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US5309409A
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Target detection system
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corp
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Filing: 1982-10-28
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Granted: 1994-05-03
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Expires: 2002-10-28
Abstract
Abstract An array of transducer elements receives energy from a target or targets in a field of view and operates on the transducer outputs to provide a plurality of different levels of shading. The most useful portion of the field pattern is selected and combined with other most useful portions of other field patterns into a single composite display which results in one or more relatively narrow lobes, indicating targets, and without the presentation of side lobes which may be masking targets.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles H. Jones
- 👤 John H. Thompson
- 👤 John W. Kesner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 05:16
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10K; G10K11/00; G10K11/18; G10K11/26; G10K11/34; G10K11/341; G10K11/348; G01; G01S; G01S13/00; G01S13/02; G01S13/06; G01S13/42; G01S13/426; G01S3/00; G01S3/02; G01S3/14; G01S3/46; G01S3/80; G01S3/802; G01S3/808; H; H01; H01Q; H01Q3/00; H01Q3/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A detection system, comprising: A) an array of transducer elements, each operable to provide an output signal in response to energy received from a target area under observation; B) means including beamformer means operable in response to all of said output signals of said transducer elements to apply different levels of shading function thereto to derive a plurality of different field pattern signals; and C) means for selecting different predetermined portions from said plurality of field pattern signals and combining said predetermined portions into a single unitary composite field pattern signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
A detection system, comprising: A) an array of transducer elements, each operable to provide an output signal in response to energy received from a target area under observation; B) means including beamformer means operable in response to all of said output signals of said transducer elements to apply different levels of shading function thereto to derive a plurality of different field pattern signals; and C) means for selecting different predetermined portions from said plurality of field pattern signals and combining said predetermined portions into a single unitary composite field pattern signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein: A) said array is a line array.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein: A) said array is a multi-dimensional array.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein: A) said transducer elements are sonar transducer elements each operable to provide an output signal in response to received acoustic energy.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 which includes: A) acoustic projector means for transmitting acoustic energy toward said target area under investigation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein: A) said beamformer means is comprised of a plurality of individual beamformer sections simultaneously operable to apply said different levels of shading function.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein: A) said beamformer means is a digital beamformer means; and which includes B) analog-to-digital converter means coupled to said transducer elements to convert the analog signals therefrom into respective digital signals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein: A) different levels of the same shading function are applied to said output signals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 which includes: A) means for displaying said unitary composite field pattern signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein: A) said array is a line array; and B) said display presents signal intensity on one axis and azimuth angle on a second axis perpendicular to said one axis.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein: A) said array is a multi-dimensional array; and B) said display respectively presents on three mutually perpendicular axes, signal intensity, a first direction and a second direction.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 which includes: A) signal processor means responsive to said means for selecting and operable to join lines of adjacent selected portions to provide a continuous curve presentation on said means for displaying.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4060792A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-05-02 | 1997-11-01 | 1998-05-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-05-02 | 2001-11-01 | 2002-05-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-05-02 | 2005-11-01 | 2006-05-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |