Terrain contour tracking system
US4179919A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 18, 1978 |
| Grant date | Dec 25, 1979 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 18, 1998 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01C7/04
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An analog surface profile follower and indicator system is disclosed which neumatically senses and follows the gradients occurring in the surface of either the earth's terrain or a modelboard by means of a pneumatic probe and negative feedback control sub-system which maintains said pneumatic probe at a predetermined distance from the terrain or modelboard surface being sensed at any given instant, as the entire profile follower system is moved in such manner as to effect a desired traverse thereof by any suitable carrier vehicle. A probe position pick-off is effectively connected to the aforesaid negative feedback control subsystem and supplies an analog signal to an appropriate readout which, in turn, indicates the position of said pneumatic probe with respect to a predetermined datum, thereby effectively indicating the surface irregularities of the aforesaid terrain or modelboard.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.