US3780967A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Homing missile
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1972-07-03
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Granted: 1973-12-25
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Expires: 1992-07-03
Abstract
Abstract A uniform array of quasi-optical horn shaped baffles are carried on the hemispherical nose of a missile. The horns are so made that each one has a field-of-view of a discrete portion of the space around the missile nose. Each horn is generally a hollow wedge with its point on the longitudinal axis of the missile, its open base on the nose of the missile, and with a photocell inside near its point. A discrete horn provides an output from its photocell for a particular point-source target. Each output causes a unique output from a digital-to-analog converter. The output of the converter is the input to a controller for the steering fins of the missile.
Inventors
- 👤 E Evers
- 👤 R Morgan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 18:37
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41G; F41G7/00; F41G7/20; F41G7/22; F41G7/2253; F41G7/2273; F41G7/2286; F41G7/2293; F42; F42B; F42B15/00; F42B15/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A target homing missile including a body with a nose and with steering means on said body; a plurality of target sensors arranged in a cruciform on said nose, each sensor being a horn antenna with a detector for quasi-optical radiation in the throat thereof, each horn subtending angles sufficient to cover a discrete portion of space around said nose, a digital-to-analog converter means connected to said sensors, whereby said converter means provides an analog signal dependent on which sensor detects a target; and missile guiding means connected to said converting means for controlling said steering means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
A target homing missile including a body with a nose and with steering means on said body; a plurality of target sensors arranged in a cruciform on said nose, each sensor being a horn antenna with a detector for quasi-optical radiation in the throat thereof, each horn subtending angles sufficient to cover a discrete portion of space around said nose, a digital-to-analog converter means connected to said sensors, whereby said converter means provides an analog signal dependent on which sensor detects a target; and missile guiding means connected to said converting means for controlling said steering means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
The missile as set forth in claim 1 wherein said horns are generally wedge shaped and are arranged in two perpendicular groups, wherein the horns of one group have common side walls, and the horns of the other group are arranged in two subgroups with the horns of the subgroups having common side walls.
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) | 1976-12-24 | 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 |