Radome nose cone probe apparatus for use with electrostatic sensor
AssigneeAlliant Techsystems Inc.
InventorScott D. Crist
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A radome probe apparatus for use with an electrostatic proximity sensor is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a radome nose cone probe connected to a projectile and having an inner surface. The nose cone is made of a dielectric material. Single or multiple electrically conducting areas are connected to the inner surface of the nose cone. The conducting areas are dielectrically isolated. Electronics are utilized to sense the time rate of change voltage or current between the areas due to the intrinsic electrostatic charge on a target aircraft.
Claims21
A sensing apparatus for sensing an inherent electric field surrounding an electrostatically charged threat aircraft for use with a projectile, the projectile having a conductive body, the sensing apparatus comprising:
- (a) a nose cone made of a dielectric material, the nose cone having an inner surface and connected to the projectile;
- (b) an electrically conductive area connected to the inner surface of the nose cone and conductively separated from the projectile body;
- and
- (c) detection means for detecting a time rate of change current between the conductive area and the projectile body induced by the electric field surrounding the electrostatically charged threat aircraft, the detection means operatively connected to the conductive area and the projectile body, the connections being internal to the nose cone and the projectile body.
An apparatus for use with a projectile, comprising:
- (a) a nose cone made of a dielectric material, the nose cone having an inner surface and connected to the projectile;
- (b) a first electrically conductive area connected to the inner surface of the nose cone;
- (c) a second electrically conductive area conductively separated from the first conductive area and connected to the inner surface of the nose cone;
- and
- (d) detection means connected to the first and second conductive areas for detecting a time rate of change current between the first and second conductive areas induced by an electric field surrounding an electrostatically charged threat aircraft, the connections being internal to the nose cone.
An apparatus for sensing an electric field surrounding an electrostatically charged threat aircraft for use with a projectile, comprising:
- (a) a nose cone made of a dielectric material, the nose cone having an inner surface and connected to the projectile;
- (b) a first electrically conductive area connected to the inner surface of the nose cone;
- (c) a second electrically conductive area connected to the inner surface of the nose cone and insulated from the first electrically conductive area;
- and
- (d) detection means connected to the first and second conductive areas for detecting a time rate of change voltage between the first conductive area and the second conductive area induced by the electric field surrounding the electrostatically charged threat aircraft, the connections being internal to the nose cone.
An apparatus for sensing an electric field surrounding an electrostatically charged threat aircraft for use with a projectile, the projectile having a conductive body, comprising:
- (a) a nose cone made of a dielectric material, the nose cone having an inner surface and connected to the projectile;
- (b) an electrically conductive area connected to the inner surface of the nose cone and separated from the projectile body;
- and
- (c) detection means connected to the conductive area and the projectile body for detecting a time rate of change voltage between the electrically conductive area and the projectile body induced by the electric field surrounding the electrostatically charged threat aircraft, the connections being internal to the nose cone and the projectile body.
A proximity sensor for a projectile, comprising:
- (a) a nose cone made of ceramic having an inner surface;
- and
- (b) sensing means connected to the inner surface of the nose cone for sensing threat aircraft, the connection being internal to the nose cone.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.