Abstract: The present invention generally concerns systems and methods for supplying electric power using supercapacitors; and more particularly, representative and exemplary embodiments of the present invention generally relate to improved methods and systems for supplying power to a guided rocket.

Abstract: The present invention generally concerns systems and methods for supplying electric power using supercapacitors; and more particularly, representative and exemplary embodiments of the present invention generally relate to improved methods and systems for supplying power to a guided rocket.

Abstract: The disclosed system, device and method for guiding a hypersonic kinetic penetrator projectile (300) generally includes a kinetic penetrator body (110, 230) and a slip-over electronic guidance unit (120, 220), where the kinetic penetrator body slidably mounts through the slip-over electronic guidance unit. Disclosed features and specifications may be variously controlled, adapted or otherwise optionally modified to improve accuracy and control of a hypersonic projectile. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention generally provide multi-use slip-over electronic guidance units for hypersonic kinetic penetrator projectiles in 105 mm and 120 mm munition rounds, surface-to-surface missiles, and air-to-surface missiles.

Abstract: An electromagnetic coil gun system includes a launcher having a barrel with a longitudinal bore therethrough, and a plurality of longitudinally extending electrical excitation coils arranged circumferentially around the bore of the barrel so that a magnetic field produced by an electrical current in each electrical excitation coil penetrates into the bore. Each electrical excitation coil is independently activated by the electrical current passed therethrough. There is a projectile sized to be received within the bore of the barrel and having a circumferential armature at a tail end thereof, and a nose end.

Abstract: A simple RF system tracks a missile, bullet or artillery round and determines the instantaneous attitude of the spinning projectile while in flight. The system is particularly useful in command-guided weapons systems where line-of-sight is maintained from the launch platform to the target. The system includes a first pair of linearly polarized transmit antennas spaced apart on the projectile for transmitting a signal and a harmonic of that signal. A receiver on the launch platform determines the roll angle and either the yaw or pitch angle from the received signals. To determine the remaining angle, either the receiver samples the received signals ninety degrees out of phase or a second pair of transmit antennas are mounted on the projectile, preferably ninety degrees from the first pair, for transmitting another pair of harmonic signals.

Abstract: A vehicle guidance system. The system includes a first mechanism for tracking a vehicle based on time-of-arrival information associated with energy emanating from the vehicle and providing vehicle position information in response thereto. A second mechanism steers the vehicle based on the vehicle position information. In a specific embodiment, the system of further includes a third mechanism for locating the target based on time-of-arrival information associated with energy radiating from the target and providing target location information in response thereto. The second the second mechanism steers the vehicle based on the target location information and the vehicle position information.

Abstract: A device for a motor vehicle includes at least one laser sensor. The laser sensor includes a device configured to sweep a scanning area with at least one laser beam emitted by the laser sensor and a power supply device for the laser sensor. In a method for operating a laser sensor in a scanning area with at least one laser beam, the power of the laser beam emitted by the laser sensor is varied in accordance with its direction of radiation.

Abstract: A laser beam transmitting system is provided comprising at least one target, a laser detection module, an optical system, a rotary encoder, a dither zone memory, and a controller. The optical system is arranged to generate a reference laser beam selectively in one of a search mode and a target dither mode and to direct a laser beam reflected from the target to the laser detection module. The search mode is characterized by movement of the reference beam through a rotational arc defined about a central rotational axis and the target dither mode is characterized by movement of the reference beam through a selected discrete portion of the rotational arc. The rotary encoder is arranged to produce a rotary signal indicative of a rotary position of the reference beam relative to the rotational arc.

Abstract: A laser beam transmitting system is provided comprising at least one target, a laser detection module, an optical system, a rotary encoder, a dither zone memory, and a controller. The optical system is arranged to generate a reference laser beam selectively in one of a search mode and a target dither mode and to direct a laser beam reflected from the target to the laser detection module. The search mode is characterized by movement of the reference beam through a rotational arc defined about a central rotational axis and the target dither mode is characterized by movement of the reference beam through a selected discrete portion of the rotational arc. The rotary encoder is arranged to produce a rotary signal indicative of a rotary position of the reference beam relative to the rotational arc.

Abstract: A continuously adjustable transmission has two sets of cone pulleys disposed concentrically with respect to each other on a transmission input shaft. Between the two sets of cone pulleys a rigid ring acts as a torque transmitting member for transmitting torque from one set of cone pulleys to the other. This arrangement provides a compact and lightweight transmission producing the best transmission efficiency levels, especially at high and medium gear ratios.

Abstract: A multistage transmission has a plurality of gear stages and an additional gear stage which may be engaged to transmit part of the input shaft torque before disengagement of an engaged gear stage. A friction clutch is used to engage the additional stage. Alternatively, a variable-ratio pulley connection may be used for the additional stage. Synchronization of the transmission input shaft with a gear stage to be engaged is attained by controlling the change in input shaft speed in accordance with a selected speed gradient.

Abstract: A multiple-step transmission for vehicle with a drive engine has several speed steps with corresponding pairs of gear wheels. The first speed step is arranged within the transmission so that it can also be used for transfer of driving force during shifting. In addition, special methods are described for carrying out shifting procedures with the aid of the highest or lowest gear.

Abstract: A light conductor has two sealed embedding elements molded to its ends, respectively containing a light emitter and a light receiver. The light emitter is connected to a likewise embedded Wiegand probe, the light receiver is connected to a likewise embedded amplifier and a pulse shaper. These signal transmission lines are used for data acquisition, the respective Wiegand probes are disposed to be responsive to measured conditions represented by variable magnetic fields. The transmission system is moisture-proof and insensitive to interfering electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining rotational speed includes a sensor for generating electrical pulse signals representative of rpm in a conventional manner. The electrical pulses are converted to light pulses at the sensor and transmitted to an evaluation circuit, where they are reconverted into electrical pulses that are processed by the evaluation circuit. Interference signals that a rise during the transmission of electrical pulses to the evaluation circuit are thereby eliminated.

Abstract: In a vehicle having an engine, wheels and brake, an overrunning device, preferably in the form of a clutch and associated mechanism, separates the engine and wheels in response to a torque reversal condition where the speed on the engine side of the overrunning device is less than the speed on the wheel side of the overrunning device. An overrunning suspension device causes reengagement of the clutch in response to a high brake temperature and a brake actuation, which indicates a need for an additional braking effect to be performed by the engine, such as during extended downhill driving.

Abstract: A light detecting and measuring device for use with an electronic flash unit comprises a phototransistor, integrating capacitor and diodes connected in circuit to the flash unit. The diodes and capacitor are connected to the phototransistor and responsive to signals from the flash unit for enabling measurement of light by the phototransistor only while the flash unit is operating thus preventing measurement from external light sources.

Abstract: A control circuit for rapid charging of an accumulator with a pulsating current includes a transistor arranged for switching the charge current on and off. The collector circuit of the transistor has an emitter resistor arranged to establish a control voltage that is substantially constant throughout each pulse of the charge current, and a comparator has an output connected to the base of the transistor and inputs from a reference voltage and the voltage on the accumulator so as to block the transistor when the charge voltage exceeds the reference voltage. The emitter resistor is preferably an incandescent lamp, a zener diode is preferably arranged in parallel with the lamp to provide a constant voltage for the base-emitter circuit of the transistor, and a complementary transistor is preferably connected with the switching transistor to form a two-stage transistor circuit.

Abstract: A thermal battery comprising at least one cell, and preferably a plurality of stacked cells wherein each cell comprises an anode of a metal selected from the group consisting of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals and alloys thereof. Positioned against each cell anode is a homogeneous mixture, preferably in wafer form, of the electrolyte, depolarizer, and binder. The active depolarizer species of the present invention comprises iron pyrite (FeS.sub.2) which provides a lower internal resistance to the battery and improves start times over conventional depolarizers used in thermal batteries.

Abstract: In a light-generating electronic flashlight which has a reflector and first and second discs which may be selectively placed ahead of the reflector for normal and wide-angled illumination of an object to be photographed, respectively, the improvement includes third and fourth discs which may be placed ahead of the reflector. Each of the third and fourth discs have parallel prismatic elements for unilateral deflection of the light generated by the flashlight for the third and fourth discs to displace the flashlight-generated light upwardly and laterally, when the third and fourth discs are placed ahead of the reflector, respectively, and upon the flashlight being in an upright position and directed towards the object to be photographed.

Abstract: An electronic flash unit for photographic purposes, with improved means for quenching the flash when sufficient light has been emitted from the flash tube. The discharge circuit of the main storage capacitor comprises the flash tube and a switch thyristor in series with each other. A quench circuit including a quenching capacitor and a quenching thyristor will deliver a quenching current to the switch thyristor when the quenching thyristor is triggered by exposure metering and flash limiting mechanism, this mechanism including a resistor, a phototransistor, and an integrating capacitor in series with each other and in parallel with a feed capacitor which supplies feed current to the exposure metering and flash limiting mechanism, and which is in parallel with the switch thyristor.