US3882496A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Non-destructive weapon system evaluation apparatus and method for using same
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1974-03-21
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Granted: 1975-05-06
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Expires: 1994-03-21
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for nondestructively evaluating the performance of a weapon system. The unique concept embodied in the present invention provides nondestructive scoring of weapon systems during simulated battlefield testing and also provides a technique of nearly total simulation of the gun laying and firing of a real weapon system. In a preferred embodiment within the context of an integrated fire control weapon system, the present invention includes a gun, a laser, and a radar, all of which are mounted on separate and independently operable pedestals. The radar or tracking device supplies position and range information to the control device which computes the required lead angle and predicted range which, in turn, defines the point in space where projectile/target intercept will occur. The gun is then positioned by the control device in such a way that, if then fired, the projectile will then pass through the predicted point in space a time of flight thereafter. Utilizing the same information, a laser control device positions the laser pedestal so that at the end of time of the flight of the projectile, the laser will be positioned towards the predicted point. The laser is fired by the control device at the precise point in time corresponding to the predicted intercept time of the projectile and target. The resultant hit or miss information, which may, for example, be obtained by means of a laser receiver mounted on the target, is indicative of the total operational evaluation of the weapon system including the weapon''s target acquisition and tracking devices, the prediction, gun laying, and projectile performance of the system.
Inventors
- 👤 Virgil D Lewis
- 👤 Gregory V Cirincione
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 02:55
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41G; F41G3/00; F41G3/26; F41G3/2616; F41G3/2622; F41G3/2655
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
Apparatus for nondestructively evaluating the performance of a weapon system, whiCh comprises: weapon means for launching a projectile intended to intercept a moving target; tracking means for obtaining position and range data of said target; first control means responsive to said data for computing the lead angle and predicted range of said target to define a point in space where said projectile, if then launched, will intercept said target; laser means for illuminating said point in space with a laser beam; and laser control means responsive to said first control means for positioning said laser means at said point in space and for activating said laser means at the end of a predetermined time interval.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
Apparatus for nondestructively evaluating the performance of a weapon system, whiCh comprises: weapon means for launching a projectile intended to intercept a moving target; tracking means for obtaining position and range data of said target; first control means responsive to said data for computing the lead angle and predicted range of said target to define a point in space where said projectile, if then launched, will intercept said target; laser means for illuminating said point in space with a laser beam; and laser control means responsive to said first control means for positioning said laser means at said point in space and for activating said laser means at the end of a predetermined time interval.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus for nondestructively evaluating the performance of a weapon system according to claim 1, further comprising servo means responsive to said first control means for positioning said weapon means such that said projectile, if then fired, will pass through said point in space at the end of said predetermined time interval.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus for nondestructively evaluating the performance of a weapon system according to claim 2, wherein said predetermined time interval corresponds to the time of flight of said projectile from said weapon means to said point in space.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus for nondestructively evaluating the performance of a weapon system according to claim 1, further comprising means for recording information as to whether or not said laser beam has struck said target at said point in space.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
76 words
The apparatus for nondestructively evaluating the performance of a weapon system according to claim 3, further comprising first and second pedestal means for mounting said weapon means and said laser means, respectively, said first pedestal means being responsive to said servo means and said second pedestal means being responsive to said laser control means whereby said second pedestal means is activated during said predetermined time interval; and a third pedestal means for mounting said tracking means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus for nondestructively evaluating the performance of a weapon system according to claim 5, wherein said first control means comprises gun director means for accepting information from an angle tracker and a range tracker which comprise said tracking means, said gun director means providing lead angle offset information to said laser control means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
77 words
The apparatus for nondestructively evaluating the performance of a weapon system according to claim 6, wherein said laser control means comprises variable time delay buffer and processor means responsive to said predicted range and time of flight information from said gun director means for generating incremental velocity commands to said second pedestal means, which velocity commands correspond to the position change required to move said second pedestal means to the proper position during said predetermined time interval.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus for nondestructively evaluating the performance of a weapon system according to claim 4, wherein said information recording means includes a laser receiver mounted on said moving target.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus for nondestructively evaluating the performance of a weapon system according to claim 4, wherein said information recording means includes a laser transceiver as comprising said laser means, and means for gating said transceiver in response to said predicted range data from said first control means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
237 words
In a system which includes weapon means for launching a projectile intended to intercept a moving target, means for tracking the target, laser means, and means for controlling said weapon means and said laser means in response to said tracking means, a method for nondestructively evaluating the performance of said system which comprises the steps of: feeding position and range data of said target obtained by said tracking means to said control means; computing the predicted lead angle and range by means of said control means which defines the point in space where said projectile will intercept said target if then fired; positioning said weapon means in response to said computed lead angle and range such that if said weapon means is then fired, said projectile will pass through said point in space a predetermined time of flight of said projectile thereafter; positioning said laser means during said predetermined time such that at the end of said predetermined time said laser means is aimed at said point in space; activating said laser means by said control means at the end of said predetermined time such that said laser means emits a beam which illuminates said point in space; and recording information as to whether said laser beam has or has not struck said target at said point in space whereby the operation of said tracking means, said weapon means and said control means may be concommitantly evaluated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
237 words
In a system which includes weapon means for launching a projectile intended to intercept a moving target, means for tracking the target, laser means, and means for controlling said weapon means and said laser means in response to said tracking means, a method for nondestructively evaluating the performance of said system which comprises the steps of: feeding position and range data of said target obtained by said tracking means to said control means; computing the predicted lead angle and range by means of said control means which defines the point in space where said projectile will intercept said target if then fired; positioning said weapon means in response to said computed lead angle and range such that if said weapon means is then fired, said projectile will pass through said point in space a predetermined time of flight of said projectile thereafter; positioning said laser means during said predetermined time such that at the end of said predetermined time said laser means is aimed at said point in space; activating said laser means by said control means at the end of said predetermined time such that said laser means emits a beam which illuminates said point in space; and recording information as to whether said laser beam has or has not struck said target at said point in space whereby the operation of said tracking means, said weapon means and said control means may be concommitantly evaluated.
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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) | 1978-05-05 | 1978-11-04 | 1979-05-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-05 | 1982-11-04 | 1983-05-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-05 | 1986-11-04 | 1987-05-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |