Intensity comparing system for determining fraction of travel time or distance to a radiating source

Claim 2

Means for determining travel time between radiation receiving means and a substantially constant average-energy radiation source moving together at a substantially constant velocity, a vehicle supporting said radiation receiving means, said radiation means sensing and detecting the radiation from said source, and providing an output of proportional amplitude, voltage dividing means connected serially with the output of said receiving means, periodic sampling means connected to the output of said receiving means, storage means for retaining an electrical charge proportional to the output of said periodic sampling means, amplitude-comparison means for providing an output when its inputs have a predetermined amplitude relationship, with one input connected to said storage means, and its other input connected to an intermediate point on said voltage dividing means, with the instant of output indication of said Comparator being related to the travel time of said vehicle from said source.

Claim 3

Means for indicating travel time for a vehicle travelling toward a substantially constant average-energy radiation source comprising antenna means supported by said vehicle to receive radiation from said source, receiving means connected to said antenna to detect variation in the received intensity of said radiation and providing an output of proportional amplitude, a voltage divider connected between ground and the output of said receiver, memory means for storing sampled values of said receiving means output, vibratory switching means connected serially between said memory means and the output of said radiation receiving means, amplitude-comparing means having a pair of inputs, with one input connected to said memory means, and a second input connected to the tap of said voltage divider, with said comparator providing an output when its inputs reach a predetermined amplitude relationship, wherein the period of said vibratory switch and the setting of said voltage divider determine the instant of indication of said travel time.

Claim 4

Means for indicating travel time for a vehicle travelling toward a substantially constant average-energy radiation source comprising antenna means supported by said vehicle to receive radiation from said source, receiving means connected to said antenna to detect variation in the received intensity of said radiation and providing an output of proportional amplitude, a voltage divider connected between ground and the output of said receiver, memory means for storing sampled values of said receiving means output, vibratory switching means connected serially between said memory means and the output of said radiation receiving means, amplitude-comparing means having a pair of inputs, with one input connected to said memory means, and a second input connected to the tap of said voltage divider, with said comparator providing an output when its inputs reach a predetermined amplitude relationship, wherein the period of said vibratory switch and the setting of said voltage divider determine the instant of indication of said travel time.

Claim 5

Means for indicating a predetermined travel time for radiation receiving means and a substantially constant average-energy radiation source moving together at a substantially constant velocity, with said radiation receiving means sensing received variations in said radiation from said source and providing an output of proportional amplitude, a voltage divider connected serially to the output of said radiation receiving means, memory means for sequentially remembering the values of periodically sampled voltages, switching means connected between said memory means and the output of said receiving means for periodically connecting and unconnecting the output of said receiving means to said memory means, amplitude-comparing means for providing an output indication when its inputs have a predetermined amplitude relationship, with one input being connected to said memory means, and the other input being connected across a portion of said voltage divider, wherein said comparator indication occurs at said predetermined travel time instant that is a function of said voltage divider setting and the period of said switching means.

Claim 6

Means for indicating a predetermined travel time for radiation receiving means and a substantially constant average-energy radiation source moving together at a substantially constant velocity, with said radiation receiving means sensing received variations in said radiation from said source and providing an output of proportional amplitude, a voltage divider connected serially to the output of said radiation receiving means, memory means for sequentially remembering the values of periodically sampled voltages, switching means connected between said memory means and the output of said receiving means for periodically connecting and unconnecting the output of said receiving means to said memory means, amplitude-comparing means for providing an output indication when its inputs have a predetermined amplitude relationship, with one input being connected to said memory means, and the other input being connected across a portion of said voltage divider, wherein said comparator indication occurs at said predetermined travel time instant that is a function of said voltage divider setting and the period of said switching means.

Claim 7

Means for indicating a predetermined travel time for radiation receiving means and a substantially constant average-energy radiation source moving together at a constant velocity with said radiation receiving means detecting received variations in the radiation from said source and providing an output of proportional amplitude, a resistive voltage divider connected between ground and the output of said radiation receiving means, a capacitor having one end connected to ground, switching means connected serially between the ungrounded end of said capacitor and the output of said radiation receiving means, means for periodically opening and closing said switching means with a short closed duty cycle, amplitude-comparator means for providing an output when its inputs have a predetermined amplitude relationship, with one comparator input being connected across said charging capacitor, and the other comparator input being connected to the tap point of said voltage divider, and the setting of said voltage divider causing said comparator output to occur at a given predetermined travel time instant.

Claim 8

Means for indicating a predetermined travel time for radiation receiving means and a substantially constant average-energy radiation source moving together at a constant velocity with said radiation receiving means detecting received variations in the radiation from said source and providing an output of proportional amplitude, a resistive voltage divider connected between ground and the output of said radiation receiving means, a capacitor having one end connected to ground, switching means connected serially between the ungrounded end of said capacitor and the output of said radiation receiving means, means for periodically opening and closing said switching means with a short closed duty cycle, amplitude-comparator means for providing an output when its inputs have a predetermined amplitude relationship, with one comparator input being connected across said charging capacitor, and the other comparator input being connected to the tap point of said voltage divider, and the setting of said voltage divider causing said comparator output to occur at a given predetermined travel time instant.

Claim 9

Means for indicating travel time for a vehicle moving towards a substantially constant average-energy radiation source at a substantially constant velocity, comprising radiation receiving means for sensing received variations in the radiation from said source and providing an output of proportional amplitude, a resistive voltage divider connected serially to the output of said radiation receiving means, an amplitude-comparator having a pair of inputs, with one input connected across a portion of said voltage divider, a capacitor, a switching means connected serially between said capacitor and the output of said radiation receiving means, means for Periodically opening and closing said switching means to charge said capacitor in a stepped fashion as said receiving means moves toward said radiation source, said capacitor connected across the other input of said comparator, with said comparator providing an output at the instant of a predetermined amplitude relationship of its input signals to indicate said predetermined travel time instant.

Claim 10

Means for indicating travel time for a vehicle moving towards a substantially constant average-energy radiation source at a substantially constant velocity, comprising radiation receiving means for sensing received variations in the radiation from said source and providing an output of proportional amplitude, a resistive voltage divider connected serially to the output of said radiation receiving means, an amplitude-comparator having a pair of inputs, with one input connected across a portion of said voltage divider, a capacitor, a switching means connected serially between said capacitor and the output of said radiation receiving means, means for Periodically opening and closing said switching means to charge said capacitor in a stepped fashion as said receiving means moves toward said radiation source, said capacitor connected across the other input of said comparator, with said comparator providing an output at the instant of a predetermined amplitude relationship of its input signals to indicate said predetermined travel time instant.

Claim 11

Means for indicating travel time for a vehicle moving toward a substantially constant average-energy radiation source at a substantially constant velocity, comprising radiation receiving means for sensing received variations in the radiation from said source and providing an output of proportional amplitude, a potentiometer connected between the output of said receiving means and ground, a capacitor having one end connected to ground, a switch connected serially between the other end of said capacitor and the output of said receiving means, pulser means for periodically closing said switch, an amplitude comparator having one input connected across a portion of said potentiometer, and having its other input connected across said capacitor, relay means connected to the output of said comparator for being actuated at the instant said comparator input signals have a predetermined amplitude relationship, and utilizing means connected to the contacts of said relay means.

Claim 12

Means for indicating travel time for a vehicle moving toward a substantially constant average-energy radiation source at a substantially constant velocity, comprising radiation receiving means for sensing received variations in the radiation from said source and providing an output of proportional amplitude, a potentiometer connected between the output of said receiving means and ground, a capacitor having one end connected to ground, a switch connected serially between the other end of said capacitor and the output of said receiving means, pulser means for periodically closing said switch, an amplitude comparator having one input connected across a portion of said potentiometer, and having its other input connected across said capacitor, relay means connected to the output of said comparator for being actuated at the instant said comparator input signals have a predetermined amplitude relationship, and utilizing means connected to the contacts of said relay means.

Claim 13

Means for determining travel time for radiation receiving means and a substantially constant average-energy radiation source moving together at a constant velocity, comprising voltage-divider means connected serially with the output of said radiation receiving means providing a proportional amplitude output, memory means for storing an instantaneously received signal, switching means connected serially between the output of said receiving means and said memory means, means for periodically varying said switching means between conducting and nonconducting states, amplitude-comparing means having a pair of inputs, with one input connected to said memory means, and its other input connected across a fraction of said voltage-divider means, with said comparing means providing an output when its input from said divider means exceeds its input from said memory means, servo means connected to the output of said comparing means, with the output of said servo means connected to an adjustable tap point on said voltage-divider means to adjust its position in a direction that tends to change divider means input of said comparing means to a value below the immediate value of said memory means input to said comparing means.

Claim 14

Means for determining travel time for radiation receiving means and a substantially constant average-energy radiation source moving together at a constant velocity, comprising voltage-divider means connected serially with the output of said radiation receiving means providing a proportional amplitude output, memory means for storing an instantaneously received signal, switching means connected serially between the output of said receiving means and said memory means, means for periodically varying said switching means between conducting and nonconducting states, amplitude-comparing means having a pair of inputs, with one input connected to said memory means, and its other input connected across a fraction of said voltage-divider means, with said comparing means providing an output when its input from said divider means exceeds its input from said memory means, servo means connected to the output of said comparing means, with the output of said servo means connected to an adjustable tap point on said voltage-divider means to adjust its position in a direction that tends to change divider means input of said comparing means to a value below the immediate value of said memory means input to said comparing means.

Claim 15

A system as defined by claim 7, including means for adjusting the period of said switching means, and means for indicating said adjustable period.

Claim 16

Means for indicating a predetermined travel time for a radiation receiving means and a substantially constant average-energy radiation source moving together at a substantially-constant velocity, comprising a potentiometer connected serially to the output of said receiving means providing a proportional amplitude output, voltage-storing means, switching means connected serially between said voltage-storing means and the output of said receiving means, means for opening and closing said switching means in a repetitious manner to charge said voltage-storing means in a stepped fashion, amplitude-comparator means having one input connected across a portion of said potentiometer, and having another input connected so said voltage storing means, with said comparator means providing an output when its potentiometer input exceeds its voltage storing means input, servo means connected to the output of said comparator means, the output of said servo means connected to the adjustable tap point of said potentiometer and moving the tap point in a direction that decreases the potentiometer input of said comparator means below its input from said storing means.

Claim 17

Means for indicating a predetermined travel time for a radiation receiving means and a substantially constant average-energy radiation source moving together at a substantially-constant velocity, comprising a potentiometer connected serially to the output of said receiving means providing a proportional amplitude output, voltage-storing means, switching means connected serially between said voltage-storing means and the output of said receiving means, means for opening and closing said switching means in a repetitious manner to charge said voltage-storing means in a stepped fashion, amplitude-comparator means having one input connected across a portion of said potentiometer, and having another input connected so said voltage storing means, with said comparator means providing an output when its potentiometer input exceeds its voltage storing means input, servo means connected to the output of said comparator means, the output of said servo means connected to the adjustable tap point of said potentiometer and moving the tap point in a direction that decreases the potentiometer input of said comparator means below its input from said storing means.

Claim 18

Means for indicating a positional situation for a radiation receiving means and a substantiAlly constant average-energy radiation source moving together at a substantially-constant velocity comprising a voltage divider connected between ground and the output of said receiving means providing a proportional amplitude output, a capacitor having one end connected to ground, a switch connected serially between the other end of said capacitor and the output of said receiving means, pulser means for periodically opening and closing said switch with a closedduty cycle that is relatively small, amplitude comparator means having a pair of inputs connected to the proportional amplitude output and the capacitor, respectively, for providing an output at a predetermined amplitude relationship between its inputs, servo means connected to the output of said comparator means, and the output of said servo means connected to the tap point of said voltage divider to adjust it.

Claim 19

Means for indicating a positional situation for a radiation receiving means and a substantiAlly constant average-energy radiation source moving together at a substantially-constant velocity comprising a voltage divider connected between ground and the output of said receiving means providing a proportional amplitude output, a capacitor having one end connected to ground, a switch connected serially between the other end of said capacitor and the output of said receiving means, pulser means for periodically opening and closing said switch with a closedduty cycle that is relatively small, amplitude comparator means having a pair of inputs connected to the proportional amplitude output and the capacitor, respectively, for providing an output at a predetermined amplitude relationship between its inputs, servo means connected to the output of said comparator means, and the output of said servo means connected to the tap point of said voltage divider to adjust it.

Claim 20

A system as defined by claim 10 which includes means for adjusting the switching rate of said pulser means in a calibrated manner.

Claim 21

A system as defined in claim 10 including travel-time indicating means coupled to the output of said servo means, said indicating means calibrated in travel-time to said radiation source.

Claim 22

A system as defined in claim 10 having a known velocity with respect to said radiating source, comprising distance indicating means coupled to the tap point of said voltage divider, with said indicating means calibrated in terms of distance to said radiation source.

Claim 23

Means for indicating a positional situation for radiation receiving means moving toward a substantially constant average-energy radiation source at a substantially-constant velocity, comprising a voltage-divider connected in series with the output of said receiving means providing a proportional amplitude output, a capacitor having one end connected to ground, a switch connected serially between the other end of said capacitor and the output of said receiving means, pulser means for periodically opening and closing said switch with a closedduty cycle that is relatively small, amplitude comparator means having a pair of inputs connected to the proportional amplitude output and the capacitor, respectively, for indicating an output with a predetermined amplitude relationship between its inputs, servo means connected to the output of said comparator means, and the output of said servo means connected to said pulser means to adjust its repetition rate.

Claim 24

Means for indicating a positional situation for radiation receiving means moving toward a substantially constant average-energy radiation source at a substantially-constant velocity, comprising a voltage-divider connected in series with the output of said receiving means providing a proportional amplitude output, a capacitor having one end connected to ground, a switch connected serially between the other end of said capacitor and the output of said receiving means, pulser means for periodically opening and closing said switch with a closedduty cycle that is relatively small, amplitude comparator means having a pair of inputs connected to the proportional amplitude output and the capacitor, respectively, for indicating an output with a predetermined amplitude relationship between its inputs, servo means connected to the output of said comparator means, and the output of said servo means connected to said pulser means to adjust its repetition rate.

Claim 25

A system as defined in claim 14 including means for indicating the period of vibration of said switch, with said means calibrated in travel time.

Claim 26

A system as defined in claim 14 having a known velocity, comprising period measuring means connected to said pulser means to provide an indication proportional to the period of vibration of said switch, with said period measuring means calibrated in terms of travel distance at said known velocity.

Claim 27

A system as defined in claim 1 including, a servo means connected to the output of said amplitude-comparison means, and the output of said servo means connected to said voltage dividing means to adjust its division ratio.

Claim 28

A system as defined in claim 1 including, a servo means having its input connected to the output of said amplitude-comparison means, the output of said servo means connected to said periodic sampling to adjust its sampling rate.