Radio Wave Patents (Class 102/214)
  • Patent number: 4232609
    Abstract: The proximity fuse is incorporated in a warhead carried by a missile. This warhead comprises several active or passive bodies, which consist of preformed splinters or shaped charges. The proximity fuse comprises a circuit for producing an ignition signal to start the decomposition of the warhead when a distance is reached between the warhead and a target, for instance a missile. This distance is determined by using electromagnetic waves. The circuit comprises means for determining the time t.sub.A, which will elapse before the warhead encounters the target. Moreover, the circuit comprises means for storing a constant reference time t.sub.B, which is fixed in such a way that the active or passive bodies released within a certain space sector when the warhead decomposes, will be scattered in a certain space, i.e. they will cover this space in front of the target within this reference time. The circuit also comprises means for comparing the calculated time with the constant reference time being provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1974
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1980
    Assignee: Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm GmbH
    Inventor: Manfred Held
  • Patent number: 4232314
    Abstract: 1. An FM doppler fuze system comprising means forcombining a periodic wave ith white noise, white noise being a random mixture of frequencies possessing a constant power spectral density, means for modulating a carrier frequency with said periodic wave plus noise and transmitting a signal in the direction of a target, means for mixing a portion of said transmitted signal and a return echo signal from a target, and means for passing the band of expected doppler frequencies from the output of said mixer to provide an output operable to actuate the detonation circuit of a fuze.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1958
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1980
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Donald J. Adrian
  • Patent number: 4220952
    Abstract: 1. An FM doppler fuze system comprising means for transmitting a signal hng a carrier frequency modulated by a band of random noise, means for mixing the transmitted signal with a return echo signal modified by the doppler effect of the relative movement between the fuze and a target, and means for deriving an output adapted to actuate the fuze from the low frequency doppler portion of the output from said mixing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1956
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1980
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Thomas B. Whiteley, Donald J. Adrian
  • Patent number: 4218977
    Abstract: 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1959
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1980
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Henry P. Kalmus
  • Patent number: 4217827
    Abstract: A frequency modulated continuous wave radar signal is transmitted to a tat and the signal reflected from the target is compared with a sample of the continuous wave transmitter to produce a difference frequency signal. The difference frequency signal is band-pass amplified, wide-band limited, and processed by two frequency discriminators displaced from each other in the frequency domain, but both within the frequency band of the limiter and band pass amplifier. Detectors, integrators, and thresholding circuits determine, with suitable false alarm rates, in which half of which discriminator the difference frequency signal is concentrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1973
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1980
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: John R. Dent
  • Patent number: 4214240
    Abstract: 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1964
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1980
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Frank Weiss
  • Patent number: 4207841
    Abstract: 1. In combination with a bomb or similar projectile intended to move rapi through the air and having aerodynamic characteristics such that the longitudinal axis of said projectile will be substantially coincident with its trajectory, a dipole antenna mounted on a cylindrical projection which extends from the nose of said projectile, said antenna comprising a pair of extending arms normal to said longitudinal axis and on opposite sides thereof, a proximity fuse carried by said projectile, and means connecting said antenna to said fuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1945
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1980
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Thomas M. Bloomer
  • Patent number: 4205316
    Abstract: An FM-CW radar distance measuring system and a method for reducing the amuity and enhancing the accuracy in said system. The system disclosed utilizes three triangular wave modulators which modulate the RF output of the transmitter. The target return signal is mixed with a portion of the transmitted signal which has been delayed by an amount of time equal to the time required for a signal to travel to the target and return. This mixed signal is filtered to select the doppler component, and this component is amplified to utilize range information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1967
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1980
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Salvador J. Peperone
  • Patent number: 4203365
    Abstract: 1. In a device for exploding a vehicle in proximity to a target, a proxim control circuit comprising a source of electromagnetic energy, means connected to said source for radiating said energy into space and for intercepting electromagnetic energy therefrom, including any portion of said radiated energy reflected from a target, first circuit means connected to said source and being selectively responsive to said reflected energy for generating an initiating signal, normally ineffective electroresponsive means connected to said last named means for actuating a firing mechanism upon being rendered effective by said initiating signal, and second circuit means connected to said source and to said electroresponsive means being selectively responsive to intercepted energy other than said reflected energy for maintaining said electroresponsive means ineffective until a predetermined time after interception of said other energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1956
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1980
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Bradshaw Burnham, Charles F. Nichols
  • Patent number: 4203366
    Abstract: 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1957
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1980
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Gilbert Wilkes
  • Patent number: 4203110
    Abstract: 1. In a microwave proximity fuze that can be activated within a few millionds prior to intercept of a target, the combination comprising:(a) a semiconductor frequency modulated microwave generator including a transistor power amplifier,(b) a power supply for supplying B+ voltage to said power amplifier,(c) a silicon controlled rectifier switch connected in series between said power supply and said power amplifier and having its control electrode connected to a terminal adapted to be connected to a control arming signal source,(d) bias circuit means connected to said rectifier switch for maintaining a bias voltage sufficient to keep said switch in a non-conducting condition until an arming signal with sufficient voltage to overcome said bias voltage is applied to said switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1963
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1980
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: John O. Dick
  • Patent number: 4201136
    Abstract: 1. An electronic control circuit, a plate supply for said circuit, an eleonic grid-controlled power tube controlled through its grid by the output of said control circuit, a translating device energized by said power tube in response to the output of said control circuit, a condenser connected to serve as a plate supply source for said power tube, circuit connections for charging said condenser from said first plate supply, an unsymmetrical resistance in said circuit connections arranged to offer a high impedance to passage of charging current from said first plate supply to said condenser, but to offer low impedance to discharge of said condenser into the plate supply, whereby upon reduction of said plate supply voltage below a safe operating level, said condenser voltage will be rapidly reduced to a value below the operating value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1951
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1980
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: George V. Morris
  • Patent number: 4199730
    Abstract: 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1949
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1980
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Virgil R. Beck
  • Patent number: 4195294
    Abstract: 1. A fuze for detonating a projectile in proximity to a target comprising, irst normally effective transceiver channel means for effecting radiation of a first electromagnetic signal into space and for receiving electromagnetic signals therefrom, including any portion of said first radiated signal reflected from a target, second transceiver channel means initially ineffective to radiate and receive a signal adapted to being rendered effective for effecting radiation of a second electromagnetic signal into space and for receiving electromagnetic signals therefrom, including any portion of said second radiated signal reflected from a target, control circuit means for rendering said second channel means effective, and normally non-operating electroresponsive detonating circuit means adapted to being rendered operating by said channel means for detonating said projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1956
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1980
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: John D. Reid
  • Patent number: 4195295
    Abstract: 1. A fuze for exploding projectiles and the like in proximity to a target, omprising, means for generating radio frequency waves, means for propagating said generated waves through the space intervening between the projectile and the target, a portion of said propagated waves being reflected back by said target toward said propagation means, means connected to said propagation means for simultaneously detecting said generated waves and said reflected waves to provide a signal for firing said fuze, said detecting means being sensitive to said reflected waves only in the presence of said generated waves, a variable impedance connected to said wave generating means, and means for varying said impedance from a relatively high value to a relatively low value thereby terminating the operation of said wave generating means to render said detecting means insensitive both to reflected waves and to spurious waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1959
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1980
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: John H. Kuck
  • Patent number: 4194202
    Abstract: 5. A pulse doppler proximity fuze comprising a self-pulsing oscillator for eveloping a series of radio frequency electromagnetic energy impulses, an antenna electrically connected to said oscillator for radiating said impulses into space and for intercepting reflected impulses thereby to effect a variation in the amplitude of said impulses, a pair of detectors electrically connected to the said oscillator circuit for developing an output signal in proportion to the energy of the said reflected signal during the peak amplitude of said impulse, a thyratron firing circuit said detectors having means for detecting spurious signals and target signals but utilizing only the target signals for firing the thyratron firing circuit; and an electroresponsive ignition device electrically coupled to the thyratron firing circuit, said device being ignitable upon actuation of the thyratron firing circuit by said target signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1959
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1980
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: William E. Doyle
  • Patent number: 4194203
    Abstract: 1. A radio proximity fuze comprising, an oscillator for generating radio quency waves, an antenna for propagating said generated waves through space and for receiving waves reflected from a target and propagated through space toward said antenna, a detector for rectifying said generated waves and said received waves, an output connection to said detector for utilizing the detector output to fire said fuze, means for periodically supplying power to said radio frequency oscillator, said power means including a thyratron relaxation oscillator and a connection from said relaxation oscillator to said radio frequency oscillator, and means for rendering said detector insensitive to received waves during periods of non-operation of said oscillator whereby said fuze is afforded protection against jamming by remotely situated radio transmitters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1951
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1980
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: John H. Kuck
  • Patent number: 4193072
    Abstract: 2. A combination proximity fuze comprising a radio circuit and an infrared ircuit, said radio circuit operative to produce a first voltage impulse when a reflected electromagnetic wave is received from a target, said infrared circuit operative to produce a second voltage impulse when a heat source from a target is detected, a first memory circuit connected to said radio circuit for storing said first voltage impulse for a first predetermined time interval, a second memory circuit connected to said infrared circuit for storing said second voltage impulse for a second predetermined time interval, a coincidence firing circuit connected to said first memory circuit and to said second memory circuit whereby a primer may be ignited when said first and second voltage pulses are applied to said coincidence firing circuit simultaneously within said first and second predetermined time intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1962
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1980
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Wayne L. McKusick
  • Patent number: 4192235
    Abstract: 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1964
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1980
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Omar J. Jacomini
  • Patent number: 4185560
    Abstract: 1. In a guided missile fuze system that has optimum kill probability against all sizes of targets, the combination comprising:(a) a fuzing channel for generating an output pulse in response to a received target signal after a predetermined time delay from the time said target signal is received,(b) a guard channel for generating an output pulse in response to the loss of a target signal detected by said guard channel,(c) and a firing circuit coupled to the outputs of said fuzing channel and said guard channel for firing the fuze in response to a firing pulse received from either of said channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1962
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1980
    Inventor: Mayer Levine
  • Patent number: 4170008
    Abstract: A clutter discriminating fuze apparatus for preventing prefires and duds which may result through the use of electronic countermeasure techniques by the enemy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1975
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1979
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Robert H. Goebel, Dale A. Fogle
  • Patent number: 4168663
    Abstract: 1. In an ordnance projectile having a side-spray warhead with a static frentation velocity V.sub.FS, an ordnance fuze comprising: radar means for making measurements of range and sight angle of a target; sources of fixed voltages proportional to predetermined target coordinates Z.sub.1, Z.sub.2, and Z.sub.3, in a coordinate system that rides with the fuze, the fuze trajectory being in the plus-Z direction; means for obtaining three voltages proportional to r.sub.1, r.sub.2, and r.sub.3, where r.sub.1, r.sub.2, and r.sub.3 are the fuze-to-target distances when the target Z-coordinates are Z.sub.1, Z.sub.2, and Z.sub.3 respectively; means for obtaining a voltage proportional to V.sub.Z, where V.sub.Z is the rate of change of the Z-coordinate of the target with time; a source of fixed voltage proportional to said static fragmentation velocity V.sub.FS ; electronic computer means for solving the equation.DELTA.T=Z.sub.3 /V.sub.Z -r.sub.4 /V.sub.FS,wherer.sub.4 =.sqroot.A.sup.2 r.sub.1.sup.2 -B.sup.2 r.sub.2.sup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1954
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1979
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Hans W. Kohler
  • Patent number: 4160415
    Abstract: A target activated spin stabilized projectile fired in a sustantially flat rajectory utilizes a pair of diametrically disposed antennae electrically coupled to a 35 gigahertz radiometer to scan a target area. Upon detection of a target within the proximity of the projectile's flight path logic circuitry of the radiometer generates a signal activating one branch of a dual out-of-line ignition system. The selected ignition branch fires a high speed self-forging slug from a target aligned side of a Miznay-Shardin type warhead vertically downward into the "soft" top side of the detected target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1979
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Lewis C. Cole
  • Patent number: 4159476
    Abstract: 1. An ordnance fuze adapted to function at a predetermined time interval in dvance of predicted missile-target intercept, said fuze comprising: means for sensing missile-to-target distance; means for initiating the generation of a first waveform voltage when the missile reaches a first predetermined distance from the target; means for initiating the generation of a second waveform voltage when the missile reaches a second and shorter predetermined distance from the target; comparator means for comparing two voltages and producing a comparator output signal when the two voltages being compared become equal; a source of constant direct-current offset voltage interposed between one of said first and second waveform voltages and said comparator means; means for applying the other of said first and second waveform voltages to said comparator means; and means for utilizing said output signal from said comparator means to function the fuze.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1954
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1979
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Hans W. Kohler
  • Patent number: 4157685
    Abstract: An interceptor missile has a single simbal system mounted in its interior. he single gimbal system positions a directional warhead carried by the missile to provide the maximum destructive effect upon detonation to an air supported target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1965
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1979
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Harry L. Gerwin
  • Patent number: 4144815
    Abstract: A system permitting VT (Variable Time) fuze setting information to be transmitted thereto from a remote fire control source via a microwave link when the fuze is chambered in a gun barrel prior to the firing of an artillery shell to which the fuze is affixed. Sufficient microwave power is initially transmitted to the fuze by means of the barrel acting as a microwave transmission line wherein the microwave power received is converted to a DC voltage which is stored and used to bias the fuze circuitry which subsequently receives binary detonating data AM modulated on a microwave carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1973
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1979
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Allen R. Cumming, Clyde O. Peterson
  • Patent number: 4140060
    Abstract: A coherent optical modulated sensor for use with missiles and the like wherein a series of pulses of optical energy which are intensity modulated by a radio frequency sub-carrier are transmitted to a preselected target having relative motion thereto and wherein returned pulses from the target are received. Phase coherence is effectively maintained by utilizing a single continuously operating local oscillator for down-converting the received detected pulses to a Doppler frequency signal. Target velocity information may be extracted from the Doppler frequency shift induced on the coherent radio frequency sub-carrier of the return pulses.A first channel, or radio frequency sub-carrier channel is provided for receiving the Doppler signal and generating a threshold signal in response to the magnitude of the Doppler signal being equal to or greater than a predetermined magnitude. A second channel (baseband) detects the average direct current power of the received pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1975
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1979
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles H. Brenner
  • Patent number: 4139849
    Abstract: 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1954
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1979
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Paul M. Tedder
  • Patent number: 4135452
    Abstract: Fuzing incorporating a doppler signal for establishing warhead fuzing time. ore particularly, circuitry is provided in which the doppler is detected, integrated and used upon exceeding the level of a preset threshold device to enable two preset counters to effect fuzing only if their individual preset counts are achieved within a time established by their associated timers. A third, higher count, preset counter effects the fuzing if not earlier realized from one of the other counters, while a dropout detector responsive to the threshold device output effects the fuzing in cases where the threshold level is exceeded and then lost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1979
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Lloyd E. Kinsey, Gregory C. Roush
  • Patent number: 4128836
    Abstract: 1. In a missile having a fuse for detonating the missile warhead in the pimity of a target, means associated with said fuse for sensing the presence of a target, and means responsive to the sensing of a target by said sensing means for delaying the detonation of said warhead for an internally varied time interval until said missile is at an optimum position with respect to said target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1960
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1978
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Edward Ramos, Joseph V. Cuneo
  • Patent number: 4122776
    Abstract: 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1954
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1978
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Paul M. Tedder
  • Patent number: 4119039
    Abstract: 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1961
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1978
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Paul E. Wilkins, Glenn E. Neville, Robert T. Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 4108075
    Abstract: 1. In a doppler proximity fuzing system including an oscillating detector oviding diode detection, an antenna to which the output of said oscillating detector is coupled, and an amplifier to which the detected signal from said oscillating detector is fed, the improvement comprising means for suppressing oscillator-generated noise, said means including a 45.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1959
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1978
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Wilbur S. Hinman, Jr., Helmut Sommer, Louis M. Tozzi
  • Patent number: 4102521
    Abstract: 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1962
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1978
    Assignee: Boelkow Entwicklungen KG
    Inventor: Joachim Hermann
  • Patent number: 4096805
    Abstract: A decision circuit for use in pulse doppler proximity fuzes which will al the fuze to operate more effectively in the presence of electronic countermeasures and clutter by using an auxiliary receiving channel and threshold sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1968
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1978
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Mark S. Miner, Charles W. Crickman
  • Patent number: 4096480
    Abstract: A decision circuit for use in pulse doppler proximity fuzes having three er-connected time-gated detection channels. The logical pattern of combining the outputs of these detection channels allows a pulse doppler fuze to operate more effectively in an ECM and clutter environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1968
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1978
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Mark S. Miner, Charles W. Crickman