US4959559A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electromagnetic or other directed energy pulse launcher
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1989-03-31
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Granted: 1990-09-25
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Expires: 2009-03-31
Abstract
Abstract The physical realization of new solutions of wave propagation equations, such as Maxwell's equations and the scaler wave equation, produces localized pulses of wave energy such as electromagnetic or acoustic energy which propagate over long distances without divergence. The pulses are produced by driving each element of an array of radiating sources with a particular drive function so that the resultant localized packet of energy closely approximates the exact solutions and behaves the same.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard W. Ziolkowski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 01:40
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q3/00; H01Q3/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of producing a localized packet of wave energy which travels substantially large distances compared to the Rayleigh length without substantial divergence, comprising: independently driving each element of a finite array of radiating elements with a drive function determined by ##EQU9## where Φ k (r,t) is a basis function which is an exact or approximate non-separable space-time solution of the relevant wave propagation equation and F(k) is a spectrum function which satisfies ##EQU10##
Claim 2
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of producing a localized packet of wave energy which travels substantially large distances compared to the Rayleigh length without substantial divergence, comprising: independently driving each element of a finite array of radiating elements with a drive function determined by ##EQU9## where Φ k (r,t) is a basis function which is an exact or approximate non-separable space-time solution of the relevant wave propagation equation and F(k) is a spectrum function which satisfies ##EQU10##
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein ##EQU11## where s(ρ,z,t)=ρ 2 /[z o +i(z-ct)]-i(z+ct).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 2 wherein F(k) is a modified power spectrum F(k)=4πiβ(βk-b).sup.α-1 e.sup.α(β k-b)H(k-b/β)/Γ(α) where H(k-b/β) is Heaviside's function and Γ (α) is the Gamma function, and ##EQU12##
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 comprising forming the radiating elements of broadband sources.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 4 comprising forming the radiating elements of piezoelectric transducers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 4 comprising forming the radiating elements of microwave sources.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising folding the finite array of radiating elements into a compact folded array of preselected maximum dimensions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising forming the array in a planar geometry.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 8 comprising forming the array in a circular, square or hexagonal array.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising forming the drive functions with a digital waveform synthesizer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus for producing a localized packet of wave energy which travels substantially large distances compared to the Rayleigh length without substantial divergence, comprising: a finite array of radiating elements; driving means associated with each radiating element of the array which apply a driving function ##EQU13## where Φ k (r,t) is an exact or approximate non-separable space-time solution of the relevant wave propagation equation and F(k) is a preselected spectrum function which satisfies ##EQU14##
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus for producing a localized packet of wave energy which travels substantially large distances compared to the Rayleigh length without substantial divergence, comprising: a finite array of radiating elements; driving means associated with each radiating element of the array which apply a driving function ##EQU13## where Φ k (r,t) is an exact or approximate non-separable space-time solution of the relevant wave propagation equation and F(k) is a preselected spectrum function which satisfies ##EQU14##
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus of claim 11 wherein ##EQU15## where s(ρ,z,t) 32 .sup. /[z o +i(z-ct)]-i(z+ct).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus of claim 12 wherein F(k) is a modified power spectrum F(k)=4πiβ(βk-b).sup.α-1 e.sup.α(β k-b)H(k-b/β)/Γ(α) where H(k-b/β) is Heaviside's function and Γ(α) is the Gamma function, and ##EQU16##
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus of claim 11 wherein the radiating elements are broadband elements.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus of claim 14 wherein the radiating elements are piezoelectric transducers.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus of claim 14 wherein the radiating elements are microwave sources.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus of claim 11 wherein the array is a folded array.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus of claim 11 wherein the array is a planar array.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus of claim 18 wherein the array is a circular, square, or hexagonal array.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus of claim 11 wherein the driving means includes a digital waveform synthesizer.
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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) | 1993-09-24 | 1994-03-26 | 1994-09-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-09-24 | 1998-03-26 | 1998-09-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-09-24 | 2002-03-26 | 2002-09-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |