Chaff Patents (Class 342/12)
  • Patent number: 9652073
    Abstract: Provided are various embodiments related to an electronic device including an antenna device. According to an embodiment, an antenna device embedded in a display includes a film member provided between a plurality of display layers and multiple antenna portions including mesh-grid regions provided on the film member, in which a gap is formed between the multiple antenna portions such that the mesh-grid regions are discontinuously disposed in a spaced-apart relation. Other embodiments may also be possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sang-Ho Lim, Seung-Tae Ko, Yoon-Geon Kim, Won-Bin Hong
  • Patent number: 9279643
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to techniques for preemptively managing countermeasures of a vehicle. Prior to identifying an actual threat, at least one countermeasure device may be preemptively oriented to point in a direction most likely to produce a threat. The preemptive orientation may be determined my environmental information and/or vehicular information. Once an actual threat is identified, the countermeasure device may re-orient to point to the identified threat. The preemptive orientation may save time in the re-orientation process thereby providing extra time for countermeasures to be actively deployed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Carl R. Herman
  • Patent number: 9234784
    Abstract: A radar level gauge and a method for measurement of a distance to a surface of a product in a tank are disclosed. The radar level gauge comprises transceiver circuitry configured to transmit and receive electromagnetic signals, the transceiver circuitry comprises a frequency stabilizing feedback loop configured to generate the electromagnetic transmit signal in the form of a frequency sweep. The frequency stabilizing feedback loop is configured to generate an oscillation, forming a sinusoidal modulation of the frequency sweep. The radar level gauge further comprises a second mixer configured to mix an intermediate frequency signal and an integer multiple of the frequency of the sinusoidal modulation to provide an adjusted intermediate frequency signal, and processing circuitry configured to determine the distance based on the adjusted intermediate frequency signal. By providing a frequency sweep comprising a sinusoidal modulation, an improved sensitivity is achieved by the radar level gauge and method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: ROSEMOUNT TANK RADAR AB
    Inventor: Anders Jirskog
  • Patent number: 8909385
    Abstract: An infrared (IR) signature matching system comprises a heating and cooling device, a plurality of sensors configured to detect information related to the IR signature of the heating and cooling device and a background environment, a controller operably coupled with the heating and cooling device and the plurality of sensors. The controller is configured to receive the information from the plurality of sensors and adjust the temperature of the heating and cooling device until the IR signature of the heating and cooling device and the IR signature of the background environment are at least substantially matched in a selectable sub-region of the IR spectrum. Other systems, control circuits and related methods for matching IR signatures and cloaking objects in the IR spectrum are disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Jared K. Olson, James Child, Roger Jackson, Jared S. Teter, Evan Crocker
  • Publication number: 20140232584
    Abstract: An active chaff may be released by an aircraft to assist the aircraft in evading at least one of radar detection and a missile. The active chaff may include a signal generator, a signal spreading device, a microprocessor, a power source, and a substantially high-drag aerodynamic envelope. The signal generator may emit a signal to assist the aircraft in evading radar detection and/or a missile. The signal spreading device may spread the generated signal. The microprocessor may control the signal generator and the signal spreading device. The power source may power the signal generator and the microprocessor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Dunn, Brian Kenneth Kormanyos, Thomas H. Friddell
  • Patent number: 8537048
    Abstract: An active chaff may be released by an aircraft to assist the aircraft in evading at least one of radar detection and a missile. The active chaff may include a signal generator, a signal spreading device, a microprocessor, a power source, and a substantially high-drag aerodynamic envelope. The signal generator may emit a signal to assist the aircraft in evading radar detection and/or a missile. The signal spreading device may spread the generated signal. The microprocessor may control the signal generator and the signal spreading device. The power source may power the signal generator and the microprocessor. Each of the signal generator, signal spreading device, microprocessor, and power source may be located on or within the substantially high-drag aerodynamic envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Dunn, Brian Kenneth Kormanyos, Thomas H. Friddell
  • Patent number: 8258998
    Abstract: Device, system and method of protecting aircrafts against incoming threats. For example, a system for protecting an aircraft against an incoming threat includes: one or more electro-optic sensors to substantially continuously search for the incoming threat, and to generate a signal indicating that a possible incoming threat is detected; one or more radar sensors to be activated in response to the signal, and to search for the incoming threat; and a central computer to determine whether or not the incoming threat exists, based on a sensor fusion algorithm able to fuse data received from the one or more electro-optic sensors and data received from the one or more radar sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignees: BIRD Aerosystems Limited, EADS Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Ronen Factor, David Dragucki, Ariye Yehuda Caplan, Zahi Ben Ari, Semion Zelikman, Colin Henry Hamilton, George Weiss, Erwin Franz Keller, Erhard Seibt
  • Patent number: 8223061
    Abstract: The invention proposes to provide distraction spoofing even on modern infrared, radar and dual-mode guided missiles (4) by production of a decoy chain (20). The chain (20) is formed by a plurality of apparent targets which are switched successively, for example by firing of individual chaff submunitions (2.1-2.5). The deployment takes place before or during the search phase of the missile and can in this case, for example, be carried out using the reverse walk-off principle or at the same time simultaneously or successively and in the form of a pattern. This ensures that the decoys (2.1-2.5) act initially in the greatest selected range zone away from the target (3). The spoofing chain (20) created in this way results in the missile (4) having to carry out a series of time-consuming analysis processes on its way to the target (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH
    Inventors: Heinz Bannasch, Martin Fegg
  • Patent number: 7999720
    Abstract: One aspect relates to camouflaging an object by affecting a presentation at least partially using at least one positional element based at least in part on a position of the at least one positional element. Another aspect relates to configuring at least a first camouflage positional element and at least a second camouflage positional element to act as a decoy presentation, an active chaff, and/or a smart chaff. Another aspect relates to providing at least one positional element that can deceive, confuse, defeat, or lead one or more sensors towards or away from a target, such as to act as chaff, one or more flares, fog, one or more decoys, or a combination thereof. Another aspect relates to determining a suitable camouflage for at least one camouflage positional element at least partially considering a background for the at least one camouflage positional element, and affecting a presentation using the at least one camouflage positional element at least partially based on the suitable camouflage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Edward K. Y. Jung, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, John D. Rinaldo, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7965220
    Abstract: A chaff element for interfering with radar signals. The chaff element has a dielectric substrate and a pair of elongate electrically conductive elements, having a total length of approximately one-half wavelength of the radar signals or otherwise tuned to the radar signals, disposed on the dielectric substrate. A switch is arranged to electrically couple the pair of elongate elements together in response to a control signal generated by an oscillator circuit and a battery. The chaff element can be used in a method of providing a countermeasure against radar signals. A plurality of chaff elements can be deployed in an airspace above a radar unit emitting a radar signal and interfere with the radar signal by opening and closing the switches of the chaff elements while deployed in said airspace above the radar unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew W. Ganz, James H. Schaffner, Daniel F. Sievenpiper, Richard P. Berg
  • Patent number: 7903019
    Abstract: A protective device and protective measure for a radar system is provided that includes an active countermeasure by using passive emitter and/or decoys. Decoys are thereby utilized that function according to the reflection principle. These decoys are thereby radiated by the vehicle's radar. The radiation reflected by the decoys in the direction of the ARM has the same characteristic as the direct radiation from the radar itself. Thus, the ARM is unable to discriminate between decoys and the actual radar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Rheinmetall Air Defence AG
    Inventor: Henry Roger Frick
  • Patent number: 7866246
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to a method of using a pod to rapidly deploy defensive countermeasures from a wide variety of manned aircraft. The method includes using a configurable pod for dispensing different types of infrared countermeasure (IRCM) devices and different types of radio frequency countermeasure (RFCM) devices at a rapid rate. The primary purpose of this method is to rapidly dispense IRCMs and RFCMs is to protect the host aircraft while ingress and egress maneuvers are performed in a hostile area. A secondary use of the method is for use in defending commercial aircraft from missile threats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Frank Joseph Bellino, John Andrew Johnson, David Virgil Jester, Roy Joseph Harmon, Timothy Allen Froehner, Alberto Garza, Richard Matthew Dillon, Hugh Henley Hood
  • Publication number: 20100283655
    Abstract: An active chaff may be released by an aircraft to assist the aircraft in evading at least one of radar detection and a missile. The active chaff may include a signal generator, a signal spreading device, a microprocessor, a power source, and a substantially high-drag aerodynamic envelope. The signal generator may emit a signal to assist the aircraft in evading radar detection and/or a missile. The signal spreading device may spread the generated signal. The microprocessor may control the signal generator and the signal spreading device. The power source may power the signal generator and the microprocessor. Each of the signal generator, signal spreading device, microprocessor, and power source may be located on or within the substantially high-drag aerodynamic envelope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael J. Dunn, Brian Kenneth Kormanyos, Thomas H. Friddell
  • Publication number: 20100253567
    Abstract: Device, system and method of protecting aircrafts against incoming threats. For example, a system for protecting an aircraft against an incoming threat includes: one or more electro-optic sensors to substantially continuously search for the incoming threat, and to generate a signal indicating that a possible incoming threat is detected; one or more radar sensors to be activated in response to the signal, and to search for the incoming threat; and a central computer to determine whether or not the incoming threat exists, based on a sensor fusion algorithm able to fuse data received from the one or more electro-optic sensors and data received from the one or more radar sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Ronen Factor, David Dragucki, Ariye Yehuda Caplan, Zahi Ben Ari, Semion Zelikman, Colin Henry Hamilton, George Weiss, Erwin Franz Keller, Erhard Seibt
  • Patent number: 7633998
    Abstract: A system for receiving a satellite digital radio signal, the system comprising: a repeater having a unibody housing and an antenna disposed within the housing, the antenna being configured for receiving the satellite digital radio signal; a repeater circuit for receiving the satellite digital radio signal of the antenna, the repeater circuit being configured to condition and re-transmit the satellite digital radio signal as a first signal containing audio data capable of being transmitted through electrical wiring; a satellite digital radio signal receiver having a receiver circuit being configured to receive the first signal; and wherein the receiver circuit receives the first signal from a power cable of the satellite digital radio signal receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. Dockemeyer, Daniel W. Farrow, William R. Livengood, Daniel G. Morris, Korkut Yegin
  • Patent number: 7623059
    Abstract: A disruptive media dispersal system for aircraft which absorbs and scatters directed energy weapon beams such as tracking lasers and high energy lasers (HELs) is disclosed. The system may include laser detectors, laser beam propagation disruptive media and a dispersal system. When attacked by a directed energy weapon such as a laser, the laser detector system or vehicle operator deploys the disruptive media. The disruptive media is released by a feeder and dispersal system into the air in the path of the tracking and/or HEL weapon. For example, the dispersal system may be located onboard the aircraft near the front of the fuselage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventor: John Frederick Klein
  • Patent number: 7614334
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to a pod based countermeasure dispensing system for external mounting on wide variety of manned aircraft. The pod based system is readily configurable for dispensing different types of infrared countermeasure (IRCM) devices and different types of radio frequency countermeasure (RFCM) devices at a rapid rate. The primary use of the rapidly dispensed IRCMs and RFCMs is to protect the host aircraft while ingress and egress maneuvers are performed in a hostile area. A secondary use of the pod based countermeasure dispensing system is for use in defending commercial aircraft from missile threats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Frank Joseph Bellino, John Andrew Johnson, David Virgil Jester, Roy Joseph Harmon, Timothy Allen Froehner, Alberto Garza, Richard Matthew Dillon, Hugh Henley Hood
  • Publication number: 20090251353
    Abstract: The invention proposes to provide distraction spoofing even on modern infrared, radar and dual-mode guided missiles (4) by production of a decoy chain (20). The chain (20) is formed by a plurality of apparent targets which are switched successively, for example by firing of individual chaff submunitions (2.1-2.5). The deployment takes place before or during the search phase of the missile and can in this case, for example, be carried out using the reverse walk-off principle or at the same time simultaneously or successively and in the form of a pattern. This ensures that the decoys (2.1-2.5) act initially in the greatest selected range zone away from the target (3). The spoofing chain (20) created in this way results in the missile (4) having to carry out a series of time-consuming analysis processes on its way to the target (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: Heinz Bannasch, Martin Fegg
  • Publication number: 20090189799
    Abstract: A chaff element for interfering with radar signals. The chaff element has a dielectric substrate and a pair of elongate electrically conductive elements, having a total length of approximately one-half wavelength of the radar signals or otherwise tuned to the radar signals, disposed on the dielectric substrate. A switch is arranged to electrically couple the pair of elongate elements together in response to a control signal generated by an oscillator circuit and a battery. The chaff element can be used in a method of providing a countermeasure against radar signals. A plurality of chaff elements can be deployed in an airspace above a radar unit emitting a radar signal and interfere with the radar signal by opening and closing the switches of the chaff elements while deployed in said airspace above the radar unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: HRL LABORATORIES, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew W. Ganz, James H. Schaffner, Daniel F. Sievenpiper, Richard P. Berg
  • Publication number: 20090184859
    Abstract: A disruptive media dispersal system for aircraft which absorbs and scatters directed energy weapon beams such as tracking lasers and high energy lasers (HELs) is disclosed. The system may include laser detectors, laser beam propagation disruptive media and a dispersal system. When attacked by a directed energy weapon such as a laser, the laser detector system or vehicle operator deploys the disruptive media. The disruptive media is released by a feeder and dispersal system into the air in the path of the tracking and/or HEL weapon. For example, the dispersal system may be located onboard the aircraft near the front of the fuselage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventor: John Fredeick Klein
  • Patent number: 7533615
    Abstract: A chaff element for interfering with radar signals. The chaff element has a dielectric substrate and a pair of elongate electrically conductive elements, having a total length of approximately one-half wavelength of the radar signals or otherwise tuned to the radar signals, disposed on the dielectric substrate. A switch is arranged to electrically couple the pair of elongate elements together in response to a control signal generated by an oscillator circuit and a battery. The chaff element can be used in a method of providing a countermeasure against radar signals. A plurality of chaff elements can be deployed in an airspace above a radar unit emitting a radar signal and interfere with the radar signal by opening and closing the switches of the chaff elements while deployed in said airspace above the radar unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew W. Ganz, James H. Schaffner, Daniel F. Sievenpiper, Richard P. Berg
  • Patent number: 7421950
    Abstract: The present invention relates to decoys for heat-seeking missiles and methods of producing and using the same. The decoys are designed to be kinematic or pseudo-kinematic, producing one or more infra-red radiation emitting clouds that give the appearance of a moving infra-red target in the airspace in which the decoy has been released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Alloy Surfaces Company, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Dillard, Jason A. Fischer, Rajesh D. Shah, John J. Scanlon, Eric M. Smith
  • Patent number: 7400287
    Abstract: Missile deflector systems for protecting a vehicle from threats that use an infrared sensor for guidance are disclosed. An exemplary missile deflector system can include, for example, a radiation source and one or more deployable smart chaff elements. The light source and the one or more deployable smart chaff elements can direct the threat, such as, for example, a missile, away from the vehicle or, in other embodiments, disable the threat. Another exemplary missile deflector system can include, for example, a smart chaff element with a near-infrared emitter and a plurality of transmitting fibers to transmit the near-infrared radiation out of the smart chaff element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Saccomanno
  • Publication number: 20080143579
    Abstract: Missile deflector systems for protecting a vehicle from threats that use an infrared sensor for guidance are disclosed. An exemplary missile deflector system can include, for example, a radiation source and one or more deployable smart chaff elements. The light source and the one or more deployable smart chaff elements can direct the threat, such as, for example, a missile, away from the vehicle or, in other embodiments, disable the threat. Another exemplary missile deflector system can include, for example, a smart chaff element with a near-infrared emitter and a plurality of transmitting fibers to transmit the near-infrared radiation out of the smart chaff element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventor: Robert J. Saccomanno
  • Patent number: 7369081
    Abstract: A chaff element for interfering with radar signals. The chaff element has a dielectric substrate and a pair of elongate electrically conductive elements, having a total length of approximately one-half wavelength of the radar signals or otherwise tuned to the radar signals, disposed on the dielectric substrate. A switch is arranged to electrically couple the pair of elongate elements together in response to a control signal generated by an oscillator circuit and a battery. The chaff element can be used in a method of providing a countermeasure against radar signals. A plurality of chaff elements can be deployed in an airspace above a radar unit emitting a radar signal and interfere with the radar signal by opening and closing the switches of the chaff elements while deployed in said airspace above the radar unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew W. Ganz, James H. Schaffner, Daniel F. Sievenpiper, Richard P. Berg
  • Patent number: 6980151
    Abstract: A bi-static continuous wave radar system and related methods for detecting incoming threats from ballistic projectiles includes a remote source of RF illumination, and a local receiver installed in one or more target aircraft. A first receiving channel acquires direct path illumination from the source and provides a reference signal, and a second receiving channel acquires a scatter signal reflected by a projectile. A processor coupled to each receiver corrects scatter signal Doppler offset induced by relative source motion, isolates narrowband Doppler signals to derive signatures characteristic of the projectile, and by executing appropriate algorithms, compares the derived signatures to modeled signatures stored in memory. If the comparison yields a substantial similarity, the processor outputs a warning signal sufficient to initiate defensive countermeasures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul L. Mohan
  • Patent number: 6876320
    Abstract: The present invention consists of the particular geometry of the reflectors or dispersers which constitute the anti-radar chaff cloud. Instead of using conventional rectilinear forms, in the present invention multilevel and space-filling forms are introduced. Due to this geometric design, the properties of the radar chaff clouds improve mainly in two aspects: radar cross-section (RCS) and mean time of suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Fractus, S.A.
    Inventor: Carles Puente Baliarda
  • Patent number: 6650269
    Abstract: A passive radar decoy for deployment from an aircraft in flight comprises a substantially hemispherical body having its inner surface coated with an RF reflective material and its forward end connected to a weighted nose piece. The decoy is ram-air inflatable and is packaged with a plurality of chaff in the aircraft within a radar countermeasures ejection tube. Upon ejection from the aircraft, the decoy achieves RF coverage at millimeter wave frequencies and improves chaff dispersion and an increased period of doppler frequency return to a ground-based radar. The decoy may also include a second hemispherical body mounted at the approximate focus within the inflatable body and having its outer surface RF reflective so as to retroreflectively return RF energy impinging on the decoy and the combined returns from the decoy provide a scintillating signal return to the ground-based radar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph C. Huber, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6628239
    Abstract: A variable scattering device comprising a object which may be an antenna, a load impedance which is optimal and a switch which connects the scattering object to the load impedance. By using the switch to switch the load impedance in and out of the connection with the scattering object a large dynamic range for a fluctuating scattered signal may be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Donald Patrick Hilliard, Glenda Esnardo Hilliard, Michael Patrick Hilliard
  • Publication number: 20030137442
    Abstract: The present invention consists of the particular geometry of the reflectors or dispersers which constitute the anti-radar chaff cloud. Instead of using conventional rectilinear forms, in the present invention multilevel and space-filling forms are introduced. Due to this geometric design, the properties of the radar chaff clouds improve mainly in two aspects: radar cross-section (RCS) and mean time of suspension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventor: Carles Puente Baliarda
  • Publication number: 20030117309
    Abstract: In regard to radar guidance of a launch container (15) for fragmentation projectiles (16) for defending against an attacking missile (12), from the object (11) to be protected, the present invention affords a radar guidance system which can be inexpensively set up from existing components and which, in the absence of interfaces between the object (11) and the launch container (15), operates in a trouble-free manner if, for space monitoring and target acquisition, provided on the substructure (14) of the launch container (15) which is fixed with respect to the object, there is a planar antenna (20) which transmits its target information to a target-tracking radar (19) which is integrated into the launch container (15), for directly guiding the launch container (15) on to the approach of the missile (12) to be defended against.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Gunnar Pappert, Klaus Schluter
  • Patent number: 6513438
    Abstract: A method and associated decoy for offering a phantom target for protecting land, air or water vehicles or the like as a defense against missiles possessing a target seeking head operating in the infrared (IR) or radar (RF) range, or a target seeking head simultaneously or serially operating in both wavelength ranges. An effective mass emitting radiation in the IR range (IR effective mass) based on flares and a mass backscattering RF radiation (RF effective mass) based on dipoles are simultaneously made to take effect in an appropriate position as a phantom target. A ratio of dipole mass to flare mass of approx. 3.4:1 to approx. 6:1 is employed; and flares presenting a descent rate approx. 0.5 to 1.5 m/s higher than that of the dipoles are used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Buck Neue Technologien GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Fegg, Heinz Bannasch
  • Patent number: 6507307
    Abstract: A passive radar decoy comprises a substantially hemispherical upper body portion having its inner surface coated with an RF reflective material, a weighted nose piece, a tapered lower body portion interconnecting the upper body to the nose piece, an RF reflectively-coated corner reflector mounted coaxially within the upper body portion, and means to ram-air inflate the decoy when it is released from an aircraft in flight such that RF energy from a ground source of such energy impinges on the RF reflective surfaces to retro-reflectively return the RF energy back to the source and provide a scintillating and doppler frequency return and enhanced radar target cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph C. Huber, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6456225
    Abstract: A reflector circuit is provided which responds to illuminating radiation with corresponding output radiation of increased magnitude relative to the illuminating radiation, while also providing a frequency selective limiting characteristic. The circuit comprises an antenna for receiving the illuminating radiation and emitting the corresponding output radiation, a delay line providing a frequency selective limiting and signal storage characteristic and an amplifier assembly. The antenna provides an input signal upon receipt of the illuminating radiation, a portion of which is amplified, frequency selectively filtered and then stored for a period after which it is emitted as the output radiation from the circuit. Switches are incorporated and are operable to counteract spontaneous oscillation within the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Marconi Caswell Limited
    Inventor: Ian J Forster
  • Patent number: 6381825
    Abstract: A method for stacking fibers less than 10 mm long into a cartridge case, including an impregnation stage for fibers arrayed into at least one skein together with a solidifiable material, the skein being solidifiable inside a mold and then, in the solidified state, being cut into at least two slices each of a thickness which is the desired fiber length. Such cartridges are for use as screens or decoys against radar or other detection or guidance systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Giat Industries
    Inventors: Muriel Regis, Martial Bernard, André Espagnacq
  • Patent number: 6017628
    Abstract: An article (130) comprising a non-conductive substrate (136), preferably of an environmentally degradeable character, having a thickness of an oxidizable metal coating (138) thereon, and optionally an oxidation enhancingly effective amount of a salt (140), e.g., from about 0.005 to about 25% by weight of salt, based on the weight of oxidizable metal, present on the oxidizable metal coating. Also disclosed is a related method of forming such article, comprising chemical vapor depositing the oxidizable metal coating on the substrate. When utilized in a form comprising fine-diameter substrate elements such as filaments, the resulting product may be usefully employed as an "evanescent" chaff. In the presence of atmospheric moisture, such evanescent chaff undergoes oxidization of the oxidizable metal coating so that the conductivity and radar absorbance/reflectance characteristics of the chaff transiently decays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Alliant Defense Electronics Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ward C Stevens, Edward A. Sturm
  • Patent number: 5966089
    Abstract: A means for preventing the opening of a chaff muffin upon its entry into air stream of its supersonic-velocity carrier rocket, said means comprising a longitudinal wrapping in addition to the usual circumferential wrapping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1972
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: William D. Greenlees
  • Patent number: 5915694
    Abstract: An aerial decoy comprising a fuselage having forward and aft ends. Disposed within the fuselage are a plurality of decoy discs. Rotatably connected to the forward end of the fuselage is a ram air turbine which is cooperatively engaged to the decoy discs such that the rotation of the ram air turbine facilitates the dispensation of the decoy discs from the aft end of the fuselage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Inventor: Roger D. Brum
  • Patent number: 5900831
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to dielectric chaff materials or fibers which are small in character for packing and expandable on release to produce clouds of great cross section. Polymer materials are treated chemically and/or irradiated with nuclear or electronic radiation which partially decomposes the polymer. Upon release, the polymer is heated to create gas bubbles from within which expand the dielectric fibers to change the density and shape of the dielectric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1974
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Inventors: John A. Eisele, Robert M. Mason, Francis J. Campbell
  • Patent number: 5880692
    Abstract: An article comprising a non-conductive substrate, preferably of an environmentally degradeable character, having a thickness of an oxidizable metal coating thereon, and optionally an oxidation enhancingly effective amount of a salt, e.g., from about 0.005 to about 25% by weight of salt, based on the weight of oxidizable metal, present on the oxidizable metal coating. Also disclosed is a related method of forming such article, comprising chemical vapor depositing the oxidizable metal coating on the substrate. When utilized in a form comprising fine-diameter substrate elements such as filaments, the resulting product may be usefully employed as an "evanescent" chaff. In the presence of atmospheric moisture, such evanescent chaff undergoes oxidization of the oxidizable metal coating so that the conductivity and radar absorbance/reflectance characteristics of the chaff transiently decays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Alliant Defense Electronic Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ward C. Stevens, Edward A. Sturm
  • Patent number: 5835051
    Abstract: The method offers a phantom target for protecting land, air or water craft or the like against missiles that have a target seeking head operating in the infrared (IR) or radar (RF) range or simultaneously or serially in both wavelength ranges. A mass emitting radiation in the IR range (IR active mass) and a mass back-scattering RF radiation (RF active mass) are simultaneously brought into action in the correct position as phantom target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Buck Werke GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Heinz Bannasch, Martin Fegg, Fritz Greindl, Johannes Grundler, Guenther Lenniger, Helmut Proeschkowitz, Rudolf Salzeder, Martin Wegscheider
  • Patent number: 5686178
    Abstract: An article comprising a non-conductive substrate, preferably of an environmentally degradeable character, having a thickness of an oxidizable metal coating thereon, and optionally an oxidation enhancingly effective amount of a salt, e.g., from about 0.005 to about 25% by weight of salt, based on the weight of oxidizable metal, present on the oxidizable metal coating. Also disclosed is a related method of forming such article, comprising chemical vapor depositing the oxidizable metal coating on the substrate. When utilized in a form comprising fine-diameter substrate elements such as filaments, the resulting product may be usefully employed as an "evanescent" chaff. In the presence of atmospheric moisture, such evanescent chaff undergoes oxidization of the oxidizable metal coating so that the conductivity and radar absorbance/reflectance characteristics of the chaff transiently decays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Ward C. Stevens, Edward A. Sturm
  • Patent number: 5619205
    Abstract: An improved chaff in which a plurality of metallic or metallic coated elets are joined as chain links that, when deployed, produce microarcs when the link elements make and break contact with each other in an electromagnet field such as that created by a high power radar transmitter. These microarcs will then in turn create current spikes that will reflect a radar signal that has a wider bandwidth than conventional chaff, so as to make it more difficult to distinguish the chain link chaff from a fast moving target such as an aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Richard N. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5602362
    Abstract: The member bearing electromagnetic decoys comprises a sliding member (23 to 27) having an open major face closed by a cover of which an extension projects opposite an opening (21A) in a compartment (21) provided for a pyrotechnic portion. When the pyrotechnic charge there disposed has caused ejection of the decoy-bearing sliding member, and after a given delay, it will act on the extension of the cover in order to remove the latter and thereby release it from the electromagnetic decoys. This ensures that the decoys are deployed at the end of a given delay after ejection of the decoy-bearing member from the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Inventors: Alain A. Billard, Andre R. Santalucia
  • Patent number: 5369408
    Abstract: This invention is directed to an expendable which includes an electronic circuit for introducing a simulated Doppler frequency shift. When dropped from an aircraft, the expendable is used to confuse hostile radar operations. In the past, the approach has been to use a high frequency electronic switch (PIN diode) and drive oscillator to change the impedance of the expendable antenna. This invention involves a simplification which combines the electronic switch and its drive oscillator into a single semiconductor component. By connecting a feedback circuit from the collector to the base of a high frequency transistor as well as to the two arms of the antenna, the antenna impedance is changed at the transistor oscillating frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: James B. Y. Tsui, David M. Lin
  • Patent number: 5291818
    Abstract: A process is provided for defending objects emitting an infrared radiation, in particular ships, against missiles, which are equipped with intelligent infrared seeker heads. Following location of the missile, adjacent the object a large area pyrotechnical perturbing radiation cloud, which releases high infrared radiation in a short period of time, which hashes the locking on and pursuit electronics of the seeker head, and subsequently releases a weak infrared radiation for a comparatively long period, is produced between the object and the missile. Immediately following the end of the high radiation phase of the perturbing radiation cloud, several fake target clouds are set up that then lead the missile step-by-step away from the object to be defended. The perturbing radiation clouds are produced by the droppable bodies, whose active masses comprise phosphorus flares and phosphorus pellets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: Buck Werke GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Heinz Bannasch
  • Patent number: 5212488
    Abstract: The present invention provides reflecting chaff microellipsoids having a surface of electrically conducting material. A preferred embodiment consists of S.sub.i O.sub.2 (95%), Na.sub.2 O (1%), B.sub.2 O.sub.3 (4%) microspheres coated with silver. The present invention is best suited for reflecting electromagnetic radiation within the range of about 100 GHz to 100,000 GHz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Inventor: John A. Konotchick
  • Patent number: 5148173
    Abstract: A millimeter wave screening cloud is formed comprised of an aerosol of fine ibers of a carbon composition, in which the particles are of micron diameter and millimeter length. The cloud is formed by aerosolizing a compact mass of carbon composition fibers through the action of explosively bursting such compact mass in the atmosphere at the desired cloud location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: William G. Rouse, Connie S. Kilgore, Ronald E. Rhea, Michael J. Burnham, Benjamin G. Wachob
  • Patent number: 5083128
    Abstract: A system for installing a plastisol or similar compound into the interior ace of a spent squib-activated countermeasures cartridge. When the squib ignites and expels the countermeasures payload, the heat of combustion causes the plastisol to soften, react and expand to fill the empty container remaining after payload ejection. The foam filled container then acts as a radar absorber instead of a radar reflector and thus counters dispenser observability to RF energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Tsuji
  • Patent number: 5074214
    Abstract: Method for air dispersion of filamentary type organic material from an initial compressed form comprising a component of a propellant and/or air-activated shell-like structure.An invention comprised of a plurality of compressed filamentary organic materials, a vehicle for storing and dispersing said materials and a method for effecting air dispersion of such materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Assignee: Hercules Incorporated
    Inventor: Fevzi Zeren