US5714947A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle collision avoidance system
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corp
•
Filing: 1997-01-28
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Granted: 1998-02-03
•
Expires: 2017-01-28
Abstract
Abstract A collision avoidance system for a vehicle has a vehicle steering sensor for sensing a direction in which the vehicle is being steered, a source of radiation, an articulated reflector for directing radiation from the source in a desired direction, an articulation mechanism for effecting articulation of the articulate reflector, and a close loop control circuit responsive to the vehicle steering sensor for controlling the articulation mechanism so as to cause the articulated reflector to direct radiation in a direction which is generally the same as that direction in which the vehicle is turning.
Inventors
- 👤 David L. Richardson
- 👤 Raj Mittra
- 👤 Leonard J. Kuskowski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 16:00
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S13/00; G01S13/88; G01S13/93; G01S13/931; H; H01; H01Q; H01Q1/00; H01Q1/27; H01Q1/32; H01Q1/3208; H01Q1/3233; H01Q19/00; H01Q19/10; H01Q19/18; H01Q19/19; H01Q19/192; G01S2013/932; G01S2013/9325; G01S7/00; G01S7/02; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S367/00; Y10S367/907
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A collision avoidance system for a vehicle, the system comprising: a) a vehicle steering sensor for sensing a direction in which the vehicle is being steered; b) a source of radiation; c) an articulated reflector for directing radiation from the source in a desired direction; d) an articulation mechanism for effecting articulation of the articulate reflector; and e) a closed loop control circuit responsive to the vehicle steering sensor for controlling the articulation mechanism so as to cause the articulated reflector to direct radiation in a direction which is generally the same as that direction in which the vehicle is turning.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
A collision avoidance system for a vehicle, the system comprising: a) a vehicle steering sensor for sensing a direction in which the vehicle is being steered; b) a source of radiation; c) an articulated reflector for directing radiation from the source in a desired direction; d) an articulation mechanism for effecting articulation of the articulate reflector; and e) a closed loop control circuit responsive to the vehicle steering sensor for controlling the articulation mechanism so as to cause the articulated reflector to direct radiation in a direction which is generally the same as that direction in which the vehicle is turning.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The collision avoidance system as recited in claim 1 wherein said source of radiation comprises: a) a feed horn; and b) a fixed reflector receiving radiation from the feed horn and directing the radiation onto the articulated reflector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The collision avoidance system as recited in claim 1 wherein the radiation comprises microwave radiation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The collision avoidance system as recited in claim 1 wherein the articulated reflector is configured as a elliptic paraboloid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The collision avoidance system as recited in claim 1 wherein the articulation mechanism is configured to effect rotation of the articulated reflector about a generally vertical axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The collision avoidance system as recited in claim 1 wherein the articulation mechanism is configured to effect translation of the articulated reflector along a transverse axis of the vehicle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The collision avoidance system as recited in claim 1 wherein the vehicle steering sensor senses a direction in which a steering wheel has been turned.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The collision avoidance system as recited in claim 1 wherein the closed loop control circuit comprises a microprocessor.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for avoiding collision of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of: a) sensing a direction in which the vehicle is being steered; b) directing radiation upon an articulated reflector; c) articulating the articulated reflector so as to direct the radiation therefrom; and d) using position feedback to control the direction in which the radiation is directed from the articulated reflector, the direction being generally the same as the sensed direction in which the vehicle is being steered.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for avoiding collision of a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of: a) sensing a direction in which the vehicle is being steered; b) directing radiation upon an articulated reflector; c) articulating the articulated reflector so as to direct the radiation therefrom; and d) using position feedback to control the direction in which the radiation is directed from the articulated reflector, the direction being generally the same as the sensed direction in which the vehicle is being steered.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as recited in claim 9 wherein the step of directing radiation upon an articulated reflector comprises directing radiation from a feedhorn to the articulated reflector via a fixed reflector.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as recited in claim 9 wherein the step of directing radiation comprises directing microwave radiation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as recited in claim 9 wherein the step of articulating the articulated reflector comprises rotating the articulated reflector about a generally vertical axis.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as recited in claim 9 wherein the step of articulating the articulated reflector comprises translating the articulated reflector along a transverse axis of the vehicle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as recited in claim 9 wherein the step of sensing a direction in which the vehicle is being steered comprises sensing a direction in which a steering wheel has been turned.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as recited in claim 9 wherein the step of controlling the direction in which the radiation is directed from the articulated reflector comprises performing closed loop control utilizing a microprocessor.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-02-02 | 2001-08-04 | 2002-02-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-02-02 | 2005-08-04 | 2006-02-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-02-02 | 2009-08-04 | 2010-02-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |