# US 5,344,319 A · Shoot and kill indicator

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- Number: US 5,344,319 A
- Document ID: US5344319A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/058,211
- Filed: 1993-05-10
- Granted: 1994-09-06
- Earliest claimed: 1993-05-10
- Assignees: Cubic Defense Systems, Inc.
- Inventors: Walter R. Manzke
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5344319A

## CPC

- F41H 9/06: Apparatus for generating artificial fog or smoke screens ({for producing special effects on stages A63J5/00}; smoke-pot projectors, e.g. arranged on vehicles, F42B5/155)
- F41H: ARMOUR; ARMOURED TURRETS; ARMOURED OR ARMED VEHICLES; MEANS OF ATTACK OR DEFENCE, e.g. CAMOUFLAGE, IN GENERAL

## Abstract

An airborne wind-driven electrical generator provides electrical current to the resistance wire of a smoke generator, which receives a smoke-producing fluid from a reservoir. A valve controls the flow of fluid to the smoke generator in response to control signals, which may indicate a simulated weapon firing or simulated weapon hit in an airborne weapon training system.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A smoke indicator apparatus, comprising:
a housing; a rotor disposed on said housing for rotating in response to wind;
a generator in said housing connected to said rotor for producing current in response to rotation of said rotor;
a reservoir in said housing for holding a fluid; and
a heater in said housing having an inlet connected to said reservoir for receiving said fluid, an outlet for producing smoke, and a resistive conductor for heating said fluid in response to said current.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The smoke indicator apparatus described in claim 1, wherein said fluid is oil.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The smoke indicator apparatus described in claim 1, further comprising flow control means for controlling the flow of said fluid from said reservoir to said heater.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The smoke indicator apparatus described in claim 3, wherein said flow control means is a valve.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The smoke indicator apparatus described in claim 4, wherein said fluid is oil.

### Claim 6

In a missile training pod for an aircraft producing a hit detection signal, in combination with a smoke indicator apparatus, comprising:
a rotor disposed at an end of said training pod for rotating in response to wind;
a generator connected to said rotor for producing current in response to rotation of said rotor;
a reservoir for holding a fluid;
a valve having a valve inlet and a valve outlet, said valve inlet connected to said reservoir for receiving said fluid, said valve operating in response to said hit detection signal;
a heater having a heater inlet connected to said valve outlet for receiving said fluid and a heater outlet for producing smoke, said heater having a resistive conductor for heating said fluid in response to said current.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The apparatus described in claim 6, wherein said fluid is oil.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The smoke indicator apparatus described in claim 7, wherein:
said training pod produces a fire detection signal; and
said valve operates in response to said fire detection signal.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The smoke indicator apparatus described in claim 8, wherein said fluid is oil.

### Claim 10

A method for producing smoke indications in a missile training pod for an aircraft, said training pod producing at least one detection signal, said training pod having a smoke generator for producing bursts of smoke comprising the steps of:
generating electrical current in response to wind relative to said training pod; and
producing at least one burst of smoke in response to both said detection signal and said electrical current.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method for producing smoke indications described in claim 10, wherein said detection signal is indicative of a simulated missile firing.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The method for producing smoke indications described in claim 10, wherein said detection signal is indicative of a simulated missile hit.