US3689741A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bombing instrument for targets having transverse motion relative to aircraft flight path
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-07-08
•
Granted: 1972-09-05
•
Expires: 1990-07-08
Abstract
Abstract In an aircraft bombing instrument for attacks crosswind and against targets moving transversely to the line of flight, a transparent screen in the pilot''s forward field of vision displays a command symbol and an aircraft situation symbol. A switch actuation initiates a first bombing attack phase in which the display defines a sight axis that can be displaced (according to pilot selection) laterally to either side as well as downwardly relative to the aircraft''s longitudinal axis. While the pilot maneuvers the aircraft to hold the sight symbol aligned with the target, the instrument computes the aircraft velocity vector relative to the ground. A second switch actuation initiates a second phase during which display and maneuver continues as before and the instrument additionally computes the target''s position and velocity vector relative to the aircraft. A third switch actuation initiates a final phase in which displacement of the command symbol relative to the situation symbol signifies banking and pull up instructions to the pilot, in following which he flies a curving ground track. During the final phase the instrument computes the point of time and aircraft velocity vector at which a bomb must be released to hit the target and the bank and pull up required to achieve these, controls the command display accordingly, and issues a release impulse at the proper time.
Inventors
- 👤 Bengt Sjoberg
- 👤 Oskar Viberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 22:43
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41G; F41G9/00; F41G9/02; B; B64; B64D; B64D1/00; B64D1/02; B64D1/04; F41G9/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 55
Claim 1
Independent Claim
234 words
A bombing instrument by which a bomb can be accurately released from an aircraft while the same is moving in a curving flight path, and which is of the type comprising means for calculating data concerning the relationship between the aircraft and a selected target during an interval in which a defined sight axis in the aircraft is maintained aligned with the target by maneuvering the aircraft, means for calculating the velocity vector of the aircraft required to impart to a bomb released from the aircraft a trajectory that will terminate in a desired relationship to the target, and means for comparing the prevailing velocity vector of the aircraft with the calculated required velocity vector and for issuing a bomb release impulse when a predetermined relationship exists between said prevailing and required velocity vectors, said bombing instrument comprising: A. calculating means, associated with said means for calculating the required velocity vector and operative continuously from the end of said interval to the instant of bomb release, for calculating the values of bank and pull-up of the aircraft needed for it to attain the required velocity vector within a predetermined time following the end of said interval; and B. means operatively associated with the last mentioned calculating means for issuing command signals corresponding to the calculated values of bank and pull-up, which signals can be utilized to bring the aircraft to the required velocity vector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
234 words
A bombing instrument by which a bomb can be accurately released from an aircraft while the same is moving in a curving flight path, and which is of the type comprising means for calculating data concerning the relationship between the aircraft and a selected target during an interval in which a defined sight axis in the aircraft is maintained aligned with the target by maneuvering the aircraft, means for calculating the velocity vector of the aircraft required to impart to a bomb released from the aircraft a trajectory that will terminate in a desired relationship to the target, and means for comparing the prevailing velocity vector of the aircraft with the calculated required velocity vector and for issuing a bomb release impulse when a predetermined relationship exists between said prevailing and required velocity vectors, said bombing instrument comprising: A. calculating means, associated with said means for calculating the required velocity vector and operative continuously from the end of said interval to the instant of bomb release, for calculating the values of bank and pull-up of the aircraft needed for it to attain the required velocity vector within a predetermined time following the end of said interval; and B. means operatively associated with the last mentioned calculating means for issuing command signals corresponding to the calculated values of bank and pull-up, which signals can be utilized to bring the aircraft to the required velocity vector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The bombing instrument of claim 1 wherein said command symbol issuing means further comprises
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
means for delineating symbols on said display means that signify required values of bank and pull up.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
means for delineating symbols on said display means that signify required values of bank and pull up.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
a command display symbol that denotes a maneuvering instruction to the pilot; B. switch means manually operable to initiate and establish each of three successive conditions of the instrument.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
a command display symbol that denotes a maneuvering instruction to the pilot; B. switch means manually operable to initiate and establish each of three successive conditions of the instrument.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
118 words
in the third of which the instrument causes the command display symbol to represent maneuvering commands to the pilot, in following which he brings the aircraft to a velocity vector calculated for bomb release at a calculated time; C. means cooperable with the sighting symbol display means, and comprising manually adjustably control means, for effecting a predetermined lateral displacement of the command display symbol so that the sight axis defined thereby during the first and second conditions of the instrument can be at a laterally oblique angle to said longitudinal axis of the aircraft; D. means cooperable with at least certain of the transducers and operative during the first and second conditions of the instrument for automatically calculating
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
118 words
in the third of which the instrument causes the command display symbol to represent maneuvering commands to the pilot, in following which he brings the aircraft to a velocity vector calculated for bomb release at a calculated time; C. means cooperable with the sighting symbol display means, and comprising manually adjustably control means, for effecting a predetermined lateral displacement of the command display symbol so that the sight axis defined thereby during the first and second conditions of the instrument can be at a laterally oblique angle to said longitudinal axis of the aircraft; D. means cooperable with at least certain of the transducers and operative during the first and second conditions of the instrument for automatically calculating
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
the wind vector; E. means operative during the second and third conditions of the instrument and cooperating with the last mentioned vector calculating means to automatically calculate
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
the wind vector; E. means operative during the second and third conditions of the instrument and cooperating with the last mentioned vector calculating means to automatically calculate
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
the vector of velocity and direction of motion of the target relative to the aircraft; F. means operative in the third condition of the instrument and cooperable with the transducer means for calculating
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
the vector of velocity and direction of motion of the target relative to the aircraft; F. means operative in the third condition of the instrument and cooperable with the transducer means for calculating
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
the velocity vector required for the aircraft at said calculated time, on the basis of the trajectory vector for the bomb released at said time, and
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
the velocity vector required for the aircraft at said calculated time, on the basis of the trajectory vector for the bomb released at said time, and
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
the position vector of the target relative to the aircraft; F. command display means for displaying instructions to the pilot concerning
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
the position vector of the target relative to the aircraft; F. command display means for displaying instructions to the pilot concerning
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
54 words
a required pull up; G. third switch means responsive to manual actuation to place the instrument in a third condition of operation; and H. third calculating instrumentalities rendered operative by actuation of said third switch means and connected with the first and second calculating instrumentalities to receive their outputs and issue outputs corresponding to
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
54 words
a required pull up; G. third switch means responsive to manual actuation to place the instrument in a third condition of operation; and H. third calculating instrumentalities rendered operative by actuation of said third switch means and connected with the first and second calculating instrumentalities to receive their outputs and issue outputs corresponding to
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
64 words
the bank and the pull up required to bring the aircraft to the calculated velocity vector within a predetermined time following actuation of the third switch means; I. means for controlling the command display means in accordance with said outputs corresponding to required bank and pull up; and J. means for issuing a bomb release impulse when the aircraft attains the calculated velocity vector.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
64 words
the bank and the pull up required to bring the aircraft to the calculated velocity vector within a predetermined time following actuation of the third switch means; I. means for controlling the command display means in accordance with said outputs corresponding to required bank and pull up; and J. means for issuing a bomb release impulse when the aircraft attains the calculated velocity vector.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
7 words
the velocity vector of the wind, and
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
7 words
the velocity vector of the wind, and
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
7 words
the velocity vector of the wind, and
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
7 words
the velocity vector of the wind, and
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
60 words
the position vector of the target relative to the aircraft; F. third switch means responsive to manual actuation to place the instrument in a third condition of operation; and G. third calculating instrumentalities rendered operative by actuation of said third switch means and connected with the first and second calculating instrumentalities to receive their outputs, for calculating the values of
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
60 words
the position vector of the target relative to the aircraft; F. third switch means responsive to manual actuation to place the instrument in a third condition of operation; and G. third calculating instrumentalities rendered operative by actuation of said third switch means and connected with the first and second calculating instrumentalities to receive their outputs, for calculating the values of
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
95 words
the bank and the pull up required to bring the aircraft to the calculated required velocity vector within a predetermined interval following actuation of said third switch means; H. means connected with said third calculating instrumentalities for issuing outputs corresponding to the values calculated by said third calculating instrumentalities so that the aircraft can be caused to assume the required bank and pull-up; and I. means connected with said third calculating instrumentalities and with at least certain of said sensors for issuing a bomb release impulse when the aircraft attains the calculated required velocity vector.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
95 words
the bank and the pull up required to bring the aircraft to the calculated required velocity vector within a predetermined interval following actuation of said third switch means; H. means connected with said third calculating instrumentalities for issuing outputs corresponding to the values calculated by said third calculating instrumentalities so that the aircraft can be caused to assume the required bank and pull-up; and I. means connected with said third calculating instrumentalities and with at least certain of said sensors for issuing a bomb release impulse when the aircraft attains the calculated required velocity vector.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
the vectors of velocity and position of the target relative to the aircraft, and
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
14 words
the vectors of velocity and position of the target relative to the aircraft, and
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
87 words
the values of bank and pull-up required to bring the aircraft to said required velocity vector at said predicted instant; F. command means connected with said second computer means for issuing outputs corresponding to said values calculated by the second computer means so that the aircraft can be caused to assume the required bank and pull-up; and G. means connected with at least certain of the transducers and with the second computer means for issuing a bomb release impulse when the aircraft attains said required velocity vector.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
87 words
the values of bank and pull-up required to bring the aircraft to said required velocity vector at said predicted instant; F. command means connected with said second computer means for issuing outputs corresponding to said values calculated by the second computer means so that the aircraft can be caused to assume the required bank and pull-up; and G. means connected with at least certain of the transducers and with the second computer means for issuing a bomb release impulse when the aircraft attains said required velocity vector.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
50 words
a predicted instant at which a bomb is to be released from the aircraft; E. second computer means adapted to be operative during a predetermined interval which terminates at substantially said predicted instant and cooperable with the first computer means and with at least certain of the transducers for calculating
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
50 words
a predicted instant at which a bomb is to be released from the aircraft; E. second computer means adapted to be operative during a predetermined interval which terminates at substantially said predicted instant and cooperable with the first computer means and with at least certain of the transducers for calculating
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
120 words
the velocity vector of the aircraft relative to the ground; C. display means within the pilot''s normal range of forward vision defining a sighting axis that has predetermined angular displacements laterally and vertically relative to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft; D. second switch means responsive to manual actuation to place the instrument in a second condition of operation; E. second calculating instrumentalities rendered operative by actuation of said second switch means and cooperating with sensors and with the first calculating instrumentalities, while the aircraft is maneuvered to maintain alignment upon a target of the sighting axis defined by the display means, to produce additional outputs corresponding to the changing values of 1 the velocity vector of the target, and
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
120 words
the velocity vector of the aircraft relative to the ground; C. display means within the pilot''s normal range of forward vision defining a sighting axis that has predetermined angular displacements laterally and vertically relative to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft; D. second switch means responsive to manual actuation to place the instrument in a second condition of operation; E. second calculating instrumentalities rendered operative by actuation of said second switch means and cooperating with sensors and with the first calculating instrumentalities, while the aircraft is maneuvered to maintain alignment upon a target of the sighting axis defined by the display means, to produce additional outputs corresponding to the changing values of 1 the velocity vector of the target, and
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
112 words
the velocity vector of the aircraft relative to the ground; C. display means within the pilot''s normal range of forward vision defining a sighting axis that has predetermined angular displacements laterally and vertically relative to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft; D. second switch means responsive to manual aCtuation to place the instrument in a second condition of operation; E. second calculating instrumentalities rendered operative by actuation of said second switch means and cooperating with sensors and with the first calculating instrumentalities, while the aircraft is maneuvered to maintain alignment upon a target of the sighting axis defined by the display means, to produce additional outputs corresponding to the changing values of
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
112 words
the velocity vector of the aircraft relative to the ground; C. display means within the pilot''s normal range of forward vision defining a sighting axis that has predetermined angular displacements laterally and vertically relative to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft; D. second switch means responsive to manual aCtuation to place the instrument in a second condition of operation; E. second calculating instrumentalities rendered operative by actuation of said second switch means and cooperating with sensors and with the first calculating instrumentalities, while the aircraft is maneuvered to maintain alignment upon a target of the sighting axis defined by the display means, to produce additional outputs corresponding to the changing values of
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
68 words
the rates of pull up and roll required for the aircraft to achieve said required velocity vector at said calculated time; G. means connected with the last named calculating means and with the sighting symbol display means for positioning the command display signal in accordance with the calculated values of required pull up and roll; and H. means for issuing a bomb release impulse at said calculated time.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
68 words
the rates of pull up and roll required for the aircraft to achieve said required velocity vector at said calculated time; G. means connected with the last named calculating means and with the sighting symbol display means for positioning the command display signal in accordance with the calculated values of required pull up and roll; and H. means for issuing a bomb release impulse at said calculated time.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
80 words
The bombing instrument of claim 2 wherein said display means comprises a transparent screen within the normal forward field of vision of the pilot of the aircraft, further comprising: D. means for displaying on said transparent screen a symbol which defines said sight axis; and E. manually adjustable mans for so controlling the position of said sight axis symbol that the sight axis defined thereby can have a predetermined inclination, laterally and vertically, to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
181 words
Means for defining for the pilot of a weapon carrying aircraft a sighting axis which the pilot can align with a selected target by maneuvering the aircraft and thereby so aim the aircraft that a weapon released therefrom will follow a trajectory that terminates in a desired relationship to the target, said means comprising: A. sight means for displaying within the pilot''s normal forward field of vision a symbol which denotes a point on the sighting axis and which is movable to and from a position corresponding to a predetermined angular relationship of the sighting axis to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft; B. calculating means operatively associated with sensing transducers in the aircraft for calculating the velocity vector of the aircraft relative to the ground and for producing outputs which correspond to the changing values of the calculated velocity vector; and C. means so connecting said calculating means with said sight means as to cause displacement of said symbol from said position in correspondence with divergence of the calculated velocity vector from parallelism with the longitudinal axis of the aircraft.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
181 words
Means for defining for the pilot of a weapon carrying aircraft a sighting axis which the pilot can align with a selected target by maneuvering the aircraft and thereby so aim the aircraft that a weapon released therefrom will follow a trajectory that terminates in a desired relationship to the target, said means comprising: A. sight means for displaying within the pilot''s normal forward field of vision a symbol which denotes a point on the sighting axis and which is movable to and from a position corresponding to a predetermined angular relationship of the sighting axis to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft; B. calculating means operatively associated with sensing transducers in the aircraft for calculating the velocity vector of the aircraft relative to the ground and for producing outputs which correspond to the changing values of the calculated velocity vector; and C. means so connecting said calculating means with said sight means as to cause displacement of said symbol from said position in correspondence with divergence of the calculated velocity vector from parallelism with the longitudinal axis of the aircraft.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 4, further comprised: D. means comprising a manually adjustable control for establishing said position in a predetermined laterally divergent relationship to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising: D. means comprising a manually adjustable control for establishing said position in a predetermined downwardly divergent relationship to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising: E. means comprising a further manually adjustable control for establishing said position in a laterally divergent relationship to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft; and F. means for limiting the lateral divergence of said position in correspondence with the amount of vertical divergence thereof.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
76 words
A bombing instrument for a piloted aircraft, for effecting accurate release of a bomb from the aircraft onto a target that has relative motion transversely to the flight path of the aircraft at the beginning of the bombing attack, and which instrument cooperates with transducer means in the aircraft that produce signals corresponding to variables measurable at the aircraft, said bombing instrument comprising: A. sighting symbol display means within the pilot''s normal range of visiOn providing
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
76 words
A bombing instrument for a piloted aircraft, for effecting accurate release of a bomb from the aircraft onto a target that has relative motion transversely to the flight path of the aircraft at the beginning of the bombing attack, and which instrument cooperates with transducer means in the aircraft that produce signals corresponding to variables measurable at the aircraft, said bombing instrument comprising: A. sighting symbol display means within the pilot''s normal range of visiOn providing
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
134 words
An instrument for use in making a bombing attack with a piloted aircraft against a target that has a component of relative motion transverse to the flight path of the aircraft at the initiation of the bombing attack, and by which instrument a bomb release impulse in automatically issued when a bomb released from the aircraft will have a trajectory that terminates in a desired relationship to the target, said instrument being cooperable with sensors in the aircraft that produce outputs corresponding to quantities measurable at the aircraft and comprising: A. first switch means responsive to manual actuation to place the instrument in a first condition of operation; B. first calculating instrumentalities rendered operative by actuation of said first switch means and cooperating with sensors to produce outputs corresponding to the changing values of
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
134 words
An instrument for use in making a bombing attack with a piloted aircraft against a target that has a component of relative motion transverse to the flight path of the aircraft at the initiation of the bombing attack, and by which instrument a bomb release impulse in automatically issued when a bomb released from the aircraft will have a trajectory that terminates in a desired relationship to the target, said instrument being cooperable with sensors in the aircraft that produce outputs corresponding to quantities measurable at the aircraft and comprising: A. first switch means responsive to manual actuation to place the instrument in a first condition of operation; B. first calculating instrumentalities rendered operative by actuation of said first switch means and cooperating with sensors to produce outputs corresponding to the changing values of
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
134 words
An instrument for use in making a bombing attack with a piloted aircraft against a target that has a component of relative motion transverse to the flight path of the aircraft at the initiation of the bombing attack, and by which instrument a bomb release impulse is automatically issued when a bomb released from the aircraft will have a trajectory that terminates in a desired relationship to the target, said instrument being cooperable with sensors in the aircraft that produce outputs corresponding to quantities measurable at the aircraft and comprising: A. first switch means responsive to manual actuation to place the instrument in a first condition of operation; B. first calculating instrumentalities rendered operative by actuation of said first switch means and cooperating with sensors to produce outputs corresponding to the changing values of
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
134 words
An instrument for use in making a bombing attack with a piloted aircraft against a target that has a component of relative motion transverse to the flight path of the aircraft at the initiation of the bombing attack, and by which instrument a bomb release impulse is automatically issued when a bomb released from the aircraft will have a trajectory that terminates in a desired relationship to the target, said instrument being cooperable with sensors in the aircraft that produce outputs corresponding to quantities measurable at the aircraft and comprising: A. first switch means responsive to manual actuation to place the instrument in a first condition of operation; B. first calculating instrumentalities rendered operative by actuation of said first switch means and cooperating with sensors to produce outputs corresponding to the changing values of
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
210 words
Means for use in making a bombing attack with a piloted aircraft to enable a bomb to be released from the aircraft along a trajectory that terminates in a desired relationship to a target selected by the aircraft pilot and which target can be one having relative motion transverse to the flight path of the aircraft at the beginning of the bombing attack, said means cooperating with transducers in the aircraft that produce signals corresponding to variables measurable at the aircraft, and said means comprising: A. sighting means for displaying within the pilot''s normal field of vision a sight axis symbol having a predeterminable relationship to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft and which the pilot can maintain aligned with a target by maneuvering the aircraft; B. manually adjustable means for displacing said sight axis symbol laterally so that the sight axis defined by the symbol can be at a laterally oblique angle to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft; C. switch means manually operable by the pilot when the sight axis defined by said symbol is aligned with a selected target; D. first computer means, rendered operative by said switch means and cooperating with the transducers and said manually adjustable means for displacing the sight axis symbol, for calculating
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
210 words
Means for use in making a bombing attack with a piloted aircraft to enable a bomb to be released from the aircraft along a trajectory that terminates in a desired relationship to a target selected by the aircraft pilot and which target can be one having relative motion transverse to the flight path of the aircraft at the beginning of the bombing attack, said means cooperating with transducers in the aircraft that produce signals corresponding to variables measurable at the aircraft, and said means comprising: A. sighting means for displaying within the pilot''s normal field of vision a sight axis symbol having a predeterminable relationship to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft and which the pilot can maintain aligned with a target by maneuvering the aircraft; B. manually adjustable means for displacing said sight axis symbol laterally so that the sight axis defined by the symbol can be at a laterally oblique angle to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft; C. switch means manually operable by the pilot when the sight axis defined by said symbol is aligned with a selected target; D. first computer means, rendered operative by said switch means and cooperating with the transducers and said manually adjustable means for displacing the sight axis symbol, for calculating
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) | 1975-09-05 | 1976-03-06 | 1976-09-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-05 | 1980-03-06 | 1980-09-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-05 | 1984-03-06 | 1984-09-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |