Patent · US Expired

Guided vehicle control process and apparatus

US4713663A · kind A · utility

4Cited by
6References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 27, 1985
Grant dateDec 15, 1987
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 27, 2005

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB61L3/125
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

The apparatus according to the invention relates to a guided vehicle control process and apparatus which comprises passive beacons, as well as radars permitting the detection thereof. The presence or absence of a beacon permits the automatic control of a train, e.g. with a view to automating the driving thereof. The apparatus according to the invention uses retrodirectional beacons and/or beacons inducing a polarization rotation of the radiation received. The use of retrodirectional beacons induces a change of frequency by Doppler effect of the reflected radiation. The change of the Doppler frequency and/or the polarization rotation of the radiation improves the signal-clutter ratio and/or the separation of the transmission and reception channels.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.