Patents Assigned to Rafael Armament Development Authority
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Patent number: 6745696Abstract: A projectile (100) for piercing armor including a cruise propellant (116) for maintaining a cruise velocity of the projectile. The projectile (100) also includes an acceleration rocket motor (109) activated after launch for accelerating the projectile (100) from the cruise velocity to a penetration velocity, in a final stage of flight of the projectile.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2000Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Assignee: Rafael-Armament Development Authority Ltd.Inventor: Menachem Rotkopf
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Patent number: 6720907Abstract: A system for the detection and determination of the success of interception of incoming missiles, used in conjunction with a defense weapon system capable of identifying and tracking incoming missiles and interceptors. The system comprises at least one of a plurality of sensing units. Each sensing unit comprises: an optical sensor for detecting optical signals within a predetermined range; tracking means coupled to the optical sensor for tracking an intercepting missile or an incoming missile; processing means for processing optical input detected by the optical sensor and analyzing the optical input to identify an optical signature and determine detonation of interceptor or incoming missile; communicating means for communicating data between the sensing unit and the defense weapon system; and control means for controlling the tracking means, the processing means and the communicating data.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2003Date of Patent: April 13, 2004Assignee: Rafael-Armament Development Authority Ltd.Inventor: Raphael Miron
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Patent number: 6697017Abstract: A device and method for determining the bearing of an incoming RF signal. The signal is received using a plurality of primary antenna element (5). Each antenna element feeds into a respective receiving channel (6) that downconverts the received RF signal to IF, preferably by mixing with a local oscillator signal. The local oscillator signal may be produced by diverting and combining portions of the received RF signals, by receiving the incoming RF signal using one or more auxiliary antennas (11), or by a tunable oscillator. Preferably, the local oscillator signal is conditioned and filtered before mixing. The IF signals are processed, either by analog or digital means, to infer the bearing of the incoming RF signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2002Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Assignee: Rafael-Armament Development Authority Ltd.Inventor: Amir Shmuel
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Patent number: 6691601Abstract: A personal protective shield, which comprises a central panel; at least two lateral panels; and hinged connections between the central panel and the lateral panels. The protective shield has a folded configuration for carrying it and for attaching to it other equipment, in which the aforementioned lateral panels are folded against the central panel, and an expanded configuration for carrying out its protective function, in which the aforementioned lateral panels are angularly set off from the central panel. The central panel and the lateral panels are made of bulletproof plate materials. The central panel may have a curved configuration adapted to fit the back of the user, and the lateral panels may have curved configurations matching that of the central panel.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2001Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Rafael-Armament Development Authority Ltd.Inventors: Avi Cohen, Baruch Shahar, Baruch Trattner
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Patent number: 6690333Abstract: A cylindrical, ray-imaging, electronically steered array antenna, whose radiating array elements are disposed on a cylindrical surface sector above an electrically conductive ground plane that enhances the antenna gain. The conductive ground plane forms an integral part of the antenna, and the required dimensions of this ground plane depend on the array radius, and on the lowest elevation coverage angle from the (possibly tilted) ground plane. The antenna of the present invention is further characterized by a modular design that tailors the required antenna gain and azimuthal directivity through the stacking of identical antenna segments side by side. The antenna design uses the multiple-beam ray focusing property of a microwave lens when feeding a circular ring array, while producing at the same time coherent ray imaging from a bottom metal plate.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2002Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: Rafael-Armament Development Authority Ltd.Inventor: Ron Eiges
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Patent number: 6679453Abstract: An airborne platform comprising: (a) an aerodynamic body; (b) a protected element within the aerodynamic body; and (c) a cover, reversibly secured to the aerodynamic body, for protecting the protected element from an external atmosphere. The present invention is particularly suited for an electro-optical detection system equipped with an optical dome or window. Optical windows carried on airborne platforms are known to be particularly sensitive to the high temperatures generated by air friction at super-sonic speeds. By covering such a window when the airborne platform is in flight, and releasing the cover just before use, the electro-optical detection system equipped with the optical window can be made operative, even at airborne platform speeds of several Mach and higher.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2001Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Rafael-Armament Development Authority Ltd.Inventor: Zeev Steiner
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Patent number: 6680698Abstract: A planar, ray-imaging, electronically steered array antenna, whose radiating array elements are disposed on a planar surface above an electrically conductive ground plane that enhances the antenna gain. The conductive ground plane forms an integral part of the antenna, and the required dimensions of this ground plane depend on the array height, and on the lowest elevation coverage angle from the (possibly tilted) ground plane. The antenna is further characterized by a modular design that tailors the required antenna gain and azimuthal directivity through the stacking of identical antenna segments side by side. The antenna can generate, with the aid of a multiple-beam microwave network or a two-ended series-feed network, a pair of symmetrically steered beams from an incident wavefront received by a linear (column) or planar array, in conjunction with reflections from a bottom metal plate.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Rafael-Armament Development Authority Ltd.Inventor: Ron Eiges
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Patent number: 6669122Abstract: Method of shaping solid, particulate materials, which comprises forming a raw slurry of the starting material, in a liquid which is a partial solvent of said material, and submitting the slurry to treatment by ultrasound generators to produce therein ultrasonic vibrations which shape and grind the starting, particulate material to produce a shaped slurry of ground and shaped particles. The shaped particles may be separated from their slurry by removing the partial solvent by decantation and/or filtration. The partial solvent may be a liquid in which the material to be shaped has a solubility comprised between 1 and 10, wherein the solubility is expressed as grams of material that are dissolved in 100 ml of the liquid at a temperature of 20° C. The partial solvent can be chosen from among acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, and mixtures of said solvents with one another or other solvents and/or a minor amount of water, and may also be an organic solvent.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2001Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Assignee: Rafael-Armament Development Authority Ltd.Inventors: Tamar Kaully, Benjamin Keren, Tamar Kimmel, Orly Dekel
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Publication number: 20030233957Abstract: A warhead configuration for forming a large-diameter hole through a wall of a target includes a shaped charge of explosive material presenting an annular front surface portion circumscribing an axis of the charge. The annular front surface portion exhibits a concave profile as viewed in cross-section through the axis, at least part of the concave profile being configured such that a vector projecting outward from the part normal to the annular front surface portion diverges from the axis. A liner is provided adjacent to at least part of the annular front surface portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2003Publication date: December 25, 2003Applicant: RAFAEL-ARMAMENT DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY LTD.Inventors: Zeev Ritman, Gershon Kliminz, Mordechai Avitan
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Patent number: 6644205Abstract: A warhead (10) configuration for forming a large-diameter hole through a wall of a target includes a shaped charge of explosive material (12) presenting an annular front surface portion (16) circumscribing an axis of the charge. The annular front surface portion (16) exhibits a concave profile as viewed in cross-section through the axis, at least part of the concave profile being configured such that a vector projecting outward from the part normal to the annular front surface portion diverges from the axis. A liner (14) is provided adjacent to at least part of the annular front surface portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2001Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: Rafael-Armament Development Authority Ltd.Inventors: Zeev Ritman, Gershon Kliminz, Mordechai Avitan
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Patent number: 6626396Abstract: A method for guiding an intercepting missile to a body-to-body contact with an airborne target in the atmosphere. The method includes the steps of guiding the intercepting missile to within an appropriate distance from the airborne target, illuminating the airborne target, using an illuminator carried by the intercepting missile, acquiring an image of the illuminated airborne target and, steering the missile in accordance with an aimpoint on the image.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2001Date of Patent: September 30, 2003Assignee: Rafael-Armament Development Authority Ltd.Inventor: Arnon Secker
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Publication number: 20030142005Abstract: A system for defeating a threat posed by a guided missile. The system includes a broad band light source with a beam width of less than 4°, a DIRCM control system, a missile warning system, and a missile tracking system. The DIRCM control system is configured to aim a beam produced by the light source. The missile warning system is configured to supply the DIRCM control system with a first trajectory of the missile. The missile tracking system is configured to supply the DIRCM control system with a second trajectory of the missile, which is more accurate than the first trajectory.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2002Publication date: July 31, 2003Applicant: RAFAEL-ARMAMENT DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY LTD.Inventors: Patrick Bar-Avi, Oren Aharon
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Patent number: 6588701Abstract: A remotely-controlled unmanned mobile device (UMD) adapted to function as a robot scout to enter and reconnoiter the site of a disaster and to communicate to a rescue mission information regarding conditions prevailing at the site, making it possible for the mission to decide on rescue measures appropriate to these conditions. The UMD is operable in either of two modes. In its air-mobility mode the UMD is able to vertically take off and land, to fly to the site and then hover thereover. In its ground-mobility mode, the UMD can walk on legs over difficult terrain and through wrecked structures and ruins. The UMD is provided with condition-sensitive sensors for gathering data regarding conditions prevailing at the site, and position-sensitive sensors for avoiding obstacles in the path of the walking UMD, thereby assuring safe mobility. Other sensors govern geo-referenced navigation and flight control functions.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2001Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Assignee: Rafael Armament Development Authority, Ltd.Inventor: Arie Yavnai
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Patent number: 6587191Abstract: A method for boresighting of a designation system, including a tracker responsive to a detector with reference to an indicator, including the step of directing a beam of light at a target, using a light source, so that the beam of light is reflected from a spot on the target while a temperature of the spot remains substantially constant. The method further includes focusing at least part of the reflected light as an image on the detector and determining a misalignment of the indicator and the image.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2000Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: Rafael-Armament Development Authority Ltd.Inventors: Jonathan Greenfield, David Zarchi, Hai Pedut, Ram Lebber
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Patent number: 6559580Abstract: A spark gap switch, including a first planar electrode including a discharge portion and a support portion. The spark gap also includes a second planar electrode parallel to and spaced apart from the first electrode and includes a discharge portion and a support portion. The discharge portions are mutually opposite, and the support portions are mutually staggered.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 1999Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Assignee: Rafael-Armament Development Authority Ltd.Inventors: Alon Deutsch, Avner Rosenberg
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Patent number: 6556895Abstract: A method for velocity match transfer alignment between a carrier vehicle and a carried vehicle. The method includes repeatedly measuring a velocity difference between the carrier vehicle and the carried vehicle, updating a state vector that include a predicted value of the velocity difference, propagating the vector forward in time, and moving the carrier vehicle and the carried vehicle along a trajectory.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Rafael-Armament Development Authority Ltd.Inventors: Joseph Ben-Jaacov, Jacob Reiner
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Publication number: 20030060942Abstract: A vehicle such as a combat aircraft, and methods of operating one or more such vehicles. In each vehicle, a processor receives status reports from a plurality of vehicle subsystems faster than the pilot can assimilate them. The processor presents to the pilot, on a display, selections of at least one course of action, based on the current status reports. When a plurality of vehicles are operated, with one of the pilots being a commander of the plurality of vehicles, the selections are presented to the commander, who assigns initial courses of action to the other pilots. Subsequently, either the commander or the pilot of each vehicle may select the course of action for the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2002Publication date: March 27, 2003Applicant: RAFAEL-ARMAMENT DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY LTD.Inventors: Anat Kotzev, Dan Helfman
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Publication number: 20030017428Abstract: Method and apparatus for generatig superheated steam from industrial grade hydrogen peroxide, Hydrogen peroxide and a combustible fluid are injected into a first part of the combustion chamber to form a reactant mixture. The reactant mixture is ignited, to allow for the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide and the generation of superheated steam, which exits from a second part of the combustion chamber. An improved combustion efficiency is realized with the implementation of a flame holder.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2002Publication date: January 23, 2003Applicant: RAFAEL ARMAMENT DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY LTD.Inventors: David Reiner, Ben Zion Freedman
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Patent number: 6502055Abstract: A method of determining an orientation of a body. The method includes the steps of measuring an acceleration of the body in a first direction, measuring an acceleration of the body in a second direction different from the first direction, the first direction and the second direction defining a plane. Measuring an acceleration perpendicular to the plane in a coordinate system rotating about an axis perpendicular to the plane, and inferring the orientation of the body from the three measurements.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2000Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Assignee: Rafael-Armament Development Authority Ltd.Inventors: Jacob Reiner, Michael Naroditsky
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Publication number: 20020195549Abstract: A method and system for monitoring a region of interest are presented. Incident radiation is transmitted towards the region of interest with a certain transmitting angle and with a predetermined angular intensity distribution of the incident radiation. The transmitting angle defines a plane of propagation of the incident radiation, the region of interest being located within this plane. Reflections of the incident radiation are collected with a solid angle of collection intersecting with said plane. A region of intersection presents a detecting window of a predetermined geometry containing at least a portion of the region of interest. The collected radiation coming from within the detecting window is detected, and output signals indicative thereof are generated.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2002Publication date: December 26, 2002Applicant: Rafael Armament Development Authority Ltd.Inventors: Evgeny Frumker, Eliezer Rosenblum, Ezra Shamay