Projectile with Tagging Capability

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application 63/568,883, filed Mar. 22, 2024. U.S. provisional application 63/568,883 and all other extrinsic references contained herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The field of the invention is projectiles.

The background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

Information is of paramount importance on a battlefield. The ability to know an enemy's movements and locations can be the difference between winning and losing.

Visual reconnaissance has been the primary source of information for centuries. With the sudden rise of drones on the battlefield, this continues even in the information age. However, visual information can only go so far. If an enemy moves out of sight, then it becomes difficult to keep track of where the enemy might be. For vehicles, it is desirable to know the location of the vehicle even after it is no longer visually tracked.

Location-based or other type of sensors can be deployed, but existing solutions offer limited deployment options and do not have a way to stay with a vehicle. Thus, the ability to track a target vehicle is limited.

All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.

The following description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as concentration, reaction conditions, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.

As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.

Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

Thus, there is still a need for a projectile with an electronics payload that can stay with a targeted vehicle for tracking and/or electronic disabling.

The inventive subject matter provides apparatus, systems and methods in which a projectile is capable of attaching to a surface such as a structure, a vehicle, etc.

The projectile includes a projectile body that has a coupling mechanism that is used to couple to a surface. The projectile body also houses an electronics component, the electronics component comprising at least a processor and a communications component. In embodiments, the electronics components can include a location component (e.g., GPS component or other component used to determine location).

In embodiments of the inventive subject matter, the coupling mechanism comprises at least one of a magnet, an adhesive, or a hook.

In embodiments of the inventive subject matter, the coupling mechanism is disposed on a nose section of the projectile.

In embodiments of the inventive subject matter, the electronic component can further include an electronic warfare component. Examples of the electronic warfare component include one or more of a jamming component, a disabling component, or a software-delivery component.

In embodiments of the inventive subject matter, the processor can be further programmed to receive, from a sensor, a signal indicating that the projectile has attached to the surface and initiate, via the communications component, transmission of information to a remote computing device (e.g., at a vehicle, command center, body-worn computer device worn by a soldier, etc.). In embodiments of the inventive subject matter, the information transmitted can include location information. Other contemplated types of information can include information such as information regarding the surface to which the projectile is attached, audio information, video information, or other types of environmental information.

Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

All publications identified herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.

The following description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as concentration, reaction conditions, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.

Unless the context dictates the contrary, all ranges set forth herein should be interpreted as being inclusive of their endpoints and open-ended ranges should be interpreted to include only commercially practical values. Similarly, all lists of values should be considered as inclusive of intermediate values unless the context indicates the contrary.

As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.

Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

It should be noted that any language directed to a computer should be read to include any suitable combination of computing devices, including servers, interfaces, systems, databases, agents, peers, engines, controllers, or other types of computing devices operating individually or collectively. One should appreciate the computing devices comprise a processor configured to execute software instructions stored on a tangible, non-transitory computer readable storage medium (e.g., hard drive, solid state drive, RAM, flash, ROM, etc.). The software instructions preferably configure the computing device to provide the roles, responsibilities, or other functionality as discussed below with respect to the disclosed apparatus. In especially preferred embodiments, the various servers, systems, databases, or interfaces exchange data using standardized protocols or algorithms, possibly based on HTTP, HTTPS, AES, public-private key exchanges, web service APIs, known financial transaction protocols, or other electronic information exchanging methods. Data exchanges preferably are conducted over a packet-switched network, the Internet, LAN, WAN, VPN, or other type of packet switched network.

shows a projectileaccording to embodiments of the inventive subject matter.

The projectileincludes a projectile bodythat can be generally considered to have a front sectionand a rear section. The front sectionis generally considered to be the nose or other aerodynamic forward component, and the rear sectionis generally considered to comprise the rest of the projectilerearward of the front component.

In order to adhere to a target, the projectilemust include a coupling mechanism that allows the adherence. In the embodiment of, the front sectioncomprises the coupling mechanism. As such, when the front sectionstrikes the target, it sticks or otherwise couples to the target.

The coupling mechanismcan include one or more types of coupling mechanisms that are designed to couple the projectileto the target and maintain the coupling. For example, in, the coupling mechanismcan be a magnet. In other embodiments, the coupling mechanismcan be an adhesive.

In embodiments where the coupling mechanismis a magnet, the front sectioncan be of a metal that deforms by spreading upon impact. This way, the surface area of the target that is covered by the magnet is maximized.

In embodiments where the coupling mechanism is an adhesive, the front sectioncan be coated in the adhesive in such a way that the projectilesticks to a surface upon impact.

In a variation of these embodiments such as the one shown in, the front sectioncan be a reservoirfor an adhesive. When the projectileimpacts a target, the deformation of the front sectiondue to the impact punctures the reservoir and exposes the adhesive to the target surface, causing the adhesion.

In addition to the adhesive reservoir or the magnet, the coupling mechanismcan, in embodiments, include hooks or other fastenersthat are arranged to penetrate the surface of the target when the front sectiondeforms, providing an additional way to hold the projectileonto the target. The fastenerscan be arranged along the front cross-section of the rear sectionor directly onto the front section. This variation is shown in.

The projectilecan include an electronics componentas a payload disposed in the rear section. The electronics componentcan include a processor and a memory, as well as a communications interface (e.g., antennas and radio hardware for radio communications, cellular communications, WiFi communications and other types of data exchanges).

The electronics componentcan include one or more of a tracking component or an electronic warfare component.

A tracking component is an electronics component that is programmed to obtain the location information of the projectileand transmit it to another computing device (e.g., GPS). The location information can be obtained continuously or periodically, or according to a predetermined schedule, and transmitted continuously, periodically, or according to another predetermined schedule.

An electronic warfare component is an electronics component that is capable of affecting nearby computing devices (including vehicle on-board devices) via infiltration, disruption, or other type of interference or intrusion.

Examples of electronic components can include those from Applicant's applications and patents including US issued patents U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,446,319, 9,316,469, 9,964,384, 10,119,798, 10,746,515, 11,248,891, 11,846,495, 11,644,289 and patent applications Ser. Nos. 17/844,457, 17/845,273, 18/527,727, 18,244,148, and Ser. No. 18/411,639. All of these patents and applications are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Stated another way, the systems and methods discussed herein can also be used in projectiles discussed in Applicant's other issued patents and patent applications.

shows an alternative embodiment of the inventive subject matter.

In the embodiment of, the coupling mechanismis disposed between the front sectionand the rear section.

In these embodiments, the front sectionis designed to separate from the rear sectionupon impact such that the coupling mechanismcan attach to the target. The front sectioncan be filled with a compressible material such that it acts as a shock absorber prior to separating from the rear sectionupon impact with the target.shows the front sectionfalling off upon impact with the target such that the coupling mechanismis exposed to the target for attachment.

illustrates a variation of these embodiments of the inventive subject matter.

In the embodiment of, the front sectionincludes a perforation or weakened areathat causes the front sectionto split apart and then separate from the rear sectionupon impact with the target. The separation of the front sectionalong the weakened lineduring impact with a target is illustrated in.

In variations of these embodiments of the inventive subject matter, the front sectioncan be made of a soft metal or other material that is highly deformable upon impact such that the material either separates from the rear sectionor otherwise becomes sufficiently thin that it does not prevent the coupling mechanismto attach with a target.

illustrates the deployment of the projectileonto a target vehicle. As seen in, the projectilehas been fired at and then attached to the tank.

The processor of projectilecan be programmed to begin transmitting location and other information based on one or more conditions.

For example, the electronics componentcan include sensors disposed within the projectile. The sensors can include accelerometers, proximity sensors, electronic sensors, etc. Thus, a condition can be that a sensor detects a stop in motion, indicative of the projectilebeing attached to the target. Another condition can be a combination of a stop in motion and a detection of electronic signals, which would be indicative of the attachment of the projectile to a vehicle or other target with sensitive electronics equipment.