Smart fuze guidance system with replaceable fuze module
AssigneeRaytheon Company
InventorsChris E. Geswender, Stephen E. Bennett, Matthew A. Zamora, Cesar Sanchez
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A smart fuze system includes a radome used to hold a replaceable smart fuze module in place. An internally-threaded collar screws onto threads on the main body of the smart fuze system. Pressure from the radome presses the smart fuze module against electrical connections in the main body. The smart fuze module may thereby be held in place without potting material, allowing different types of fuzes to be swapped into place. The different types of fuzes may include a type that communicates height of burst (HOB) information a type that communicates telemetry, and a type that communicates both HOB and telemetry information.
Claims19
A smart fuze system for a projectile, the system comprising:
- a primary fuze structure;
- a radome;
- and
- a replaceable fuze module;
- wherein the fuze module has a connector interface interfacing with electrical connections of the primary fuze structure;
- and
- wherein the radome has a bottom surface that presses against the fuze module, thereby mechanically coupling the fuze module in place with the connector interface against the electrical connections.
A method of modifying a smart fuze system, the method comprising:
- removing a radome that presses against a first smart fuze module against a primary fuze structure of the smart fuze system;
- replacing the first smart fuze module with a second smart fuze module;
- and
- replacing the radome, thereby pressing the second smart fuze module against the primary fuze structure.
A method of configuring a smart fuze system, the method comprising:
- selecting a smart fuze module from multiple different types of fuze modules;
- and
- installing the smart fuze in the smart fuze system, wherein the installing includes pressing a bottom surface of a radome of the smart fuze system against the smart fuze module.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.