Patent US2503865A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3739382A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Aircraft lateral guidance system
Assignee: CENTURY FLIGHT SYSTEMS Inc A TX CORP
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Filing: 1970-09-08
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Granted: 1973-06-12
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Expires: 1990-09-08
Abstract
Abstract Course and directional radio signals are combined to produce an aircraft guidance signal. The guidance signal is amplified and applied to control the intercept of the aircraft with a directional radio beam. Circuitry is provided which is responsive to the radio signal for decreasing the aircraft angle of intercept to a preset minimum intercept angle as the aircraft approaches the radio beam. Upon intercept with the radio beam, the minimum intercept angle is reduced and the aircraft is directed along the radio beam. Also upon intercept with the radio beam, a cross wind correction is applied to the guidance signal. After a first preselected time interval from the intercept with the radio beam, the gain of the guidance signal is substantially reduced to provide a more comfortable flight. After a second predetermined time interval from intercept with the radio beam, the permissible bank angle of the aircraft is limited. A novel nonlinear circuit is provided in a feedback circuit to nonlinearly control the roll motor of the aircraft.
Inventors
- 👤 J Younkin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 20:55
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S1/00; G01S1/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A lateral guidance system for an aircraft comprising: a. amplifying means for amplifying a combined directional radio and course signal, b. means operable for directing the aircraft toward a directional radio beam at a selected intercept angle, c. means for introducing cross wind correction to the aircraft in response to intercept with said radio beam, d. means for reducing the gain of said amplifying means after a first preselected time interval from the intercept with said radio beam, and e. means for limiting the permissible bank angle of the aircraft after a second preselected time interval from the intercept with said radio beam.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
A lateral guidance system for an aircraft comprising: a. amplifying means for amplifying a combined directional radio and course signal, b. means operable for directing the aircraft toward a directional radio beam at a selected intercept angle, c. means for introducing cross wind correction to the aircraft in response to intercept with said radio beam, d. means for reducing the gain of said amplifying means after a first preselected time interval from the intercept with said radio beam, and e. means for limiting the permissible bank angle of the aircraft after a second preselected time interval from the intercept with said radio beam.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The guidance system of claim 1 and further comprising: means for proportionally reducing said selected intercept angle to a residual level in response to approach of the aircraft toward said radio beam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The guidance system of claim 1 wherein said means for introducing cross wind correction comprises: a high pass heading network.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The guidance system of claim 1 wherein said selected intercept angle is approximately 45*.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The guidance system of claim 4 wherein said selected intercept is reduced to approximately 22* as the aircraft approaches said radio beam.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The guidance system of claim 1 wherein said first time interval is approximately 20 seconds.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The guidance system of claim 1 wherein said second time interval is approximately 90 seconds.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
117 words
An aircraft lateral guidance system comprising: a. summing means for summing a first signal representative of the detection of a directional radio beam with a second signal containing course information, b. amplifier means for amplifying the output of said summing means, c. means responsive to the output of said amplifier means for controlling the guidance of the aircraft toward an intercept witH said radio beam, d. means responsive to said first signal for decreasing the angle of intercept down to a preset minimum intercept angle as the aircraft approaches said radio beam, and e. means responsive to intercept with said radio beam for reducing said minimum intercept angle and for directing the aircraft along said radio beam.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
117 words
An aircraft lateral guidance system comprising: a. summing means for summing a first signal representative of the detection of a directional radio beam with a second signal containing course information, b. amplifier means for amplifying the output of said summing means, c. means responsive to the output of said amplifier means for controlling the guidance of the aircraft toward an intercept witH said radio beam, d. means responsive to said first signal for decreasing the angle of intercept down to a preset minimum intercept angle as the aircraft approaches said radio beam, and e. means responsive to intercept with said radio beam for reducing said minimum intercept angle and for directing the aircraft along said radio beam.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 8 wherein said preset minimum intercept angle is determined by a high gain saturable amplifier.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 9 wherein said means responsive to intercept comprises: an absolute value network connected to the output of said high gain amplifier, and switch means connected to said network for disconnecting said high gain amplifier from said system.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 8 and further comprising: means for introducing high pass filtering into said second signal in response to intercept of the aircraft with the radio beam.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 8 and further comprising: means for reducing the gain of said amplifier means after a predetermined time interval from the intercept with the radio beam.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 8 and further comprising: means for limiting the permissible bank angle of the aircraft after a preselected time interval from the intercept with the radio beam.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
94 words
The method of lateral guidance for an aircraft with respect to a directional radio beam comprising: a. combining directional radio and course signals into a lateral guidance control signal, b. introducing an intercept angle signal into said guidance control signal to maintain at least a selected minimum intercept angle of the aircraft during approach to the radio beam, c. reducing the angle of intercept of the aircraft down to said selected minimum intercept angle as the aircraft approaches the radio beam, and d. removing said intercept angle signal upon intercept with the radio beam.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
94 words
The method of lateral guidance for an aircraft with respect to a directional radio beam comprising: a. combining directional radio and course signals into a lateral guidance control signal, b. introducing an intercept angle signal into said guidance control signal to maintain at least a selected minimum intercept angle of the aircraft during approach to the radio beam, c. reducing the angle of intercept of the aircraft down to said selected minimum intercept angle as the aircraft approaches the radio beam, and d. removing said intercept angle signal upon intercept with the radio beam.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of lateral guidance in claim 14 and further comprising: introducing cross wind correction to the aircraft in response to intercept with the radio beam.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 14 and further comprising: reducing the amplitude of said guidance control signal after a predetermined time interval from intercept with the radio beam.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 14 and further comprising: limiting the permissible bank angle of the aircraft after a predetermined time interval from intercept with the radio beam.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of lateral guidance for an aircraft comprising: a. amplifying a combined directional and course signal, b. directing the aircraft toward a directional radio beam at a selected intercept angle, c. introducing cross wind correction to the aircraft in response to intercept with said radio beam, d. reducing the gain of said amplifying means after a first preselected time interval from the intercept with said radio beam, and e. limiting the permissible bank angle of the aircraft after a second preselected time interval from the intercept with said radio beam.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of lateral guidance for an aircraft comprising: a. amplifying a combined directional and course signal, b. directing the aircraft toward a directional radio beam at a selected intercept angle, c. introducing cross wind correction to the aircraft in response to intercept with said radio beam, d. reducing the gain of said amplifying means after a first preselected time interval from the intercept with said radio beam, and e. limiting the permissible bank angle of the aircraft after a second preselected time interval from the intercept with said radio beam.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The guidance system of claim 2 and further comprising: switching means for abruptly removing said residual level when the aircraft reaches the proximity of the course center line.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3041607A
Cited
US3098228A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-11 | 1976-12-11 | 1977-06-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-11 | 1980-12-11 | 1981-06-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-11 | 1984-12-11 | 1985-06-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |