US3881824A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Alignment and control system
Assignee: Department of National Defence
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Filing: 1973-03-02
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Granted: 1975-05-06
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Expires: 1993-03-02
Abstract
Abstract An azimuth alignment system which is particularly useful for aligning artillery guns. One of the problems with alignment devices has been the slow rate at which information can be transmitted between a control position and an element or elements to be aligned. The system comprises a reference unit which is located in a known orientation and is provided with an omnidirectional beacon emitting pulsed radiation. Also mounted on the unit is a revolving means which provides a highly collimated light beam. Means is connected with the revolving means for causing the beacon to signal the passing of a datum position thereby. The gun, or other element to be aligned in azimuth is located within the range of the reference unit and is provided with a receiver unit having means to receive and count the pulses from the beacon. Suitably, the means which receives and counts the pulses drives a display and is responsive to the datum position passing signal to zero the count, it further has means which detects the revolving means when it passes the receiver unit and locks the count at its instantaneous reading. In this fashion, there is presented an indication of a geometrical angle of the gun, or other element, position relative to the datum so that the gun, or other element, may be aligned.
Inventors
- 👤 John Higgins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 20:56
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41G; F41G3/00; F41G3/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
An azimuth alignment system comprising a reference unit adapted to be aligned in a known orientation; a revolving means on said reference unit for providing a highly collimated light beam; a beacon for emitting pulsed radiation; an angular encoder connected with said revolving means for causing the beacon to signal incremental angular movement of, and the passing of a datum position by, the revolviNg means;; a receiver means for mounting on an element to be aligned in azimuth, said receiver means having means to detect the highly collimated light beam and to receive and interpret the pulsed radiation from the beacon, and therefrom to provide azimuth information whereby said element may be aligned.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
An azimuth alignment system comprising a reference unit adapted to be aligned in a known orientation; a revolving means on said reference unit for providing a highly collimated light beam; a beacon for emitting pulsed radiation; an angular encoder connected with said revolving means for causing the beacon to signal incremental angular movement of, and the passing of a datum position by, the revolviNg means;; a receiver means for mounting on an element to be aligned in azimuth, said receiver means having means to detect the highly collimated light beam and to receive and interpret the pulsed radiation from the beacon, and therefrom to provide azimuth information whereby said element may be aligned.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
An azimuth alignment system as claimed in claim 1 in which the data transmission means is a beacon emitting modulated radiation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system claimed in claim 1 in which the receiver means further includes an oscillator means which interpolates between beacon pulses.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said receiver means includes a comparator adapted to receive said data as a first input, and as a second input a signal of the alignment of the element and to produce a resultant error signal as a command signal, and means responsive to said command signal for aligning the element in azimuth.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 in which the pulsed radiation is radiated in or near the visual spectrum and in which the light beam is a laser beam.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 in which the revolving means providing a highly collimated beam is a transmitter of highly collimated light.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the revolving means for providing a highly collimated beam is a reflector, a transmitter of highly collimated light being provided at the element and aimed at the reference means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
146 words
An azimuth alignment system comprising a reference unit adapted to be aligned in a known orientation; a beacon emitting pulsed radiation mounted on said reference unit; a revolving means on said reference unit for providing a highly collimated light beam; means connected with said revolving means for causing the beacon to signal the passing of a datum position by the revolving means; receiver means adapted to be mounted on an element to be aligned, said receiver means having means to receive and count the pulses from the beacon and to drive a display and being responsive to said signal to zero the count, and further having means adapted to detect said light beam when it passes the receiver means and lock the display count; whereby to present an indication of an angle of element position relative to said datum, by which the element may be aligned.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
146 words
An azimuth alignment system comprising a reference unit adapted to be aligned in a known orientation; a beacon emitting pulsed radiation mounted on said reference unit; a revolving means on said reference unit for providing a highly collimated light beam; means connected with said revolving means for causing the beacon to signal the passing of a datum position by the revolving means; receiver means adapted to be mounted on an element to be aligned, said receiver means having means to receive and count the pulses from the beacon and to drive a display and being responsive to said signal to zero the count, and further having means adapted to detect said light beam when it passes the receiver means and lock the display count; whereby to present an indication of an angle of element position relative to said datum, by which the element may be aligned.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system as claimed in claim 8 wherein said beacon emitting pulsed radiation is substantially omnidirectional and where said element is a gun.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system as claimed in claim 9 in which the receiver means includes means for algebraically adding to said display a value of an angle of a target bearing to display a target reference angle whereby said gun may be laid on said target.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the receiver means further comprises an oscillator means which provides interpolation between any two successive pulses received from the beacon.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as claimed in claim 8 in which the display is provided on numerical counters.
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) | 1978-05-05 | 1978-11-04 | 1979-05-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-05 | 1982-11-04 | 1983-05-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-05 | 1986-11-04 | 1987-05-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |