Patent US3860199A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3860199A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Laser-guided projectile system
Assignee: SHIP SYSTEMS Inc
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Filing: 1973-12-17
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Granted: 1975-01-14
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Expires: 1993-12-17
Abstract
Abstract A method and system is disclosed for guiding a spinning inflight projectile by determining the deviation of the projectile from an optimum trajectory along which the projectile would impact a target, and transmitting a signal to the projectile to subject the projectile to a correctional impulse acting substantially through the center of gravity of the projectile of sufficient magnitude to translate the projectile toward the optimum trajectory.
Inventors
- 👤 Brian B Dunne
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:58
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42B; F42B10/00; F42B10/60; F42B10/66; F42B10/661; F41; F41G; F41G7/00; F41G7/20; F41G7/24; F41G7/26; F41G7/266; F41G7/30; F41G7/301; F41G7/305
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A method for guiding a spinning projectile or the like having at least one discrete mass releasably mounted in the projectile with the center of gravity of said mass located in a plane substantially normal to the axis of the projectile and passing proximate to the center of gravity of the projectile, said method comprising the steps of; determining the deviation of the projectile from an optimum trajectory along which the projectile would impact a target, transmitting a predetermined signal to said projectile, receiving said signal by said projectile, and releasing at least one of said masses from said projectile in response to receipt of said predetermined signal by said projectile in a manner to impart a correctional momentum to said projectile sufficient to translate said projectile toward said optimum trajectory.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
131 words
A method for guiding a spinning projectile or the like having at least one discrete mass releasably mounted in the projectile with the center of gravity of said mass located in a plane substantially normal to the axis of the projectile and passing proximate to the center of gravity of the projectile, said method comprising the steps of; determining the deviation of the projectile from an optimum trajectory along which the projectile would impact a target, transmitting a predetermined signal to said projectile, receiving said signal by said projectile, and releasing at least one of said masses from said projectile in response to receipt of said predetermined signal by said projectile in a manner to impart a correctional momentum to said projectile sufficient to translate said projectile toward said optimum trajectory.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
74 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said projectile includes chemical propellant means cooperative with said discrete masses to effect release of said masses from said projectile upon selective detonation of said chemical propellant means, and wherein said predetermined signal to said projectile is transmitted and received in a manner to selectively detonate a propellant means and release at least one of said discrete masses to impart said correctional momentum to said projectile.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said correctional momentum applied to said projectile is imparted in a radial direction relative to the axis of said projectile.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
82 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said chemical propellant means comprises high explosive means cooperative with said masses to selectively release at least one of said masses from said projectile upon selective detonation of said explosive means, and wherein said step of transmitting said predetermined signal to said projectile and receiving said signal by said projectile are sequenced in a manner to effect said selective detonation and release at least one of said masses to impart said correctional momentum to said projectile.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for making an in-flight correction of the trajectory of a spinning projectile, comprising the steps of selectively subjecting the projectile to a correctional impulse essentially at a right angle to the axis of the missile and passing adjacent the center of gravity of the missile, said impulse being created by a detonation of sufficient magnitude and direction to change the trajectory traveled by the projectile at the time of impulse to a desired trajectory thereby to substantially improve the probability of the projectile hitting a predetermined target.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for making an in-flight correction of the trajectory of a spinning projectile, comprising the steps of selectively subjecting the projectile to a correctional impulse essentially at a right angle to the axis of the missile and passing adjacent the center of gravity of the missile, said impulse being created by a detonation of sufficient magnitude and direction to change the trajectory traveled by the projectile at the time of impulse to a desired trajectory thereby to substantially improve the probability of the projectile hitting a predetermined target.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as defined in claim 5 wherein said projectile has high explosive impulse reaction means thereon, and wherein said correctional impulse is created by selectively detonating said high explosive impulse reaction means.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
237 words
A method for guiding a spinning projectile to a target, said projectile having at least one discrete guidance mass mounted thereon with the center of gravity of said guidance masses located substantially in a plane normal to the projectile axis and passing substantially through the center of gravity of the projectile, said discrete masses being adapted to be accelerated outwardly from said projectile in a generally radial direction to provide a correctional momentum to the spinning projectile and translate it laterally into an optimum trajectory so that the probability of impact with a chosen target is improved, said method comprising the steps of transmitting to said projectile a signal representative of the angular position of a predetermined surface point on said projectile relative to a projected vertical, transmitting to said projectile a signal representative of the instantaneous angle of the projectile relative to said projected vertical, transmitting to said projectile a signal representative of the distance of the projectile from an optimum trajectory path, transmitting to said projeCtile a signal representative of the distance that the projectile is along its trajectory path, receiving said transmitted signals by said projectile and effecting release of at least one of said guidance masses from said projectile in response to receipt of said signals, thereby effecting lateral translation of said projectile in a manner to establish a trajectory which increases the probability of impact of the projectile with the intended target.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
237 words
A method for guiding a spinning projectile to a target, said projectile having at least one discrete guidance mass mounted thereon with the center of gravity of said guidance masses located substantially in a plane normal to the projectile axis and passing substantially through the center of gravity of the projectile, said discrete masses being adapted to be accelerated outwardly from said projectile in a generally radial direction to provide a correctional momentum to the spinning projectile and translate it laterally into an optimum trajectory so that the probability of impact with a chosen target is improved, said method comprising the steps of transmitting to said projectile a signal representative of the angular position of a predetermined surface point on said projectile relative to a projected vertical, transmitting to said projectile a signal representative of the instantaneous angle of the projectile relative to said projected vertical, transmitting to said projectile a signal representative of the distance of the projectile from an optimum trajectory path, transmitting to said projeCtile a signal representative of the distance that the projectile is along its trajectory path, receiving said transmitted signals by said projectile and effecting release of at least one of said guidance masses from said projectile in response to receipt of said signals, thereby effecting lateral translation of said projectile in a manner to establish a trajectory which increases the probability of impact of the projectile with the intended target.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as defined in claim 7 wherein said projectile includes a plurality of discrete guidance masses, and repeating the sequence of steps as required to maintain the desired trajectory of said projectile.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
119 words
A missile guidance system for guiding a spinning projectile or the like having impulse reaction means mounted in the projectile with the center of gravity of said impulse reaction means located in a plane substantially normal to the axis of the projectile, said system including laser beam means for transmitting a predetermined signal to said projectile, said projectile having means therein responsive to receipt of said predetermined signal for determining the deviation of the projectile from an optimum trajectory along which the projectile would impact a target and for effecting an impulse reaction by said impulse reaction means in a manner to impart a correctional momentum to said projectile and cause said projectile to translate toward said optimum trajectory.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
119 words
A missile guidance system for guiding a spinning projectile or the like having impulse reaction means mounted in the projectile with the center of gravity of said impulse reaction means located in a plane substantially normal to the axis of the projectile, said system including laser beam means for transmitting a predetermined signal to said projectile, said projectile having means therein responsive to receipt of said predetermined signal for determining the deviation of the projectile from an optimum trajectory along which the projectile would impact a target and for effecting an impulse reaction by said impulse reaction means in a manner to impart a correctional momentum to said projectile and cause said projectile to translate toward said optimum trajectory.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
74 words
A system as defined in claim 9 wherein said impulse reaction means includes one or more discrete masses releasably mounted in said projectile, and high explosive means cooperative with said discrete masses to effect release of said masses from said projectile upon selected detonation of said high explosive means, and wherein said predetermined signal is effective to selectively detonate said high explosive means and effect release of at least one of said discrete masses.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
277 words
A system for guiding and reducing the aim dispersion of a spinning projectile or the like to a target, comprising, in combination, at least one small discrete guidance mass mounted on the projectile with the center of gravity of said guidance mass located substantially in a plane normal to the projectile axis and passing through the center of gravity of the projectile, each of said guidance masses being capable of being accelerated outwardly in a generally radial direction to provide a correctional momentum to the projectile and bring it into a more optimum trajectory so that the probability of impact with a chosen target is improved, computer means contained within the projectile and capable of receiving input data signals transmitted to the projectile, laser beam means capable of transmitting input signals from a source to the projectile, means for transmitting to said projectile along said laser beam means a signal representative of the vector from the optimum trajectory point to the projectile, measured in a plane perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the laser beam, means for transmitting to said projectile along said laser beam means a signal representative of the direction of the true vertical, means for transmitting to said projectile along said laser beam means a signal representative of the distance that the projectile is along its trajectory, said computer means being operable to effect acceleration of at least one of said guidance masses outwardly from the projectile in response to receipt of said signals to impart a correctional impulse momentum to the projectile sufficient to bring it into a trajectory which increases the probability of impact of the projectile with a predetermined target.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
277 words
A system for guiding and reducing the aim dispersion of a spinning projectile or the like to a target, comprising, in combination, at least one small discrete guidance mass mounted on the projectile with the center of gravity of said guidance mass located substantially in a plane normal to the projectile axis and passing through the center of gravity of the projectile, each of said guidance masses being capable of being accelerated outwardly in a generally radial direction to provide a correctional momentum to the projectile and bring it into a more optimum trajectory so that the probability of impact with a chosen target is improved, computer means contained within the projectile and capable of receiving input data signals transmitted to the projectile, laser beam means capable of transmitting input signals from a source to the projectile, means for transmitting to said projectile along said laser beam means a signal representative of the vector from the optimum trajectory point to the projectile, measured in a plane perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the laser beam, means for transmitting to said projectile along said laser beam means a signal representative of the direction of the true vertical, means for transmitting to said projectile along said laser beam means a signal representative of the distance that the projectile is along its trajectory, said computer means being operable to effect acceleration of at least one of said guidance masses outwardly from the projectile in response to receipt of said signals to impart a correctional impulse momentum to the projectile sufficient to bring it into a trajectory which increases the probability of impact of the projectile with a predetermined target.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
A missile guidance system as defined in claim 9 wherein said means in said projectile responsive to receipt of said predetermined signal includes microcircuit computational element means disposed within said projectile.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
122 words
A projectile for use in a system operative to guide a projectile between a guidance laser source and a predetermined target substantIally along an optimum trajectory, said projectile having impulse reaction means mounted thereon including means capable of being detonated in a manner to effect a net impulse force on the projectile which acts substantially in a plane normal to the projectile axis and passes through the center of gravity of the projectile, and means cooperative with said impulse reaction means and responsive to a predetermined signal to effect detonation of said detonation means to provide a correctional momentum to the projectile to birng it into a trajectory which will increase the probability of impact of the projectile with the predetermined target.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
122 words
A projectile for use in a system operative to guide a projectile between a guidance laser source and a predetermined target substantIally along an optimum trajectory, said projectile having impulse reaction means mounted thereon including means capable of being detonated in a manner to effect a net impulse force on the projectile which acts substantially in a plane normal to the projectile axis and passes through the center of gravity of the projectile, and means cooperative with said impulse reaction means and responsive to a predetermined signal to effect detonation of said detonation means to provide a correctional momentum to the projectile to birng it into a trajectory which will increase the probability of impact of the projectile with the predetermined target.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
67 words
A projectile as defined in claim 13 wherein said impulse reaction means includes at least one discrete guidance mass releasably mounted in said projectile substantially in a plane normal to the axis of the projectile and passing substantially through the center of gravity thereof, said detonation means being capable of effecting release of at least one of said masses from said projectile to provide said correctional momentum.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
A projectile as defined in claim 14 wherein said detonation means includes high explosive means selectively detonatable to effect release of at least one of said discrete masses.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
45 words
A projectile as defined in claim 14 wherein each of said discrete masses is selectively releasable outwardly relative to the center of gravity of said projectile to effect an impulse momentum force which acts in a corrective manner to provide said momentum to said projectile.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
75 words
A projectile as defined in claim 13 wherein said impulse reaction means includes a long groove formed in a housing portion of said projectile, and high explosive means disposed within said long groove and capable of being detonated in a manner to establish a net impulse force on the projectile which acts substantially in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the projectile and passes substantially through the center of gravity of the projectile.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
60 words
A projectile as defined in claim 17 wherein said long groove extends about the periphery of said projectile housing and is balanced relative to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the projectile and passing through the center of gravity thereof, said high explosive means including a high explosive material capable of high order detonation upon selective detonation thereof.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
38 words
A projectile as defined in claim 17 wherein said projectile includes a plurality of said long grooves, the explosive contained therein being detonable in a sequence of steps as required to maintain the desired trajectory of said projectile.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
A projectile as defined in claim 17 including an annular generally cylindrically shaped wall overlying said long groove.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3642233A
Cited
US3614025A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-01-13 | 1978-07-15 | 1979-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-13 | 1982-07-15 | 1983-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-13 | 1986-07-15 | 1987-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |