Abstract:
Apparatus for optical fiber data link between two moving bodies remote controlled vehicle/missile such as ("RCV") and hereinafter launch platform includes fiber-wound bobbins having opposite winding directions on each body, interconnected with unwound, reinforced fiber sections, for streaming deployment from each bobbin through tensioning devices during relative separation movement between the two bodies. Image sensors and flight control mechanisms are operatively connected through a electric/optical I/O device to the fiber on the bobbin in the RCV, and data analysis/display devices and controller/command units are similarly interfaced with the fiber on the bobbin associated with the helicopter. The bobbin housing on the helicopter uses a shaped cavity and gimbal mount to provide free-streaming fiber deployment and pyrotechin or electro-mechanical separation device to discharge the bobbin and attached fiber after mission completion.
Abstract:
An optical fiber guided projectile for firing from a generally tubular launcher comprising a tubular casing, an extended length of optical fiber disposed in the casing for continuous streaming from the trailing end thereof, a portion of the fiber extending from the casing for operative connection to a controller, an axial groove in the casing surface for removably receiving a part of the extending fiber, tape securing the fiber part in the groove with force sufficient to withstand axial launch forces but insufficient to resist imposed radial forces, and a communication device providing two-way communication over the fiber. A controller is also provided in two-way communication with the projectile for receiving and processing target data from the projectile and for transmitting guidance data, including operator manual guidance, to the projectile.
Abstract:
This invention relates to a system for locating a body in motion with respect to an axis, comprising an optical detector disposed in fixed manner and cooperating with an optical emitter connected to said body in motion, system wherein said optical detector comprises a fixed matrix of controllable photosensitive elements; said optical emitter produces flash signals; and synchronization means are provided for said electronic control means to deliver control pulses synchronized with said flash signals and triggering off the taking of an image. The invention is more particularly applicable to the location and guiding of missiles.
Abstract:
Launcher for a tube-launched, optically guided wire controlled missile. Inhe electronic circuitry that forms part of a feedback servomechanism there are provided pitch and yaw channels with time variable gains having different transfer functions. Optionally there are further provided at least two different generators of signals for gravity bias with automatic means for selecting between them in accordance with the physical characteristics of the missile.
Abstract:
An acoustic imaging system for a wire guided torpedo having an array of tsducers arranged in the nose of a torpedo to receive acoustic signals. A spherical acoustic lens focuses the signals on the array of transducers. The outputs of the transducers are amplified, integrated, detected and passed to a set of gates which are sampled sequentially, and the outputs of the gates are passed by a wire to the launching vehicle.
Abstract:
Upon loss of a valid track of a remotely-sensed command guided vehicle, a delta actuator command including an orthogonal component orthogonal to the straight-line path is generated as a next sample of a time-based alternating signal. The time-based delta actuator command is added to the nominal actuator command, which is “held” upon loss of valid track, to maneuver the vehicle in first and second orthogonal directions back and forth across the straight-line path to increase an area of vehicle motion relative to the tracker's FOV. This increases the likelihood of recapture of the vehicle given vehicle motion after track is broken. The penalty is a reduction in energy efficiency. In certain embodiments, this is accomplished without modification to guidance system hardware or the existing tracking valid or invalid guidance algorithms.
Abstract:
An improved emitter tracking system. In aspects of the present teachings, the presence of a desired emitter may be established by a relatively low-power emitter detection module, before images of the emitter and/or its surroundings are captured with a relatively high-power imaging module. Capturing images of the emitter may be synchronized with flashes of the emitter, to increase the signal-to-noise ratio of the captured images.