Patents Assigned to LFK-Lenkflugkoerpersysteme GmbH
  • Publication number: 20090097508
    Abstract: A fiber laser arrangement having a high beaming power includes a plurality of continuously operating coherent individual fiber lasers. Pumping energy generated by a common master oscillator operated in the longitudinal mode is distributed to the fiber lasers by way of a fiber splitter, in a branched manner. An integrated electro-optical phase shifter is assigned to each individual fiber laser, and can be controlled by an electronic control system. By appropriate displacements of the optical phases in individual phases of the fiber laser arrangement atmospheric turbulence effects on the propagation path of the laser radiation to a target are compensated in order to obtain an optimal focusing of the entire laser radiation onto the remote target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: LFK-Lenkflugkoerpersysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Rudolf Protz, Juergen Zoz
  • Patent number: 7450781
    Abstract: A method of enlarging an image field of a camera by combining partial images. This method includes continuously rotating at least two refractive prisms such that an optical axis of the at least two prisms scans in a cycloidal pattern. Furthermore the method includes capturing and combining a plurality of partial images. Finally, the cycloidal pattern is formed as an astroid pattern with a plurality of vertexes. The partial images are generated at the time of the reversal movement during the scanning in the astroid pattern, which limits unsharpness in the images kept to less than the size of a pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: LFK-Lenkflugkörpersysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Jochen Barth, Michael Assel
  • Publication number: 20080264385
    Abstract: In a valve control unit for a ram jet propulsion system having a power unit space a valve for controlling a fuel quantity required to the propulsion system, and a valve adjusting unit which is constructed to be operable by means of an electronic control unit, the valve is combined with its valve adjusting unit and its electronic control unit to form a thermally insulated valve assembly. The valve assembly is configured for the arrangement in the power unit space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: LFK-Lenkflugkoerpersysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Walter Hetzer, Ernst Lenz, Fridbert Kilger
  • Publication number: 20080105112
    Abstract: A device for launching unmanned missiles from an aircraft with a pallet, on which at least one container is provided to receive a missile. The container has an upper container section that has a pylori for the suspended, detachable support of the missile. The container has a lower container section that is embodied as a support area for the missile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: LFK-LENKFLUGKOERPERSYSTEME GMBH
    Inventor: Michael Grabmeier
  • Publication number: 20080035785
    Abstract: An unmanned missile which may be uncoupled from a preferably propelled aircraft has a navigation and control device which has a receiver for position determination signals. The receiver is electrically connected to a first antenna, and receives signals collected by the first antenna and transmits same as position determination signals to the navigation and control device. The missile has an electrical signal input by which the missile is connected to the aircraft until it is uncoupled from the aircraft, and by which the missile is supplied with signals for position determination. The missile is provided with at least one additional antenna which is also electrically connected to the receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: LFK-Lenkflugkoerpersysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Grabmeier
  • Publication number: 20060255205
    Abstract: A small aircraft has a fuselage (airframe), control apparatus, and a drive. A propeller electric drive, a power supply, a TV camera, data transmission and steering electronics, and a warhead and/or a weapon system are integrated in the fuselage. Collapsible and/or foldable wings, control surfaces, and propellers are positioned on the fuselage. The small aircraft according to the invention may be equipped with different weapon systems for combating different targets or for different missions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Publication date: November 16, 2006
    Applicant: LFK-Lenkflugkoerpersysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Gleich, Franz Maier
  • Patent number: 7030820
    Abstract: The invention relates to antenna elements for the UHF and VHF range for antennas of an airborne vehicle with empennage parts. These antenna elements are integrated into the empennage parts (L) which are made of a dielectric material and are configured in such a way that they radiate directionally broadband in flight direction. The empennage parts are made, for example, of ceramic, and the antenna elements are embedded therein or are applied to their surface. The antenna elements (A) are preferably expanding Vivaldi-type slot radiators that are halved along their axis of symmetry and use the airborne vehicle (F) as an electrical mirror. Arranging the antenna elements in the area of the rudder maximizes both the aperture and the distance between the phase centers of the individual elements, but no additional volume is required for the antennas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: LFK-Lenkflugkoerpersysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Axel Stiller
  • Patent number: 6950563
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for relocating objects in images. An object reference is correlated with image values. When the object is partially covered in the image, the image values which are located within the covered area in the image are replaced by grey scale values of the object before the correlation is carried out. A system for relocating objects in images is provided with a camera for filming the image, an imagery storage unit for storing an object reference and an imagery processor for replacing grey scale values which are located within the covered area, whereby said grey scale values are replaced by grey scale values of the object reference. The inventive system is also provided with a correlation unit which correlates the image with the object reference, whereby the image has been changed by the imagery processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: LFK-Lenkflugkoerpersysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Molocher, Karl Niederhofer
  • Patent number: 6876443
    Abstract: In a process for automatically determining the modulation transfer function (MTF) of a focal plane array (FPA) cameras, a test grid is used to generate a beat whose amplitude corresponds to that of the grid image to be measured, without the sampling MTF. (The image of the test grid has a spatial frequency in the detector plane that is detuned with respect to the Nyquist frequency of the detector array. The test grid covers a range of at least half a beat period, and then, regardless of the actual phase position, the modulation amplitude is determined therefrom. Comparative MTF measurements are thereby permitted without the influence of the sampling effect of an FPA, and particularly the MTF measurement in real time suitable for the application to moving images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: LFK-Lenkflugkoerpersysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Jochen Barth, Michael Assel, Yvonne Polin
  • Patent number: 6818883
    Abstract: A method for the detection of helicopters from a flying platform utilizes an imaging sensor. Relevant image regions of two successive images are subtracted from one another with respect to picture elements, and within the thus formed differential image, segments are identified by means of a threshold value process. Straight lines of the same orientation are adapted to the identified segments, and intersection points are determined for all such straight lines. Identification of a helicopter is made based on a bunching of the intersection points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: LFK-Lenkflugkoerpersysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Oliver Rockinger, Juergen A. Topp, Thomas Fechner
  • Patent number: 6723974
    Abstract: A process for the adaptive beam control of medium-energy laser weapons for fighting electro-optical sensors and windows, wherein the behavior of the laser power reflected from a bright spot of the target and measured by a thermal image apparatus during increasing irradiation intensity is analyzed during a phase of measurement. The laser power to be emitted that will lead to the desired laser beam diameter or to the highest possible laser intensity at the target during the subsequent phase of fighting is then derived by calculation from this as well as other parameters influencing the thermal beam expansion. It is thus made possible that the laser does not always have to be operated with the maximum power, but only with the currently needed power during the phase of fighting, so that a saving is achieved in the consumption of primary laser energy. One example is explained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: LFK Lenkflugkörpersysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Gunther Sepp
  • Publication number: 20040022415
    Abstract: A method for the detection of helicopters from a flying platform utilizes an imaging sensor. Relevant image regions of two successive images are subtracted from one another with respect to picture elements, and within the thus formed differential image, segments are identified by means of a threshold value process. Straight lines of the same orientation are adapted to the identified segments, and intersection points are determined for all such straight lines. Identification of a helicopter is made based on a bunching of the intersection points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Applicant: LFK-Lenkflugkoerpersysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Oliver Rockinger, Juergen A. Topp, Thomas Fechner
  • Patent number: 6591607
    Abstract: A hydraulic manipulator having an ergonomic handle and good transmission behavior. There is an input drive element of the manipulator which is a hydraulic pump with two conveyance directions. The input drive movement is introduced on the drive shaft of the hydraulic pump as a rotary movement. This device is used in hydraulic manipulators with an input drive element for introducing an input drive movement into a closed hydraulic circuit and a control element for an output drive movement from the hydraulic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: LFK - Lenkflugkörpersysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Baumgarten
  • Patent number: 6581870
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for reducing pressure and temperature on the front of a missile at ultrasonic speed a spike with a spherical, ellipsoidal, or drop-shaped mounted is used on the front end. In contrast to conventional shapes, the sensitive nose of the missile is protected from damaging pressure and temperature, even at high angles of incidence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: LFK Lenkflugkoerpersysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Kay Runne, Julio Srulijes
  • Publication number: 20030086079
    Abstract: In a process for automatically determining the modulation transfer function (MTF) of a focal plane array (FPA) cameras, a test grid is used to generate a beat whose amplitude corresponds to that of the grid image to be measured, without the sampling MTF. (The image of the test grid has a spatial frequency in the detector plane that is detuned with respect to the Nyquist frequency of the detector array. The test grid covers a range of at least half a beat period, and then, regardless of the actual phase position, the modulation amplitude is determined therefrom. Comparative MTF measurements are thereby permitted without the influence of the sampling effect of an FPA, and particularly the MTF measurement in real time suitable for the application to moving images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Applicant: LFK-Lenkflugkoerpersysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Jochen Barth, Michael Assel, Yvonne Polin
  • Patent number: 6448734
    Abstract: In a method for current regulation of permanently excited synchronous motors for guided missiles with an electromechanical actuating drive for the rudder, the commanded current is always guided orthogonally to the magnet-wheel flow. Further: a) from measured current of two voltage phases, a measured magnitude of a current-space pointer is determined and an error value for the current is added to a desired value of the amount via a correction regulator; and b) from measured current of two voltage phases as well as from the angle command of the current-space pointer, a measurement for the angle error is determined and added to the desired angle value via a correction regulator. The method according to the invention can be implemented with little hardware expenditure and in a compact design size, even for high rotational speeds of >10,000 min−1. Current-regulating methods used heretofore, which involve frequency response compensation in polar coordinates, cannot be used with synchronous motors, i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: LFK Lenkflugkoerpersysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Frenzel, Fridbert Kilger
  • Patent number: 6398156
    Abstract: A rudder of a missile, particularly an aircraft born ramjet missile, is attached to the missile by a plug and socket mounting. A bearing socket (B1) is attached to a base plate (B0) which is secured to the missile body (FK). The socket (B1) has a conical cavity (B3) tapering toward the base plate (B0). The plug (W1) is formed by a rudder shaft (W) also tapering toward the base plate and rotatably fitting into the conical cavity (B3). Bearings (L1, L2) in the cavity (B3) hold the plug end (W1) of the rudder shaft axially and permit rotation of the rudder shaft (W) relative to the bearing socket (B1). The socket thus holds the bearings and has an at least partly outer cylindrical contour with a diameter (B2) that fits into a standard 41 mm wide slot (S) in an aircraft that carries the missile, whereby the rudder (R) is recessed in the slot (S) when the missile is mounted to an aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: LFK Lenkflugkoerpersysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Walter Hetzer, Ernst Lenz
  • Patent number: 6151126
    Abstract: A rotational rate comparator for a fiber optic gyroscope has a 3.times.3 coupler and an evaluating computer to calculate the rotational rate from photodiode signals generated by the fiber optic gyroscope. An electrical circuit is provided that is independent of the evaluating computer, and embodies an algorithm for producing at least one signal that depends on the rotational rate as a function of the photodiode signals. When the rotational rate dependent signal exceeds at least one presettable limiting value the comparator supplies an output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: LFK Lenkflugkoerpersysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhard Mueller, Gert Trommer
  • Patent number: 6104026
    Abstract: In a system for parallel alignment of the axes of a thermal image apparatus, the IR beam path and the visual beam path extend along the same optical elements. A luminous point/four-quadrant sensor unit which in itself is adjusted with precise and stable axes, is assigned to the IR radiation and visual radiation in front of the display (LCD); and an imaging arm which can be swivelled into the IR beam path or is stationary and has a ridge mirror and a plane mirror, or only a beam splitter, is arranged in front of the viewing lens system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: LFK Lenkflugkoerpersysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Roderich Rueger
  • Patent number: 6007020
    Abstract: A missile for detecting and combatting enemy helicopters has an infrared homing head with an infrared lens and infrared sensor that will emit electrical signals, depending on incident infrared radiation, and the sensor is designed as a two-dimensional detector matrix consisting of a number of punctiform detector cells arranged essentially in the focal plane of the infrared lens. The homing head includes an arrangement for acquiring a target and determining the type of target from the target information by individually scanning each of the detector cells quickly one after another by evaluating the amplitude and frequency of the electrical signals. The determination includes determining the relative position of the target to the optical axis of the homing head and the homing head will then steer the missile to hit the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: LFK Lenkflugkoerpersysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Roland Gauggel, Reinhard Kruger