US4044258A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Nuclear explosion detector with false alarm prevention
Assignee: Impulsphysik GmbH
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Filing: 1973-11-14
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Granted: 1977-08-23
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Expires: 1993-11-14
Abstract
Abstract An antenna receives electromagnetic radiation and furnishes a corresponding signal which after differentiation sets a first monostable multivibrator whose output lasts for several microseconds. A photodiode receives light signals. If the light signals are received within the time that the first monostable multivibrator is set, the generation of an alarm is inhibited, since substantially simultaneous reception of electromagnetic and light signals indicates either atmospheric disturbance or conventional weapons. In the absence of an inhibit signal, a second multivibrator is set for several milliseconds at the end of the setting of the first multivibrator. Any light received while the second multivibrator is set results in the furnishing of an alarm.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank Frungel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 11:32
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21J; G21J5/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
An apparatus for detecting nuclear explosions with a false alarm prevention feature, the apparatus, comprising, in combination, first receiving means for detecting electromagnetic radiation having frequencies outside the visible range and of the type generated from a nuclear explosion; second receiving means for detecting visible light of the type generated from a nuclear explosion; control circuit means connected to said first and second receiving means for generating a control signal if the visible light detected by said second receiving means follows the electromagnetic radiation detected by said first receiving means by a time interval less than approximately 3 milliseconds; inhibit means connected to said control circuit means and to said first and second receiving means and operative for inhibiting the generation of said control signal if the visible light detected by said second receiving means follows the electromagnetic radiation detected by said first receiving means by a time interval less than approximately 3 microseconds; and output means operative for generating an alarm signal in response to generation of said control signal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
171 words
An apparatus for detecting nuclear explosions with a false alarm prevention feature, the apparatus, comprising, in combination, first receiving means for detecting electromagnetic radiation having frequencies outside the visible range and of the type generated from a nuclear explosion; second receiving means for detecting visible light of the type generated from a nuclear explosion; control circuit means connected to said first and second receiving means for generating a control signal if the visible light detected by said second receiving means follows the electromagnetic radiation detected by said first receiving means by a time interval less than approximately 3 milliseconds; inhibit means connected to said control circuit means and to said first and second receiving means and operative for inhibiting the generation of said control signal if the visible light detected by said second receiving means follows the electromagnetic radiation detected by said first receiving means by a time interval less than approximately 3 microseconds; and output means operative for generating an alarm signal in response to generation of said control signal.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
184 words
An apparatus for detecting nuclear explosions with a false alarm prevention feature, the apparatus, comprising, in combination, first receiving means for detecting electromagnetic radiation having frequencies outside the visible range and of the type generated from a nuclear explosion; second receiving means for detecting visible light of the type generated from a nuclear explosion; control circuit means connected to said first and second receiving means for generating a control signal if the visible light detected by said second receiving means follows the electromagnetic radiation detected by said first receiving means by a time interval less than a predetermined time interval having a predetermined duration; inhibit means connected to said control circuit means and to said first and second receiving means and operative for inhibiting the generation of said control signal if the visible light detected by said second receiving means follows the electromagnetic radiation detected by said first receiving means by a time interval less than approximately 3 microseconds, 3 microseconds constituting a predetermined minimum time delay; and output means operative for generating an alarm signal in response to generation of said control signal.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
184 words
An apparatus for detecting nuclear explosions with a false alarm prevention feature, the apparatus, comprising, in combination, first receiving means for detecting electromagnetic radiation having frequencies outside the visible range and of the type generated from a nuclear explosion; second receiving means for detecting visible light of the type generated from a nuclear explosion; control circuit means connected to said first and second receiving means for generating a control signal if the visible light detected by said second receiving means follows the electromagnetic radiation detected by said first receiving means by a time interval less than a predetermined time interval having a predetermined duration; inhibit means connected to said control circuit means and to said first and second receiving means and operative for inhibiting the generation of said control signal if the visible light detected by said second receiving means follows the electromagnetic radiation detected by said first receiving means by a time interval less than approximately 3 microseconds, 3 microseconds constituting a predetermined minimum time delay; and output means operative for generating an alarm signal in response to generation of said control signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
97 words
Equipment as set forth in claim 2, wherein said control circuit means comprise control monostable multivibrator means responsive to a set signal and having a time constant corresponding to said predetermined time duration; time delay means having an input connected to said first receiving means and an output connected to said control monostable multivibrator means, for furnishing said set signal in response to a received electromagnetic signal but at said predetermined minimum time delay thereafter; and wherein said inhibit means comprise means for inhibiting the generation of said set signal in response to a received light signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
79 words
Equipment as set forth in claim 3, wherein said time delay means comprise further monostable multivibrator means having an input connected to said first receiving means and having an output, differentiating circuit means connected to said output of said further monostable multivibrator means, and a first AND-gate having a first input connected to said differentiating circuit means, a second input connected to said inhibit means and an AND-gate output connected to said input of said control monostable multivibrator means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
87 words
Equipment as set forth in claim 4, wherein said inhibit means comprise a second AND-gate having a first input connected to said output of said further monostable multivibrator means and a second input connected to said second receiving means and an AND-gate output connected to said further monostable multivibrator means for resetting said further monostable multivibrator means; and wherein said inhibit means further comprise an inverter having an input connected to said second receiving means and an output connected to said second input of said first AND-gate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
An arrangement as set forth in claim 2, wherein said output means comprise an AND-gate having a first input connected to said control output, a second input connected to said second receiving means and an AND-gate output for furnishing an alarm signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
Equipment as set forth in claim 6, further comprising means connected to said AND-gate output for extending said alarm signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
Equipment as set forth in claim 7, wherein said means for extending said alarm signal comprise an additional monostable multivibrator having an input connected to said AND-gate output and an output for furnishing an extended alarm signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
Equipment as set forth in claim 8, further comprising a telescope; and means for closing a shutter of said telescope in response to said extended alarm signal.
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) | 1980-08-22 | 1981-02-21 | 1981-08-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-22 | 1985-02-21 | 1985-08-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-22 | 1989-02-21 | 1989-08-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |