Weapon interface system and delivery platform employing the same

• US 8,117,955 B2
• Filed: 10/26/2007
• Issued: 02/21/2012
• 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:
  US11/925,471
• Publication Number:
  US 20100326264A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,579 Days
• Field of Search: 89/15.3, 89/15.4, 89/15.5, 89/15.8, 89/15.9
• US Class Current: 89/1.54
• 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, coupled to said translation interface and including a weapon interface, an inductive coil, a spacer or primary structure, a shield, and a protective layer, configured to provide an inductive coupling to said weapon system to provide mission information thereto.

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 is formed from a flexible and substantially planar material and located within a flat spring adapter of said rack system.

4. The weapon interface system as recited in claim 1 wherein said spacer is a Teflon spacer.

5. The weapon interface system as recited in claim 1 wherein said protection layer is a spring steel layer.

6. The weapon interface system as recited in claim 1 wherein said primary structure is formed from a Kevlar composite.

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

8. A delivery platform, comprising:

a controller responsive to commands and configured to provide mission information for a weapon system;

an electrical interconnection system configured to provide said mission information; and

a weapon interface system coupled to said electrical interconnection system and a weapon system coupled to a rack system, including;

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

a weapon coupler, coupled to said translation interface interface and including a weapon interface, an inductive coil, a spacer or primary structure, a shield, and a protective layer, configured to provide an inductive coupling to said weapon system to provide said mission information thereto.

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

10. The delivery platform as recited in claim 8 wherein said weapon coupler is formed from a flexible and substantially planar material and located within a flat spring adapter of said rack system.

11. The delivery platform as recited in claim 8 wherein said spacer is a Teflon spacer.

12. The delivery platform as recited in claim 8 wherein said protection layer is a spring steel layer.

13. The delivery platform as recited in claim 8 wherein said primary structure is formed from a Kevlar composite.