US4072944A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Imminent collision detection apparatus
Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp
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Filing: 1969-02-20
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Granted: 1978-02-07
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Expires: 1989-02-20
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus is herein disclosed for imminent collision detection equipment for acknowledging proximity between a first object carrying the equipment and a second object. The imminent collision detection apparatus is a radio distance measuring device and includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter has a pulsed energy output which is reflected back by a target and mixed with a reference source of pulsed energy generated a predetermined time after the transmitted output and coherent thereto. The coherent feature of the equipment lies in the fact that the transmitter pulsed output and the pulsed reference signals are both generated with the same starting phase each generated pulse. Furthermore, the transmitted and reference signals are jittered to provide a resistance to countermeasures capability.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph F. Bianco
- 👤 Nicholas Senio
- 👤 Russell B. Hawes
- 👤 Donald B. Strang
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:20
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S13/00; G01S13/88; G01S13/93; G01S13/933
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
Apparatus for detecting imminent collision between a first object carrying said apparatus and a second object, comprising: means for transmitting a pulsed energy signal including a first pulsed oscillator which generates signals with the same starting phase each generated pulse; means for receiving a reflected signal from said transmitted signal; means for generating a pulsed energy reference signal coherent to said transmitted signal including a second pulsed oscillator which generates signals with the same starting phase as said first pulsed oscillator; and means for mixing said reflected and reference signals for producing a signal indicative of imminent collision.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
Apparatus for detecting imminent collision between a first object carrying said apparatus and a second object, comprising: means for transmitting a pulsed energy signal including a first pulsed oscillator which generates signals with the same starting phase each generated pulse; means for receiving a reflected signal from said transmitted signal; means for generating a pulsed energy reference signal coherent to said transmitted signal including a second pulsed oscillator which generates signals with the same starting phase as said first pulsed oscillator; and means for mixing said reflected and reference signals for producing a signal indicative of imminent collision.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including means for generating said transmitted and reference pulses at a random pulse repetition frequency, thus precluding effective countermeasures.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including means for generating said reference signal a predetermined time after said transmitted signal for providing a predetermined maximum proximity within which imminent collision will be indicated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, in which said means for transmitting a pulsed energy signal includes: a noise generator; a clock generator coupled to said noise generator; and a pulse generator coupled to said clock generator, said first pulsed oscillator being coupled to said pulse generator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4, in which said second pulsed oscillator is coupled to said pulse generator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 5, further including a delay network coupled between said pulse generator and said second pulsed oscillator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including a filter network coupled to said mixing means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 7, further including an alarm circuit coupled to said filter network.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 7, further including a detonator coupled to said filter network.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, in which said means for transmitting a pulsed energy signal includes means for modulating a carrier with a pulsed oscillation.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for detecting imminent collision of a first object with a second object, comprising the steps of: transmitting a pulsed energy signal having a predetermined starting phase; receiving an echo of said pulsed energy signal from said second object; separately generating a pulsed energy reference signal coherent to said transmitted signals said reference signal having the same starting phase as said transmitted signal; and mixing said reference and received signals for producing a doppler signal.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for detecting imminent collision of a first object with a second object, comprising the steps of: transmitting a pulsed energy signal having a predetermined starting phase; receiving an echo of said pulsed energy signal from said second object; separately generating a pulsed energy reference signal coherent to said transmitted signals said reference signal having the same starting phase as said transmitted signal; and mixing said reference and received signals for producing a doppler signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 11, further including transmitting said transmitted signal with a smeared spectrum.
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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) | 1981-02-06 | 1981-08-08 | 1982-02-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-02-06 | 1985-08-08 | 1986-02-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-02-06 | 1989-08-08 | 1990-02-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |