USH1231H
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Antiship torpedo defense system
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1979-04-09
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Granted: 1993-09-07
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Expires: 1999-04-09
Abstract
Abstract The detection and localization of an antiship torpedo is accomplished by ustic and optical means. A ship's sonar determines the approximate location of the incoming torpedo and a laser scans this location with energy in the blue-green spectrum. Surface reflections are gated out of a linear detector array and reflected portions of the scanning beam which penetrate the water's surface are divided among the elements of the linear detector array into field of view element signals. These field of view element signals are subsequently compared in time and amplitude to determined disparities between them which point to the torpedo's position, depth and bearing. Optionally, spectral and polarizing filters are provided to enhance the signal to noise ratios and to facilitate signal processing.
Inventors
- 👤 William E. Richards
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 17:24
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S17/00; G01S17/02; G01S17/06; G01S17/42; G01S15/00; G01S15/02; G01S15/06; G01S15/42; G01S7/00; G01S7/48; G01S7/499
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
A method for a ship's detecting and localizing a submerged object comprising: acoustically determining the approximate location of the object by projecting acoustic energy from a location in the water and through the water; pulsing at least a portion of the object's location with energy in the blue-green spectrum from a position out of the water, to the water and into it; angularly downwardly scanning blue-green energy pulses at a near grazing angle of up to nearly eighty-eight and one-half degrees in the area of the object's location; gating-out those portions of the pulsed blue-green energy that are reflected from the water's surface; receiving the portions of the pulsed blue-green energy that penetrate the water's surface within the object's location; dividing the received portions of pulsed blue-green energy that penetrate the water's surface into field of view element signals; and comparing the field of view element signals in time and amplitude to determine whether the object is within a particular field of view element at a particular depth.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
168 words
A method for a ship's detecting and localizing a submerged object comprising: acoustically determining the approximate location of the object by projecting acoustic energy from a location in the water and through the water; pulsing at least a portion of the object's location with energy in the blue-green spectrum from a position out of the water, to the water and into it; angularly downwardly scanning blue-green energy pulses at a near grazing angle of up to nearly eighty-eight and one-half degrees in the area of the object's location; gating-out those portions of the pulsed blue-green energy that are reflected from the water's surface; receiving the portions of the pulsed blue-green energy that penetrate the water's surface within the object's location; dividing the received portions of pulsed blue-green energy that penetrate the water's surface into field of view element signals; and comparing the field of view element signals in time and amplitude to determine whether the object is within a particular field of view element at a particular depth.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1 further including: filtering the received portions of the radiated blue-green energy to enable the passage of the blue-green spectrum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 2 in which the step of dividing includes the step of positioning a linear detector array to receive the blue-green energy signals and separating them into discrete field of view element signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 1 in which the step of dividing includes the step of positioning a linear detector array to receive the blue-green energy signals and separating them into discrete field of view element signals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 4 in which the step of dividing is prior to the step of comparing to obtain relative optical signal strengths among the field of view elements signals so that indication of the object's location can be made.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 1 in which the step of dividing is prior to the step of comparing to obtain relative optical signal strengths among the field of view element signals so that indication of the object's location can be made.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1 further including: providing a vertically polarizing filter to reduce the magnitude of the received portions of radiated blue-green energy.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
164 words
A method for a ship's detecting and localizing a submerged object comprising: acoustically determining the approximate location of the object; radiating at least a portion of the object3 s location with energy in the blue-green spectrum, the step of radiating being the pulsing of a laser to radiate blue-green energy pulses toward the object's location and the angularly downwardly scanning of blue-green energy pulses at a near grazing angle in the area of the object's location, the scanning is performed by a rotating mirror gating-out those portions of the radiated blue-green energy that are reflected from the water's surface; receiving the portions of the radiated blue-green energy that penetrate the water's surface within the object's location; dividing the received portions of radiated blue-green energy that penetrate the water's surface into field of view element signals; and comparing the field of view element signals in time and amplitude to determine whether the object is within a particular field of view element at a particular depth.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
164 words
A method for a ship's detecting and localizing a submerged object comprising: acoustically determining the approximate location of the object; radiating at least a portion of the object3 s location with energy in the blue-green spectrum, the step of radiating being the pulsing of a laser to radiate blue-green energy pulses toward the object's location and the angularly downwardly scanning of blue-green energy pulses at a near grazing angle in the area of the object's location, the scanning is performed by a rotating mirror gating-out those portions of the radiated blue-green energy that are reflected from the water's surface; receiving the portions of the radiated blue-green energy that penetrate the water's surface within the object's location; dividing the received portions of radiated blue-green energy that penetrate the water's surface into field of view element signals; and comparing the field of view element signals in time and amplitude to determine whether the object is within a particular field of view element at a particular depth.
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) | 1996-09-06 | 1997-03-08 | 1997-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-09-06 | 2001-03-08 | 2001-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-09-06 | 2005-03-08 | 2005-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |