disposed between said surface and said three receiving means with each functionally separate grating modulating the reflected light energy processed by a corresponding one of said separate channels, at least two of said three optical gratings having a different orientation with respect to each other in said predetermined coordinate system; and means coupled to said three receiving means for deriving signals representative of vectorial velocity in the predetermined coordinate system between said moving object and said surface.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
200 words
An apparatus for measuring the relative three-dimensional vectorial velocity in a predetermined coordinate system between a moving object mounted thereto and an adjacent surface, said apparatus comprising: illuminating means projecting a pair of coherent beams of light for illuminating two separate portions of said surface with light energy; three separate means for receiving energy reflected from at least two different angles of reflection, first and second ones of said three receiving means aligned to receive energy radiated in a first one of said pair of coherent beams, a third one of said receiving means aligned to receive energy radiated in a second one of said pair of coherent beams, each said receiving means having a corresponding separate signal processing channel; three optical gratings disposed between said surface and said three receiving means with each functionally separate grating modulating the reflected light energy processed by a corresponding one of said separate channels, at least two of said three optical gratings having a different orientation with respect to each other in said predetermined coordinate system; and means coupled to said three receiving means for deriving signals representative of vectorial velocity in the predetermined coordinate system between said moving object and said surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the optical grating modulating light received by said first receiving means has a different orientation in the predetermined coordinate system from said second receiving means.
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) | 1976-01-16 | 1976-07-17 | 1977-01-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-16 | 1980-07-17 | 1981-01-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-16 | 1984-07-17 | 1985-01-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |