US4407465A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for guiding missiles
Assignee: Telefunken Systemtechnik AG
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Filing: 1980-11-20
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Granted: 1983-10-04
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Expires: 2000-11-20
Abstract
Abstract In a method for guiding a missile by illuminating the target by means of a laser and tracking the target with a sensor system carried by the missile, the step of illuminating is carried out to illuminate the target by means of the laser for a short period of time, and the step of tracking is carried out with the aid of an electronic optical sensor by causing the sensor to sense the laser light reflected from the target and then locking the sensor onto the target region from which such reflection took place.
Inventors
- 👤 Klaus Meyerhoff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 22:16
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41G; F41G7/00; F41G7/20; F41G7/22; F41G7/226; F41G7/2273; F41G7/2293
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
In a method for guiding a missile by illuminating the target by means of a laser and tracking the target with a sensor system carried by the missile, the improvement wherein said step of illuminating is carried out to illuminate the target by means of the laser for a short period of time and to terminate the illumination of the target after the short period of time and before the missile reaches the target, and said step of tracking is carried out with the aid of an electronic optical sensor by causing the sensor to sense the laser light reflected from the target and then locking the sensor onto the target region from which such reflection took place.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
In a method for guiding a missile by illuminating the target by means of a laser and tracking the target with a sensor system carried by the missile, the improvement wherein said step of illuminating is carried out to illuminate the target by means of the laser for a short period of time and to terminate the illumination of the target after the short period of time and before the missile reaches the target, and said step of tracking is carried out with the aid of an electronic optical sensor by causing the sensor to sense the laser light reflected from the target and then locking the sensor onto the target region from which such reflection took place.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said electronic optical sensor is arranged to form an image of a field of view containing the target, and the missile is provided with a tracking device connected to the sensor for sensing gray levels in the image formed by the sensor and influencing missile guidance on the basis thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as defined in claim 2 further comprising switching the focal length of the lens of the sensor in conformance to approach of the missile to the target.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as defined in claim 3 wherein said step of switching is effected in dependence on the distance from the target and on the time of flight of the missile.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
Guidance method as defined in claim 2 wherein the size of the target which changes upon approach is considered by way of a lens of the type of a zoom lens.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method as defined in claim 2 wherein the sensor is provided with a zoom lens for forming the image, with the focal length of the zoom lens being varied to compensate for the change in target size in the image during approach of the missile to the target.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said step of locking the sensor onto the target region is performed at least partly after termination of the illumination.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1986-10-03 | 1987-04-04 | 1987-10-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-10-03 | 1991-04-04 | 1991-10-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-10-03 | 1995-04-04 | 1995-10-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |