US5598152A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mine sweeping system for magnetic and non-magnetic mines
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
•
Filing: 1994-12-29
•
Granted: 1997-01-28
•
Expires: 2014-12-29
Abstract
Abstract A mine sweeping system including deployable horizontal antennas to establ a detection and navigation grid extending underwater from a beach to a distance offshore. A computer-controlled transmitter unit having a waveform generator and amplifier, transmits signals to each antenna, at unique frequencies and phases for different spatial locations within the grid. An autonomous underwater vehicle having multi-integrated sensors detects anomalies in the electromagnetic field caused by both magnetic and non-magnetic objects therein during underwater travel utilizing the electromagnetic field as a navigational grid. The autonomous underwater vehicle also deposits mine-clearing explosives at each magnetic anomaly for detonation under command signal using the horizontal antennas which provide a means for establishing a navigation grid to permit landing craft and other vessels to navigate in the region cleared of mines.
Inventors
- 👤 John F. Scarzello
- 👤 Peter B. Keller
- 👤 Richard W. Harrison
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 12:59
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S5/00; G01S5/02; G01S5/10; B; B63; B63G; B63G7/00; B63G7/02; B63G7/06; H; H04; H04B; H04B13/00; H04B13/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A mine sweeping system having antenna cables from which electromagnetic radiation is emitted and receiver means for detection of emitted electromagnetic radiation, a method comprising the steps of: deploying said antenna cables in spaced relation to each other within an underwater region to establish therein an electromagnetic a radiation field modified by objects to be detected; controlling signal input to said antenna cables for establishing a navigational grid within the electromagnetic radiation field throughout the underwater region; transporting said receiver means through the underwater region under control of said navigational grid; and signal processing data output from the receiver means during said transporting thereof for identification and location of said objects to be detected within the underwater region.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
A mine sweeping system having antenna cables from which electromagnetic radiation is emitted and receiver means for detection of emitted electromagnetic radiation, a method comprising the steps of: deploying said antenna cables in spaced relation to each other within an underwater region to establish therein an electromagnetic a radiation field modified by objects to be detected; controlling signal input to said antenna cables for establishing a navigational grid within the electromagnetic radiation field throughout the underwater region; transporting said receiver means through the underwater region under control of said navigational grid; and signal processing data output from the receiver means during said transporting thereof for identification and location of said objects to be detected within the underwater region.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The mine sweeping system as defined in claim 1 wherein said objects to be detected are magnetic and non-magnetic mines.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The mine sweeping system as defined in claim 2 wherein said step of deploying the antenna cables is performed by aerial rockets.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The mine sweeping system as defined in claim 2 wherein said step of deploying the antenna cable is performed by expendable mini-torpedoes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The mine sweeping system as defined in claim 2 wherein the signal input to said antenna cables are stable signals generated at predetermined frequencies respectively supplied to the antenna cables.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The mine sweeping system as defined in claim 5 wherein said step of transporting the receiver means comprises: propulsion thereof by means of an autonomous underwater vehicle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The mine sweeping system as defined in claim 6 wherein said step of signal processing the data output comprises: spectral analysis by continuous measurement of amplitude differences between different frequency components of the data output from the receiver means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The mine sweeping system as defined in claim 1 wherein the signal input to said antenna cables are stable signals generated at predetermined frequencies respectively supplied to the antenna cables acting as horizontal electric dipoles.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The mine sweeping system as defined in claim 1 wherein said step of signal processing the data output comprises: spectral analysis by continuous measurement of amplitude differences between different frequency components of the data output from the receiver means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
137 words
In a system having antenna cables from which electromagnetic radiation is emitted and receiver means for detection of said electromagnetic emitted radiation, a method comprising the steps of: deploying said antenna cables in spaced relation to each other within an underwater region to establish therein an electromagnetic radiation field modified by objects to be detected; generating stable signals at predetermined frequencies respectively supplied to the antenna cable for establishing a navigational grid therethrough within the electromagnetic radiation field throughout the underwater region; transporting said receiver means through the underwater region under control of said navigational grid; and signal processing data output from the receiver means during said transporting thereof by continuous measurement of amplitude differences between different frequency components of the data output for identification and location of the objects to be detected within the underwater region.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
137 words
In a system having antenna cables from which electromagnetic radiation is emitted and receiver means for detection of said electromagnetic emitted radiation, a method comprising the steps of: deploying said antenna cables in spaced relation to each other within an underwater region to establish therein an electromagnetic radiation field modified by objects to be detected; generating stable signals at predetermined frequencies respectively supplied to the antenna cable for establishing a navigational grid therethrough within the electromagnetic radiation field throughout the underwater region; transporting said receiver means through the underwater region under control of said navigational grid; and signal processing data output from the receiver means during said transporting thereof by continuous measurement of amplitude differences between different frequency components of the data output for identification and location of the objects to be detected within the underwater region.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4721961A
Cited
US3719947A
Cited
US3903520A
Cited
US5007346A
Cited
US4970702A
Cited
US5001485A
Cited
US3707913A
Cited
US3946696A
Cited
US4970701A
Cited
US5019822A
Cited
US4992786A
Cited
US4072941A
Cited
US4938136A
Cited
US4303108A
Cited
US4627891A
Cited
US4582582A
Cited
US4562789A
Cited
US5063850A
Cited
US5153595A
Cited
US5159343A
Cited
US5206640A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-01-28 | 2000-07-29 | 2001-01-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-01-28 | 2004-07-29 | 2005-01-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-01-28 | 2008-07-29 | 2009-01-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |