Range-bearing computer

In an electro-mechanical range and bearing computer in which the bearing angle, relative to a target and a predetermined line and range of the target are computed from arrival times of a wave front at three spaced sensing devices and a constant voltage proportional to the distance between the sensing devices, the velocity of propagation of the wave front, and an angle of inclination formed by the intersection of a line drawn through said spaced locations and a horizontal plane passed through one of said spaced locations,

• a. means for generating a first signal proportional to a first time interval corresponding to the difference between the time of arrival of a wave front at a first sensing device and a second sensing device,
• b. means for generating a second signal proportional to a second time interval corresponding to the difference between said first time interval and a third time interval which is the difference between the time of arrival of a wave front at said second sensing device and a third sensing device,
• c. means for generating a third signal proportional to said constant voltage,
• d. means connected to said first and third signal generating means for computing the bearing angle relative to a target and a predetermined line,
• e. means connected to said bearing angle computing means for indicating the bearing angle,
• f. means connected to said bearing angle computing means and said second signal generating means for computing the range of said target, and
• g. means connected to said range computing means for indicating the range of the target.

In an electro-mechanical range and bearing computer in which the bearing angle relative to a target and a predetermined line and the range of the target are computed from arrival times of a wave front from the target and received at three spaced sensing devices and a constant voltage proportional to the distance between said sensing devices, the velocity of propagation of the wave front, and the angle of inclination formed by the intersection of a line drawn through the spaced devices and a horizontal plane passed through one of said spaced devices,

• a. means for generating a first signal proportional to a first time interval which is the difference between the time of arrival of the wave front at a first sensing device and a second sensing device,
• b. means for generating a second signal proportional to a second time interval which is the difference between said first time interval and a third time interval which is the difference between the time of arrival of the wave front at said second sensing device and a third sensing device,
• c. means for generating a third signal proportional to said constant voltage,
• d. first resolving means connected to said first and third generating means for providing an unmodified fourth signal equal to the difference between said first and third signals,
• e. first detecting means connected to said resolving means for selectively providing a first error signal when said fourth signal is not a predetermined value and a first null signal when said fourth signal is said predetermined value,
• f. first indicating means connected to said resolving means for modifying said fourth signal and providing an indication of the bearing angle of the target,
• g. first drive means connected to said first detecting means and said first indicating means for mechanically controlling said indicating means in response to said first null and error signals,
• h. second resolving means connected to said third generating means and said first indicating means for providing a fifth signal proportional to said third signal and the bearing angle,
• i. second detecting means coupled to said second generating means and said second resolving means for selectively providing a second error signal when said fifth signal is not equal to said second signal and a second null signal when said fifth signal is equal to said second signal,
• j. second indicating means connected to said second detecting means for modifying said second signal and providing an indication of the range of the target,
• k. second drive means connected to said second detecting means and said second indicating means for mechanically controlling said second indicating means in response to said second null and error signals.