Integrated magnetic field sensors for fuzes

• US 6,295,931 B1
• Filed: 03/09/1999
• Issued: 10/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TPL Incorporated
• Original Assignee: TPL Incorporated
• Inventors: Cutler, David W., Jarratt, Raymond L. Jr., Boltz, Eric S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jordan, Charles T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SEMUNEGUS, LULIT
• Application Number:
  US09/265,991
• Time in Patent Office: 938 Days
• Field of Search: 102/221, 102/264
• US Class Current: 102/221
• CPC Class Codes: F42C 13/08 operated by variations in magnetic field
• CPC Class Codes: F42C 15/40 wherein the safety or arming action is effected electrically

Abstract

An apparatus and method for electronically controlling ordnance fuzes by sensing magnetic fields proximate the ordnance via a magnetic field sensor. The sensor is preferably a giant magnetoresistance detector. For spinning ordnance, in-flight cumulative range can be calculated by counting turns of the spinning ordnance. Ordnance may be armed a pre-determined time after exit of the ordnance from a weapon firing the ordnance as determined by the magnetic field sensor. The invention is also of a giant magnetoresistance sensor and method for making same and an apparatus for and method of sensing angular velocity for spinning ordnance.

Claims

1. An apparatus for electronically controlling ordnance fuzes, said apparatus comprising a magnetic field sensor sensing phase and magnitude of earth'"'"'s local ambient magnetic field, said magnetic field sensor comprising a giant magnetoresistance detector.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus additionally comprises means for calculating in-flight cumulative range of spinning ordnance.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said calculating means comprises means for counting turns of the spinning ordnance.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus additionally comprises means for arming ordnance a pre-determined time after exit of the ordnance from a weapon firing the ordnance.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said arming means comprises means for determining via said magnetic field sensor exit of the ordnance from the weapon firing the ordnance.

6. A method for electronically controlling ordnance fuzes, the method comprising sensing phase and magnitude of earth'"'"'s local ambient magnetic field proximate the ordnance via a magnetic field sensor, the magnetic field sensor comprising a giant magnetoresistance detector.

7. The method of claim 6 additionally comprising the step of calculating in-flight cumulative range of spinning ordnance.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the calculating step comprises counting turns of the spinning ordnance.

9. The method of claim 6 additionally comprising the step of arming ordnance a pre-determined time after exit of the ordnance from a weapon firing the ordnance.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the arming step comprises determining via the magnetic field sensor exit of the ordnance from the weapon firing the ordnance.

11. An angular velocity sensor for spinning ordnance, said sensor comprising:

a turns counter comprising a magnetic field sensor, said magnetic field sensor comprising a giant magnetoresistance detector; and

means for computing a time derivative of an inverse sine of an output of said turns counter.

12. A method of sensing angular velocity for spinning ordnance, the method comprising the steps of:

counting turns of the ordnance via a magnetic field sensor, the magnetic field sensor comprising a giant magnetoresistance detector; and

computing a time derivative of an inverse sine of an output of the counting step.