US3741653A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Computer-aided laser-based airborne measurement system
Assignee: Geosystems Inc
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Filing: 1970-07-06
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Granted: 1973-06-26
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Expires: 1990-07-06
Abstract
Abstract In an airborne vehicle, a system having laser sources and optical tracking assemblies electrically communicating with a computer is provided for determining the absolute (inertial) path, position, velocity and acceleration of the vehicle and for surveying the ground contour. A laser beam is directed toward a ground retroreflector and the reflected beam is tracked by an optical tracker. Another laser beam scans, in a pre-programmed pattern, the ground contour and another optical tracker follows the scanning beam. Modulation and phase comparison techniques are utilized to measure the range between the vehicle and the ground retroreflector and between the vehicle and the scanned ground. Data generated by the laser source and optical tracking assemblies are applied to the computer for determination of desired position data by triangulation. The inertial velocity and acceleration of the vehicle and the ground profile above sea level or some other specified reference surface are then determined using either airborne or ground based computer.
Inventors
- 👤 O Svetlinchny
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 19:41
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C11/00; G01C11/02; G01C11/025; G01S; G01S13/00; G01S13/02; G01S13/50; G01S13/58; G01S13/60; G01S7/00; G01S7/02; G01S7/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
A measurement system adapted for use with an airborne vehicle, said system comprising: a. a plurality of spaced ground means; b. means mounted in said vehicle for determining the range between specified ones of said ground means and said vehicle and for determining the angle subtended by pairs of said specified ground means and said vehicle; c. means for specifying the position of said vehicle with respect to ground coordinates, said range and angle determining means electrically communicating with said position specifying means, the position of said vehicle with respect to said ground coordinates being determined by triangulation in said position specifying means; d. source means electrically communicating with said position specifying means for generating first and second coherent energy beams; and e. servo means operatively connected to said source means and electrically connected to said position specifying means, said first beam being directed toward specified ones of said ground means by said servo means, said second beam being directed to scan the ground by said servo means, said servo means being responsive to said position specifying means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
A measurement system adapted for use with an airborne vehicle, said system comprising: a. a plurality of spaced ground means; b. means mounted in said vehicle for determining the range between specified ones of said ground means and said vehicle and for determining the angle subtended by pairs of said specified ground means and said vehicle; c. means for specifying the position of said vehicle with respect to ground coordinates, said range and angle determining means electrically communicating with said position specifying means, the position of said vehicle with respect to said ground coordinates being determined by triangulation in said position specifying means; d. source means electrically communicating with said position specifying means for generating first and second coherent energy beams; and e. servo means operatively connected to said source means and electrically connected to said position specifying means, said first beam being directed toward specified ones of said ground means by said servo means, said second beam being directed to scan the ground by said servo means, said servo means being responsive to said position specifying means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The measurement system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the ground coordinate of at least three of said plurality of spaced ground means are known.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The measurement system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said system includes stable platform means, said range and angle determining means and said source means mounted to said stable platform means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The measurement system as claimed in claim 3 including display means electrically communicating with said position specifying means, the ground coordinates of said vehicle being presented by said display means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The measurement system as claimed in claim 4 including storage means electrically communicating with said position specifying means, the ground coordinates of said vehicle being recorded in said storage means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The measurement system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said range and angle determining means includes sensor means collimated to said source means for detecting said first, second, and third beams at their correlative ground means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The measurement system as claimed in claim 6 wherein said sensor means is optical tracking means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The mEasurement system as claimed in claim 7 wherein said optical tracking means is image dissector tube means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The measurement system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said known ground means is retroreflector means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The measurement system as claimed in claim 9 wherein said source means is laser means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
The measurement system as claimed in claim 1 including at least a third coherent energy beam generated by said source means, said third beam being directed toward specified others of said ground means by said servo means, said first and third beams being directed toward alternately successive ground means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
The measurement system as claimed in claim 11 wherein said range and angle determining means includes sensor means collimated to said source means for detecting said first and third beams at their correlative ground means and for detecting said second beam at the ground.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
127 words
The measurement system as claimed in claim 12 including: a. means electrically communicating with said source means for frequency modulating each of said beams; b. comparator means electrically communicating with said frequency modulating means and said sensor means for generating output signals representing the range between said first beam and its correlative ground means, the range between said second beam and ground, and the range between said third beam and its correlative ground means; and c. means electrically communicating with said comparator means and said position specifying means for applying selectively the output signals of said comparator means representing the range between said first beam and its correlative ground means and the range between said third beam and its correlative ground means to said position specifying means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
178 words
A measurement system adapted for use with an airborne vehicle and a plurality of spaced ground means, said system comprising: a. means mounted in said vehicle for determining the range between specified ones of said ground means and said vehicle and for determining the angle subtended by pairs of said specified ground means and said vehicle; b. means for specifying the position of said vehicle with respect to ground coordinates, said range and angle determining means electrically communicating with said position specifying means, the position of said vehicle with respect to said ground coordinates being determined by triangulation in said position specifying means; c. source means electrically communicating with said position specifying means for generating first and second coherent energy beams; and d. servo means operatively connected to said source means and electrically connected to said position specifying means, said first beam being directed toward specified ones of said ground means by said servo means, said second beam being directed to scan the ground by said servo means, said servo means being responsive to said position specifying means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
178 words
A measurement system adapted for use with an airborne vehicle and a plurality of spaced ground means, said system comprising: a. means mounted in said vehicle for determining the range between specified ones of said ground means and said vehicle and for determining the angle subtended by pairs of said specified ground means and said vehicle; b. means for specifying the position of said vehicle with respect to ground coordinates, said range and angle determining means electrically communicating with said position specifying means, the position of said vehicle with respect to said ground coordinates being determined by triangulation in said position specifying means; c. source means electrically communicating with said position specifying means for generating first and second coherent energy beams; and d. servo means operatively connected to said source means and electrically connected to said position specifying means, said first beam being directed toward specified ones of said ground means by said servo means, said second beam being directed to scan the ground by said servo means, said servo means being responsive to said position specifying 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) | 1976-06-25 | 1976-12-25 | 1977-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-25 | 1980-12-25 | 1981-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-25 | 1984-12-25 | 1985-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |