Patent US3797394A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3797394A
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Chaff dispenser, method of dispersing chaff
Assignee: ATK Launch Systems LLC
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Filing: 1972-09-11
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Granted: 1974-03-19
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Expires: 1992-09-11
Abstract
Abstract A chaff dispenser for signals and other uses, which ejects from a moving craft and disperses the signal material after a pre-set delay time, comprises an outer case, a canister holding the chaff and explosive charge, a timer, and a parachute. Upon ejection, the timer measures the delay time, releases itself and the parachute which pulls the canister from the outer case. The canister explodes to disperse the chaff. The invention herein described was made in the course of or under contract with the U.S. Air Force (Contract F33657-72-C-0136).
Inventors
- 👤 J Thurston
- 👤 G Adams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 11:29
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42B; F42B10/00; F42B10/32; F42B10/48; F42B10/56; F42B12/00; F42B12/02; F42B12/36; F42B12/56; F42B12/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
A dispenser for chaff, suitable for ejecting from a launching unit, which comprises in combination: an outer case, a releasable timer means for measuring a pre-set delay time, movably attached to the outer case, and adapted to attach to the launching unit, and to release itself from the outer case after measuring the delay time, a container means for holding and explosively dispersing the chaff, movably mounted within the outer case, and activated when removed from the outer case, and a first pulling means for removing the container means from the outer case, said first pulling means connected to the releasable timer means and to the container means, the dispenser adapted and constructed to start the releasable timer means to measure the delay time upon ejecting of the dispenser, and then release itself and activate the first pulling means to pull the container means from the outer case which activates the container mEans to explosively disperse the chaff.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
A dispenser for chaff, suitable for ejecting from a launching unit, which comprises in combination: an outer case, a releasable timer means for measuring a pre-set delay time, movably attached to the outer case, and adapted to attach to the launching unit, and to release itself from the outer case after measuring the delay time, a container means for holding and explosively dispersing the chaff, movably mounted within the outer case, and activated when removed from the outer case, and a first pulling means for removing the container means from the outer case, said first pulling means connected to the releasable timer means and to the container means, the dispenser adapted and constructed to start the releasable timer means to measure the delay time upon ejecting of the dispenser, and then release itself and activate the first pulling means to pull the container means from the outer case which activates the container mEans to explosively disperse the chaff.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
163 words
The chaff dispenser, as in claim 1, wherein the container means for holding and dispersing the chaff is a canister which comprises: a canister shell with a cylindrical tube shape, a first end cap adapted to hold the first pulling means, and attached to one end of the canister shell, a second end cap attached to the other end of the canister shell, connecting means for connecting the canister shell to the first and second end caps, an explosive charge, a detonator charge, a center tube adapted to hold the explosive charge and detonator charge therein, one end of the center tube connected to the first end cap, and the opposite end of the center tube connected to the second end cap, and a means for initiating the detonator charge when the container means is pulled out of the outer case, the chaff being held within the space formed by the canister shell, the first and second end caps, and the center tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The chaff dispenser, as in claim 2, wherein the chaff dispenser further comprises: a first safety means for preventing the container means from being pulled out of the outer case until the pulling means is actuated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The chaff dispenser, as in claim 3, wherein the container means for holding and dispersing the chaff further comprises: a second safety means to prevent the primer from detonating until the container means is completely pulled out of the outer case.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
115 words
The chaff dispenser, as in claim 4, wherein the releasable timer means comprises: an adjustable timer having a starter which actuates upon pulling, said timer adapted to measure a pre-set delay time and connected to the first pulling means, a releasable locking means for attachment of the timer to the outer case, and operably connected to the timer to release after the timer measures the pre-set delay time, and a second pulling means attached to the starter of the adjustable timer and adapted to attach to the launching unit when the dispenser is placed therein, said second pulling means actuating the starter of the timer when the chaff dispenser is ejected from the launching unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The chaff dispenser, as in claim 5, wherein the first pulling means is a parachute.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The chaff dispenser, as in claim 5, wherein the first pulling means is gas pressure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The chaff dispenser, as in claim 7, wherein the first pulling means is gas pressure obtained from a gas generator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The chaff dispenser, as in claim 5, wherein the first pulling means consists of a parachute, and gas pressure operating in unison with the parachute.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of dispersing chaff from a dispenser which is ejected from a moving vehicle to form a well dispersed configuration suitable for decoying a radar guided missile, which dispenser has an outer case and a friable container movably mounted within the case, which comprises: pulling the friable container from the outer case after a predetermined time after ejection, said container having therein an explosive charge substantially surrounded by chaff, and detonating the explosive charge to release the explosive force which disperses the chaff into the predetermined configuration.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of dispersing chaff from a dispenser which is ejected from a moving vehicle to form a well dispersed configuration suitable for decoying a radar guided missile, which dispenser has an outer case and a friable container movably mounted within the case, which comprises: pulling the friable container from the outer case after a predetermined time after ejection, said container having therein an explosive charge substantially surrounded by chaff, and detonating the explosive charge to release the explosive force which disperses the chaff into the predetermined configuration.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-18 | 1977-09-17 | 1978-03-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-18 | 1981-09-17 | 1982-03-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-18 | 1985-09-17 | 1986-03-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |