Patent · US Expired

Target for torpedo launch system

US4046993A · kind A · utility

1Cited by
4References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 28, 1976
Grant dateSep 6, 1977
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 28, 1996

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06G7/80
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A system for determining the proper instant of time to launch an object, h as a target or torpedo, from an aircraft to cause the object to impact a water surface at a predetermined nose-down angle, thereby preventing structural damage due to high impact forces. The system utilizes signals produced by instrumentation representative of the aircraft pitch and angular rate of pitch. The desired launch altitude and predetermined impact angle are physically set into the system by means of adjustable voltage sources. These parameters are processed in the system such that the system forms a complete electronic analogy to the physical laws which govern the motion of the free falling object. In operation, the system continuously computes the predicted impact angle based on the instantaneous inputs of the aircraft's altitude, pitch angle and pitch rate. It then compares the predicted impact angle with the predetermined impact angle. Whenever the predicted impact angle exceeds the predetermined impact angle, a launch signal is produced to release the object.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.