摘要:
Apparatus for indicating to a vehicle or craft a desired path of travel, comprising a body including a plurality of systems adapted to emit electromagnetic radiation over a desired path, means partially to mask electromagnetic radiation emitted by at least some of the systems, and means to rotate the systems whereby the systems and mask means provide continuous and flashing electromagnetic signals for indicating a desired path for a vehicle or craft. The apparaus is particularly suitable for guiding helicopters during landing.
摘要:
A direction sensitive energy detecting apparatus characterized by having a pair of energy receiving and transmitting devices of different polar characteristics and so disposed that they define together one end of a path in such a way as to be coincident with each other; with the sensor being adapted to give two first outputs at least one of which is variable as a function of the direction of the path and the detector having ratiometric means for generating a second output which is a function of the ratio of the two first outputs and is variable only in response to changes in direction.
摘要:
A spectral analyzer and direction indicator system (10) is disclosed and includes optical channels (20,30,40) for providing detected optical information indicative of incidence direction and spectral content of incident radiation. Each optical channel includes a reflector element (11,17,23) having a non-ruled section (11a,17a,23a) and a spectrally dispersing ruled section (11b,17b,23b); an analytical optical system (13,19,25); and a detector array (15,21,27). For each reflector element the non-ruled section is tilted in one or two directions relative to the ruled section. The disclosed spectral analyzer and direction indicator system is advantageously utilized as an aircraft based sensor in an aircraft landing system having ground lasers (29L,29R,33L,33R,37L,37R) directed into the landing approach path.
摘要:
A method and system for determining a spatial parameter of an object by generating at least two radiation beams which are rotatably displaced with respect to said object and so as to have, at any instant of time, a known predetermined position with respect to each other. By determining the time interval(s) between successive interceptions of the beams by the object, said parameter may be computed.
摘要:
A method and apparatus are provided for controlling the working depth of a bucket for an excavating machine having an outreach boom which is pivotally attached at one end to the machine, a downreach boom pivotally attached to the opposite end of the outreach boom, a digging bucket pivotally attached to the end of the downreach boom opposite to that to which the outreach boom is attached, and hydraulic power cylinders for moving the pivotally interconnected elements. A laser beam is projected at a reference height and a beam sensor mounted on the outreach boom of the machine detects the beam by means of a plurality of individual sensor locations. The angular orientation of the downreach boom relative to vertical is detected and a microprocessor controller connected to the beam sensor and the angle sensor repetitively defines, as a function of the angular orientation of the downreach boom, one of the plurality of individual sensor locations as an on-grade sensor location. The microprocessor controller compares the defined on-grade sensor location to the sensor location having detected the laser beam to generate an outreach boom adjustment signal representative of the movement of the outreach boom which is required to maintain the bucket on-grade as the downreach boom is pivoted with respect to the outreach boom.
摘要:
A system is disclosed for identifying the location of a vehicle, assemblying data related to vehicle performance and correlating the assembled data with vehicle location. From the correlation of data and location, a data base is generated that provides information for monitoring performance of the vehicle, reporting irregularities in the performance and generating control signals for commanding vehicle movement. The system comprises a plurality of signposts located at intended destinations of a vehicle, wherein each signpost is characterized by indicia that are distinctive to the associated destination. On board each vehicle is a device for detecting a signpost when the vehicle is within a predetermined proximity of it. The device generates data indicative of the location of the vehicle in response to detection of a signpost. Also on board each vehicle are sensors for collecting and recording data indicative of vehicle performance. The location and performance data are correlated to provide a data base for use by a computer in monitoring the vehicle performance, reporting irregularities in the performance and locating the vehicle and controlling the movement of the vehicle.
摘要:
An optical signal having construction and components and employing relatiy long wavelength radiation. An aspheric lens and waveguide laser provide long range capability with low power requirements making battery operation practical.
摘要:
An unmanned vehicle capable of being automatically guided towards a predetermined destination by the geometrical computation of light signals received by at least three omnidirectional detectors on-board the vehicle. Useful in restricted areas such as automatic warehouses and loading bays.
摘要:
Apparatus for coding a laser beam to provide guidance signals, or the like. In the transmitter, the laser beam traverses two modulators to provide two-dimensional encoding. In the receiver, the detected signals are amplified, frequency-discriminated, and mixed to form guidance signals. The modulator is a modified Stark cell wherein four split longitudinal planar electrodes allow for beam encloding as a function of two frequencies by the process of molecular absorption. Bias and modulating signals applied to the electrodes interact with the molecular absorbing gas and with the beam to encode position information as a function of the specific frequencies. The amplitude of the first encoding frequency varies from a maximum at one edge of the beam, decreasing to a minimum at the opposite edge, and vice versa for the second encoding frequency. The amplitudes of both are equal on beam center. A second embodiment utilizes a pair of internal bias electrodes and four external electrodes to apply bias and modulating signals. The modulator wall is thin for penetration of the modulating signals so as to interact with the beam. A third embodiment utilizes four semicircular disc electrodes transparent to laser light affixed to the cell endcaps to provide both bias and modulation. A gas separates electrodes affixed to the same endcap. The endcaps are oriented such that the gaps are mutually perpendicular to allow for orthogonal encoding of the beam.
摘要:
An azimuth alignment system which is particularly useful for aligning artillery guns. One of the problems with alignment devices has been the slow rate at which information can be transmitted between a control position and an element or elements to be aligned. The system comprises a reference unit which is located in a known orientation and is provided with an omnidirectional beacon emitting pulsed radiation. Also mounted on the unit is a revolving means which provides a highly collimated light beam. Means is connected with the revolving means for causing the beacon to signal the passing of a datum position thereby. The gun, or other element to be aligned in azimuth is located within the range of the reference unit and is provided with a receiver unit having means to receive and count the pulses from the beacon. Suitably, the means which receives and counts the pulses drives a display and is responsive to the datum position passing signal to zero the count, it further has means which detects the revolving means when it passes the receiver unit and locks the count at its instantaneous reading. In this fashion, there is presented an indication of a geometrical angle of the gun, or other element, position relative to the datum so that the gun, or other element, may be aligned.