US3780653A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Seismic inhibit circuit for rf mine sensor
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1971-09-07
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Granted: 1973-12-25
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Expires: 1991-09-07
Abstract
Abstract An inhibiting circuit used in conjunction with a means for detecting the presence of personnel and other moving objects and detonating a mine proximate thereto. The circuit includes a seismic transducer positioned to detect vibrations of relatively heavy moving objects and provide an output signal responsive to such movement, which is then amplified, rectified, filtered, and inverted. The inverted output, which is at ground level only when a seismic signal is present and at some positive level at all other times, is applied to one input of an inhibit gate. The other inhibit gate input is derived from the output of said detecting means which consists of a positive signal when it detects a moving object. The output of the gate is connected to the control element of a silicon controlled rectifier that in turn is connected to detonate a selected land mine. Thus, the mine will only be detonated upon receipt of the positive output of the gate which is dependent on having applied thereto a pair of positive inputs. Such inputs are only present in the absence of a seismic signal and in the presence of a moving object. Therefore the mine cannot be detonated by a large, heavy, moving object such as a tank.
Inventors
- 👤 R Stinchcomb
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 14:06
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42C; F42C11/00; F42C11/001; F42C11/007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
In a system for sensing the presence of a moving object such as a person, and upon such detection providing a command signal to the electrical detonator of a mine for detonation thereof, an inhibit circuit for preventing detonation in the presence of a heavy moving object such as a vehicle which comprises: a seismic detection means for providing an output signal only in the absence of seismic vibrations proximate said mine, an inhibit means having a pair of inputs and providing an output only during the simultaneous application of input signals at both of said pairs of inputs, means connecting said command signal to one of said pair of inputs and connecting the output of said seismic means to the other of said pair of inputs, whereby when said output of said inhibit means is connected to said detonator said system will only detonate said mine in the absence of a seismic signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
In a system for sensing the presence of a moving object such as a person, and upon such detection providing a command signal to the electrical detonator of a mine for detonation thereof, an inhibit circuit for preventing detonation in the presence of a heavy moving object such as a vehicle which comprises: a seismic detection means for providing an output signal only in the absence of seismic vibrations proximate said mine, an inhibit means having a pair of inputs and providing an output only during the simultaneous application of input signals at both of said pairs of inputs, means connecting said command signal to one of said pair of inputs and connecting the output of said seismic means to the other of said pair of inputs, whereby when said output of said inhibit means is connected to said detonator said system will only detonate said mine in the absence of a seismic signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein said seismic detection means includes: a seismic transduceR for providing a seismic electrical signal output coupled to the input of a signal inverter having its output connected to said one of said pair of inhibit means inputs.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system according to claim 2 wherein said inhibit means is an AND gate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system according to claim 3 wherein said AND gate includes a pair of diodes having their outputs coupled together.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system according to claim 4 further including: the series combination of a rectifier and a filter connected intermediate said transducer and said inverter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system according to claim 5 wherein said detonator includes a silicon controlled rectifier having its trigger electrode connected to said output of said AND gate for activating said mine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
The system according to claim 6 including a wide area sensor which includes an r.f. transmitter for generating a radiated signal, a receiver spaced from said transmitter for receiving both said direct radiated signal and said radiated signal reflected from an object and providing a command signal only when said object is in motion and proximate said mine.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
47 words
The method of inhibiting a command signal in the presence of a heavy moving object which includes the steps of: detecting the seismic vibrations generated by said object, converting said vibrations into an electrical signal, inverting said electrical signal, gating said command signal with said inverted signal.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
47 words
The method of inhibiting a command signal in the presence of a heavy moving object which includes the steps of: detecting the seismic vibrations generated by said object, converting said vibrations into an electrical signal, inverting said electrical signal, gating said command signal with said inverted signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 8 further including: amplifying, rectifying and filtering said converted signal prior to said step of inverting.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 9 wherein said gating is gating off in an AND gate.
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) | 1976-12-24 | 1977-06-25 | 1977-12-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-24 | 1981-06-25 | 1981-12-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-24 | 1985-06-25 | 1985-12-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |