Patent US5178685A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3766562A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3766562A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Control of electron density enveloping hypersonic vehicles
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
•
Filing: 1972-06-21
•
Granted: 1973-10-16
•
Expires: 1992-06-21
Abstract
Abstract A device wherein a portion of an electrical conducting interface of a vehicle in hypersonic flight is electrically biased relative to the surrounding plasma to cause currents to pass thru the plasma. Proper selection of the bias causes a current to pass thru the plasma, thru a battery-type device and into the vehicle wake to thereby reduce the electron density and/or alter the electron distribution enveloping the vehicle. Reduction of the electron density and/or alteration of the electron distribution in the plasma increases the accuracy of communications to or from the vehicle to permit proper functioning of vehicle communications, guidance, arming and fuzing as well as other possible onboard equipment.
Inventors
- 👤 I Pollin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 11:20
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q1/00; H01Q1/27; H01Q1/28; H01Q1/281; H05; H05H; H05H1/00; H05H1/0006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
Means for reducing the electron density and altering the electron distribution in the plasma enveloping a vehicle in hypersonic flight to enable communications to and from said vehicle comprising means for impressing an electric field across said plasma to cause a predetermined current to pass from one location of the plasma to said vehicle and back into said plasma at another location, said applied electric field and power requirements being determined by the procedure:
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
Means for reducing the electron density and altering the electron distribution in the plasma enveloping a vehicle in hypersonic flight to enable communications to and from said vehicle comprising means for impressing an electric field across said plasma to cause a predetermined current to pass from one location of the plasma to said vehicle and back into said plasma at another location, said applied electric field and power requirements being determined by the procedure:
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
Means for reducing the electron density in plasma as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for impressing said voltage comprises a switch means and an electric field generating device, said electric field generating device having a first terminal thereof connected to a conductive portion of the vehicle interface in the enveloping air and a second terminal connected through said switching means into a second location in the plasma, such as the wake of said vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
Means for reducing the electron density in plasma as set forth in claim 2 wherein said vehicle has an electrically insulated window disposed rearwardly of said conductive portion of said vehicle interface to provide a communication channel through said window.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
Means for altering the electron distribution in plasma as set forth in claim 2 wherein said vehicle has an electro-magnetic window disposed rearwardly of said conductive portion of said vehicle interface to provide a communication channel through said electromagnetic window.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
Means for reducing the electron density in plasma as set forth in claim 3 wherein said electric field is programmed and applied as a function of time and position along said vehicle in accordance with the required communication to or from said vehicle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
Means for altering the electron distribution in plasma as set forth in claim 4 wheRein said electric field is programmed and applied as a function of time and position along the vehicle in accordance with the required communication to or from said vehicle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3544998A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-15 | 1977-04-16 | 1977-10-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-15 | 1981-04-16 | 1981-10-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-15 | 1985-04-16 | 1985-10-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |