US3899767A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Imaging system
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1973-11-15
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Granted: 1975-08-12
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Expires: 1993-11-15
Abstract
Abstract Acoustic energy generated at, or reflected from, a specific area in the ocean is collected by an array of n transducer elements. The signals from these elements are amplified, processed and fed to a scaled down set of n transmitting transducer elements similarly shaped and similarly positioned relative to each other. These transmitting elements are located in one region of a tank of liquid and an array of detectors for monitoring the sonic energy distribution is located in another region of the tank. The received signals are processed in such a way that the acoustic energy distribution in the tank in the vicinity of the detector array is similar to that emanating from the target area in the ocean. No sonic lens needs to be used in the tank.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles H Jones
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:46
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01H; G01H3/00; G01H3/10; G01H3/12; G01H3/125; G01S; G01S15/00; G01S15/88; G01S15/89; G01S15/8906; G01S15/8965; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S367/00; Y10S367/905
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
An imaging system comprising: A. a plurality of receiving elements for receiving energy from a target area to be viewed, for providing first output signals; B. a plurality of transmitting elements for transmitting energy; C. said receiving elements being arranged in a geometric array over a first predetermined surface; D. said transmitting elements being arranged in a similar, scaled geometric array over a second predetermined surface; E. said second predetermined surface being a similar scaled replica of said first predetermined surface; F. output means for receiving and displaying the energy pattern from said transmitting elements; G. signal processing means responsive to said first output signals and operable to process said first output signals to provide second output signals to said plurality of transmitting elements; H. said processing being operable to change said first output signals such that the energy distribution at said output means is a scaled replica of the energy distribution from said target area under investigation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
An imaging system comprising: A. a plurality of receiving elements for receiving energy from a target area to be viewed, for providing first output signals; B. a plurality of transmitting elements for transmitting energy; C. said receiving elements being arranged in a geometric array over a first predetermined surface; D. said transmitting elements being arranged in a similar, scaled geometric array over a second predetermined surface; E. said second predetermined surface being a similar scaled replica of said first predetermined surface; F. output means for receiving and displaying the energy pattern from said transmitting elements; G. signal processing means responsive to said first output signals and operable to process said first output signals to provide second output signals to said plurality of transmitting elements; H. said processing being operable to change said first output signals such that the energy distribution at said output means is a scaled replica of the energy distribution from said target area under investigation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said signal processing means includes: A. a plurality of similar channels each being connected between one of said receiving elements and one of said transmitting elements; B. said first output signals provided by said receiving eLements each being of a certain amplitude, frequency and phase; C. circuit means in each channel operable to convert that channel''s first output signal to a new signal of scaled amplitude, frequency and of conjugate phase.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein: A. said new signal is said second signal and is of a higher frequency than said first signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein: A. said new signal is said second signal and is of a greater amplitude than said first signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 which includes: A. transmitter means for projecting energy toward said target area; B. said receiving elements receiving reflected energy as a result of said projection; C. range gate circuit means for opening said channels to process said first output signals for a predetermined period of time after said projection.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
87 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said circuit means includes: A. an oscillator for providing an output signal of a frequency greater than the frequency of said first output signal; B. a mixer connected for receiving said oscillator output signal and said first output signal and operable to provide an output comprised of a plurality of frequencies; C. filter means for selectively passing a signal of only one of said frequencies; D. and means for applying said selected signal to said transmitting element connected to that channel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein: A. said oscillator provides its output signal to the mixers of a plurality of channels.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
70 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said circuit means includes: A. means for separating said first output signal into first and second signals proportional respectively to the mutually perpendicular vector representation of said first output signal; B. means including oscillator means for scaling the frequency and relative phase of said first and second signals and combining them to provide said new signal of scaled amplitude, frequency and of conjugate phase.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
153 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said signal processing means includes: A. a plurality of channels each being connected between one of said receiving elements and one of said transmitting elements; B. said first output signals provided by said receiving elements each being of a certain amplitude, frequency and phase; C. a phase detector and amplitude modulator for each said channel serially connected between a receiving and transmitting element; D. a first reference oscillator for providing an output signal of a first frequency to the phase detector of a first of said channels, the phase of the oscillator signal being progressively shifted and applied to the phase detectors of subsequent channels; E. a second reference oscillator for providing an output signal of a second frequency to the amplitude modulator of a first of said channels, the phase of the oscillator signal being progressively shifted and applied to the amplitude modulators of subsequent channels.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein: A. said second frequency is a scaled frequency greater than the frequency of said first output signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said signal processing means includes: A. a storage medium; B. means for recording said first output signals in said storage medium at a first rate; C. means for reading said recorded signals out of said storage medium backwards at a second rate greater than said first rate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
80 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein: A. said storage medium is a magnetic recording medium; and which includes B. a plurality of write heads each for recording a respective first output signal on said magnetic recording medium C. drive means for moving said magnetic recording medium relative to said write heads; D. a plurality of read heads each for reading a reSpective stored first output signal and moveable in a direction opposite to the movement of said magnetic recording medium.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
66 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said signal processing means includes: A. a plurality of signal delay lines interposed between selected receiving and transmitting elements; B. the delay lines connected to receiving elements in the center of said array having relative maximum delay, said delay progressively decreasing with respect to delay lines connected to receiver elements from said center out toward the edge of said array.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 13 which includes: A. means for scaling up the frequency of each said first output signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
57 words
Apparatus according to claim 14 which includes: A. oscillator means for providing an output signal; B. a plurality of mixers each connected in circuit between a receiver element and a transmitting element for receiving the output of said oscillator means to provide respective output signals of a frequency greater than the frequency of said first output signals.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein: A. said mixers are connected between said receiver elements and said delay lines.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said signal processing means includes: A. a plurality of similar channels each being connected between one of said receiving elements and one of transmitting elements; and B. means for applying selected shading values to the signals in said channels.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein: A. the signals processed in said channels are amplified by amounts dependent upon the relative positioning in said array of the receiver element associated with the channel.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein: A. the distance to the target area is R; and B. said receiving elements lie on a segment of a spherical surface having a radius equal to R.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein: A. the distance from said transmitting elements to said output means is R''; and B. said transmitting elements lie on a segment of a spherical surface having a radius equal to R''.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 which includes: A. an analog tank having a signal transmission medium contained therein; B. said transmitting elements being at one end of said analog tank, C. said output means being at another end of said analog tank.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 21 wherein: A. said signal transmission medium is equivalent to the medium between said target area and said receiving elements.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 21 wherein: A. said transmitting elements are acoustic transducers; and B. said signal transmission medium is a liquid.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 21 wherein: A. said analog tank includes at least one signal reflecting portion disposed in the energy path between said transmitting elements and said output means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 21 which includes: A. means for moving said output means relative to said transmitting elements.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
58 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 which includes: A. an analog tank having a signal transmission medium therein, B. said transmitting elements being within said analog tank; and which additionally includes C. a plurality of transducers around said transmitting elements for receiving the energy transmitted thereby; and D. a plurality of indicating devices connected to said plurality of transducers.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 26 wherein: A. said plurality of transducers are arranged in a plane at spaced angular positions.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 26 wherein: A. said indicating devices are lights.
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) | 1978-08-11 | 1979-02-10 | 1979-08-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-11 | 1983-02-10 | 1983-08-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-11 | 1987-02-10 | 1987-08-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |