Device for locating artillery and sniper positions

• US 5,703,321 A
• Filed: 10/23/1995
• Issued: 12/30/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lfk-Lenkflugkã¶Rpersysteme GmbH (MBDA)
• Original Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aerospace AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Rieger, Ulrich, Feierlein, Johannes
• Primary Examiner(s): JOHNSON, STEPHEN
• Application Number:
  US08/546,809
• Time in Patent Office: 799 Days
• Field of Search: 89/41.08, 89/1.11, 102/427, 102/424
• US Class Current: 102/427
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/36 for dispensing materials; for producing chemical or physical reaction; for signalling ; for transmitting information
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 4/00 Fireworks, i.e. pyrotechnic devices for amusement, display, illumination or signal purposes signalling by explosives G08B; advertising by fireworks G09F13/46; signalling by pyrotechnics in railway systems B61L5/20

Abstract

A device for locating artillery and sniper fire with a sensor and acoustically triggered marking means. An igniter is provided with the acoustic sensor and is adjustable in terms of frequency and/or pulse pattern. A remover preventer is provided and the components are provided in a shell-proof housing whereby removal triggers the marking means.

Claims

1. A device for locating artillery and sniper positions during the firing of a shot, comprising:

acoustic sensor triggering means including an igniter with an acoustic sensor, said acoustic sensor being adjustable in terms of at least one of frequency and pulse pattern;

a shell-proof housing, said acoustic sensor triggering means being disposed in said housing;

removal preventer means connected to said acoustic sensor triggering means; and

optical signalling means in functional connection with said triggering means and said removal preventer and deposited within said housing, said optical signalling means being released upon ignition by said igniter.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said acoustic sensor is programmable for detecting an acoustic signature.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein said acoustic sensor is adjustable to a threshold value-limited frequency spectrum corresponding to a caliber-specific frequency spectrum.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein said optical signalling means comprises one or more pyrotechnic components to provide an different optical color displays or combinations of colors.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein said signalling means is one of light flares, blasting cap and Greek fire.

6. A device according to claim 1, wherein said removal preventer means includes a mercury switch.

7. A process for locating artillery and sniper positions during the firing of a shot, comprising the steps of:

deploying a device including an acoustic sensor, an igniter and an optical signalling means;

actuating the igniter for deploying the optical signalling means upon sensing an acoustic signal within a predetermined frequency or pulse pattern; and

actuating the igniter to deploy the optical signalling means upon any attempt to remove the acoustic sensor.

8. A device according to claim 7, further comprising varying one of said frequency or pulse pattern to change a threshold value-limited frequency spectrum or pulse pattern to correspond with a specific caliber of munitions.

9. A method according to claim 7, further comprising programming said acoustic sensor to detect an acoustic signature.