Weapon interface system and delivery platform employing the same

• US 10,029,791 B2
• Filed: 01/23/2017
• Issued: 07/24/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lone Star IP Holdings, LP
• Original Assignee: Lone Star IP Holdings, LP
• Inventors: Roemerman, Steven D., Volpi, John P., Tepera, Joseph Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Stephen
• Application Number:
  US15/412,118
• Publication Number:
  US 20170121020A1
• Time in Patent Office: 547 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 1/04 the articles being explosive, e.g. bombs arming or setting bomb fuzes F42C
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 1/06 Bomb releasing; Bombs doors
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 7/00 Arrangements of military equipment, e.g. armaments, armament accessories, or military shielding, in aircraft; Adaptations of armament mountings for aircraft dropping bombs or the like B64D1/00; armaments or mountings therefor per se F41
• CPC Class Codes: F41F 3/06 from aircraft F41F3/0406 takes precedence; arrangements of rocket launchers on aircraft B64D7/08; bomb releasing in flight B64D1/06
• CPC Class Codes: F41F 3/065 Rocket pods, i.e. detachable containers for launching a plurality of rockets
• CPC Class Codes: F41F 5/00 Launching-apparatus for gravity-propelled missiles or projectiles from aircraft B64D1/04

Abstract

A weapon interface system, and methods of operating the same. The weapon interface system is coupled to an electrical interconnection system of a delivery platform and a weapon system coupled to a rack system. The weapon interface system includes a translation interface configured to provide an interface between the electrical interconnection system and an inductive power and data circuit. The weapon interface system also includes a weapon coupler, coupled to the translation interface, configured to provide an inductive coupling to the weapon system to provide mission information thereto.

Claims

1. A weapon interface system coupled to an electrical interconnection system of a delivery platform and a weapon system coupled to a rack system, comprising:

a translation interface configured to provide an interface between said electrical interconnection system and an inductive power and data circuit; and

a weapon coupler, formed from a flexible and substantially planar material and located within a flat spring adapter of said rack system, configured to provide an inductive coupling to said weapon system.

2. The weapon interface system as recited in claim 1 wherein said weapon system includes a canister with at least one weapon therein, said weapon coupler extending coaxially about said canister.

3. The weapon interface system as recited in claim 1 wherein said weapon coupler comprises a weapon interface, an inductive coil, a shield, and a protection layer.

4. The weapon interface system as recited in claim 1 wherein said weapon coupler comprises a weapon interface, an inductive coil, a spacer, and a spring steel layer.

5. The weapon interface system as recited in claim 1 wherein said weapon coupler comprises a weapon interface, an inductive coil, a primary structure, a shield, and a protection layer.

6. The weapon interface system as recited in claim 1 wherein said weapon coupler is formed from a polycarbonate material.

7. A weapon interface system coupled to an electrical interconnection system of a delivery platform and a weapon system coupled to a rack system, comprising:

a translation interface configured to provide an interface between said electrical interconnection system and an inductive power and data circuit; and

a weapon coupler, comprising a weapon interface, an inductive coil, a spacer or a primary structure, and a protection layer, configured to provide an inductive coupling to said weapon system.

8. The weapon interface system as recited in claim 7 wherein said weapon system includes a canister with at least one weapon therein, said weapon coupler extending coaxially about said canister.

9. The weapon interface system as recited in claim 7 wherein said weapon coupler is formed from a flexible and substantially planar material and located within a flat spring adapter of said rack system.

10. The weapon interface system as recited in claim 7 wherein said weapon coupler is formed from a polycarbonate material.

11. A weapon interface system coupled to an electrical interconnection system of a delivery platform and a weapon system coupled to a rack system, comprising:

a translation interface configured to provide an interface between said electrical interconnection system and an inductive power and data circuit; and

a weapon coupler, comprising a weapon interface, an inductive coil, a spacer, and a spring steel layer, configured to provide an inductive coupling to said weapon system.

12. The weapon interface system as recited in claim 11 wherein said weapon system includes a canister with at least one weapon therein, said weapon coupler extending coaxially about said canister.

13. The weapon interface system as recited in claim 11 wherein said weapon coupler is formed from a flexible and substantially planar material and located within a flat spring adapter of said rack system.

14. The weapon interface system as recited in claim 11 wherein said weapon coupler is formed from a polycarbonate material.