Variable Energy Accelerator Incorporating an Electronic Rangefinder
AssigneeArcflash Labs, Inc.
InventorDavid M. Wirth
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system which adjusts the muzzle energy of an adjustable velocity accelerator in response to signals from a connected rangefinder or imaging device. Embodiments of the invention may be used to enhance the safety of a less-lethal weapon system by automatically adjusting its muzzle energy to compensate for a target moving closer or further away, or preventing injury to an unintended third party who crosses into the line of fire at close range. The preferred embodiment relates to a portion of an active control system for a coilgun or railgun. Other embodiments may be applicable to precision targeting for defense/military applications, or integrating an identification friend-or-foe (IFF) system in combination with a rangefinder to reduce the risk of friendly fire incidents.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising:
- a) a weapon which is designed to expel a projectile by an action of a force other than combustion;
- and
- b) at the weapon, the force delivered to said projectile may be adjusted in response to a measurement of a distance between the weapon and a first object in the weapon's line of fire.
A method comprising:
- a) an operator commanding a discharge a weapon system;
- and
- b) transmitting an electromagnetic, acoustic, optical, radio, microwave or other signal(s) from a subsystem of, or a device in communication with, the weapon system which is able to vary a level of energy delivered to its projectiles;
- and
- b) the weapon system receiving signals which vary in strength, frequency, or distortions;
- and
- c) at an information processing system interpreting said signals and computing a range to a target;
- and
- d) adjusting the weapon's projectile energy based on the computed range to target;
- and
- e) the weapon firing a projectile.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.