US3877377A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Proximity Fuze
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1955-01-17
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Granted: 1975-04-15
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Expires: 1975-01-17
Abstract
Abstract 1. In an ordnance ammunition missile, a proximity fuze comprising the combination of: a first proximity element having a first antenna means for directing radiation generally forwardly with respect to the direction of missile flight, a first oscillator-detector operating at a first frequency and connected to said first antenna means, said first oscillator-detector being so constructed and arranged that the reflected signal from a target received by said first antenna means combines with the signal being radiated thereby to produce a first doppler signal at the output of said first oscillator-detector, and a first amplifier connected to said first oscillator-detector for amplifying said first doppler signal; a second proximity element having a second antenna means for directing radiation generally laterally with respect to the direction of missile flight, a second oscillator-detector operating at a second frequency and connected to said second antenna means, said second oscillatordetector being so constructed and arranged that the reflected signal from a target received by said second antenna means combines with the signal being radiated thereby to produce a second doppler signal at the output of said second oscillatordetector, and a second amplifier connected to said second oscillator-detector for amplifying said second doppler signal; an amplitude comparison circuit connected to the outputs of said first and second amplifiers which produces a firing signal when said outputs attain a predetermined ratio; and a detonator connected to said amplitude comparison circuit so that if a target is in a relation to the radiation fields of the first and second antenna means such that it reflects signals which produce said predetermined ratio, said firing signal will fire said detonator.
Inventors
- 👤 Jacob Rabinow
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 15:23
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42C; F42C13/00; F42C13/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
270 words
In an ordnance ammunition missile, a proximity fuze comprising the combination of: a first proximity element having a first antenna means for directing radiation generally forwardly with respect to the direction of missile flight, a first oscillator-detector operating at a first frequency and connected to said first antenna means, said first oscillator-detector being so constructed and arranged that the reflected signal from a target received by said first antenna means combines with the signal being radiated thereby to produce a first doppler signal at the output of said first oscillator-detector, and a first amplifier connected to said first oscillator-detector for amplifying said first doppler signal; a second proximity element having a second antenna means for directing radiation generally laterally with respect to the direction of missile flight, a second oscillator-detector operating at a second frequency and connected to said second antenna means, said second oscillatordetector being so constructed and arranged that the reflected signal from a target received by said second antenna means combines with the signal being radiated thereby to produce a second doppler signal at the output of said second oscillatordetector, and a second amplifier connected to said second oscillator-detector for amplifying said second doppler signal; an amplitude comparison circuit connected to the outputs of said first and second amplifiers which produces a firing signal when said outputs attain a predetermined ratio; and a detonator connected to said amplitude comparison circuit so that if a target is in a relation to the radiation fields of the first and second antenna means such that it reflects signals which produce said determined ratio, said firing signal will fire said detonator.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
270 words
In an ordnance ammunition missile, a proximity fuze comprising the combination of: a first proximity element having a first antenna means for directing radiation generally forwardly with respect to the direction of missile flight, a first oscillator-detector operating at a first frequency and connected to said first antenna means, said first oscillator-detector being so constructed and arranged that the reflected signal from a target received by said first antenna means combines with the signal being radiated thereby to produce a first doppler signal at the output of said first oscillator-detector, and a first amplifier connected to said first oscillator-detector for amplifying said first doppler signal; a second proximity element having a second antenna means for directing radiation generally laterally with respect to the direction of missile flight, a second oscillator-detector operating at a second frequency and connected to said second antenna means, said second oscillatordetector being so constructed and arranged that the reflected signal from a target received by said second antenna means combines with the signal being radiated thereby to produce a second doppler signal at the output of said second oscillatordetector, and a second amplifier connected to said second oscillator-detector for amplifying said second doppler signal; an amplitude comparison circuit connected to the outputs of said first and second amplifiers which produces a firing signal when said outputs attain a predetermined ratio; and a detonator connected to said amplitude comparison circuit so that if a target is in a relation to the radiation fields of the first and second antenna means such that it reflects signals which produce said determined ratio, said firing signal will fire said detonator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 with the addition of an impact element means for functioning said detonator responsive to impact of the missile with a target.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
261 words
In combination with an ordance missile having an explosive warhead, a proximity fuze comprising: a first proximity element having first antenna means in the nose of said missile adapted for directing radiation generally forwardly with respect to the direction of missile flight, a first oscillator-detector operating at a first frequency and connected to said first antenna means, said first oscillator-detector being so constructed and arranged that the reflected signal from a target received by said first antenna means combines with the signal being radiated thereby to produce a first doppler signal at the output of said oscillator-detector, and a first amplifier connected to said first oscillator-detector for amplifying said first doppler signal; a second proximity element having a second oscillator-detector operating at a second frequency, said missile having a body to which said second oscillator-detector is connected, said body acting as a dipole Antenna directing radiation generally laterally with respect to the direction of missle flight, said second oscillator-detector being so constructed and arranged that the reflected signal from a target received by said body combines with the signal being radiated thereby to produce a second doppler signal; an amplitude comparison circuit connected to the outputs of said first and second amplifiers which produces a firing signal when said outputs attain a predetermined ratio; and a detonator connected to said amplitude comparison circuit so that if a target is in a relation to the forwardly and laterally directed radiation fields such that it reflects signals which produce said predetermined ratio, said firing signal will fire said detonator and ignite said warhead.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
261 words
In combination with an ordance missile having an explosive warhead, a proximity fuze comprising: a first proximity element having first antenna means in the nose of said missile adapted for directing radiation generally forwardly with respect to the direction of missile flight, a first oscillator-detector operating at a first frequency and connected to said first antenna means, said first oscillator-detector being so constructed and arranged that the reflected signal from a target received by said first antenna means combines with the signal being radiated thereby to produce a first doppler signal at the output of said oscillator-detector, and a first amplifier connected to said first oscillator-detector for amplifying said first doppler signal; a second proximity element having a second oscillator-detector operating at a second frequency, said missile having a body to which said second oscillator-detector is connected, said body acting as a dipole Antenna directing radiation generally laterally with respect to the direction of missle flight, said second oscillator-detector being so constructed and arranged that the reflected signal from a target received by said body combines with the signal being radiated thereby to produce a second doppler signal; an amplitude comparison circuit connected to the outputs of said first and second amplifiers which produces a firing signal when said outputs attain a predetermined ratio; and a detonator connected to said amplitude comparison circuit so that if a target is in a relation to the forwardly and laterally directed radiation fields such that it reflects signals which produce said predetermined ratio, said firing signal will fire said detonator and ignite said warhead.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention in accordance with claim 3 with the addition of impact element means for functioning said detonator responsive to impact of the missile with a target.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
The invention in accordance with claim 4 wherein said warhead is so constructed and arranged that the missile spray pattern makes an angle of approximately 45* with the missile axis, and wherein said predetermined ratio is chosen so that said detonator fires when the target is at an angle of approximately 45* with the missile axis.
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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) | 1978-04-14 | 1978-10-14 | 1979-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-14 | 1982-10-14 | 1983-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-14 | 1986-10-14 | 1987-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |