Patent Application
20100326262
This disclosure generally relates to chaff dispensers, and more particularly to a chaff pod dispenser that may be configured on an aircraft.
Chaff is a radar countermeasure that includes pieces of conductive material that disrupt electro-magnetic signals. Chaff may be dispensed from an aircraft to disrupt radar signals. Reflected signals received by the radar may include ghost information, which may camouflage the aircraft's position.
According to one embodiment, a chaff pod includes at least two dispensers disposed within a chaff pod housing. Each of the dispensers has a surface defining an opening through which a number of countermeasures may be dispensed. The dispensers are configured to be coupled to the aircraft. The first dispenser directs countermeasures in a first direction, and the second dispenser directs countermeasures in a second direction. The difference between the first direction and the second direction form a relative angle.
Some embodiments of the disclosure may provide numerous technical advantages. For example, one embodiment of the chaff pod may camouflage an aircraft from enemy radar or heat seeking detection systems from the front as well as the side. The chaff pod may be mounted on the aircraft such that a first dispenser dispenses countermeasures to the side of the aircraft, while a second dispenser dispenses countermeasures toward the front of aircraft. A bracket may be used to mount the chaff pod to the aircraft using an existing bolt hole pattern suitable for mounting known chaff pod designs. Thus, protection of the aircraft may be enhanced without significant modifications to the aircraft.
Other technical advantages will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from the following figures, descriptions, and claims. Moreover, while specific advantages have been enumerated above, various embodiments may include all, some, or none of the enumerated advantages.
A more complete understanding of embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent from the detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Countermeasure dispensers for aircraft may dispense chaff and/or flares. Dispersal of chaff or flares may camouflage the position of the aircraft from enemy radar or heat seeking detection systems, respectively.
Dispensers 14a and 14b may be any suitable device that are configured to hold and dispense one or more countermeasures, such as chaff or flares. Each dispenser 14a and 14b has a front surface 16a and 16b with openings through which the countermeasures are dispensed. Countermeasures stored in dispenser 14a or 14b may be ejected in a direction approximately normal to their respective front surface 16a or 16b.
Any suitable type of countermeasures may be used. In one embodiment, countermeasures may include elongated pieces of conductive strips. Conductive strips may be used to disrupt radar signals. In another embodiment, countermeasures may include at least one flare that creates heat. Flares may be used to evade heat seeking detectors, such as those commonly used in heat seeking missiles.
According to the teachings of the present disclosure, the first dispenser 14a directs its countermeasures in a first direction and the second dispenser 14b directs countermeasures in a second direction. The difference between the first direction and the second direction form a relative angle A. In one embodiment, the angle A may be in the range of 120 to 170 degrees. In the particular embodiment shown, the angle A is 150 degrees.
Certain embodiments of the chaff pod 10 may provide coverage for the front as well as side portions of the aircraft 18.
Sequencer 22 may be made from any suitable type of circuitry. In one embodiment, sequencer 22 includes a computer processor that executes instructions stored in a memory. In another embodiment, sequencer 22 may be operable to sequentially dispense a number of countermeasures over a specified time period. In another embodiment, sequencer 22 is similar to a sequencer used in an ALE-47 chaff pod. The ALE-47 chaff pod is a countermeasure dispenser system (CMDS) developed by the United States Air Force. In another embodiment, cabling between sequencer 22 and aircraft 18 includes a connector (not specifically shown) that is similar to a connector used with known chaff pod dispensers, such the ALE-47 chaff pod.
In one embodiment, chaff pod 10 may include a selector 28 that is physically adjustable by a user to alternatively enable or disable operation of the chaff pod 10. For example, while servicing the aircraft 18, the selector 28 may be manipulated to disable operation of the chaff pod 10 such that the countermeasures stored in dispensers 14a and 14b may not be inadvertently dispensed. In this manner, users may be protected from possible injury due to unwanted activation of countermeasures.
Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to chaff pod 10 without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The components of chaff pod 10 may be integrated or separated. For example, chaff pod housing 12 may be formed of a single piece of material, or may comprise two or more independently formed pieces that are coupled together using fasteners, such as bolts or adhesives. Moreover, the operations of chaff pod 10 may be performed by more, fewer, or other components. For example, sequencer 22 may include additional circuitry that may be used for other functions, such as thermal control of countermeasures housed in chaff pod housing 12. Additionally, operations of sequencer 22 may be performed using any suitable logic comprising software, hardware, and/or other logic. As used in this document, “each” refers to each member of a set or each member of a subset of a set.
In act 102, chaff pod 10 is mounted on an aircraft 18. Aircraft 18 may be any suitable type of aircraft that may benefit from use of countermeasures, such as a military airplane or a military helicopter. In one embodiment, chaff pod 10 comprises a bracket 24 with a bolt hole pattern 26 that allows mounting on the left side or the right side of aircraft 18. In another embodiment, bracket 24 includes a bolt hole pattern 26 similar to that of an ALE-47 chaff pod.
In act 104, initiation of countermeasures may be disabled using selector 28. Selector 28 may be any manually actuated mechanism, such as a switch, that selectively enables or inhibits operation of countermeasures configured in chaff pod 10. In some embodiments, selector 28 may provide enhanced safety for personnel who service or install countermeasures in chaff pod 10. When service or installation of countermeasures is completed, initiation of countermeasures may be allowed using selector 28.
In act 106, countermeasures are loaded into two dispensers 14a and 14b of chaff pod 10. Any suitable type of countermeasures may be used, such as flares or chaff.
In act 108, one or more first countermeasures are dispensed in a first direction relative to the orientation of aircraft 18. Countermeasures may be dispensed in any suitable manner. In one embodiment, countermeasures are dispensed by a sequencer 22 that initiates countermeasures in response to a command from aircraft 18.
In act 110, one or more second countermeasures may be dispensed in another direction relative to the orientation of the aircraft 18 that is different from the direction in which the first countermeasures were dispensed. In one embodiment, the second countermeasures are dispensed at an angle relative to the first countermeasures that is approximately 120 to 170 degrees apart. In another embodiment, the first countermeasures may be dispensed outwardly from a side of aircraft and the second countermeasures may be dispensed outwardly from a front of aircraft 18.
Acts 108 and 110 may be repeatedly performed till some or all countermeasures are dispensed from chaff pod 10. In act 112, the process ends.
Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the method without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The method may include more, fewer, or other acts. For example, sequencer 22 may include a technique that provide simultaneous initiation of multiple countermeasures from the same dispenser 14a or 14b or from differing dispensers 14a or 14b. As another example, procedures for installation and maintenance of chaff pod 10 may include other actions, such as routine cleaning and/or various verification procedures to verify proper operation of chaff pod 10.
Although several embodiments have been illustrated and described in detail, it will be recognized that substitutions and alterations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, as defined by the following claims.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/986,436, entitled “CHAFF POD DISPENSER,” which was filed on Nov. 8, 2007.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60986436 | Nov 2007 | US |
