US3736061A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Aircraft proximity warning indicator system
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1970-02-12
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Granted: 1973-05-29
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Expires: 1990-02-12
Abstract
Abstract An aircraft warning system is disclosed for detecting and displaying the relative azimuth and elevation of any aircraft xenon beacon in the vicinity. A total field of view for the system is provided by two or more sensor units which have overlapping subfields. The subfield of a given unit is formed by the composite view of an array of radiation-sensitive devices, each coupled to a separate lamp in a display instrument by a signal processing channel adapted to identify beacon radiation pulses and reduce false alarms. Each lamp illuminates a separate segment of the display instrument to indicate relative azimuth and elevation of the detected beacon.
Inventors
- 👤 G L Knowlden
- 👤 D Blanchard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 14:31
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S3/00; G01S3/78; G01S3/782; G01S3/783; G01S3/784
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
A system for detecting radiation from strobed light beacons carried by aircraft, said radiation having a known peak power spectral region, comprising: means for simultaneously monitoring unique segments of a given field of view for radiation pulses within said spectral region, said monitoring means comprises a plurality of radiationsensitive devices for converting said radiation pulses into voltage pulses, said devices having an inherent response cutoff for wavelengths longer than the wavelength at the lower limit of said spectral region, and further comprises an optical filter for cutting off radiation to said devices of wavelengths shorter than the wavelength at the upper limit of said spectral region; and display means having a plurality of segments, each associated with a unique one of said field segments, and each display segment being adapted to be separately illuminated in response to said monitoring means detecting radiation pulses from a source in an associated one of said field segments when said radiation pulses within said spectral region are of a predetermined amplitude.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
167 words
A system for detecting radiation from strobed light beacons carried by aircraft, said radiation having a known peak power spectral region, comprising: means for simultaneously monitoring unique segments of a given field of view for radiation pulses within said spectral region, said monitoring means comprises a plurality of radiationsensitive devices for converting said radiation pulses into voltage pulses, said devices having an inherent response cutoff for wavelengths longer than the wavelength at the lower limit of said spectral region, and further comprises an optical filter for cutting off radiation to said devices of wavelengths shorter than the wavelength at the upper limit of said spectral region; and display means having a plurality of segments, each associated with a unique one of said field segments, and each display segment being adapted to be separately illuminated in response to said monitoring means detecting radiation pulses from a source in an associated one of said field segments when said radiation pulses within said spectral region are of a predetermined amplitude.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said display means includes a voltage threshold detector for determining when said voltage pulses exceed a level proportional to said predetermined amplitude, and further includes means for varying system sensitivity by varying said determining level of said threshold detector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said monitoring means includes voltage signal amplifying means coupling said radiation-sensitive devices to said display means, said amplifying means having means for producing a signal amplitude proportional to the slope of the pulse.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
97 words
A system as defined in claim 8 wherein said display means includes means for reducing the number of false alarms by inhibiting illumination of a given disPlay segment in response to radiation pulses until three radiation pulses have been received with a period between successive pulses not greater than a first predetermined period and not less than a second predetermined period, where said first predetermined period is determined from the minimum pulse repetition rate of said strobed light beacons, and said second predetermined period is determined from the maximum pulse repetition rate of said strobed light beacons.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
A system as defined in claim 4 wherein said display means includes means for terminating illumination of a given segment when a period greater than said first predetermined period expires without a radiation pulse being received from an associated one of said unique field segments.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said display means includes means for identifying detected radiation pulses originating from a strobed light beacon, said identifying means including means for discriminating between detected radiation pulses on the basis of the rise time of the pulses.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said display means includes means for identifying detected radiation pulses originating from a strobed light beacon, said identifying means including means for discriminating between detected radiation pulses on the basis of the repetition rate of the pulses.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said monitoring means includes means for identifying detected radiation pulses originating from a strobed light beacon, said identifying means including means for discriminating between detected radiation pulses as a function of the repetition rate, rise time and amplitude of the pulses.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-28 | 1976-11-27 | 1977-05-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-28 | 1980-11-27 | 1981-05-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-28 | 1984-11-27 | 1985-05-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |