Muzzle reference system
AssigneePrinceton Scientific Instruments, Inc.
InventorsJohn L. Lowrance, Vincent J. Mastrocola, George F. Renda, Stephen R. Smith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In systems embodying the invention, a battery powered collimated light source is located at the muzzle end of a cannon and is beamed back over the length “L” of the cannon gun tube to the collecting aperture of an optical transceiver located near the breech end (or trunnion) of the cannon. The turn-on and turn-off of the collimated light source is under the control of the gunner of the tank or the tank's fire control computer system to ensure that the battery power/energy is used only when deemed necessary by the user so that battery power is conserved.
Claims14
A dynamic muzzle reference system (DMRS) for ascertaining changes in the angular position of the distal, muzzle, end of the gun tube of a tank, relative to the proximal, tank end, of the gun tube comprising:
- a battery powered illuminating means including an optics system located at the distal, muzzle, end of the gun tube for producing a collimated light beam directed towards an aperture located adjacent to the proximal end of the gun tube and through the aperture onto a light receptor and onto different portions of a surface of a position sensitive light detector;
- and
- user control means for selectively activating the light beam under the control of the user.
A dynamic muzzle reference system (DMRS) for ascertaining changes in the angular position of the distal, muzzle, end of the gun tube of a tank, relative to the proximal, tank end, of the gun tube comprising:
- a light control module located at the muzzle end of the gun tube and a transceiver located at the proximal, tank end of the gun tube;
- the light control module including a battery powered illuminating means including an optics system for producing a collimated light beam directed towards the transceiver;
- the transceiver including a light receptor for sensing the light beam from the illuminating means and a position sensing light detector;
- and
- the transceiver including means for selectively transmitting a signal to the light control module for activating the light beam under the control of the transceiver.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.