US4710028A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for locating a body in motion
Assignee: Airbus Group SAS
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Filing: 1986-06-02
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Granted: 1987-12-01
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Expires: 2006-06-02
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a system for locating a body in motion with respect to an axis, comprising an optical detector disposed in fixed manner and cooperating with an optical emitter connected to said body in motion, system wherein said optical detector comprises a fixed matrix of controllable photosensitive elements; said optical emitter produces flash signals; and synchronization means are provided for said electronic control means to deliver control pulses synchronized with said flash signals and triggering off the taking of an image. The invention is more particularly applicable to the location and guiding of missiles.
Inventors
- 👤 Gilles Grenier
- 👤 Jerome Maffert
- 👤 Jean-Pierre Merle
- 👤 Jacques R. des Ordons
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 22:26
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S3/00; G01S3/78; G01S3/782; G01S3/783; G01S3/784; F; F41; F41G; F41G7/00; F41G7/20; F41G7/30; F41G7/301; F41G7/303
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A tracking device for locating a flying body, such as a missile, within the line of sight of said tracking device, said tracking device comprising: a fixed planar matrix of controllable photosensitive elements, the plane of which is at least substantially at right angles with said line of sight; electronic means for controlling said photosensitive elements; an optical system for forming an optical image of said flying body onto said fixed planar matrix; an optical emitter producing flash signals being carried by said flying body and synchronization means being provided for said electronic control means to deliver control pulses triggering off the taking of images synchronized with said flash signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
A tracking device for locating a flying body, such as a missile, within the line of sight of said tracking device, said tracking device comprising: a fixed planar matrix of controllable photosensitive elements, the plane of which is at least substantially at right angles with said line of sight; electronic means for controlling said photosensitive elements; an optical system for forming an optical image of said flying body onto said fixed planar matrix; an optical emitter producing flash signals being carried by said flying body and synchronization means being provided for said electronic control means to deliver control pulses triggering off the taking of images synchronized with said flash signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The tracking device of claim 1, wherein said control pulses cover temporally the whole of said flash signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
The tracking device of claim 1, wherein, with each control pulse there is associated an additional, temporally close control pulse produced outside of any flash signal, and means are provided for comparing the electric signals furnished by said matrix during a control pulse and during the additional control pulse associated therewith.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The tracking device of claim 1, wherein said photosensitive elements are of the charge transfer type.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The tracking device of claim 1, wherein synchronization between said optical emitter and said optical detector is obtained by a permanent link.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The tracking device of claim 1, wherein synchronization between said optical emitter and said optical detector is obtained by temporary link means and means are provided for maintaining said synchronization after rupture of said temporary link.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The tracking device of claim 1, wherein the flash signals are periodical.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The tracking device of claim 1, wherein the flash signals appear at pseudo-random instants.
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) | 1990-11-30 | 1991-06-01 | 1991-12-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-11-30 | 1995-06-01 | 1995-12-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-11-30 | 1999-06-01 | 1999-12-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |