Patent US3704442A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3704442A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Height sensor for hydrofoil watercraft
Assignee: Boeing Co
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Filing: 1970-04-20
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Granted: 1972-11-28
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Expires: 1990-04-20
Abstract
Abstract A method for detecting the relative position of a gaseous-liquid interface with respect to a datum point and an apparatus embodying the same for use in hydrofoil height sensors. A transmitter situated on the watercraft''s hull directs an ultrasonic signal at the water surface. A portion of that signal is transmitted through the surface and refracted thereby to an ultrasonic receiver preferably situated on the hydrofoil. Evaluation of the transmission time of the ultrasonic signal from the transmitter to the receiver yields significant information concerning the relative position of the water surface with respect to either the hull or the hydrofoil. Factors for successful implementation of this technique are discussed in detail, and reference is made to a specific embodiment of a detector for transmission times.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles P Wright
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:00
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S15/00; G01S15/02; G01S15/06; G01S15/08; G01S15/32; G01S15/36; G01G; G01G23/00; G01G23/18; G01G23/20; G01G23/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for detecting the relative position of an interface between a gaseous medium and a liquid medium, including the steps of: a. producing an ultrasonic signal at a first point in the gaseous medium, b. receiving, at a second point in the liquid medium, the portion of said ultrasonic signal that is transmitted through said gaseous medium, refracted by said interface, and transmitted through said liquid medium, and c. measuring the time of transmission of said ultrasonic signal between said first and said second points.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
86 words
A method for detecting the relative position of an interface between a gaseous medium and a liquid medium, including the steps of: a. producing an ultrasonic signal at a first point in the gaseous medium, b. receiving, at a second point in the liquid medium, the portion of said ultrasonic signal that is transmitted through said gaseous medium, refracted by said interface, and transmitted through said liquid medium, and c. measuring the time of transmission of said ultrasonic signal between said first and said second points.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said ultrasonic signal comprises a continuous wave, and said step of transmission time measurement includes comparing the phase of said received ultrasonic signal with that of said transmitted ultrasonic signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said ultrasonic signal comprises a series of pulses, and said step of transmission time measurement includes comparing the time occurrences of said transmitted and said received pulses.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
87 words
A sensor for use with a watercraft which detects the position of a supporting water surface relative thereto, comprising: a. transmitting means located in the air on the watercraft which directs an ultrasonic signal at the water surface, b. receiving means located below the water surface on the watercraft for receiving a portion of said ultrasonic signal which is transmitted through and refracted by said water surface, and c. means detecting the time of transmission of said ultrasonic signal from said transmitting means to said receiving means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
87 words
A sensor for use with a watercraft which detects the position of a supporting water surface relative thereto, comprising: a. transmitting means located in the air on the watercraft which directs an ultrasonic signal at the water surface, b. receiving means located below the water surface on the watercraft for receiving a portion of said ultrasonic signal which is transmitted through and refracted by said water surface, and c. means detecting the time of transmission of said ultrasonic signal from said transmitting means to said receiving means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
A sensor as recited in claim 4 for use with a hydrofoil watercraft including a hull, a hydrofoil, and means supporting the hydrofoil from the hull, wherein said transmitting means is located on the hull and said receiving means on the hydrofoil, and wherein said transmission time detecting means provides an output signal corresponding to hull height or hydrofoil depth of submergence.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A sensor as recited in claim 4 wherein said ultrasonic signal is directed at the water surface in a vertically extending beam of a minimum beam pattern angle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A sensor as recited in claim 6 wherein said receiving means is offset with respect to a vertically extending axis of said ultrasonic signal beam and wherein said minimum beam pattern angle equals 58.5* .
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
In combination with a sensor as recited in claim 5, an automatic control system coupled to said output signal from said transmission time detecting means and controlling the height of the hydrofoil watercraft in response thereto.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
In combination with a sensor as recited in claim 5, a display means coupled to said output signal from said transmission time detecting means which provides a visual indication of hull height or hydrofoil depth in response thereto.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2960678A
Cited
US3080752A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-11-28 | 1976-05-29 | 1976-11-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-11-28 | 1980-05-29 | 1980-11-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-11-28 | 1984-05-29 | 1984-11-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |