US4381544A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process and apparatus for geotechnic exploration
Assignee: AIRBORNE PIPELINE SERVICES Inc A UT CORP
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Filing: 1980-11-07
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Granted: 1983-04-26
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Expires: 2000-11-07
Abstract
Abstract A process for geotechnic exploration comprising the steps of: (a) Emitting one or more brief electromagnetic pulses or waves from an airborne platform at regular intervals based on the airspeed of the platform and the area being surveyed; (b) The wavelengths, frequencies and cyclicity of the waves being selected to provide, upon reflection, satisfactory indicia of the physical characteristics of the area being measured; (c) Receiving the reflections of said waves at said platform; (d) Amplifying said reflected waves to a readily processable level; (e) Processing said waves to enhance the spatial resolution of images produced therefrom; (f) Further processing said waves by selecting those variables represented by the waves that are deemed relevant; (g) Displaying said waves in visual form representing a cross-section of an area; (h) If desired, storing in recoverable form the signals representing said variables; and (i) Repeating said process as often as desired. The invention includes the aircraft-mounted radar apparatus for performing the process.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael E. Stamm
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 07:51
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S7/00; G01S7/02; G01S7/41; G01S7/411; G01S13/00; G01S13/02; G01S13/0209; G01S13/88; G01S13/89; G01V; G01V3/00; G01V3/15; G01V3/17; G01S13/885
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A process for geotechnic exploration comprising the steps of: (a) Emitting at least three electromagnetic pulses toward the ground from an airborne platform at regular intervals, based on the airspeed of the platform and the area being surveyed the wavelengths, frequencies, cyclicity and timing of the pulses being selected to provide, upon reflection, satisfactory indicia of the physical characteristics of the area being measured; (b) Receiving the reflections of said pulses at said platform; (c) Amplifying the reflected pulses to a readily processible level; (d) Processing the reflected pulses to enhance the spatial resolution of images produced therefrom; (e) Further processing the reflected pulses by selecting those variables represented by the pulses that are deemed relevant; (f) Displaying the reflected pulses in visual form representing a cross-section of an area; (g) If desired, storing in recoverable form the pulses representing said variables; and (h) Repeating said process as often as desired.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
A process for geotechnic exploration comprising the steps of: (a) Emitting at least three electromagnetic pulses toward the ground from an airborne platform at regular intervals, based on the airspeed of the platform and the area being surveyed the wavelengths, frequencies, cyclicity and timing of the pulses being selected to provide, upon reflection, satisfactory indicia of the physical characteristics of the area being measured; (b) Receiving the reflections of said pulses at said platform; (c) Amplifying the reflected pulses to a readily processible level; (d) Processing the reflected pulses to enhance the spatial resolution of images produced therefrom; (e) Further processing the reflected pulses by selecting those variables represented by the pulses that are deemed relevant; (f) Displaying the reflected pulses in visual form representing a cross-section of an area; (g) If desired, storing in recoverable form the pulses representing said variables; and (h) Repeating said process as often as desired.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein said three electromagnetic pulses have different frequencies in the range from about 100 mHz to about 1500 mHz.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein said pulses are single cycle pulses, the duration of each pulse is in the range from about one to about five nanoseconds.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A process as set forth in claim 1, wherein said pulses are single cycle pulses, having respective frequencies in the range from about 100 mHz to about 1500 mHz and of duration in the range from about one to about five nanoseconds.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A process as set forth in claim 1, including the step of color-coding said visual image and correcting for geometric distortion to produce an easily read color-coded picture of a section of the earth being surveyed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus for airborne geotechnic exploration, comprising: (a) Antenna means adapted to produce short microwave pulses in the range from about 100 mHz to about 1500 mHz; (b) Antenna means adapted to receive microwave pulses in the range from about 100 mHz to about 1500 mHz; and (c) Means to produce a visual output representing a cross-section of the earth's sub-surface exposed to said microwave pulses.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus for airborne geotechnic exploration, comprising: (a) Antenna means adapted to produce short microwave pulses in the range from about 100 mHz to about 1500 mHz; (b) Antenna means adapted to receive microwave pulses in the range from about 100 mHz to about 1500 mHz; and (c) Means to produce a visual output representing a cross-section of the earth's sub-surface exposed to said microwave pulses.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said two antennae means comprises a single transverse electric mode horn antenna.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said antenna means produces single cycle microwave pulses in the range from about 100 mHz to about 1500 mHz and of duration in the range from about one to about five nanoseconds.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said last-named means includes means to geometrically correct the visual output and to color code the output.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 6, including means to measure and relate the linear position of the antenna means to the visual output produced.
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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) | 1986-04-25 | 1986-10-25 | 1987-04-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-04-25 | 1990-10-25 | 1991-04-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-04-25 | 1994-10-25 | 1995-04-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |