Fast deploy, retrievable and reusable airborne counter-measure system
US6683555B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 25, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jan 27, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 28, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S7/021
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A fast deployment and retrieval system permits the rapid deployment of a decoy in seconds in response to an incoming threat, thus eliminating the necessity of pre-deployment, with retrieval permitting reeling in and deployment of the decoy a number of times during a mission in response to threats, and a commensurate reduction in life cycle cost. Upon detection of an incoming threat by a warning receiver, a controller coupled to a transmission releases a brake that is utilized to control the speed of deployment, whereas upon retrieval, the transmission drives a motor for retrieval of the decoy. The system is thus reusable, fast reacting, and also minimizes range penalty considerations because the decoy is only deployed when needed. In one embodiment, the system accommodates both a towing cable and a fiber-optic signal cable in which apparatus for unwinding of the cables is mechanically ganged together so that the cables pay out at the same rate. This type of payout lowers the stress on the fragile fiber-optic cable making possible multiple deployments and retrievals in response to separate threats during a mission. In another embodiment, a single, structural member with embedded con…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.