Apparatus and method for verifying the beam axis of front-looking land vehicle transceiver antenna
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
G01B-011/26
G01S-007/40
출원번호
US-0445679
(2003-05-27)
발명자
/ 주소
Carnevale, Gregory S.
Raheb, David
Lefebvre, Paul R.
O'Hara, Douglas J.
출원인 / 주소
International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
대리인 / 주소
Calfa Jeffrey P.
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
5인용 특허 :
3
초록▼
Apparatus and method for measuring the angle of elevation of the beam axis ( 90 ) of a front-looking radar antenna ( 68 ). A first fixture ( 140 ) has an indicator ( 120 ) for indicating angle of elevation and a first laser ( 148 ) aimed in a direction that, as viewed normal to a horizontal surface
Apparatus and method for measuring the angle of elevation of the beam axis ( 90 ) of a front-looking radar antenna ( 68 ). A first fixture ( 140 ) has an indicator ( 120 ) for indicating angle of elevation and a first laser ( 148 ) aimed in a direction that, as viewed normal to a horizontal surface ( 192 ) on which the vehicle is disposed, is parallel to the beam axis for shining on a target ( 144 ). A second fixture ( 142 ) has a second laser ( 174 ) aimed in a direction that, as viewed normal to the horizontal surface, is parallel to the direction of forward vehicle travel for shining on the target. The angle of elevation indicated on the indicator is used as a measure of the angle of elevation of the beam axis of the antenna and the azimuth of the beam axis is verified by the two laser beams shining in a predetermined relationship to each other on the target.
대표청구항▼
1. A method for measuring the angle of elevation of the beam axis of a front-looking radar antenna on a land vehicle and verifying the azimuth of the beam axis, the method comprising:securing to the antenna a first fixture that comprises both an indicator for indicating angle of elevation and a firs
1. A method for measuring the angle of elevation of the beam axis of a front-looking radar antenna on a land vehicle and verifying the azimuth of the beam axis, the method comprising:securing to the antenna a first fixture that comprises both an indicator for indicating angle of elevation and a first optical laser that emits a first laser beam to aim the first laser beam in a direction that, as viewed normal to a horizontal surface on which the vehicle is disposed for travel, is parallel to the beam axis of the antenna and to shine the first laser beam on a target spaced frontally of the vehicle in a direction of forward vehicle travel;securing to the vehicle a second fixture that comprises a second optical laser that emits a second laser beam to aim the second laser beam in a direction that, as viewed normal to the horizontal surface, is parallel to the direction of forward vehicle travel and to shine the second laser beam on the target; andusing the angle of elevation indicated by the indicator as a measure of the angle of elevation of the beam axis of the antenna and verifying the azimuth of the beam axis when the two laser beams are shining in a predetermined relationship to each other on the target. 2. A method as set forth in claim 1 whereinthe antenna comprises a perimeter rim,the first fixture comprises a locator comprising a perimeter frame congruent to the antenna perimeter rim, andthe step of securing the first fixture to the antenna comprises congruently fitting the perimeter frame of the locator to the perimeter rim of the antenna so that the beam axis passes through an open area of the perimeter frame of the locator and securing the perimeter frame of the locator to the antenna by releasably clamping the perimeter frame of the locator to the antenna. 3. A method as set forth in claim 2 whereinthe first fixture comprises a bar depending vertically from the perimeter frame of the locator and having a vertical through-slot that is below the perimeter frame and that is open in the direction of forward travel of the vehicle, andthe step of securing the second fixture to the vehicle comprises positioning the second laser on the second fixture to correlate the second laser beam to the first laser beam by causing the second laser beam to pass through the through-slot in the bar. 4. A method as set forth in claim 3 wherein the step of securing the second fixture to the vehicle comprises securing the second fixture to an axle of the vehicle that propels the vehicle in the forward direction of travel by locating the second fixture to a centerline of the axle that is perpendicular to the forward direction of travel. 5. A method as set forth in claim 1 whereinthe target comprises a vertical face on which the two laser beams shine and which contains indicia defining the predetermined relationship of each laser beam to the other, andthe step of verifying the azimuth of the beam axis comprises verifying the azimuth of the beam axis when both laser beams are shining in predetermined relationship to the indicia on the vertical face of the target. 6. A method as set forth in claim 5 whereinthe first fixture comprises a bar depending vertically from the perimeter frame of the locator and having a vertical through-slot that is below the perimeter frame and that is open in the direction of forward travel of the vehicle, andthe step of securing the second fixture to the vehicle comprises positioning the second laser on the second fixture to correlate the second laser beam to the first laser beam by causing the second laser beam to pass through the through-slot in the bar. 7. A method as set forth in claim 6 whereinthe indicia comprise two horizontally spaced vertical lines bounding a zone, andthe step of verifying the azimuth of the beam axis comprises verifying the beam axis when both laser beams are shining within the zone. 8. A method as set forth in claim 7 whereinthe step of securing the second fixture to the vehicle comprises se curing the second fixture to an axle of the vehicle that propels the vehicle in the forward direction of travel by locating the second fixture to a centerline of the axle that is perpendicular to the forward direction of travel. 9. A method as set forth in claim 8 whereinthe step of securing the second fixture to the vehicle comprises disposing the second laser such that the second laser beam passes through the undercarriage of the vehicle. 10. A method as set forth in claim 1 whereinif the measure of the angle of elevation of the beam axis of the antenna is out of tolerance, then performing a step of adjusting the antenna to bring the measure within tolerance. 11. A method for measuring the angle of elevation at which a device mounted on a land vehicle radiates electromagnetic radiation along a beam axis that, as viewed normal to a horizontal surface on which the vehicle is disposed for travel, is parallel to a direction of travel of the vehicle along the surface and for verifying the azimuth of the beam axis, the method comprising:securing to the device a first fixture that comprises both an indicator for indicating angle of elevation and a first optical laser that emits a first laser beam to aim the first laser beam in a direction that, as viewed normal to the horizontal surface, is parallel to the beam axis of the electromagnetic radiation radiated by the device and to shine the first laser beam on a target spaced from the device;securing to the vehicle a second fixture that comprises a second optical laser that emits a second laser beam to aim the second laser beam in a direction that, as viewed normal to the horizontal surface, is parallel to the direction of travel of the vehicle and to shine the second laser beam on the target; andusing the angle of elevation indicated by the indicator as a measure of the angle of elevation of the beam axis of the electromagnetic radiation radiated by the device, and verifying the azimuth of the beam axis when the two laser beams are shining in a predetermined relationship to each other on the target. 12. A method as set forth in claim 11 whereinthe device comprises an antenna facing in the direction of travel of the vehicle and defining the beam axis of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the device and a perimeter rim bounding the antenna, andthe step of securing the first fixture to the device comprises congruently fitting a locator of the first fixture to the perimeter rim of the device so that the beam axis passes through an aperture in the locator and securing the locator to the device. 13. A method as set forth in claim 12 wherein the step of securing the locator to the device comprises releaseably securing the locator to the device by operating one or more toggle clamp mechanisms to releaseably engage the device. 14. A method as set forth in claim 12 whereinthe first fixture further comprises a reference for referencing the second laser beam to the first fixture, andincluding, after the step of securing the second fixture to the vehicle, a further step of positioning the second laser on the second fixture to cause the second laser beam to pass through the first fixture in predetermined relation to the reference. 15. A method as set forth in claim 14 whereinthe first fixture comprises a bar depending vertically from the locator, and the reference comprises a vertical through-slot in the bar below the locator and open in the direction of travel of the vehicle, andthe further step of positioning the second laser on the second fixture comprises positioning the second laser horizontally on the second fixture to cause the second laser beam to pass through the through-slot in the bar. 16. A method as set forth in claim 11 wherein the step of securing the second fixture to the vehicle comprises securing the second fixture to an axle of the vehicle that propels the vehicle in the direction of travel by locating the second fixture to a centerline of the axle that is perpendicular to the direction of travel. 17. A method as set forth in claim 11 whereinthe target comprises a vertical face on which the two laser beams shine and which contains indicia defining the predetermined relationship of each laser beam to the other, andthe step of verifying the azimuth of the beam axis comprises verifying the azimuth of the beam axis when both laser beams are shining in predetermined relationship to the indicia on the vertical face of the target. 18. A method as set forth in claim 17 whereinthe indicia comprise two horizontally spaced vertical lines bounding a zone, andthe step of verifying the azimuth of the beam axis comprises verifying the beam axis when both laser beams are shining within the zone. 19. Apparatus for measuring the angle of elevation at which a device mounted on a land vehicle radiates electromagnetic radiation along a beam axis that, as viewed normal to a horizontal surface on which the vehicle is disposed for travel, is parallel to a direction of travel of the vehicle along the surface, the apparatus comprising:a fixture that comprises a locator for fitting congruently to a perimeter rim of the device and a mechanism for releaseably securing the locator to the device to correlate the locator to the angle of elevation of the device, and an indicator mounted on the locator for indicating angle of elevation of the locator, and hence angle of elevation of the beam axis of the device. 20. Apparatus as set forth in claim 19 wherein the locator comprises a perimeter frame bounding an aperture, the apparatus further comprises a bar fastened to the locator frame to span the frame aperture and an indicator support fastened to the bar and comprising a mounting platform extending transversely away from the locator, and wherein the indicator is mounted on the mounting platform. 21. Apparatus as set forth in claim 20 wherein the perimeter frame is rectangular in shape to endow the perimeter frame with four sides, the bar spans the aperture between a pair of opposite ones of the four sides, and the mechanism for releaseably securing the locator to the device comprises a respective toggle clamp mechanism at each of the other pair of the four sides. 22. Apparatus as set forth in claim 21 wherein the perimeter frame comprises UHMW plastic. 23. Apparatus as set forth in claim 20 further including an optical laser mounted on the mounting platform. 24. Apparatus as set forth in claim 23 wherein the indicator is disposed in overlying relation to the mounting platform and the optical laser is disposed in underlying relation to the mounting platform. 25. Apparatus as set forth in claim 23 wherein the perimeter frame is rectangular in shape to endow the perimeter frame with four sides, two of which are vertical and two of which are horizontal, the bar is disposed lengthwise vertically to span the aperture between the horizontal sides of the frame and to extend vertically below a vertically lower one of the two horizontal sides, and the bar comprises a reference disposed vertically below the lower one of the two horizontal sides of the frame for referencing the fixture to a laser beam from another optical laser. 26. Apparatus as set forth in claim 25 wherein the reference comprises a vertically extending through-slot in the bar. 27. Apparatus as set forth in claim 19 wherein the fixture comprises a first optical laser, and the apparatus further includes a second optical laser and an additional fixture for placing the second laser with reference to a centerline of an axle of the vehicle that propels the vehicle in the direction of travel to place a path of a laser beam from the second laser, as viewed normal to the surface, parallel to the direction of travel. 28. Apparatus as set forth in claim 27 wherein the fixture that comprises a locator for fitting congruently to a perimeter rim of the device further comprises a bar that extends lengthwise vertically downward from the locator and comprises a vertically extending thro ugh-slot disposed in the path of the laser beam from the second laser. 29. Apparatus as set forth in claim 28 wherein the additional fixture comprises opposing locator pins for locating the additional fixture to opposite ends of the axle at the axle centerline, a bridge spanning the opposing locator pins, and a mounting for the second laser on the bridge, including a mechanism for selectively positioning the second laser in its mounting on the bridge in a direction parallel with the axle centerline. 30. Apparatus as set forth in claim 29 further including a target for placement in spaced relation to the two lasers to dispose a face of the target in respective paths of the laser beams from the two lasers, and wherein the target face comprises indicia defining a zone representing a predetermined relation between the two laser beams suitable for verifying the azimuth of the beam axis when both laser beams are striking the zone. 31. Apparatus as set forth in claim 30 wherein the indicia comprise two horizontally spaced vertical lines bounding the zone, and further including an upright stand for supporting the target on the surface, an indicator for indicating departure of the two horizontally spaced vertical lines from vertical, and an adjustment for adjusting the target on the stand to zero any indicated departure from vertical.
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