초록

A projectile includes an ordnance portion configured to impact a target and a communication apparatus positioned rearward of the ordnance portion. The projectile is configured to rotate about and travel along a longitudinal axis after launch.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A system for communicating with a projectile in flight toward an intended target, comprising a barrel-launched projectile and a remote receiver, wherein said barrel-launched projectile includes an ordnance portion, an active communications apparatus and an onboard speed control, wherein said acti

1. A system for communicating with a projectile in flight toward an intended target, comprising a barrel-launched projectile and a remote receiver, wherein said barrel-launched projectile includes an ordnance portion, an active communications apparatus and an onboard speed control, wherein said active communications apparatus includes an onboard receiver, an electromagnetic wave reception device, and an active transmitter, wherein said electromagnetic wave reception device includes at least one from the group consisting of an antenna and a photo receptor and is configured to receive an electromagnetic signal, wherein said electromagnetic wave reception device is connected to provide a signal derived from said electromagnetic signal to said onboard receiver to deploy said onboard speed control, wherein said active transmitter is connected and configured for transmitting a signal to said remote receiver during flight and before activation of said speed control, wherein said transmitted signal is directed within a cone angle extending in a direction opposite the barrel-launched projectile's flight direction, wherein said onboard speed control includes a propellant charge, wherein said deploying said onboard speed control initiates propelling of said propellant charge, wherein said propelling of said propellant charge in the barrel-launched projectile's flight direction adjusts velocity of said barrel-launched projectile. 2. The projectile of claim 1, wherein the ordnance portion includes a bullet. 3. The projectile of claim 1, wherein the ordnance portion includes a grenade. 4. The projectile of claim 1, further combining a sabot for encasing the projectile at the time the projectile is launched. 5. The projectile of claim 1, further comprising a power supply for providing energy to at least said communication apparatus. 6. The projectile of claim 5, wherein said power supply includes a use detection apparatus for activating said power supply after the occurrence of a use event. 7. The projectile of claim 6, wherein said use event includes at least one from the group consisting of a launch event and an impact event. 8. The projectile of claim 6, wherein said power supply includes an electrochemical battery pack that includes at least two components, wherein said electrochemical battery pack generates electrical energy from an electrochemical reaction between said at least two components, wherein said use detection apparatus includes a membrane that separates said at least two components until said occurrence of said use event. 9. The projectile of claim 8, wherein said at least two components include zinc, carbon and air, and wherein said membrane separates said zinc and carbon from said air. 10. The projectile of claim 8, wherein said at least two components include lead, lead oxide, and sulfuric acid, and wherein said membrane separates said lead and lead oxide from said sulfuric acid. 11. The projectile of claim 8, wherein said at least two components include zinc, manganese dioxide and potassium hydroxide, and wherein said membrane separates said zinc and said manganese dioxide from said potassium hydroxide. 12. The projectile of claim 1, wherein said electromagnetic wave reception device is configured for receiving RF energy, and wherein said electromagnetic wave reception device includes an antenna. 13. The projectile of claim 1, wherein said electromagnetic wave reception device is configured for receiving infrared energy, and wherein said electromagnetic wave reception device includes a photo receptor. 14. The projectile of claim 1, wherein said electromagnetic wave reception device is configured for receiving an encoded data signal. 15. The projectile of claim 1, wherein said active transmitter includes an antenna and wherein transmitted energy includes RF energy. 16. The projectile of claim 1, wherein said active communication apparatus includes one or more surface mount electronic components mounted on a shock-resistant system board. 17. The projectile of claim 1, further comprising electrical components and an electrical interconnection there between, wherein said electrical interconnection is configured to allow relative movement between said electrical components. 18. The projectile of claim 1, further comprising a structure for maintaining stable flight, wherein said structure for maintaining stable flight includes an exterior surface that includes at least one from the group consisting of fins, aerodynamic control surfaces, and a surface configured to engage rifling. 19. The projectile of claim 18, wherein said fins are configured to extend after said projectile is launched. 20. The projectile of claim 1, further comprising a sensor. 21. The projectile of claim 20, wherein said sensor is capable of detecting at least one from the group consisting of vibration, motion, chemicals, biological agents, nuclear decay particles, sound, or electromagnetic signals and position. 22. The projectile of claim 21, further comprising a device for recording sensor data. 23. The projectile of claim 21, further comprising a material with a reflective property, wherein said sensor is capable of detecting reflection from said material, and wherein said sensor is capable of being remotely interrogated. 24. The projectile of claim 1, further comprising an explosive charge, wherein if said reception device receives an electromagnetic signal that includes a communication of a parameter related to distance of the barrel-launched projectile to the intended target, said onboard speed control activates said explosive charge at a time based on a parameter related to said distance. 25. The projectile of claim 24, further comprising a forward extending portion, wherein said forward extending portion includes a probe, wherein said detonation projecting energy in the direction of flight is initiated on contact of said probe with the target. 26. The projectile of claim 24, wherein said explosive charge includes a shaped detonation, wherein said shaped detonation projects energy in the direction of the target. 27. The projectile of claim 1, further comprising an explosive charge, wherein said explosive charge includes a shaped detonation, further comprising a forward extending portion, wherein said forward extending portion includes a probe, wherein said shaped detonation is initiated on contact of said probe with the target. 28. The projectile of claim 1, further comprising a structure for reducing energy of impact of said communications apparatus during impact with the target, wherein said structure includes at least one from the group consisting of said ordnance portion, a thermoplastic material, a soft metal, a honeycomb, at least one material that absorbs energy by melting on impact, and a penetration device. 29. The projectile of claim 28, wherein said ordnance portion is constructed of an energy absorbing material. 30. The projectile of claim 29, wherein said energy absorbing material includes at least one material from the group consisting of a thermoplastic and a solder. 31. The projectile of claim 30, wherein said at least one material that absorbs energy by melting on impact includes solder. 32. The projectile of claim 29, wherein said energy absorbing material includes a soft metal. 33. The projectile of claim 29, wherein said energy absorbing material includes a structural form capable of dissipating impact energy by deformation. 34. The projectile of claim 33, wherein said structural form capable of dissipating impact energy includes a honeycomb. 35. The projectile of claim 29, wherein said energy absorbing material encases a penetration device. 36. The projectile of claim 35, wherein said penetration device is constructed of a material chosen from the group consisting of a ceramic material, a carbon fiber material, and a hard metal. 37. The projectile of claim 36, wherein said ceramic material includes silicon carbide. 38. The projectile of claim 36, wherein said hard metal includes tungsten. 39. The projectile of claim 35, wherein said penetration device includes a threaded penetration device configured to attach to sheet metal. 40. The projectile of claim 1, wherein said active transmitter includes a light source. 41. The projectile of claim 40, wherein said light source includes at least one from the group consisting of an LED, a laser, a chemical reaction and combustion. 42. The projectile of claim 41, further comprising a plurality of said light sources, and wherein said communications apparatus further includes a driver circuit for sequentially exciting each of said light sources. 43. The projectile of claim 42, wherein said communications apparatus further includes a lens assembly configured to project said light transmitted from a first of said plurality of light sources at a first radial angle and to project said infrared energy transmitted from a second of said plurality of light sources at a second radial angle. 44. The projectile of claim 42, wherein said communications apparatus further includes a lens assembly configured to project said light transmitted from a first of said plurality of light sources at a first longitudinal angle and to project said light transmitted from a second of said plurality of light sources at a second longitudinal angle. 45. The projectile of claim 42, wherein said communications apparatus further includes a lens assembly configured to project said light transmitted from a first of said plurality of light sources at a first longitudinal angle and a first radial angle and to project said light transmitted from a second of said plurality of light sources at a second longitudinal angle and a second radial angle. 46. The projectile of claim 40, wherein light provided by said light source is infrared. 47. The projectile of claim 40, wherein said communications apparatus further includes a lens assembly positioned for refracting said light. 48. The projectile of claim 47, wherein said lens assembly includes a convex lens. 49. The projectile of claim 1, wherein said transmitter includes an electronic tracer. 50. The projectile of claim 1, further comprising an energy-reducing structure configured for reducing energy of impact of said communications apparatus, wherein said energy-reducing structure includes a scalloped region configured for disrupting airflow and slowing flight. 51. The projectile of claim 50, wherein said scalloped region is configured to limit range of flight. 52. The projectile of claim 1, wherein said ordnance portion and said communications apparatus are arranged so said ordnance portion extends in the direction of flight ahead of said communications portion so said ordnance portion is first to impact the target, wherein enough of the energy of impact with the target is reduced to protect said communications apparatus from damage during the impact while leaving sufficient remaining energy for attachment of said communications apparatus to the target. 53. The projectile of claim 52, wherein said ordnance portion is configured so said attachment involves a portion at least partially penetrating the target. 54. The projectile of claim 53, wherein at least a portion of the communication apparatus is remotely visible after said partially penetrating attachment. 55. The projectile of claim 52, wherein said communications apparatus is structured to substantially withstand said remaining energy of the impact so said communications apparatus can communicate after the impact. 56. The projectile of claim 52, wherein said remaining energy for attachment is sufficient to provide attachment based on at least one from the group consisting of partial penetration into the target and melt of a part of said ordnance portion on impact, where said melt of a part of said ordnance portion is for facilitating said attachment to the target. 57. The projectile of claim 52, further comprising a system board mounted within a plane that is essentially orthogonal to said direction of flight. 58. The projectile of claim 57, further comprising an essentially planar mounting structure that is essentially orthogonal to said direction of flight, wherein said essentially planar mounting structure is configured to receive said system board. 59. The projectile of claim 1, wherein said onboard speed control is configured for slowing said projectile, wherein said slowing of said projectile is provided by said propellant charge. 60. The projectile of claim 1, further comprising a deployable fin configured for slowing said projectile.