US3554129A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical fusing system
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1964-07-14
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Granted: 1971-01-12
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Expires: 1984-07-14
Abstract
Abstract Claim 1. In an active optical fuze for detonating a missile warhead at a prescribed distance in front of a target, the combination comprising: A. AN OPTICAL TRANSMITTER MOUNTED ON ONE END OF THE AIRFOIL OF THE MISSILE FOR TRANSMITTING A LIGHT BEAM IN THE FORWARD DIRECTION OF THE MISSILE; B. AN OPTICAL RECEIVER MOUNTED ON THE OTHER END OF THE AIRFOIL OF THE MISSILE FOR RECEIVING THE REFLECTED LIGHT BEAM TRANSMITTED BY SAID OPTICAL TRANSMITTER; AND C. CIRCUIT MEANS COUPLED TO SAID TRANSMITTER AND TO SAID RECEIVER FOR CORRELATING THE RECEIVED LIGHT BEAM WITH THE TRANSMITTED LIGHT BEAM AND PRODUCING A FIRING SIGNAL WHEN SAID LIGHT BEAMS ARE OF A PREDETERMINED TIME COINCIDENCE.
Inventors
- 👤 Frederick C Alpers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 03:09
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42C; F42C13/00; F42C13/02; F42C13/023; G; G01; G01S; G01S17/00; G01S17/02; G01S17/06; G01S17/46
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
In an active optical fuze for detonating a missile warhead at a prescribed distance in front of a target, the combination comprising: a. an optical transmitter mounted on one end of the airfoil of the missile for transmitting a light beam in the forward direction of the missile; b. an optical receiver mounted on the other end of the airfoil of the missile for receiving the reflected light beam transmitted by said optical transmitter; and c. circuit means coupled to said transmitter and to said receiver for correlating the received light beam with the transmitted light beam and producing a firing signal when said light beams are of a predetermined time coincidence.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
In an active optical fuze for detonating a missile warhead at a prescribed distance in front of a target, the combination comprising: a. an optical transmitter mounted on one end of the airfoil of the missile for transmitting a light beam in the forward direction of the missile; b. an optical receiver mounted on the other end of the airfoil of the missile for receiving the reflected light beam transmitted by said optical transmitter; and c. circuit means coupled to said transmitter and to said receiver for correlating the received light beam with the transmitted light beam and producing a firing signal when said light beams are of a predetermined time coincidence.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
137 words
In an active optical fuze for detonating a missile warhead at a predetermined distance in front of a ground target, the combination comprising: a. an optical transmitter mounted on one end of the airfoil of a missile for transmitting a light beam in the forward direction of the missile and intersecting with the longitudinal axis of the missile at the prescribed detonation distance from the missile and the target to be destroyed; b. an optical receiver mounted on the other end of the airfoil of the missile for receiving the reflected light beam transmitted by said optical transmitter; and c. circuit means coupled to said transmitter and to said receiver for correlating the received light beam with the transmitted light beam and producing a firing signal when said light beams are of a predetermined tim e coincidence.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
137 words
In an active optical fuze for detonating a missile warhead at a predetermined distance in front of a ground target, the combination comprising: a. an optical transmitter mounted on one end of the airfoil of a missile for transmitting a light beam in the forward direction of the missile and intersecting with the longitudinal axis of the missile at the prescribed detonation distance from the missile and the target to be destroyed; b. an optical receiver mounted on the other end of the airfoil of the missile for receiving the reflected light beam transmitted by said optical transmitter; and c. circuit means coupled to said transmitter and to said receiver for correlating the received light beam with the transmitted light beam and producing a firing signal when said light beams are of a predetermined tim e coincidence.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said transmitter includes a pulsed laser light source.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
139 words
In an active optical fuze for detonating a missile warhead at a predetermined distance in front of a ground target, the combination comprising: a. an optical transmitter mounted on one end of the airfoil of a missile for transmitting a light beam in the forward direction of the missile and intersecting with the longitudinal axis of the missile at the prescribed detonation distance from the missile and the target to be destroyed; b. an optical receiver mounted on the other end of the airfoil of the missile having light filter means for permitting only light of the same frequency of the transmitted light beam to enter; and c. circuit means coupled to said transmitter and to said receiver for correlating the received light beam and producing a firing signal when said light beams are of a predetermined time coincidence.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
139 words
In an active optical fuze for detonating a missile warhead at a predetermined distance in front of a ground target, the combination comprising: a. an optical transmitter mounted on one end of the airfoil of a missile for transmitting a light beam in the forward direction of the missile and intersecting with the longitudinal axis of the missile at the prescribed detonation distance from the missile and the target to be destroyed; b. an optical receiver mounted on the other end of the airfoil of the missile having light filter means for permitting only light of the same frequency of the transmitted light beam to enter; and c. circuit means coupled to said transmitter and to said receiver for correlating the received light beam and producing a firing signal when said light beams are of a predetermined time coincidence.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-11 | 1974-07-13 | 1975-01-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-11 | 1978-07-13 | 1979-01-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-11 | 1982-07-13 | 1983-01-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |