Patent US4147649A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4036142A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Obscuration fuze and sensor
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1967-01-18
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Granted: 1977-07-19
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Expires: 1987-01-18
Abstract
Abstract A nose mounted obscuration fuze adapted to produce a near surface burst w the fuze approaches or starts to penetrate a target. The nose of the fuze is provided with a pair of relatively broad surfaces, one of which transmits light from a light source across an air gap forming a sensing area to a light detector in the other broad face of the sensor. The light transmission is measured between the two faces, and any significant change in light transmission through the air gap, such as when the fuze penetrates snow, activates the fuze.
Inventors
- 👤 David Williams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 23:20
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42C; F42C13/00; F42C13/02; F42C13/023; F42C19/00; F42C19/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
63 words
An obscuration fuze comprising means defining a sensing gap, a light source coupled to said means for directing light across said gap, a detector coupled to said means for sensing changes in the light conductivity of the medium within said gap, and firing means coupled to said detector for exploding a charge in response to changes in the light conductivity of said medium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
63 words
An obscuration fuze comprising means defining a sensing gap, a light source coupled to said means for directing light across said gap, a detector coupled to said means for sensing changes in the light conductivity of the medium within said gap, and firing means coupled to said detector for exploding a charge in response to changes in the light conductivity of said medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A fuze according to claim 1 wherein said source produces light in the visible spectrum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A fuze according to claim 1 wherein said source produces light in the invisible spectrum.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A fuze according to claim 1 wherein said light source is shaped so as to transmit across said gap a sheet shaped beam of light transverse to the longitudinal axis of said fuze.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
A fuze according to claim 4 wherein said beam of light is rectangular.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A fuze according to claim 4 wherein said beam of light is annular with the light directed radially of said axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A fuze according to claim 1 wherein said light source is an incandescent bulb and said detector is a silicon photodiode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A fuze according to claim 1 including a light pipe for passing light from said gap to said detector.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A fuze according to claim 1 wherein said gap is formed by a pair of adjacent broad surfaces having their smallest dimension parallel to the longitudinal axis of said fuze.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A fuze according to claim 1 wherein said detector is coupled to said firing means through a silicon controlled rectifier.
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) | 1980-07-18 | 1981-01-17 | 1981-07-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-07-18 | 1985-01-17 | 1985-07-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-07-18 | 1989-01-17 | 1989-07-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |