Enhanced paint for microwave/millimeter wave radiometric detection applications and method of road marker detection
US6414606B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 11, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jul 2, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 1, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01Q19/062
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
Adding a quantity of metallic shot or particles of other materials having a high dielectric constant to the thermoplastic paint in the mixing pot of ordinary roadway marker fixation equipment, which extrudes the paint and applies same to the roadway surface, enhances the MMW radiometric visibility of the marker without adverse effect to the affixation equipment. Vehicles containing MMW radiometers directed down toward the roadway surface moves along the roadway surface is able to automatically sense microwave/millimeter wave energy from a marker in the vehicles path. In one system, the sensed energy is used in conjunction with other apparatus to assist to guide the vehicle within a traffic lane. In another system, the sensed energy is decoded and displayed as pertinent information for the vehicle's driver.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.