GB2105114A - Radar detection apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

There is disclosed a vehicle 11 which is equipped with a radar system including a rotary scanning aerial 16 powered from a generator 14 driven by the engine 12 of the vehicle. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Radar detection apparatus This invention relates to radar detection apparatus.

Transportable surveillance radar is provided in trailers provided with motor/generator sets, to be towed behind motor vehicles to a desired site. Such are used for example in situations where a temporary radar installation is required, perhaps on an airfield. However, towed trailers are not always suitable for travelling over difficult terrain.

The present invention is based on the realisation that conventional transportable radar equipment can be more conveniently and less expensively installed, not in a trailer, but in a motorised vehicle, and can therefore be rendered transportable to places that cannot ordinarily be reached by the conventional trailer-borne equipment.

The invention comprises a vehicle comprising an engine selectably connectible to driving wheels of the vehicle and to a generator connected to power a radar system mounted in the vehicle and including a rotary scanning aerial.

The aerial is preferably mounted on the roof of the vehicle.

Desirably, the vehicle is of the cross-country type exemplified by the Land Rover (Registered Trade Mark), which has four wheel drive enabling it to cope with difficult terrain. In fact a 4KW generator is supplied as an optional extra in the Land Rover (Registered Trade Mark) and this is preferably adapted to power a 25KW pulse radar set.

The vehicle can be specially adapted in various ways to accommodate the radar system, including the provision of the sliding light-proof screen between the driver's compartment and the rear compartment, and a roller blind closing off the rear access so as to darken the interior of the rear compartment sufficiently to allow viewing of the radar screen housed therein. Other equipment which can be housed in the rear compartment includes a generator control panel, an air conditioning unit, a rectifier and power pack for the radar set, a map table and communications equipment, in addition of course, to seating for the operator.

The radar screen can be stowed against a side of the vehicle when not in use and displayed downwardly into an operating position.

One embodiment of a radar equipped vehicle according to the invention will now be described in relation to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of the vehicle, and Figure 2 is plan view.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a vehicle 11 of the Land Rover type comprising an engine 12 selectibly connectible to driving wheels 13 of the vehicle and to a generator 14 connected to power a radar system 15 wanted in the vehicle 11 and including a rotary scanning aerial 16.

The generator 14 is a 4KW generator such as is supplied as an option with the Land Rover.

The radar system is generally accommodated in the rear compartment 1 la of the vehicle 11, which is separated from the drivers compartment 1 ib by a sliding, light-proof screen 17. A roller blind 18 closes off the back of the rear compartment 18a.

This rear compartment 1 1a accommodates the radar screen 19 which has a stored position lying flat against the side of the vehicle and an operating position in which the screen is lowered for viewing.

Also in the rear compartment 1 lea are a generator control panel 21, an air conditioning unit 22 (with an air inlet 23 inserted in the roof of the vehicle), a rectifier and power pack 24 fed with alternating current from the generator and rectifying and regulating the same for supplying the electronics of the radar set. A map table 24 and seating 26 for the operator are also provided, as is communicating equipment 27 for radio contact with a land base, or with aircraft, shipping or other land vehicles.

The rotary scanning aerial 19 is mounted on the vehicle roof in any convenient manner. If the roof is of relatively flimsy material, a rigid support plate 28 is let in which carries the aerial 19 together with an electric motor therefor.

1. A vehicle comprising an engine selectably connectible to driving wheels of the vehicle and to a generator connected to power a radar system mounted in the vehicle and including a rotary scanning aerial.

2. A vehicle according to claim 1, in which the aerial is mounted on the roof of the vehicle.

3. A vehicle according to claim 1 or claim 2, being a four wheel drive vehicle.

4. A vehicle substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by the Figures of the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (4)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Radar detection apparatus This invention relates to radar detection apparatus. Transportable surveillance radar is provided in trailers provided with motor/generator sets, to be towed behind motor vehicles to a desired site. Such are used for example in situations where a temporary radar installation is required, perhaps on an airfield. However, towed trailers are not always suitable for travelling over difficult terrain. The present invention is based on the realisation that conventional transportable radar equipment can be more conveniently and less expensively installed, not in a trailer, but in a motorised vehicle, and can therefore be rendered transportable to places that cannot ordinarily be reached by the conventional trailer-borne equipment. The invention comprises a vehicle comprising an engine selectably connectible to driving wheels of the vehicle and to a generator connected to power a radar system mounted in the vehicle and including a rotary scanning aerial. The aerial is preferably mounted on the roof of the vehicle. Desirably, the vehicle is of the cross-country type exemplified by the Land Rover (Registered Trade Mark), which has four wheel drive enabling it to cope with difficult terrain. In fact a 4KW generator is supplied as an optional extra in the Land Rover (Registered Trade Mark) and this is preferably adapted to power a 25KW pulse radar set. The vehicle can be specially adapted in various ways to accommodate the radar system, including the provision of the sliding light-proof screen between the driver's compartment and the rear compartment, and a roller blind closing off the rear access so as to darken the interior of the rear compartment sufficiently to allow viewing of the radar screen housed therein. Other equipment which can be housed in the rear compartment includes a generator control panel, an air conditioning unit, a rectifier and power pack for the radar set, a map table and communications equipment, in addition of course, to seating for the operator. The radar screen can be stowed against a side of the vehicle when not in use and displayed downwardly into an operating position. One embodiment of a radar equipped vehicle according to the invention will now be described in relation to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of the vehicle, and Figure 2 is plan view. Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a vehicle 11 of the Land Rover type comprising an engine 12 selectibly connectible to driving wheels 13 of the vehicle and to a generator 14 connected to power a radar system 15 wanted in the vehicle 11 and including a rotary scanning aerial 16. The generator 14 is a 4KW generator such as is supplied as an option with the Land Rover. The radar system is generally accommodated in the rear compartment 1 la of the vehicle 11, which is separated from the drivers compartment 1 ib by a sliding, light-proof screen 17. A roller blind 18 closes off the back of the rear compartment 18a. This rear compartment 1 1a accommodates the radar screen 19 which has a stored position lying flat against the side of the vehicle and an operating position in which the screen is lowered for viewing. Also in the rear compartment 1 lea are a generator control panel 21, an air conditioning unit 22 (with an air inlet 23 inserted in the roof of the vehicle), a rectifier and power pack 24 fed with alternating current from the generator and rectifying and regulating the same for supplying the electronics of the radar set. A map table 24 and seating 26 for the operator are also provided, as is communicating equipment 27 for radio contact with a land base, or with aircraft, shipping or other land vehicles. The rotary scanning aerial 19 is mounted on the vehicle roof in any convenient manner. If the roof is of relatively flimsy material, a rigid support plate 28 is let in which carries the aerial 19 together with an electric motor therefor. CLAIMS

1. A vehicle comprising an engine selectably connectible to driving wheels of the vehicle and to a generator connected to power a radar system mounted in the vehicle and including a rotary scanning aerial.

2. A vehicle according to claim 1, in which the aerial is mounted on the roof of the vehicle.

3. A vehicle according to claim 1 or claim 2, being a four wheel drive vehicle.

4. A vehicle substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by the Figures of the accompanying drawings.