US3992708A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical tracking analog flywheel
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1975-07-18
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Granted: 1976-11-16
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Expires: 1995-07-18
Abstract
Abstract An optical tracking system wherein an analog computer program is operated multaneously with a real projectile firing. The program is forced to match its output of projectile position with real-time data. When no data is available, the analog program acts as a very sophisticated flywheel to keep optical tracking mounts continuously positioned very closely to the actual target position until it can be reacquired.
Inventors
- 👤 Larry Ray Olson
- 👤 J. Max Massey, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 12:12
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41G; F41G3/00; F41G3/14; G; G01; G01S; G01S17/00; G01S17/66; G01S13/00; G01S13/86; G01S13/867
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
An optical tracking system which acquires and maintains track on gun-fired projectiles or rocket targets comprising: a target; means to launch said target; an analog computer for continuously simulating the trajectory of said target and for continuously generating signals representative of the real time position of said target along its trajectory, said analog computer operatively connected to said launching means whereby the simulation is begun at launch; a digital coordinate processor electrically connected to the output of said analog computer wherein the output signals of said analog are analyzed in accordance with stored data and a signal representative of target position is generated; at least one tracking mount; and a telemetry link responsive to the output of said digital coordinate processor, slaving each of said tracking mounts to said analog computer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
An optical tracking system which acquires and maintains track on gun-fired projectiles or rocket targets comprising: a target; means to launch said target; an analog computer for continuously simulating the trajectory of said target and for continuously generating signals representative of the real time position of said target along its trajectory, said analog computer operatively connected to said launching means whereby the simulation is begun at launch; a digital coordinate processor electrically connected to the output of said analog computer wherein the output signals of said analog are analyzed in accordance with stored data and a signal representative of target position is generated; at least one tracking mount; and a telemetry link responsive to the output of said digital coordinate processor, slaving each of said tracking mounts to said analog computer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The tracking system of claim 1 including: a doppler radar electrically connected to said analog computer and injecting therein the actual target velocity after said target has been launched.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
57 words
A method for optically tracking a gun-fired projectile or rocket target comprising: firing a target; simulating in real time the trajectory of said target upon firing, based upon an estimated initial velocity; determining from the simulation the position coordinates of said target during flight; communicating the position coordinates to optical tracking stations; and optically tracking said target.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
57 words
A method for optically tracking a gun-fired projectile or rocket target comprising: firing a target; simulating in real time the trajectory of said target upon firing, based upon an estimated initial velocity; determining from the simulation the position coordinates of said target during flight; communicating the position coordinates to optical tracking stations; and optically tracking said target.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 3 including the additional steps of: determining the actual velocity of said target; and correcting said simulation to reflect the actual velocity of said target.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-11-16 | 1980-05-17 | 1980-11-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-11-16 | 1984-05-17 | 1984-11-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-11-16 | 1988-05-17 | 1988-11-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |