US3875863A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Depth charge
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1971-06-25
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Granted: 1975-04-08
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Expires: 1991-06-25
Abstract
Abstract A time delay depth charge having a water actuated switch, an adjustable tr, and a firing circuit. The switch is actuated by submersion and operates to enable the timer: the timer triggers the firing circuit after a pre-selected period of time; and the firing circuit, thus triggered, provides an electrical output pulse for detonating the explosive charge.
Inventors
- 👤 Darrell A Bymoen
- 👤 John H Stevens
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 08:39
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42C; F42C11/00; F42C11/008; F42C11/001; F42C11/005; F42D; F42D1/00; F42D1/04; F42D1/045; F42D1/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
192 words
A depth charge having a time delay, wherein the charge is not enabled until submerged in a solution, and not detonable for a predetermined time thereafter, comprising: a power source; circuit means for providing the electrical output of said charge; timing means coupled to said circuit means for preventing said circuit means from providing said charge output for a predetermined period of time after said timing means is enabled; switching means for coupling said timing means to said power source and enabling said timing means when said switching means is submerged in said solution; selecting means included in said timing means for selecting one of a plurality of available time delays in providing said charge output after said timing means is enabled; a storage capacitor and a unijunction transistor also included in said timing means wherein the first terminal of said storage capacitor is coupled to a first terminal of said unijunction transistor and their junction is coupled to said selecting means, the second terminals of said capacitor and said unijunction transistor are coupled to said switching means, and the third terminal of said unijunction transistor is coupled to said circuit means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
192 words
A depth charge having a time delay, wherein the charge is not enabled until submerged in a solution, and not detonable for a predetermined time thereafter, comprising: a power source; circuit means for providing the electrical output of said charge; timing means coupled to said circuit means for preventing said circuit means from providing said charge output for a predetermined period of time after said timing means is enabled; switching means for coupling said timing means to said power source and enabling said timing means when said switching means is submerged in said solution; selecting means included in said timing means for selecting one of a plurality of available time delays in providing said charge output after said timing means is enabled; a storage capacitor and a unijunction transistor also included in said timing means wherein the first terminal of said storage capacitor is coupled to a first terminal of said unijunction transistor and their junction is coupled to said selecting means, the second terminals of said capacitor and said unijunction transistor are coupled to said switching means, and the third terminal of said unijunction transistor is coupled to said circuit means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The charge of claim 1 wherein said switching means is a water actuated switch including a transistor and a first switch wherein said transistor is non-conductive until said first switch is submerged in an electrically conductive solution.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The charge of claim 1 wherein said selecting means is a second switch having a plurality of terminals, each connected to a resistor, wherein each resistor differs in resistance from each other resistor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The charge of claim 3 wherein each of the plurality of said resistors of said selecting means has one terminal coupled to an electrical junction common to all of said resistors and said common junction is coupled to the junction of said capacitor and unijunction transistor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The charge of claim 4 wherein said circuit means includes a silicon controlled rectifier wherein its cathode terminal is coupled to said capacitor, its gate terminal is coupled to said third terminal of said unijunction transistor, and its anode is coupled to the charge output terminal.
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) | 1978-04-07 | 1978-10-07 | 1979-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-07 | 1982-10-07 | 1983-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-07 | 1986-10-07 | 1987-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |