US4947175A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Radar range
Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp
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Filing: 1983-12-27
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Granted: 1990-08-07
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Expires: 2003-12-27
Abstract
Abstract An improved radar range comprising a ground plane (22), support means (28) for supporting a target (26) a selected height above the ground plane, transmitting means (24) for directing for a selected period of time an electromagnetic wave at the target, means (30, 32) for increasing the time required for the portion of the electromagnetic wave reflected off the target toward the ground plane to return to the target, and receiving means (24) for receiving for a selected period of time the portion of the electromagnetic wave that is backscattered by the target. In a particular embodiment, the means for increasing the return time includes means for recessing the support means a selected distance below the ground plane by providing a diffraction ridge (30) a selected distance from the support means toward the transmitting means with the ridge sloping down to the selected distance below the ground plane.
Inventors
- 👤 Denys D. Overholser
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 16:51
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S7/00; G01S7/02; G01S7/40; G01S7/4052; G01S7/4082
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
An improved radar range comprising a ground plane; support means for supporting a target a selected height above said ground plane; transmitting means for directing for a selected period of time an electromagnetic wave at said target; means for increasing the time required for the portion of said electromagnetic wave scattered off said target toward said ground plane to return to said target; and receiving means for receiving for a selected period of time the portion of said electromagnetic wave that is backscattered by said target.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
An improved radar range comprising a ground plane; support means for supporting a target a selected height above said ground plane; transmitting means for directing for a selected period of time an electromagnetic wave at said target; means for increasing the time required for the portion of said electromagnetic wave scattered off said target toward said ground plane to return to said target; and receiving means for receiving for a selected period of time the portion of said electromagnetic wave that is backscattered by said target.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
92 words
An improved radar range comprising a ground plane; support means for supporting a target a selected height above said ground plane; transmitting means for directing for a selected period of time an electromagnetic wave at said target; receiving means for receiving for a selected period of time the portion of said electromagnetic wave that is backscattered by said target; and means for causing a portion of said electromagnetic wave scattered off said target toward said ground plane and said receiving means to return to said target after a selected period of time.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
92 words
An improved radar range comprising a ground plane; support means for supporting a target a selected height above said ground plane; transmitting means for directing for a selected period of time an electromagnetic wave at said target; receiving means for receiving for a selected period of time the portion of said electromagnetic wave that is backscattered by said target; and means for causing a portion of said electromagnetic wave scattered off said target toward said ground plane and said receiving means to return to said target after a selected period of time.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
107 words
An improved radar range comprising a ground plane; support means for supporting a target a selected height above said ground plane; transmitting means for directing an electromagnetic wave at said target; receiving means for receiving the portion of said electromagnetic wave that is backscattered by said target; and means for diffracting a portion of said electromagnetic wave directed at said target and said support means for preventing undesirable scatter from said target and said support means from reaching said receiving means comprising a diffraction ridge a selected distance from said support means towards said transmitting means, said ridge sloping down a selected distance below said ground plane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
107 words
An improved radar range comprising a ground plane; support means for supporting a target a selected height above said ground plane; transmitting means for directing an electromagnetic wave at said target; receiving means for receiving the portion of said electromagnetic wave that is backscattered by said target; and means for diffracting a portion of said electromagnetic wave directed at said target and said support means for preventing undesirable scatter from said target and said support means from reaching said receiving means comprising a diffraction ridge a selected distance from said support means towards said transmitting means, said ridge sloping down a selected distance below said ground plane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The radar range of claim 3 wherein the base of said support means is disposed said selected distance below said ground plane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
118 words
An improved radar range comprising a ground plane; support means for supporting a target a selected height above said ground plane; transmitting means for directing for a selecting period of time an electromagnetic wave at said target; receiving means for receiving for a selected period of time the portion of said electromagnetic wave that is backscattered by said target; and means for causing a portion of said electromagnetic wave scattered off said target toward said ground plane and said receiving means to return to said target after a selected period of time comprising a diffraction ridge a selected distance from said support means towards said transmitting means, said ridge sloping down a selected distance from said ground plane.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
118 words
An improved radar range comprising a ground plane; support means for supporting a target a selected height above said ground plane; transmitting means for directing for a selecting period of time an electromagnetic wave at said target; receiving means for receiving for a selected period of time the portion of said electromagnetic wave that is backscattered by said target; and means for causing a portion of said electromagnetic wave scattered off said target toward said ground plane and said receiving means to return to said target after a selected period of time comprising a diffraction ridge a selected distance from said support means towards said transmitting means, said ridge sloping down a selected distance from said ground plane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The radar range of claim 5 wherein the base of said support means is disposed said selected distance below said ground plane.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
100 words
An improved radar range comprising a ground plane; support means for supporting a target a selected height above said ground plane; transmitting means for directing for a selected period of time an electromagnetic wave at said target; means for increasing the time required for the portion of said electromagnetic wave scattered off said target toward said ground plane to return to said target comprising means for recessing said support means a selected distance below said ground plane; and receiving means for receiving for a selected period of time the portion of said electromagnetic wave that is backscattered by said target.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
100 words
An improved radar range comprising a ground plane; support means for supporting a target a selected height above said ground plane; transmitting means for directing for a selected period of time an electromagnetic wave at said target; means for increasing the time required for the portion of said electromagnetic wave scattered off said target toward said ground plane to return to said target comprising means for recessing said support means a selected distance below said ground plane; and receiving means for receiving for a selected period of time the portion of said electromagnetic wave that is backscattered by said target.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
The radar range of claim 7 wherein said means for recessing said support means includes a diffraction ridge a selected distance from said support means toward said transmitting means, said ridge sloping down to said selected distance below said ground plane.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The radar range of claim 8 wherein the lip of said diffraction ridge is spacially oriented so as to be orthogonal to the direction of propagation of said electromagnetic wave.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The radar range of claim 8 wherein at least a portion of the lip of said diffraction ridge is spacially oriented so as to be non-orthogonal to the direction of propagation of said electromagnetic wave.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The radar range of claim 8 further including energy absorbing means positioned below said target to absorb said electromagnetic wave reflected off said target toward said ground plane.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The radar range of claim 8 wherein said diffraction ridge extends a selected distance on either side of said support means and slopes down a second selected distance below said ground plane.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-08-06 | 1994-02-05 | 1994-08-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-08-06 | 1998-02-05 | 1998-08-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-08-06 | 2002-02-05 | 2002-08-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |