Patent US4586050A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4586050A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Automatic tracking system for antenna
Assignee: NEC Corp
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Filing: 1983-09-15
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Granted: 1986-04-29
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Expires: 2003-09-15
Abstract
Abstract An automatic tracking system for an antenna device for satellite communications and using step tracking principles is disclosed which repeatedly effects tracking at predetermined intervals so that the receive electric field from the satellite becomes maximum. When a platform loaded with an antenna device for satellite communications is caused to sway to an inclined position during an interval between sequential tracking operations, sensors senses a pitching angle and a rolling angle of the platform. The outputs of the sensors are compared with an angle previously stored as an inclination angle of the platform which existed just before interval between sequential tracking operations. If the difference is larger than a predetermined value, step tracking is resumed to track the satellite even in a suspension period of step tracking.
Inventors
- 👤 Takao Kuroda
- 👤 Ryuji Shimizu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 11:55
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q1/00; H01Q1/12; H01Q1/18; G; G01; G01S; G01S3/00; G01S3/02; G01S3/14; G01S3/38; G01S3/44
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
An automatic step tracking antenna system comprising: an antenna for communicating with a stationary satellite supported on a non stabilized body, which may sway; azimuth drive means and elevation drive means for driving said antenna in azimuth and elevation, respectively; drive control means for intermittently driving said azimuth and elevation drive means such that an electric field which the antenna receives from the satellite becomes maximum; sensor means for sensing a present angle of inclination when said body sways, said sensor means comprising a pitching sensor responsive to a pitching angle of the body and a rolling sensor responsive to a rolling angle of the body; and control means for storing an angle of a previous inclination of said body which occurred during a non-driven period of the intermittently driven azimuth and elevation drive means, for comparing said stored angle of said previous inclination with the present angle of inclination sensed by the sensor means, and, if a difference provided by the comparison is larger than a predetermined value, for causing the drive control means to resume the operation of the azimuth and elevation drive means even when the azimuth and elevation drive means are in a non-driven period.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
An automatic step tracking antenna system comprising: an antenna for communicating with a stationary satellite supported on a non stabilized body, which may sway; azimuth drive means and elevation drive means for driving said antenna in azimuth and elevation, respectively; drive control means for intermittently driving said azimuth and elevation drive means such that an electric field which the antenna receives from the satellite becomes maximum; sensor means for sensing a present angle of inclination when said body sways, said sensor means comprising a pitching sensor responsive to a pitching angle of the body and a rolling sensor responsive to a rolling angle of the body; and control means for storing an angle of a previous inclination of said body which occurred during a non-driven period of the intermittently driven azimuth and elevation drive means, for comparing said stored angle of said previous inclination with the present angle of inclination sensed by the sensor means, and, if a difference provided by the comparison is larger than a predetermined value, for causing the drive control means to resume the operation of the azimuth and elevation drive means even when the azimuth and elevation drive means are in a non-driven period.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The automatic tracking system as claimed in claim 1, in which each of the pitching and rolling sensors comprises a level.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The automatic tracking system as claimed in claim 1, in which the control means comprises an interface circuit which includes a microcomputer therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The automatic tracking system as claimed in claim 1, in which the body comprises a platform.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The automatic tracking system as claimed in claim 4, in which the platform comprise an oil rig.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4035805A
Cited
US4334226A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-04-28 | 1989-10-28 | 1990-04-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-04-28 | 1993-10-28 | 1994-04-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-04-28 | 1997-10-28 | 1998-04-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |