Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130075523 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ATTITUDE CONTROL OF TETHERED AEROSTATS - A control system for a tethered aerostat is provided, where up to two rotational and at least one translational degree of freedom are controlled to setpoints through the variation of tether lengths by an actuator system. The term tether includes a single tether, a tether group or a sub section of tether controlled by an individual actuator. Accurate rotational and translational control is essential for the successful operation of an aerostat under several applications, including surveillance, weather monitoring, and power generation. For a given use case, the controller can be constructed and arranged to manage the tradeoff between several key performance characteristics, such as transient performance, steady-state pointing accuracy, tether tension regulation, and power generation. | 03-28-2013 |
20150083849 | AEROSTAT SYSTEM - The invention provides an improved aerostat system including an aerostat, multiple tether groups and a base station. Spatially distinct tether groups allow for improved stability and controllability over a wide range of wind conditions. Independent actuation of the tether groups allows for control of the aerostat pitch and roll angle. A rotating platform including rails to rest the aerostat allows docking without auxiliary tethers, minimizing or eliminating the ground crew required to dock traditional aerostat systems. An optional controller allows remote or autonomous operation of the aerostat system. The invention is intended to extend the flight envelope in which aerostat systems can safely operate. | 03-26-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090199453 | METHOD TO DETERMINE HOLD OVER BALLISTIC INFORMATION - A handheld rangefinder device operable to determine ballistic hold over information is disclosed. The rangefinder device generally includes a range sensor operable to determine a first range to a target, a tilt sensor operable to determine an angle to the target relative to the device, and a computing element, coupled with the range sensor and the tilt sensor, operable to determine a hold over value based on the first range and the determined angle. Such a configuration facilitates accurate firearm and bow use by providing ranges and hold over values without requiring time-consuming and manual user calculations. | 08-13-2009 |
20090213358 | METHOD, DEVICE, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR DETERMINING A RANGE TO A TARGET - A method, device, and computer program for determining range to a target is disclosed. Specifically, the invention provides a method, device and computer program for determining a second range to a target based on a first range to the target and an angle to the target such that the parabolic trajectory of a projectile is accounted for in determining the second range. The device generally includes a range sensor for determining a first range to a target, a tilt sensor for determining an angle to the target, and a computing element for determining a second range to the target based on the first range and the determined angle. | 08-27-2009 |
20120105283 | DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICE FOR GOLF - A distance measuring device for determining distances to objects on a golf course comprises a laser rangefinder; a satellite navigation receiver; and a portable handheld housing for housing both the laser rangefinder and the satellite navigation receiver. The housing has opposed left and right sidewalls, opposed top and bottom walls, and opposed front and rear walls, with all of the walls being sized and configured to permit a user to hold the device with one hand. A display for displaying distance information from the satellite navigation receiver is positioned in one of the sidewalls of the housing and an eyepiece of the laser rangefinder is positioned in the front wall of the housing. This permits a user to hold the device with one hand, look through the eyepiece to operate the laser rangefinder, and then simply twist his or her hand to view satellite navigation information on the display without releasing or re-gripping the device. | 05-03-2012 |
20120109577 | DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICE FOR GOLF - An integrated distance measuring device for golf comprises a satellite navigation receiver operable to determine a current location of the device; a laser rangefinder operable to determine a distance from the current location of the device to an object on a golf course; a compass operable to determine a bearing of the device when it is aimed at the object; a display; and a computing device. The computing device is programmed to determine a location of the object as a function of the current location of the device, the distance to the object, and the bearing of the device. The computing device may also be programmed to calculate a distance between the object and a second object on the golf course as a function of the location of the object and pre-mapped location information for the second object. The computing device may also be programmed to present on the display a representation of the current location of the device, a representation of the location of the object, a representation of the second object, a representation of the distance between the current location of the device and the location of the object, as well as a representation of the distance between the object and the second object. | 05-03-2012 |