Apparatus for measuring an aircraft's speed and height
First Claim
Patent Images
1. Apparatus for producing values that can be used to calculate the speed and height of an aircraft comprising:
- a first TV camera with its field of view covering a first part of the anticipated path of said aircraft;
a second TV camera with its field of view covering a second part of the anticipated path of said aircraft;
the second TV camera being at the same elevation as the first TV camera, a known distance therefrom, and forming a line with the first TV camera that is a projection of said anticipated path;
means connected to said first TV camera for measuring the time t1 it takes an aircraft to travel through the field of view of the camera; and
means connected to said first and second TV cameras for measuring the time t2 it takes an aircraft to travel between the fields of view of said first and second TV cameras whereby whenever an aircraft travels along said anticipated path the values t1 and t2 are produced which can be used to calculate the speed and height of said aircraft.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus for measuring an aircraft'"'"'s horizontal speed and height above ground without the need for airborne cooperative devices. Two ground level TV cameras separated by a measured distance and pointed at zenith are placed in line with the projection of the expected path of the aircraft. Speed is determined by measuring the time that it takes the aircraft to travel between the fields of view of the two TV cameras using zenith crossings as the reference points. Height is determined by correlating the speed with the time required to cross the field of view of either of the two cameras.
-
Citations
9 Claims
-
1. Apparatus for producing values that can be used to calculate the speed and height of an aircraft comprising:
-
a first TV camera with its field of view covering a first part of the anticipated path of said aircraft; a second TV camera with its field of view covering a second part of the anticipated path of said aircraft; the second TV camera being at the same elevation as the first TV camera, a known distance therefrom, and forming a line with the first TV camera that is a projection of said anticipated path; means connected to said first TV camera for measuring the time t1 it takes an aircraft to travel through the field of view of the camera; and means connected to said first and second TV cameras for measuring the time t2 it takes an aircraft to travel between the fields of view of said first and second TV cameras whereby whenever an aircraft travels along said anticipated path the values t1 and t2 are produced which can be used to calculate the speed and height of said aircraft. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
Specification