Patent US3902684A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3902684A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system for airborne missile guidance
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
•
Filing: 1974-01-15
•
Granted: 1975-09-02
•
Expires: 1994-01-15
Abstract
Abstract A method and system for directing a missile to a target in which a targeting vehicle measures range to the target and to the missile and also measures the angle between the line of sight to the target and the line of sight to the missile. A computed angle between lines of sight from the missile to the target and to the vehicle is derived from the measured ranges and measured angle and is transmitted to the missile. The missile receives the transmitted angle information and provides an output indicative of a measured angle between the line of sight to the targeting vehicle and the missile velocity vector. The computed angle information received by the missile is compared with the measured angle to provide an error signal for controlling missile steering fins.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul J Queeney
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 17:34
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41G; F41G7/00; F41G7/20; F41G7/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
262 words
A system for directing a missile toward a target comprising, in combination: a targeting vehicle including, means for measuring the range from the targeting vehicle both to the target and to the missile and for measuring the angle between a line of sight from the targeting vehicle to the target and a line of sight from the targeting vehicle to the missile; means for deriving a computed angle indicative of an angle between the line of sight from the targeting vehicle to the missile and a line of sight from the missile to the target in response to said range and angle measuring means; and, means for transmitting to said missile a signal indicative of said computed angle; the missile including: an array of antennas carried by the missile with the axes of said array having a predetermined orientation with respect to a velocity vector of said missile; a receiver coupled to said antenna array for receiving from said transmitting means the signal indicative of said calculated angle; measuring circuit means coupled to said receiver for measuring the angle of reception of said computed angle indicative signal from said target vehicle with respect to axes of said antenna array for providing a signal indicative of a measured angle between the velocity vector of said missile and a line of sight from said missile to said targeting vehicle; means for comparing signals indicative of saiad said angle and said computed angle; and, means responsive to said comparing means for controlling the direction of said missile, whereby said missile is directed toward the target.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
262 words
A system for directing a missile toward a target comprising, in combination: a targeting vehicle including, means for measuring the range from the targeting vehicle both to the target and to the missile and for measuring the angle between a line of sight from the targeting vehicle to the target and a line of sight from the targeting vehicle to the missile; means for deriving a computed angle indicative of an angle between the line of sight from the targeting vehicle to the missile and a line of sight from the missile to the target in response to said range and angle measuring means; and, means for transmitting to said missile a signal indicative of said computed angle; the missile including: an array of antennas carried by the missile with the axes of said array having a predetermined orientation with respect to a velocity vector of said missile; a receiver coupled to said antenna array for receiving from said transmitting means the signal indicative of said calculated angle; measuring circuit means coupled to said receiver for measuring the angle of reception of said computed angle indicative signal from said target vehicle with respect to axes of said antenna array for providing a signal indicative of a measured angle between the velocity vector of said missile and a line of sight from said missile to said targeting vehicle; means for comparing signals indicative of saiad said angle and said computed angle; and, means responsive to said comparing means for controlling the direction of said missile, whereby said missile is directed toward the target.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said array of antennas is mounted on a weather vane unit and includes a plurality of antenna arrays spaced on quadrants of said weather vane unit, said receiver in said missile including means for selecting reception from one of said plurality of antenna arrays receiving the highest amplitude signal from the transmitting means in said targeting vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said range and angle measuring means includes a radar system operable to track said target.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said range and angle measuring means includes a radar system operable to track said target.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
125 words
A system for guiding a missile toward a target from a targeting vehicle comprising: means for measuring a first angle between a missile line of sight and a target line of sight from the targeting vehicle and for measuring the ranges to the target and to the missile from the targeting vehicle; means for calculating an angle between a target line of sight and a targeting vehicle line of sight from the missile in response to said measured first angle and ranges; means for measuring a second angle between a velocity vector of the missile and the targeting vehicle line of sight from the missile; and, means for modifying the direction of the missile in response to said calculated angle and said measured second angle.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
125 words
A system for guiding a missile toward a target from a targeting vehicle comprising: means for measuring a first angle between a missile line of sight and a target line of sight from the targeting vehicle and for measuring the ranges to the target and to the missile from the targeting vehicle; means for calculating an angle between a target line of sight and a targeting vehicle line of sight from the missile in response to said measured first angle and ranges; means for measuring a second angle between a velocity vector of the missile and the targeting vehicle line of sight from the missile; and, means for modifying the direction of the missile in response to said calculated angle and said measured second angle.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for guiding a missile toward a target comprising the steps of: a. measuring a first angle between a missile line of sight and a target line of sight from a targeting vehicle; b. measuring the ranges to the target and the missile from the targeting vehicle; c. calculating an angle between a target line of sight and a targeting vehicle line of sight from the missile in response to said measured first angle and ranges; d. measuring a second angle between a velocity vector of the missile and the targeting vehicle line of sight from the missile; e. comparing the calculated angle to the measured second angle; and, f. modifying the direction of the missile in response to the comparison.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for guiding a missile toward a target comprising the steps of: a. measuring a first angle between a missile line of sight and a target line of sight from a targeting vehicle; b. measuring the ranges to the target and the missile from the targeting vehicle; c. calculating an angle between a target line of sight and a targeting vehicle line of sight from the missile in response to said measured first angle and ranges; d. measuring a second angle between a velocity vector of the missile and the targeting vehicle line of sight from the missile; e. comparing the calculated angle to the measured second angle; and, f. modifying the direction of the missile in response to the comparison.
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) | 1978-09-01 | 1979-03-03 | 1979-09-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-01 | 1983-03-03 | 1983-09-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-01 | 1987-03-03 | 1987-09-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |