Patent US5537124A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5537124A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Translation cancelling vertical sensing system
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corp
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Filing: 1994-10-11
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Granted: 1996-07-16
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Expires: 2014-10-11
Abstract
Abstract A rotating antenna system subject to both tilt and translation forces includes first and second tilt sensors each having a pendulum assembly of a different length than the other sensor. The sensors provide identical output signals in response to a tilt, but different output signals in response to a translation of the antenna. Circuitry is provided for eliminating the effects of translation so as to obtain a tilt angle correction signal for correcting the radar height calculation.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert C. Rankin, Jr.
- 👤 William B. Evans
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 09:46
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q3/00; H01Q3/02; H01Q3/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
Apparatus for determining the tilt angle of a structure subject to both tilt and translation movement, comprising: a) first and second tilt sensors positioned on said structure and each operable to provide an output signal which includes not only a tilt angle component but also a component due to said translation; b) said first and second sensors having the same response due to a tilting of said structure but different responses due to a translation of said structure; c) means utilizing said different responses due to said translation to derive a tilt angle signal indicative of said tilt angle component; and d) means for utilizing said tilt angle signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
Apparatus for determining the tilt angle of a structure subject to both tilt and translation movement, comprising: a) first and second tilt sensors positioned on said structure and each operable to provide an output signal which includes not only a tilt angle component but also a component due to said translation; b) said first and second sensors having the same response due to a tilting of said structure but different responses due to a translation of said structure; c) means utilizing said different responses due to said translation to derive a tilt angle signal indicative of said tilt angle component; and d) means for utilizing said tilt angle signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein: said first and second tilt sensors are of the type which includes at least one sense coil and a pendulum; the length of the pendulum of said first sensor being of a different length than the pendulum of said second sensor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein: said sensors are of the type which includes first and second orthogonal sense coils for obtaining east-west and north-south signal components.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein: said structure is a radar antenna operable to provide an output signal in response to energy reflected from, and indicative of, a distant target.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein: said antenna is a rotating antenna.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
139 words
Apparatus for determining the instantaneous tilt angle of a rotating radar antenna of an antenna system and subject to both tilt and translation movement during said rotation, comprising: a) sensor means positioned on a non-rotating portion of said antenna system and operable to provide a plurality of output signals indicative of movement in an east-west direction as well as a north-south direction, and each having not only a tilt angle component but an undesired component due to said translation; b) circuit means responsive to said plurality of output signals to derive first and second output signals indicative, respectively, of tilt angle in said east-west direction and said north-south direction and without said signal component due to translation; c) means for resolving said first and second signals into a resultant vector signal; and d) means for utilizing said vector signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
139 words
Apparatus for determining the instantaneous tilt angle of a rotating radar antenna of an antenna system and subject to both tilt and translation movement during said rotation, comprising: a) sensor means positioned on a non-rotating portion of said antenna system and operable to provide a plurality of output signals indicative of movement in an east-west direction as well as a north-south direction, and each having not only a tilt angle component but an undesired component due to said translation; b) circuit means responsive to said plurality of output signals to derive first and second output signals indicative, respectively, of tilt angle in said east-west direction and said north-south direction and without said signal component due to translation; c) means for resolving said first and second signals into a resultant vector signal; and d) means for utilizing said vector signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein: said sensor means includes first and second biaxial sensors.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein: said first and second sensors are of the type which includes first and second orthogonal sense coils and a pendulum; the pendulum of said first sensor being of a different length than the pendulum of said second sensor.
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) | 1999-07-16 | 2000-01-15 | 2000-07-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-07-16 | 2004-01-15 | 2004-07-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-07-16 | 2008-01-15 | 2008-07-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |