IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0505200
(2009-07-17)
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등록번호 |
US-8434711
(2013-05-07)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
- Berman, Joel F.
- Montgomery, John W.
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출원인 / 주소 |
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대리인 / 주소 |
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
1 인용 특허 :
5 |
초록
▼
In this invention, there is provided a method and device for shielding and deflecting unguided missiles, mortars and other projectiles and ordnance. A plurality of lighter-than-air balloons are tethered from a plurality of ground anchors so that the balloons are positioned spaced apart, adjacent to,
In this invention, there is provided a method and device for shielding and deflecting unguided missiles, mortars and other projectiles and ordnance. A plurality of lighter-than-air balloons are tethered from a plurality of ground anchors so that the balloons are positioned spaced apart, adjacent to, along and buoyed above the border to be defended between the launch area and the target area. A defense shield is suspended from the plurality of tethered lighter-than-air balloons, extending generally vertically covering a range of heights for engaging and deflecting missiles launched along the expected trajectories.
대표청구항
▼
1. A method for deflecting airborne missiles, mortars, and other projectile ordnance launched along a trajectory from a ground launch location across a border toward a ground target location, the method comprising: tethering a plurality of lighter-than-air balloons from a plurality of anchoring posi
1. A method for deflecting airborne missiles, mortars, and other projectile ordnance launched along a trajectory from a ground launch location across a border toward a ground target location, the method comprising: tethering a plurality of lighter-than-air balloons from a plurality of anchoring positions adjacent to and spaced apart along the border between the launch location and the target location; wherein the lighter-than-air balloons are buoyed on tethers upward to a height above the expected trajectory of the launched missile at the border;suspending a plurality of missile deflecting nets comprising interwoven strands forming a mesh along the tethers from the plurality of lighter-than-air balloons, wherein the plurality of deflecting nets extend from above the missile trajectory to below the missile trajectory and wherein the plurality of deflecting nets are connected adjacent to one another to form a substantially continuous deflection shield supported by the tethered lighter-than-air balloons above and along the border between the launch location and the target location; wherein, suspending the plurality of net sheets positioned adjacent to one another to form the deflection shield so that the deflection shield extends substantially continuous along and above the border between the launch location and the target location comprises suspending one or more net sheets spaced behind the other net sheets in the direction of the missile movement so that a plurality of net sheets will engage a missile along the expected trajectory of the missile and wherein the defense shield is capable of engaging and deflecting missiles. 2. A method for deflecting missiles launched along an expected trajectory from a ground launch area across a border to be defended toward a ground target area, the method comprising: tethering a plurality of lighter-than-air balloons from a plurality of ground anchors so that the balloons are positioned spaced apart, adjacent to, along and above the border to be defended between the launch area and the target area; and buoying the lighter-than-air balloons upward to a height at or above the expected trajectory of the launched missiles at the border; wherein tethering the plurality of lighter-than-air balloons from a plurality of ground anchors, comprises forming tether cords of high strength lightweight material and fastening the tether cords between the balloons and the ground anchors;suspending a defense shield from the plurality of tethered lighter-than-air balloons, wherein the defense shield extends generally vertically in a range of heights covering the expected missile trajectory and wherein the defense shield is capable of engaging and deflecting missiles; wherein, suspending the defense shield comprises suspending a plurality of net sheets positioned adjacent to one another to form the defense shield so that the defense shield extends substantially continuous along and above the border between the launch location and the target location comprises suspending one or more net sheets spaced behind the other net sheets in the direction of the missile movement so that a plurality of net sheets will engage a missile along the expected trajectory of the missile, andwherein buoying of the balloons upward comprises providing the balloons with an amount of lift force that exceeds the total weight of the tether cords and the net sheets. 3. A method for deflecting missiles launched along an expected trajectory from a ground launch area across a border to be defended toward a ground target area, the method comprising: tethering a plurality of lighter-than-air balloons from a plurality of ground anchors so that the balloons are positioned spaced apart, adjacent to, along and above the border to be defended between the launch area and the target area, buoying the lighter-than-air balloons upward to a height at or above the expected trajectory of the launched missiles at the border, and wherein tethering the plurality of lighter-than-air balloons from a plurality of ground anchors, comprises forming tether cords of high strength lightweight material and fastening the tether cords between the balloons and the ground anchors;suspending a defense shield from the plurality of tethered lighter-than-air balloons, wherein the defense shield extends generally vertically in a range of heights covering the expected missile trajectory, wherein the defense shield is capable of engaging and deflecting missiles, wherein, suspending a defense shield from the plurality of tethered lighter-than-air balloons, comprises forming a plurality of net sheets composed of strands of lightweight, high strength material, suspending the plurality of net sheets positioned adjacent to one another to form the defense shield so that the defense shield extends substantially continuous along and above the border between the launch location and the target location, and wherein suspending the plurality of net sheets positioned adjacent to one another to form the defense shield so that the defense shield extends substantially continuous along and above the border between the launch location and the target location comprises suspending one or more net sheets spaced behind the other net sheets in the direction of the missile movement so that a plurality of net sheets will engage a missile along the expected trajectory of the missile; andbuoying of the balloons upward comprises providing the balloons with an amount of lift force that exceeds the total weight of the tether cords and the net sheets. 4. A method for deflecting missiles launched along an expected trajectory from a ground launch area across a border to be defended toward a ground target area, the method comprising: tethering a plurality of lighter-than-air balloons from a plurality of ground anchors so that the balloons are positioned spaced apart, adjacent to, along and above the border to be defended between the launch area and the target area; and buoying the lighter-than-air balloons upward to a height at or above the expected trajectory of the launched missiles at the border;suspending a defense shield from the plurality of tethered lighter-than-air balloons, wherein the defense shield extends generally vertically in a range of heights covering the expected missile trajectory and wherein the defense shield is capable of engaging and deflecting missiles;determining a maximum expected trajectory for missiles of the type to be defended to reach the target area to be defended when launched across the border from the launch area, determining a minimum expected trajectory for missiles of the type to be defended to reach the target area to be defended when launched across the border from the launch area, positioning the balloons at or above the maximum expected trajectory of missiles launched across the border and extending the net sheets from an altitude at or above the maximum expected trajectory of the missiles and down to an altitude at or below a minimum expected trajectory of the missiles that would reach the target area to be defended, and wherein determining the maximum expected trajectory for missiles comprises determining that the maximum expected trajectory will be less than two miles; and determining a minimum expected trajectory for missiles comprises determining that the minimum expected trajectory for reaching the target to be defended will be more than one-half mile; and extending the net sheets from an altitude at or above the maximum expected trajectory of the missiles and down to an altitude at or below a minimum expected trajectory of the missiles that would reach the target area to be defended comprises extending the net sheets vertically for a distance of about one and one-half miles (1.5 miles) from a maximum height of about 2 miles above the ground down to about 0.5 mile above the ground. 5. A method for deflecting missiles launched along an expected trajectory from a ground launch area across a border to be defended toward a ground target area, the method comprising: tethering a plurality of lighter-than-air balloons from a plurality of ground anchors so that the balloons are positioned spaced apart, adjacent to, along and above the border to be defended between the launch area and the target area; and buoying the lighter-than-air balloons upward to a height at or above the expected trajectory of the launched missiles at the border;suspending a defense shield from the plurality tethered lighter-than-air balloons, wherein the defense shield extends generally vertically in a range of heights covering the expected missile trajectory and wherein the defense shield is capable of engaging and deflecting missiles; wherein,buoying of the balloons upward comprises providing the balloons with an amount of lift force that exceeds the total weight of the tether cords, the net sheets, and forces expected based upon prevailing wind at the border between the launch location and the target location; andtethering the plurality of lighter-than-air balloons from a plurality of ground anchors, comprises forming tether cords of high strength lightweight material and fastening the tether cords between the balloons and the ground anchors, forming angled tether lines of high strength lightweight material and fastening the tether lines between the net sheets and offset ground anchors positioned adjacent to the border up wind from the main ground anchors so that net sheets are held in position against the prevailing wind. 6. The method for deflecting missiles of claim 5, wherein tethering the plurality of lighter-than-air balloons from a plurality of ground anchors further comprises biasing the angled tether lines with a predetermined amount of bias tension so that the net sheets deform, move and return to position against wind resistance. 7. A method for deflecting missiles launched along an expected trajectory from a ground launch area across a border to be defended toward a ground target area, the method comprising: tethering a plurality of lighter-than-air balloons from a plurality of ground anchors so that the balloons are positioned spaced apart, adjacent to, along and above the border to be defended between the launch area and the target area; and buoying the lighter-than-air balloons upward to a height at or above the expected trajectory of the launched missiles at the border;suspending a defense shield from the plurality of tethered lighter-than-air balloons, wherein the defense shield extends generally vertically in a range of heights covering the expected missile trajectory and wherein the defense shield is capable of engaging and deflecting missiles; andwherein, tethering the plurality of lighter-than-air balloons from a plurality of ground anchors, comprises forming tether cords of high strength lightweight material and fastening the tether cords between the balloons and the ground anchors, forming angled tether lines of high strength lightweight material and fastening the tether lines between the net sheets and offset ground anchors positioned closer to the border and closer to the launch area than the main ground anchors so that net sheets are held in position against the impact force of missiles launched from the launch area. 8. The method for deflecting missiles of claim 7, wherein tethering the plurality of lighter-than-air balloons from a plurality of ground anchors that further comprises biasing the angled tether lines with a predetermined amount of bias tension so that the net sheets deform, move and return to position against missile impact force. 9. A method for deflecting missiles launched along an expected trajectory from a ground launch area across a border to be defended toward a ground target area, the method comprising: tethering a plurality of lighter-than-air balloons from a plurality of ground anchors so that the balloons are positioned spaced apart, adjacent to, along and above the border to be defended between the launch area and the target area; and buoying the lighter-than-air balloons upward to a height at or above the expected trajectory of the launched missiles at the border;suspending a defense shield from the plurality of tethered lighter-than-air balloons, wherein the defense shield extends generally vertically in a range of heights covering the expected missile trajectory and wherein the defense shield is capable of engaging and deflecting missiles; andcomprising controlling the buoyancy of the lighter-than-air balloons by supplying controlled amounts of lighter-than-air gas from the ground to the balloons through a conduit. 10. A method for deflecting missiles launched along an expected trajectory from a ground launch area across a border to be defended toward a ground target area, the method comprising: tethering a plurality of lighter-than-air balloons from a plurality of ground anchors so that the balloons are positioned spaced apart, adjacent to, along and above the border to be defended between the launch area and the target area; and buoying the lighter-than-air balloons upward to a height at or above the expected trajectory of the launched missiles at the border;suspending a defense shield from the plurality of tethered lighter-than-air balloons, wherein the defense shield extends generally vertically in a range of heights covering the expected missile trajectory and wherein the defense shield is capable of engaging and deflecting missiles; andcomprising controlling the buoyancy of the lighter-than-air balloons by controlling an onboard hot air burner and re-supplying the onboard hot air burner with fuel from the ground to the balloon through a conduit. 11. A method for deflecting missiles launched along an expected trajectory from a ground launch area across a border to be defended toward a ground target area, the method comprising: tethering a plurality of lighter-than-air balloons from a plurality of ground anchors so that the balloons are positioned spaced apart, adjacent to, along and above the border to be defended between the launch area and the target area; and buoying the lighter-than-air balloons upward to a height at or above the expected trajectory of the launched missiles at the border;suspending a defense shield from the plurality of tethered lighter-than-air balloons, wherein the defense shield extends generally vertically in a range of heights covering the expected missile trajectory and wherein the defense shield is capable of engaging and deflecting missiles; andwherein, tethering the plurality of lighter-than-air balloons from a plurality of main ground anchors, comprises forming tether cords of high strength lightweight material and fastening the tether cords between the balloons and the ground anchors, forming angled tether lines of high strength lightweight material and fastening the tether lines between the net sheets and offset ground anchors positioned adjacent to the border and space apart form the main anchors so that the tether cords and tether lines are angle relative to each other upward to the buoyed balloons;suspending the net sheets comprises suspending the net sheets from the angled tether cords between the launch site and the balloons so that the balloons are at a higher altitude and spaced back from the net sheets toward the target area; andbuoying of the balloons upward comprises providing the balloons with an amount of lift force that exceeds the total weight of the tether cords, the angled tether lines, the net sheets suspended from the angled tether lines. 12. A device for deflecting missiles launched along an expected trajectory from a ground launch area across a border to be defended toward a ground target area, comprising: a plurality of spaced apart ground anchors secured to the ground positioned spaced apart, adjacent to, along the border to be defended between the launch area and the target area;a plurality of lighter-than-air balloons tethered from the plurality of spaced apart ground anchors so that the lighter-than-air balloons are buoyed upward and tethered at positions spaced apart, adjacent to, along and above the border to be defended between the launch area and the target area, wherein the lighter-than-air balloons are buoyed upward to a height at or above the expected trajectory of the launched missiles at the border;a defense shield capable of engaging and deflecting missiles suspended from the plurality of tethered lighter-than-air balloons, wherein the defense shield, comprising a plurality of connected nets having interwoven strands forming a mesh, extends generally vertically below the lighter-than-air balloons in a range of heights corresponding to expected missile trajectories that would allow the missiles to reach the target area when launched from the launch area, so that the missiles launched from the launch area along the trajectories to the target area are engaged and deflected by the defense shield; anda plurality of tether cords of high strength lightweight material and fastened between the lighter-than-air balloons and the ground anchors; and whereinthe defense shield suspended from the plurality of tethered lighter-than-air balloons, comprises a plurality of net sheets composed of strands of lightweight, high strength material, the plurality of net sheets positioned adjacent to one another overlapping at least partially along vertical edges and suspended from the plurality of lighter-than-air balloons to form the defense shield that extends substantially continuously along and above the border between the launch area and the target area; and whereinthe lighter-than-air balloons comprise a volume for holding hot air or other lighter than ambient air gases with an amount of lift force that exceeds the total weight of the tether cords and the net sheets. 13. The device for deflecting missiles of claim 12, comprising the plurality of net sheets positioned adjacent to one another to form the defense shield so that the defense shield extends substantially continuous along and above the border between the launch location and the target location comprises suspending one or more reinforcement net sheets spaced behind, in the direction of the missile movement, the plurality of net sheets positioned adjacent to one another so that one of the plurality of net sheets and one or more of the reinforcement net sheets will engage a missile launched along the expected trajectory of the missile from the launch area to the target area. 14. The device for deflecting missiles of claim 12, the plurality of net sheets comprise strands of lightweight, high strength material formed into an interwoven net having spaces between the strands sufficiently close so that the missiles will be engaged by the strands of the net. 15. The device for deflecting missiles of claim 14, the plurality of net sheets comprise strands of lightweight, high strength material formed into an interwoven net having spaces between the strands sufficiently far apart so that wind resistance for the net sheets is low and at most the wind resistance is less than the amount of lift force of the balloons that exceeds the total weight of the tether cords and net sheet. 16. The device for deflecting missiles of claim 12, wherein the lighter-than-air balloons are positioned at an altitude equal to or greater than the height of the maximum expected trajectory of missiles launched across the border and wherein the net sheets extend below the lighter-than-air balloons from an altitude equal to or greater than the height of the maximum expected trajectory of the missiles and down to an altitude less than or equal to a minimum expected trajectory height of the missiles that would reach the target area to be defended. 17. The device for deflecting missiles of claim 16, wherein the maximum expected trajectory will be an altitude corresponding to a height equal to or less than two miles above ground, the minimum expected trajectory for reaching the target to be defended will be an altitude corresponding to a height more than one-half mile above ground level, and the net sheets extend a vertical distance of about one and one-half miles (1.5 miles) from a maximum height of about 2 miles above the ground down to a minimum height of about 0.5 mile above the ground. 18. The device for deflecting missiles of claim 12, comprising a plurality of offset ground anchors positioned adjacent to the border up wind, as determined according to a prevailing wind direction, from the main ground anchors; and a plurality of angled tether lines comprised of high strength lightweight material fastened between the net sheets and the offset ground anchors so that the net sheets are held in position against the prevailing wind. 19. The device for deflecting missiles of claim 18, comprising a plurality of biasing devices connected to the angled tether lines, the biasing devices capable of applying a predetermined amount of bias tension to the angled tether lines so that the net sheets are allowed to deform and move in response to increased wind and to return to position in response to decreased wind. 20. The device for deflecting missiles of claim 12, comprising a plurality of offset ground anchors positioned closer to the border and closer to the launch area than the main ground anchors so that net sheets are held in position against the impact force of missiles launched from the launch area. 21. The device for deflecting missiles of claim 20, comprising a plurality of biasing devices attached to the angled tether lines capable of applying a predetermined amount of bias tension to the angled tether lines connected to the net sheets so that the net sheets deform and move in response to missile impact force and return to position after the missile is deflected. 22. The device for deflecting missiles of claim 12, comprising a buoyancy control including a supply of lighter-than-air gas on the ground, a conduit from the supply to the balloon for transmitting lighter-than-air gas from the ground to the balloons, and a control valve operatively connected to the conduit for allowing controlled amounts of lighter-than-air gas from the ground supply through the conduit to the balloons to control the buoyancy of the balloons. 23. The device for deflecting missiles of claim 12, wherein the lighter-than-air balloons comprise hot air balloons and comprising an onboard hot air burner, remote controls for the onboard hot air burners for operating the burner to control the buoyancy of the lighter-than-air balloon, a supply of fuel for the burner at the ground and a conduit for supplying the onboard hot air burner with fuel from the ground to the balloon though the conduit. 24. The device for deflecting missiles of claim 12, comprising: a plurality of tether cords of high strength lightweight material and fastened between the lighter-than-air balloons and main ground anchors; anda plurality of angled tether lines of high strength lightweight material and fastened between the lighter-than-air balloons and offset ground anchors positioned a spaced apart distance from the main ground anchors toward the launch site, and whereinthe defense shield is suspended from the plurality of angled tether lines spaced a distance along the angled tether lines down from the lighter-than-air balloons, so that the balloons are positioned above and toward the target area from the suspended defense shield, and whereinthe lighter-than-air balloons comprise a volume for holding hot air or other lighter than ambient air gases with an amount of lift force that exceeds the total weight of the tether cords, the angled tether lines, and the defense shield.
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