Proximity fuse having an e-field sensor
AssigneeBAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
InventorMichael N. Mercier
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A proximity fuse includes an electric-field (E-field) sensor to detect electrical disturbances from an object that is external and distinct from a device carrying the proximity fuse. The E-field sensor detects or senses E-fields versus time in order to provide omnidirectional coverage of the device carrying the proximity fuse. When the device carrying the fuse is a missile having warhead, the proximity fuse is connected with detonation logic that detonates the warhead at a desired time to destroy or neutralize the object, which is typically a threat, such as another missile.
Claims20
A proximity fuse comprising:
- an electric-field (E-field) sensor to sense at least one E-field of an object near the E-field sensor;
- a detonation time calculator in electrical communication with the E-field sensor that sends a signal to detonate a warhead in response the E-field sensor sensing the E-field of the object;
- and
- detonation logic to detonate the warhead based, at least in part, on the E-field of the object.
A countermeasure system for a platform comprising:
- a plurality of sensors on the platform to detect an incoming threat wherein the incoming threat generates an electric field (E-field);
- a warhead that is deployable from the platform in response to the plurality of sensors detecting the incoming threat;
- and
- a proximity fuse electrically coupled to the warhead, wherein the proximity fuse includes an E-field sensor configured to sense the E-field of the incoming threat versus time to detonate the warhead, via detonation logic, based on the E-field of the incoming threat.
A method comprising:
- deploying a countermeasure munition in response to detection of a threat object;
- sensing an electric field (E-field) of the threat object with an E-field sensor integrated into a proximity fuse on the countermeasure munition;
- and
- detonating the countermeasure munition to eliminate or neutralize the threat object in response a determination, by the E-field sensor, of the E-field of the threat object versus time.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.