US5229538A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multiple smart weapons employment mechanism
Assignee: M Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1992-06-19
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Granted: 1993-07-20
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Expires: 2012-06-19
Abstract
Abstract A digital communication network adapts a conventional MIL-STD-1553 aircraft multiple weapons rack for carriage of smart weapons. The network is a communications, power, and signal management interface circuit which permits an existing single pylon wing RT/sub-bus to control a plurality of additional smart RT's. The network utilizes a sub-bus which includes an RT and a bus controller for the multiple stores. The output of the RT/sub-bus is divided to create a plurality of inputs to the additional RT's to establish a power and communications link with the aircraft controller. The network includes a processor which receives coded digital communications from the controller and selectively rebroadcasts those communications to one of the smart weapons on the rack designated by the coded communication. The messages received from the aircraft controller are translated into assembly language and are deciphered to either operate input/output functions or to be reconfigured into MIL-STD-1553 messages between the bus controller and the stores, or between the remote terminal and the aircraft. All operating functions of the smart weapons can be controlled from the aircraft without any physical changes to the aircraft or the weapons rack and with only minimal changes to the aircraft operational flight program.
Inventors
- 👤 Maureen P. McGlynn
- 👤 William D. Meiklejohn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 12:21
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64D; B64D7/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A digital communications armament network adaptor for carrying multiple smart weapons on a single wing pylon station of an aircraft, comprising: an aircraft having a weapons controller configured in compliance with MIL-STD 1553; multiple wing-mounted pylons on said aircraft, each providing a weapons station with communications and ejection and release mechanisms electrically connected to said controller for the airborne launch of smart weapons; a multiple ejector rack affixed to at least one pylon, said rack holding a plurality of smart weapons; and an electronic digital network connected between the controller and said rack-mounted smart weapons, said network located in said rack and including circuitry which receives coded digital communications from said controller and selectively rebroadcasts said communications to one of said smart weapons on said rack designated by said coded communications, thereby controlling all required functions of said designated smart weapon.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
A digital communications armament network adaptor for carrying multiple smart weapons on a single wing pylon station of an aircraft, comprising: an aircraft having a weapons controller configured in compliance with MIL-STD 1553; multiple wing-mounted pylons on said aircraft, each providing a weapons station with communications and ejection and release mechanisms electrically connected to said controller for the airborne launch of smart weapons; a multiple ejector rack affixed to at least one pylon, said rack holding a plurality of smart weapons; and an electronic digital network connected between the controller and said rack-mounted smart weapons, said network located in said rack and including circuitry which receives coded digital communications from said controller and selectively rebroadcasts said communications to one of said smart weapons on said rack designated by said coded communications, thereby controlling all required functions of said designated smart weapon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The multiple armament network of claim 1, further described in that said microprocessor receives signals from said weapons and selectively rebroadcasts them to said controller.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The multiple armament network of claim 2, wherein said controller further includes an operational flight program having a network control message to control the flow of data to and from a designated smart weapon through a carriage store station interface located on the multiple ejector rack.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
95 words
The multiple armament network of claim 3, wherein said network circuitry comprises three major components: a remote terminal which communicates with the aircraft over the aircraft bus, and a bus controller which communicates with the stores over the store bus; a processor, including a central processor unit and address decode control logic to control MIL-STD-1553 communications between the remote terminal and the bus controller; and an input/output stage which is controlled via aircraft bus communications to the remote terminal which is acted upon by the processor to control discrete functions of the rack and weapons.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The multiple armament network of claim 4, wherein said processor is a microprocessor which executes a preprogrammed routine developed in assembly language.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The multiple armament network of claim 5, wherein all communications from the aircraft controller to the electronic digital network and from the electronic digital network to the smart weapons are compliant with MIL-STD-1553 and MIL-STD-1760.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The multiple armament network of claim 6, wherein messages received from the aircraft controller are translated into assembly language and deciphered to either operate input/output functions or to be reconfigured into MIL-STD-1553 messages between the bus controller and the stores, or between the remote terminal and the aircraft.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The multiple armament network of claim 7, further including a power conversion and distribution system connected to the aircraft 115 VAC power supply to provide 28 VDC power to all smart weapons simultaneously.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The multiple armament network of claim 8, wherein data signals are transmitted over high bandwidth frequencies which are amplified to provide sufficient data signal strength and data transfer to said smart weapons simultaneously.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The multiple armament network of claim 9, further described in that said power conversion is achieved by a high frequency pulse width modulated power converter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The multiple armament network of claim 9, wherein said processor is an Intel 80286(®).
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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) | 1996-07-19 | 1997-01-18 | 1997-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-07-19 | 2001-01-18 | 2001-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-07-19 | 2005-01-18 | 2005-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |