Patent · US Expired

Apparatus for defending a vehicle against an approaching threat

US6231003A · kind A · utility

23Cited by
11References
27Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 12, 1990
Grant dateMay 15, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 12, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
  • CPC primaryF42B12/70
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus for defending a vehicle against an approaching threat is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a body deployable from the vehicle having at least one reference axis thereon. A plurality of spaced divert thruster means are associated with the body for translating the body relative to the threat upon deployment from the vehicle. A plurality of spaced attitude control thruster means are associated with the body for providing roll, pitch and yaw to orient the reference axis to a desired orientation relative to the threat. A guidance system, associated with the reference axis, is provided for communicating electronic signals to the attitude control thruster means and divert thruster means for controlling the position of the body relative to the threat to eliminate the threat. The guidance system preferably operates independently of the vehicle after deployment.

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