Supercavitating projectile tracking system and method

#None.

#(1) Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates generally to tracking systems and, more particularly, to tracking systems and methods for tracking in real time the trajectory and velocity of underwater objects which may be traveling at high speeds utilizing data which may come from randomly spaced passive pressure sensors.

#A more complete understanding of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereto will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts and wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of an underwater tracking system in accord with one embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a graph of a cavity boundary for a 700 meter per second projective with a 1.7 mm diameter cavitator;

#Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly, to FIG. 1 there is shown tracking system 10 which may be utilized to measure variables which describe the three-dimensional underwater track or path 14 of a supercavitating vehicle under surface 16 of a body of water. In this embodiment, passive acoustic or pressure transducers 12 are utilized to measure a pressure field produced by a moving supercavitating vehicle. The present invention provides a low-cost, reusable, and robust system to measure the performance of projectiles in an open range environment.

#In one embodiment of the invention, passive acoustic or pressure transducers 12 may be randomly distributed along path 14 of the supercavitating vehicle. The information from the transducers is provided to computer 18 utilizing data flow path 20, which may comprise any suitable means for transferring signals from passive acoustic or pressure transducers 12 to computer 18 including wireless, wired or fiber optic transmission lines. Computer 18 is programmed in accord with the methods of the present invention to provide velocity, trajectory, and/or other information.

#The solutions may be calculated sufficiently quickly to be considered produced in “real time.” For example, a defense system might theoretically be able to utilize the “real time” information from computer 18 for aiming defensive weapons at an incoming projectile. In one embodiment, the solutions may be determined within less than 0.0001 seconds, or in less than 0.001 seconds, or in less than 0.01 seconds.