Navigation system for converting bearing to waypoint data from a universal navigation system to signals usable by an omni bearing selector

• US 5,323,306 A
• Filed: 02/24/1992
• Issued: 06/21/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Troll Avionics
• Original Assignee: Troll Avionics
• Inventors: Hopkins, Jeffery G., Storli, Tom J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ZANELLI, MICHAEL J
• Application Number:
  US07/840,391
• Time in Patent Office: 848 Days
• Field of Search: 364/449, 364/451, 364/452, 364/448, 340/952, 342/401, 342/404, 342/388, 342/451, 342/357
• US Class Current: 701/219
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 5/00 Traffic control systems for aircraft , e.g. air-traffic control [ATC]

Abstract

Apparatus is provided in an aircraft to convert signals from a Universal Navigation System such as LORAN to signals compatible with the standard Omni Bearing Selector (OBS) in the aircraft. The apparatus allows a visual bearing to any destination to be provided for the navigator.

Claims

1. A navigation system, said system including first means for generating signals from m≧

3 known, spaced-apart positions and second means located in a moving m+1th position for calculating the m+1th position with respect to said m positions, said second means providing digital signals representative of a user selected bearing to way-point, said system also including third means located at said m+1th position responsive to said digital signals for providing a VHF Omni Range (VOR) signal.

2. A system as set forth in claim 1 also including fourth means located at said m+1th position, said fourth means including a visual display of bearing to waypoint direction and means for aligning said visual display with said VOR signal.

3. A system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said first means comprises a universal navigation system and said second means includes computer means for triangulating the location of said m+1th position.

4. A system as set forth in claim 3 wherein said fourth means comprises an OBS.

5. Apparatus responsive to signals from three or more spaced apart transmitters at known coordinates for triangulating the position of said apparatus and for generating an output signal representative of that position, said apparatus also including means responsive to that output signal for generating a bearing to waypoint signal, said apparatus also including means for generating virtual VOR signals for aligning a visual indicator with said bearing to waypoint signal.