US3731273A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Position locating systems
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-11-26
•
Granted: 1973-05-01
•
Expires: 1991-11-26
Abstract
Abstract Position location and plotting is mechanized and accurately accomplished in a system employing a movable transmitter of acoustic signals and at least two acoustic receivers whose position is fixed. The system measures transit time from the transmitter to the receivers. It measures propagation velocity of the acoustic signal to determine distance from the transmitter to the two receivers and ultimately locates the transmitter''s position relative to the two receivers. A signal of a kind that is more rapidly propagated than acoustic signals is generated simultaneously with initiation of the acoustic signal to form a start signal. Receipt of the acoustic signal at the receivers is made the occasion for generating a stop signal and the distance computation is made on the basis of the time interval elapsing between the start and stop signals. In the preferred embodiment the transmitter comprises a spark gap and the start signal is an electrical signal which is provided as an incident to current flow through the gap. A second spark gap, and means for developing a second start signal, has a fixed position relative to the two receivers. That arrangement is utilized to provide a high order of accuracy. To enhance accuracy even more, the two spark gaps are miniaturized and the structure for supplying energy currents to them and for developing start signals are made similar and the two systems are energized alternately from a common source. Special microphones receive acoustic signals at a known distance from a reference position whereby point-to-point distance and direction is accurately measured.
Inventors
- 👤 W Hunt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 20:51
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/041; G06F3/043; G06F3/0433; G01; G01S; G01S11/00; G01S11/16; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S367/00; Y10S367/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
In a position indicator, in combination: a pair of spaced microphones; a first spark gap movable relative to said microphones; first energizing means for causing application of electrical energy to said gap sufficient to form a spark current and, as an incident thereto, to radiate an acoustic test signal from the gap; first start signal means for providing an electrical start signal simultaneously with formation of the spark; and timing means responsive to said electrical start signal to begin counting time and responsive to receipt of acoustic test signal at said microphones to determine transit time of test signal to each of said microphones; said energizing means comprising a source of electrical power pulses; a transformer having a primary winding connected to the source and a secondary winding connected across the gap; said first start signal means comprising a coil inductively coupled to the circuit comprised by said secondary winding and said gap.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
In a position indicator, in combination: a pair of spaced microphones; a first spark gap movable relative to said microphones; first energizing means for causing application of electrical energy to said gap sufficient to form a spark current and, as an incident thereto, to radiate an acoustic test signal from the gap; first start signal means for providing an electrical start signal simultaneously with formation of the spark; and timing means responsive to said electrical start signal to begin counting time and responsive to receipt of acoustic test signal at said microphones to determine transit time of test signal to each of said microphones; said energizing means comprising a source of electrical power pulses; a transformer having a primary winding connected to the source and a secondary winding connected across the gap; said first start signal means comprising a coil inductively coupled to the circuit comprised by said secondary winding and said gap.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
The invention defined in claim 1 which further comprises a second spark gap having known fixed spacing from said microphones; and second energizing means similar to said first energizing means for causing sparks to traverse said second spark gap, and second start signal means similar to said first start signal means for providing a second start signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention defined in claim 2 in which said first and second energizing means are operative to cause said first and second spark gaps to spark alternately.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
87 words
The invention defined in claim 2 in which said position indicator further comprises means responsive to the start signal and the acoustic signal provided and radiated from said second spark gap for computing acoustic signal velocity, and comprises means responsive to the start signal generated by said start signal means and the reception at said microphones of acoustic signals from said first spark gap, and to said computation of acoustic signal velocity for providing signals indicative of the distance from each microphone to said first spark gap.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
195 words
In a position indicator, in combination: a pair of spaced microphones; a first spark gap movable relative to said microphones; first energizing means for causing application of electrical energy to said gap sufficient to form a spark current and, as an incident thereto, to radiate an acoustic test signal from the gap; first start signal means for providing an electrical start signal simultaneously with formation of the spark; timing means responsive to said electrical start signal to begin counting time and responsive to receipt of acoustic test signal at said microphones to determine transit time of test signal to each of said microphones; said microphones comprising a compression sensitive capacitor formed by two metallic surfaces separated by an insulating dielectric, the surfaces being everywhere equidistant from a respectively associated reference point lying on the side opposite said metallic surfaces from the positions at which said first spark gap may be placed; and a second spark gap having a fixed position relative to the reference points associated with said microphones and calibration signal generating means causing a spark to traverse said second gap to generate a second electrical start signal and to radiate calibration acoustic signals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
195 words
In a position indicator, in combination: a pair of spaced microphones; a first spark gap movable relative to said microphones; first energizing means for causing application of electrical energy to said gap sufficient to form a spark current and, as an incident thereto, to radiate an acoustic test signal from the gap; first start signal means for providing an electrical start signal simultaneously with formation of the spark; timing means responsive to said electrical start signal to begin counting time and responsive to receipt of acoustic test signal at said microphones to determine transit time of test signal to each of said microphones; said microphones comprising a compression sensitive capacitor formed by two metallic surfaces separated by an insulating dielectric, the surfaces being everywhere equidistant from a respectively associated reference point lying on the side opposite said metallic surfaces from the positions at which said first spark gap may be placed; and a second spark gap having a fixed position relative to the reference points associated with said microphones and calibration signal generating means causing a spark to traverse said second gap to generate a second electrical start signal and to radiate calibration acoustic signals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
84 words
The invention defined in claim 5 in which said first energizing means and said calibration signal generating means both comprise a source of electrical energy pulses, a transformer having its primary winding connected to said source and a secondary winding connected in a secondary circuit in series with its associated spark gap, said first start signal means and said calibration signal generating means each comprising means for providing an electrical signal simultaneously with current flow in The respectively associated one of said secondary circuits.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
The invention defined in claim 6 in which said transformer of said first energizing means and said first start signal means are housed together with said first spark gap in a movable probe; said first energizing means comprising a switch operative to initiate application of electrical energy pulses to both of said transformers, said switch be housed in said probe.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention defined in claim 7 in which said switch is operative in response to placement of the probe at selected points.
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) | 1976-04-30 | 1976-10-30 | 1977-05-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-30 | 1980-10-30 | 1981-05-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-30 | 1984-10-30 | 1985-05-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |