US3741111A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical target sensor
Assignee: Motorola Solutions Inc
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Filing: 1971-03-19
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Granted: 1973-06-26
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Expires: 1991-03-19
Abstract
Abstract An optical target sensor mounted on a projectile, produces a fuzing signal when two light sensitive devices which are mounted on the projectile sense light pulses which are separated by a fixed time interval. One of the light sensors is mounted to be exposed to light pulses which are projected towards and beyond the projectile by an illuminator. The other light sensor is mounted to be exposed to the illuminator light which is reflected from the general target area. The range at which a fuzing signal occurs is controlled by setting the time difference required between the two pulses. No radiation occurs from the target sensor because it receives its signals as a result of radiation from the illuminator. The light projector or illuminator may comprise a pulsed laser.
Inventors
- 👤 C Brenner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 23:32
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42C; F42C13/00; F42C13/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
In a projectile exploding system including means for transmitting light pulses to a projectile and to a target, an explosive projectile portion for travelling toward said target having a charge carrying portion and a front or nose portion, said front or nose portioN including: two photosensitive devices, an opaque member between said photosensitive devices, a hollow cone extending from the front of said nose portions towards one of said photosensitive devices, the large end of said cone being towards said front, a transparent layer extending across the rear of said front portion, said other photosensitive device being in light transfer relation to the center of a side of said transparent layer, the edges of said transparent layer extending beyond said charge carrying shell portion, both sides of said transparent layer except for said center of said side of said center of said side of said transparent layer and an annular portion of the other side of said transparent layer being coated with a light reflective layer, the uncovered portion of said other side of said transparent layer being shaped and positioned to receive light from behind said charge carrying shell portion, and means on said projectile to explode said charge upon light being exposed to both of said photosensitive devices.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
210 words
In a projectile exploding system including means for transmitting light pulses to a projectile and to a target, an explosive projectile portion for travelling toward said target having a charge carrying portion and a front or nose portion, said front or nose portioN including: two photosensitive devices, an opaque member between said photosensitive devices, a hollow cone extending from the front of said nose portions towards one of said photosensitive devices, the large end of said cone being towards said front, a transparent layer extending across the rear of said front portion, said other photosensitive device being in light transfer relation to the center of a side of said transparent layer, the edges of said transparent layer extending beyond said charge carrying shell portion, both sides of said transparent layer except for said center of said side of said center of said side of said transparent layer and an annular portion of the other side of said transparent layer being coated with a light reflective layer, the uncovered portion of said other side of said transparent layer being shaped and positioned to receive light from behind said charge carrying shell portion, and means on said projectile to explode said charge upon light being exposed to both of said photosensitive devices.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 1 in which the center of said other side of said transparent layer is formed to direct light to said second photosensitive device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The invention of claim 1 in which a laser producing pulsed light is provided to project light towards the back of said projectile whereby light from said laser is applied to said second photosensitive device and light reflected from a target is applied to said one photosensitive device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
199 words
In a projectile exploding system including means for transmitting light pulses to a projectile and to a target, an explosive projectile portion for travelling toward said target including: two light sensitive devices on said projectile portion, means on said projectile portion for receiving light pulses transmitted from said transmitting means at a particular instant and applying same to one of said light sensitive devices, means on said projectile portion for receiving light pulses transmitted from said transmitting means at said particular instant but after reflection from said target and applying same to the other of said light sensitive devices, means for developing a first signal upon receipt of a direct light pulse by said one of said light sensitive means, means for developing a second signal upon receipt of a reflected light pulse by said other one of said light sensitive means, time delay means for receiving said first signal and for developing a third signal in response thereto after a predetermined time delay, coincidence means for receiving said third and said second signals and developing an output signal when said third and said second signals coincide, and means responsive to said output signal for generating a firing signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
199 words
In a projectile exploding system including means for transmitting light pulses to a projectile and to a target, an explosive projectile portion for travelling toward said target including: two light sensitive devices on said projectile portion, means on said projectile portion for receiving light pulses transmitted from said transmitting means at a particular instant and applying same to one of said light sensitive devices, means on said projectile portion for receiving light pulses transmitted from said transmitting means at said particular instant but after reflection from said target and applying same to the other of said light sensitive devices, means for developing a first signal upon receipt of a direct light pulse by said one of said light sensitive means, means for developing a second signal upon receipt of a reflected light pulse by said other one of said light sensitive means, time delay means for receiving said first signal and for developing a third signal in response thereto after a predetermined time delay, coincidence means for receiving said third and said second signals and developing an output signal when said third and said second signals coincide, and means responsive to said output signal for generating a firing signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system according to claim 4 wherein said time delay means comprises a monostable multivibrator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system according to claim 4 wherein said means for receiving said light pulses transmitted from said source comprises a rearwardly directed optical system, and wherein said means for receiving said pulses of light reflected from said target comprises a forwardly directed optical system.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system according to claim 6 wherein said rearwardly directed optical system comprises a circular prism having a peripherally circular light receiving surface and a centrally circular light directing surface, and said forwardly directed optical system comprises an optical lens.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system according to claim 4 wherein said two light sensitive devices comprise two photosensitive diodes spaced axially from each other and including an opaque surface between them.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-25 | 1976-12-25 | 1977-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-25 | 1980-12-25 | 1981-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-25 | 1984-12-25 | 1985-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |