Abstract: An elevation angle detection device uses signals from first and second of oppositely pointing antennas to determine an elevation angle of an emitting source. The signal from the second antenna is inverted and phase-compared with the direct signal from the first antenna. The first and second antennas are physically displaced along their axes by about ⅜ electrical wavelengths to establish a sensitive angular region of about ±7 degrees. In one embodiment of the invention, the phase of the signal from the first antenna is phase delayed slightly before being applied to the phase detector. This displaces the sensitive angular region upward. The phase of the signal from the second antenna is phase delayed slightly before being applied to a second phase detector. The signal from the first antenna is applied to the second phase detector without being phase delayed. This displaces the sensitive angular region downward.

Abstract: A collision alert system employs combined binaural acoustic effects combined with optical indicators to direct the attention of a person in a desired direction. The pilot utilizes normal delay and acoustic modification of high frequencies to determine roughly the direction to look for the target. A corresponding optical indicator is energized in a position corresponding to the target angle to confirm and refine the angle to the target.

Abstract: A calibration system for a pilot warning system includes first and second calibration antennas spaced apart on an aircraft. The first and second calibration antennas receive the same pulsed RF signal, suitable delayed so that, after emission from the calibration antennas, the pulsed signal is received at times at antennas of the pilot warning system appropriate to indicate that a simulated target is within or outside (up or down) an elevation angular band of interest. Adjustment of relative timing is made by inducing relative transmission delays of the pulsed signal on its way to the two antennas. In one embodiment, different cable lengths produce the desired delays.

Abstract: A collision alert system employs binaural acoustic effects to direct the attention of a person in a desired direction. In one embodiment, the angular location of a possible collision risk is detected to energize one of a plurality of acoustic generators spaced angularly apart about the cockpit of an aircraft. The Pilot utilizes normal delay and acoustic modification of high frequencies to determine the direction to look for the target. In another embodiment, the pilot wears headphones which inhibit normal binaural direction location. The delay and acoustic modification are simulated before being fed to left and right headphones. In a wired system, the headphone signals are produced off the headphones. The head angular position of the pilot is compensated so that, as the pilot's head is turned toward the simulated target position, the delay and acoustic modification are adjusted to compensate for the actual head position.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system to alert an aircraft pilot of the presence and general location of other aircraft that might constitute a collision threat to the pilot's aircraft. A first and second antenna on the upper paid lower surfaces of the aircraft each operate in first and second modes characterized by respective first and second directivity conditions. The first and second antennas directly receive pulse signals from a source in order to determine the relative time of arrivals and thus the relative altitude of the source to the aircraft. Analysis means compares amplitudes of responses in the first and second modes to provide an angle indicating signal without having to generate radio signals other than those already being generated by equipment in the other aircraft in response to ground ATC interrogation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system to alert an aircraft pilot of presence and general location of other aircraft that might constitute a collision threat to the pilot's aircraft. An antenna means operates in first and second modes characterized by respective first and second directivity conditions resulting in first and second gains for signals from a certain direction. Analysis means compares the amplitues of the first and second responses to produce an angle-indicating signal locating a potential collision threat without having to generate radio signals other than those already being generated by equipment in other aircraft in response to ground ATC interrogation.

Abstract: A rounded wire connector is formed by bending a single piece of wire into a J-shaped configuration consisting of first and second parts joined together by a U-shaped loop and extending in generally parallel directions but with the second part offset in one direction from the first part and having a convex bend to form a contact region. The first part is bent to form an offset that extends from the main portion of the first part in the same direction as the direction of displacement of the second part. Two rows of the connectors can be mounted in a main insulating support member that has rows of holes just wide enough to receive the aforementioned offsets of two rows of the wire connectors.

Abstract: A wire connector to be soldered to a printed circuit mother board has two J-shaped outer legs and a central bight integrally formed with the legs and comprising juxtaposed contact portions to receive the edge connector of another such board. The outer legs and the central bight are in a common plane and the outer legs have flexure portions of reduced thickness. The thickness is reduced in the plane so that the flexibility of the wire is increased in that direction, making it easier to flex the legs to shift the location of the contact portions. Thus, a line of such contact portions on a row of clips can easily be brought into exact alignment to receive the other board without the necessity of using a jig to align all of the clips when they are attached to the mother board.

Abstract: A connector for reduced insertion force includes one or more U-shaped insulators, each having two portions and a gap between them to receive a printed circuit board. A conductor is held by each insulator so that part of the conductor is free to move between first position in which the conductor extends into the gap and a second position retracted from the first position. In the first position, the conductor can make good electrical connection with a printed circuit board inserted into the gap; in the second position, the conductor exerts little or no force on the printed circuit board and therefore allows easier insertion of the board into the gap. The conductor may be a single M-shaped conductor or one or more generally U-shaped conductors attached to an insulator structure in the form of a wafer. A plurality of such wafers may be stacked so that their gaps are aligned and their conductors are spaced apart by a distance corresponding to standard printed circuit spacings.

Abstract: An array of bent wire connectors to grip the edge of a printed circuit board is held in spaced, opposed grooves on facing side walls of a holder so that the whole array can be affixed to a mother board as a unit by soldering the free ends of the connectors in place. The grooves can be preformed to hold the connectors in the array, or they can be formed in situ by heating a jig with the connectors assembled in a similar array of holes in the surface of the jig and then pressing a thermoplastic holder onto the connectors. The heated connectors soften the contiguous portions of the holder, and after the latter is in place, the assembly is allowed to cool so that the thermoplastic material can reharden in gripping relation to the connectors. A bar can separate gripping portions of the connectors to align them and give them a pre-set position to receive the edge of the printed circuit board easily.

Abstract: An array of bent wire connectors to grip the edge of a printed circuit board is held in spaced, opposed grooves on facing side walls of a holder so that the whole array can be affixed to a mother board as a unit by soldering the free ends of the connectors in place. The grooves can be preformed to hold the connectors in the array, or they can be formed in situ by heating a jig with the connectors assembled in a similar array of holes in the surface of the jig and then pressing a thermoplastic holder onto the connectors. The heated connectors soften the contiguous portions of the holder, and after the latter is in place, the assembly is allowed to cool so that the thermoplastic material can reharden in gripping relation to the connectors. A bar can separate gripping portions of the connectors to align them and give them a pre-set position to receive the edge of the printed circuit board easily.