Patent US5075681A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5075681A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Radar cross-section model support and positioning apparatus
Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp
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Filing: 1991-01-28
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Granted: 1991-12-24
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Expires: 2011-01-28
Abstract
Abstract The invention is an apparatus for supporting a model above a ground plane for illumination by a radar signal in order to determine the RCS thereof. The apparatus includes a plurality of support towers in a spaced relationship extending vertically upward from the ground plane. An upper suspension system is provided that comprises a separate cable attached at one end to an individual tower and attachable at the opposite end to the model at a single point on the upper surface thereof so that the model can be simultaneously rotated about the yaw axis and pitch axis. A circular shaped track aligned with the direction of the radar signal is mounted below the ground plane having a center of the radius at the point that the cables of the upper suspension system attach to the model. A platform is movably mounted on the track and thus, moveable with a circular motion about the point that the cables attach to the model. The platform incorporates a drive system so that it can be positioned at any point along the track. A model rotator is mounted to the platform. A lower suspension system is provided that comprises a plurality of cables attached by one end to the rotator and attachable at the opposite end to various points on the lower surface of the model.
Inventors
- 👤 T. Tapio Kartiala
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 21:34
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q15/00; H01Q15/14; H01Q15/148; G; G01; G01S; G01S7/00; G01S7/02; G01S7/40; G01S7/4052; G01S7/4082
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
An apparatus for supporting a model above a ground plane for illumination by a radar signal to determine the radar cross-section thereof, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of support towers; an upper cable suspension means comprising a cable attached at one end to each one of said plurality of towers and its opposite end attachable to the top surface of the model at a single point such that the model is pivotally attachable to said opposite ends of said cables at said point; a circular shaped track aligned with the direction of the radar signal mounted below the ground plane, said track having a radius with said point as the center; a platform movably mounted on said track; a model rotator mounted on said platform; and a lower cable suspension means having one end attached to said rotator and an opposite end attachable to various points on the lower surface of the model, such that rotation of said rotator will cause rotation of the model.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
165 words
An apparatus for supporting a model above a ground plane for illumination by a radar signal to determine the radar cross-section thereof, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of support towers; an upper cable suspension means comprising a cable attached at one end to each one of said plurality of towers and its opposite end attachable to the top surface of the model at a single point such that the model is pivotally attachable to said opposite ends of said cables at said point; a circular shaped track aligned with the direction of the radar signal mounted below the ground plane, said track having a radius with said point as the center; a platform movably mounted on said track; a model rotator mounted on said platform; and a lower cable suspension means having one end attached to said rotator and an opposite end attachable to various points on the lower surface of the model, such that rotation of said rotator will cause rotation of the model.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including drive means to move and reposition said platform on said track.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 comprising said upper and lower cable suspension means is made of a dielectric material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said one end of said cables of said upper cable suspension system are attached to said towers by means of a winch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
81 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 4 comprising: said track includes a bed having guide rails thereon and overhanging side rails on either side of said bed; a plurality of lower wheels mounted on said platform in contact with said bed of said track; a plurality of upper wheels mounted on said platform spring biased into contact with the underside of said guide rails; and said drive means includes a motor coupled to at least one of said lower wheels.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
89 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 4 comprising: said track includes a bed and overhanging side rails on either side of said bed, the underside of said overhanging side rails including a rack gear; a plurality of lower wheels mounted on said platform in contact with said guide rails of said track; a plurality of pinon gears mounted on said platform, said pinon gears spring biased into contact with said rack gears; and said drive means includes a motor coupled to at least one of said pinon gears.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 4 or 5 or 6 wherein said lower suspension means comprises four cables attached at one end to said rotator and attachable at said opposite end to the model in a square pattern with said cables crossed in a manner to form two pairs of crossed cables.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
80 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 4 or 5 or 6 wherein said lower suspension means comprises three sets of cables having three cables each, each set of cables attached at one end to three separate points on said rotator in a triangular pattern and attachable at the opposite ends of said cables to three separate points on the model in a triangular pattern with one cable from each set attachable at each of said points on said model.
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) | 1994-12-23 | 1995-06-24 | 1995-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-12-23 | 1999-06-24 | 1999-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-12-23 | 2003-06-24 | 2003-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |