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Title: Range-bearing computer
Claims: What is claimed is: 1. In an electro-mechanical bearing computer in which the bearing angle of a target relative to a predetermined line is computed from the time interval between the arrivals of a wave front at two spaced locations and a constant voltage proportional to the distance of separation of the spaced locations, the velocity of propagation of the wave front, and the angle of inclination formed by the intersection of a line drawn through the spaced locations and a horizontal plane through one of the spaced locations, a. means for generating a first signal proportional to said time interval, b. means for generating a second signal proportional to said constant voltage, c. first resolving means connected to said first and second signal generating means for providing an unmodified third signal equal to the difference between said first and second signals, d. third signal detecting means connected to said resolving means for providing an error signal when said third signal is not a predetermined value and for providing a null signal when said third signal is said predetermined value, e. means connected to said resolving means for modifying said third signal and providing an indication of the bearing angle relative to said target and a predetermined line, f. means connected to said third signal detecting means and said modifying-indicating means for mechanically controlling said signal modifying-indicating means in response to said null and error signals. 2. The combination defined in claim 1 characterized further by the addition thereto of a. sine generating means connected to said third signal detecting means and said signal modifying-indicating means for continuously providing a stabilizing feedback signal to said third signal detecting means. 3. The combination defined in claim 2 characterized further by the addition thereto of, a. switching means connected to said sine generating means and said detecting means for maintaining a positive polarity feedback signal. 4. In an electro-mechanical range and bearing computer in which the bearing angle, relative to a target and a predetermined line and range of the target are computed from arrival times of a wave front at three spaced sensing devices and a constant voltage proportional to the distance between the sensing devices, the velocity of propagation of the wave front, and an angle of inclination formed by the intersection of a line drawn through said spaced locations and a horizontal plane passed through one of said spaced locations, a. means for generating a first signal proportional to a first time interval corresponding to the difference between the time of arrival of a wave front at a first sensing device and a second sensing device, b. means for generating a second signal proportional to a second time interval corresponding to the difference between said first time interval and a third time interval which is the difference between the time of arrival of a wave front at said second sensing device and a third sensing device, c. means for generating a third signal proportional to said constant voltage, d. means connected to said first and third signal generating means for computing the bearing angle relative to a target and a predetermined line, e. means connected to said bearing angle computing means for indicating the bearing angle, f. means connected to said bearing angle computing means and said second signal generating means for computing the range of said target, and g. means connected to said range computing means for indicating the range of the target. 5. In an electro-mechanical range and bearing computer in which the bearing angle relative to a target and a predetermined line and the range of the target are computed from arrival times of a wave front from the target and received at three spaced sensing devices and a constant voltage proportional to the distance between said sensing devices, the velocity of propagation of the wave front, and the angle of inclination formed by the intersection of a line drawn through the spaced devices and a horizontal plane passed through one of said spaced devices, a. means for generating a first signal proportional to a first time interval which is the difference between the time of arrival of the wave front at a first sensing device and a second sensing device, b. means for generating a second signal proportional to a second time interval which is the difference between said first time interval and a third time interval which is the difference between the time of arrival of the wave front at said second sensing device and a third sensing device, c. means for generating a third signal proportional to said constant voltage, d. first resolving means connected to said first and third generating means for providing an unmodified fourth signal equal to the difference between said first and third signals, e. first detecting means connected to said resolving means for selectively providing a first error signal when said fourth signal is not a predetermined value and a first null signal when said fourth signal is said predetermined value, f. first indicating means connected to said resolving means for modifying said fourth signal and providing an indication of the bearing angle of the target, g. first drive means connected to said first detecting means and said first indicating means for mechanically controlling said indicating means in response to said first null and error signals, h. second resolving means connected to said third generating means and said first indicating means for providing a fifth signal proportional to said third signal and the bearing angle, i. second detecting means coupled to said second generating means and said second resolving means for selectively providing a second error signal when said fifth signal is not equal to said second signal and a second null signal when said fifth signal is equal to said second signal, j. second indicating means connected to said second detecting means for modifying said second signal and providing an indication of the range of the target, k. second drive means connected to said second detecting means and said second indicating means for mechanically controlling said second indicating means in response to said second null and error signals. 6. The combination defined in claim 5 characterized further by the addition thereto of; a. sine generating means connected to said first detecting means and said first indicating means for providing a stabilizing feedback signal to said first detecting means. 7. The combination defined in claim 6 characterized further by the addition thereto of, a. switching means connected to said sine generating means and said first detecting means for maintaining a positive polarity feedback signal. Other info: Inventors: Olson, Charles W. (Huntington Station, NY, US) Application Number: 272495 Filing Date: 1963-04-11 Publication_date: 1976-03-30 Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy (Washington, DC) Primary Class(es): 367/127 342/451, 367/129 Other Classes: US Patent Ref:
Other Refs: Primary Examiner: Farley, Richard A. Assistant Examiner: Attorney: |
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