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US 2014/0191896 A1Published application
Ball spin rate measurement
AssigneeEdh US LLC
InventorsHenri Johnson, Thomas Johnson, Robert William Rust
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Spin rate measurement utilizing periodic phase modulation of the radar Doppler signal reflected from a golf ball is described. Some embodiments provide a method to directly measure the ball spin rate caused by the symmetrical structure of the golf ball seam, using the dielectric lens effect of a practical sports ball to magnify the modulating effect of a non-homogeneous feature on the ball, and utilizing the specific pattern of modulation caused in this manner.
Claims27
A method of determining a spin rate of a projectile, the method comprising:
- receiving a reflected signal of microwave radiation incident on the projectile during a rotational trajectory of the projectile, the projectile including a non-homogeneous feature at or near a surface of the projectile;
- detecting, by at least one processor, modulation of the reflected signal attributable to the feature;
- and
- calculating the spin rate of the projectile based on the detected modulation.
1 more element
A system, comprising:
- a Doppler radar configured to receive a reflected signal of microwave radiation incident on a projectile during a rotational trajectory of the projectile, the projectile including a non-homogeneous feature at or near a surface of the projectile;
- a demodulator in communication with the Doppler radar and configured to process the reflected signal to identify modulation of the reflected signal attributable to the feature;
- and
- at least one processor in communication with the demodulator and configured to calculate a spin rate of the projectile based on the identified modulation.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.