US5708626A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Trajectory measurement system for underwater vehicles
Assignee: NAVY UNITED STATES NAVY, Secretary of
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Filing: 1996-12-30
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Granted: 1998-01-13
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Expires: 2016-12-30
Abstract
Abstract A system for determining the velocity and trajectory of an underwater vehe comprises a data acquisition processor coupled to a plurality of sensors providing depth, heading, pitch and yaw data for the underwater vehicle. The acquisition processor collects data from the sensors, correlates and assembles the collected data into batches and processes the batches to determine vehicle velocity and trajectory of the vehicle relative to an earth-fixed coordinate system.
Inventors
- 👤 J. Dana Hrubes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 02:12
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41G; F41G7/00; F41G7/34; F41G7/36; B; B63; B63G; B63G8/00; B63G8/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A trajectory measurement system for an underwater vehicle comprising: a depth sensor for measuring depth of the vehicle and generating a depth sensor signal, said depth sensor signal indicating depth of the vehicle; a heading sensor for measuring an angular heading with respect to a reference point and generating a heading sensor signal indicating said angular heading; a tilt sensor for sensing orientation of the vehicle about two mutually perpendicular axes and generating a tilt sensor signal; and an acquisition processor, responsive to said depth sensor signal, said heading sensor signal and said tilt sensor signal, for determining vehicle velocity and vehicle trajectory.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
A trajectory measurement system for an underwater vehicle comprising: a depth sensor for measuring depth of the vehicle and generating a depth sensor signal, said depth sensor signal indicating depth of the vehicle; a heading sensor for measuring an angular heading with respect to a reference point and generating a heading sensor signal indicating said angular heading; a tilt sensor for sensing orientation of the vehicle about two mutually perpendicular axes and generating a tilt sensor signal; and an acquisition processor, responsive to said depth sensor signal, said heading sensor signal and said tilt sensor signal, for determining vehicle velocity and vehicle trajectory.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said acquisition processor comprises: a sensor interface, coupled to receive said depth sensor signal, said heading sensor signal and said tilt sensor signal, for generating a multiplexed digital sensor signal; and a trajectory processor, responsive to said multiplexed digital sensor signal, for generating said vehicle trajectory and said vehicle velocity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
93 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said sensor interface comprises: a plurality of sensor bridges, each sensor bridge being connected across one of said depth sensor, said heading sensor and said tilt sensor for measuring a resistance of said sensor and converting said resistance to an analog voltage; a multiplexer, coupled to receive said analog voltage from each one of said plurality of sensor bridges, for periodically passing the analog voltage from one of said plurality of sensor bridges; and a converter, coupled to said multiplexer, for generating said multiplexed digital sensor signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said depth sensor comprises a plurality of pressure ports spaced circumferentially around said vehicle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said heading sensor comprises a gimbaled magnetic compass.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said tilt sensor comprises a capacitance effect bubble sensor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said depth sensor comprises a plurality of pressure ports spaced circumferentially around said vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said heading sensor comprises a magnetic compass.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said tilt sensor comprises at least two capacitance effect bubble sensors.
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) | 2001-01-12 | 2001-07-14 | 2002-01-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-01-12 | 2005-07-14 | 2006-01-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-01-12 | 2009-07-14 | 2010-01-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |