US4237789A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Programmable fuze for projectiles
Assignee: Motorola Solutions Inc
•
Filing: 1978-09-28
•
Granted: 1980-12-09
•
Expires: 1998-09-28
Abstract
Abstract A fuze for projectiles having electronic circuitry therein for receiving radiated signals having a fusible link connected to the electronic circuitry for altering the operation of the electronic circuitry and a threshold detector for sensing the rupture of the link to place the fuze in a first mode of operation when the link is ruptured prior to firing of the projectile and in a second mode of operation when the link is ruptured within a predetermined time period subsequent to firing of the projectile.
Inventors
- 👤 Juris Stauers
- 👤 Vincent R. Alfaro
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 23:37
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42C; F42C17/00; F42C17/04; F42C11/00; F42C15/00; F42C15/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
39 words
A programmable fuze for a projectile, including an antenna projecting outwardly from said fuze, comprising a heat fusible electrically conducting link fixedly connected in shorting engagement to said antenna and fusible by aeroheating subsequent to firing of the projectile.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
39 words
A programmable fuze for a projectile, including an antenna projecting outwardly from said fuze, comprising a heat fusible electrically conducting link fixedly connected in shorting engagement to said antenna and fusible by aeroheating subsequent to firing of the projectile.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A programmable fuze as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fusible link is situated in juxtaposition to the outer surface of the fuze and extends axially therealong.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
A programmable fuze as claimed in claim 1 including in addition electronics coupled to said fusible link for sensing the rupture of said link and providing a first mode of operation for the fuze when the link is ruptured prior to firing the projectile and a second mode of operation for the fuze when the link is ruptured subsequent to firing the projectile.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a programmable fuze, a threshold detector for sensing a step voltage comprising: (a) semiconductor means having an input and an output and coupled to a source of supply for providing a first level of output signal when said semiconductor means is activated by an input signal and a second level of output signal when said semiconductor means is deactivated; and (b) input means coupled to the input of said semiconductor means and including diode means adapted to receive an input signal and supply the input signal to the input of said semiconductor means when the input signal exceeds a predetermined threshold.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a programmable fuze, a threshold detector for sensing a step voltage comprising: (a) semiconductor means having an input and an output and coupled to a source of supply for providing a first level of output signal when said semiconductor means is activated by an input signal and a second level of output signal when said semiconductor means is deactivated; and (b) input means coupled to the input of said semiconductor means and including diode means adapted to receive an input signal and supply the input signal to the input of said semiconductor means when the input signal exceeds a predetermined threshold.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A threshold detector for a programmable fuze as claimed in claim 4 wherein the semiconductor means includes an N-P-N type transistor with a base element connected as the input and a collector element providing the output.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
A threshold detector for a programmable fuze as claimed in claim 5 wherein the input means includes resistance means coupled between the base element of the transistor and an emitter element of said transistor, and at least one semiconductor diode connected to the base element of said transistor and adapted to receive an input signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
A programmable fuze for projectiles comprising: (a) electronic means for providing a normal output voltage; (b) a fusible link connected to said electronic means for altering the normal output voltage thereof, said link being positioned to be fusible by means external to the fuze; and
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
A programmable fuze for projectiles comprising: (a) electronic means for providing a normal output voltage; (b) a fusible link connected to said electronic means for altering the normal output voltage thereof, said link being positioned to be fusible by means external to the fuze; and
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
(c) electronic sensing means positioned within the fuze and coupled to said electronic means for sensing a charge in the output voltage from the altered to the normal state indicating a rupture of said link and providing a signal indicative of the rupture.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
(c) electronic sensing means positioned within the fuze and coupled to said electronic means for sensing a charge in the output voltage from the altered to the normal state indicating a rupture of said link and providing a signal indicative of the rupture.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A programmable fuze as claimed in claim 7 wherein the fusible link is positioned in juxtaposition to the outer surface of the fuze.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
A programmable fuze as claimed in claim 7 wherein the electronic means includes an antenna and the link is connected to inactivate said antenna for altering the power reflecting characteristics thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
53 words
A programmable fuze as claimed in claim 9 wherein the electronic sensing means includes a threshold detector coupled to the antenna and providing a first output signal when the power reflecting characteristics of the antenna are altered and providing a second output signal when the power reflecting characteristics of the antenna are unaltered.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
76 words
A programmable fuze as claimed in claim 10 wherein the fuze has first and second modes of operation and the electronic sensing means includes timing means constructed to be activated upon firing of the fuze for placing the fuze in the first mode of operation when the link is ruptured prior to firing and placing the fuze in the second mode of operation when the link is ruptured within a predetermined time period subsequent to firing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
A programmable fuze as claimed in claim 7 including in addition actuateable means positioned within a gun barrel adapted to fire the fuze and projectile for rupturing the fusible link prior to firing the fuze and projectile.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3777665A
Cited
US3628458A
Cited
US3750588A
Cited
US4142442A
Cited
US3976012A
Cited
US3922534A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-12-09 | 1984-06-09 | 1984-12-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-12-09 | 1988-06-09 | 1988-12-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-12-09 | 1992-06-09 | 1992-12-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |