Low frequency directed energy shielding

• US 8,373,594 B1
• Filed: 07/30/2009
• Issued: 02/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Wood, J. Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): LIU, HARRY K
• Application Number:
  US12/512,803
• Time in Patent Office: 1,293 Days
• Field of Search: 342/379
• US Class Current: 342/379
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 13/0075 the high-energy beam being a radiofrequency beam

Abstract

A method and apparatus for use in generating and imparting a low frequency, directed energy wavefield are disclosed. In a first aspect, the presently disclosed technique includes a low frequency directional array, comprising: a plurality of array elements capable of generating a low frequency, directed energy wavefront; and a canceling element capable of actively canceling a spurious lobe of the wavefront. In a second aspect, the presently disclosed technique includes a method, comprising: imparting a low frequency, directed wavefront; and actively canceling a spurious lobe of the wavefront.

Claims

1. A low frequency directional array, comprising:

a plurality of array elements capable of generating a low frequency, area denial directed energy wavefront; and

a canceling element capable of actively canceling a spurious lobe of the wavefront when the wavefront is generated to shield an area from the generated wavefront.

2. The low frequency directional array of claim 1, wherein the array elements comprise a plurality of multi-turn loop elements.

3. The low frequency directional array of claim 1, wherein the array elements comprise a plurality of sheet elements.

4. The low frequency directional array of claim 1, wherein the array elements comprise a plurality of multi-turn loop elements and a plurality of sheet elements.

5. The low frequency directional array of claim 1, wherein the canceling element comprises a multi-turn loop element.

6. The low frequency directional array of claim 1, wherein the canceling element comprises a sheet element.

7. The low frequency directional array of claim 1, where the array elements and the canceling element are the same kind of element.

8. The low frequency directional array of claim 1, where the array elements and the canceling element are the different kinds of elements.

9. The low frequency directional array of claim 1, wherein the spurious lobe is a side lobe.

10. The low frequency directional array of claim 1, wherein the spurious lobe is a back lobe.

11. A method, comprising:

imparting a low frequency, directed wavefront;

shielding a first area from the imparted wavefront by actively canceling a spurious lobe of the imparted wavefront; and

denying a second area with the directed wavefront.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein actively canceling the spurious lobe includes actively canceling a side lobe of the wavefront.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein actively canceling the spurious lobe includes actively canceling a back lobe of the wavefront.