US3814911A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for intercepting a radio defined course
Assignee: King Radio Corp
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Filing: 1972-12-26
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Granted: 1974-06-04
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Expires: 1992-12-26
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for computing a maneuver initiating logic signal including suitable circuitry and steps to produce a crosstrack rate signal is modified by a course datum variable and a conversion factor which will include a constant maximum bank angle. Further, this electrical signal is modified by the actual variable velocity of the aircraft and a comparing means is provided to compare a final velocity modified signal with a signal corresponding to crosstrack distance. When zero crossings are detected, the resultant logic signal indicates that the maneuver bank turn should be initiated for proper intercept and a capture of a radio course.
Inventors
- 👤 J Lehfeldt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:57
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D1/00; G05D1/04; G05D1/042; G05D1/044; G06; G06G; G06G7/00; G06G7/48; G06G7/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
A system for controlling aircraft maneuvers to enable an aircraft to rapidly achieve a heading coincident with a radio defined course, said system comprising means for producing an electrical signal corresponding to the aircraft distance from said radio defined course, means for producing a crosstrack rate signal that is modified by course datum and a conversion factor which includes aircraft bank angle, means for producing an electrical signal corresponding to the variable velocity of said aircraft, circuit means for multiplying said modified crosstrack rate signal by said velocity signal and having a corresponding output signal, and means for comparing said output signal produced by said last mentioned means with said aircraft distance signal, said comparing means producing a logic signal when said output signal corresponds in a preselected manner with said distance signal, said logic signal being suitable to initiate a capture maneuver to thereby enable said aircraft to achieve a heading coincident with said radio defined course.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
158 words
A system for controlling aircraft maneuvers to enable an aircraft to rapidly achieve a heading coincident with a radio defined course, said system comprising means for producing an electrical signal corresponding to the aircraft distance from said radio defined course, means for producing a crosstrack rate signal that is modified by course datum and a conversion factor which includes aircraft bank angle, means for producing an electrical signal corresponding to the variable velocity of said aircraft, circuit means for multiplying said modified crosstrack rate signal by said velocity signal and having a corresponding output signal, and means for comparing said output signal produced by said last mentioned means with said aircraft distance signal, said comparing means producing a logic signal when said output signal corresponds in a preselected manner with said distance signal, said logic signal being suitable to initiate a capture maneuver to thereby enable said aircraft to achieve a heading coincident with said radio defined course.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
138 words
The combination as in claim 1 wherein said modified crosstrack rate signal producing means includes means for producing a signal corresponding to the sine of the course datum heading (SIN Delta Psi ), means for producing a signal corresponding to the crosstrack rate (Y), means for multiplying said crosstrack rate signal by said course datum heading signal, said multiplying means thereby producing a signal output corresponding to the equation Y SIN Delta Psi , said velocity signal multiplying means being operable to multiply said velocity signal by said signal corresponding to the equation Y SIN Delta Psi and to thereby produce a signal which is represented by the equation Vt Y SIN Delta Psi , said last mentioned equation further modified by said conversion factor including aircraft bank angle prior to being compared with said aircraft distance signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
The combination as in claim 2 wherein said crosstrack rate producing means includes a means for multiplying the signal represented to by the equation Vt Y SIN Delta Psi by a conversion factor corresponding to the term of approximately 57.3/g phi o where g is the accleration due to gravity and phi o corresponds to the constant aircraft bank angle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination as in claim 1 wherein said system includes means for compensating for time delays normally associated with VOR or area navigation receiving equipment.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The combination as in claim 4 wherein said compensating means includes a feed forward circuit, said feed forward circuit having an input corresponding to said crosstrack rate signal and an output, said output being delivered to said comparing means to thereby compensate for said time delays during the operation of said comparing means.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
149 words
A method of controlling aircraft maneuvers thereby enabling an aircraft to rapidly achieve a heading course with a radio defined course, said method including the steps of producing an electrical signal corresponding to the arcraft distance of said ratio defined course, producing a crosstrack rate signal that is modified by course datum and a conversion factor which includes aircraft bank angle, porducing an electrical signal corresponding to the variable velocity of said aircraft, multiplying said modified crosstrack rate signal by said velocity signal to produce a corresponding output signal, and comparing said output signal produced by said last mentioned means with said aircraft distance signal, said comparing step producing a logic signal when said output signal correspnds in a preselected manner with said distance signaL, said logic signal being related to a capture maneuver to enable said aircraft to achieve a heading substantially coincident with said radio defined course.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
149 words
A method of controlling aircraft maneuvers thereby enabling an aircraft to rapidly achieve a heading course with a radio defined course, said method including the steps of producing an electrical signal corresponding to the arcraft distance of said ratio defined course, producing a crosstrack rate signal that is modified by course datum and a conversion factor which includes aircraft bank angle, porducing an electrical signal corresponding to the variable velocity of said aircraft, multiplying said modified crosstrack rate signal by said velocity signal to produce a corresponding output signal, and comparing said output signal produced by said last mentioned means with said aircraft distance signal, said comparing step producing a logic signal when said output signal correspnds in a preselected manner with said distance signaL, said logic signal being related to a capture maneuver to enable said aircraft to achieve a heading substantially coincident with said radio defined course.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
131 words
The combination as in claim 6 wherein said crosstrack rate signal producing step includes producing a signal corresponding to the sine of the course datum heading (SIN Delta Psi ), producing a signal corresponding to the crosstrack rate (Y), multiplying said crosstrack rate signal by said course datum heading signal, said multiplying step thereby producing a signal output corresponding to the equation Y SIN Delta Psi , said velocity signal multiplying step being operable to multiply said velocity signal by said signal corresponding to the equation Y SIN Delta Psi and to thereby produce a signal which is represented by the equation Vt Y SIN Delta Psi , said last mentioned equation further modified by said conversion factor including aircraft bank angle prior to being compared with said aircraft distance signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
The combination as in claim 7 wherein said crosstrack rate signal producing step includes the step of multiplying the signal represented by the equation Vt Y SIN Delta Psi by the conversion factor corresponding to the term of approximately 57.3/g phi o where g is the acceleration due to gravity and phi o corresponds to the constant aircraft bank angle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination as in claim 8 including the step of compensating for time delays normally associated with VOR or area navigation receiving equipment.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination as in claim 6 including the step of compensating for time delays normally associated with VOR or area navigation receiving equipment.
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) | 1977-06-03 | 1977-12-03 | 1978-06-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-03 | 1981-12-03 | 1982-06-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-03 | 1985-12-03 | 1986-06-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |