US2481503A - Isolated radiant energy control system - Google Patents

Description

2 Sheets-Sheet l J. Y. DUNBAR ET AL ISOLATED RADIANT ENERGY CONTROL SYSTEM Filed March 19, 1945 m52 E; om

S11/www0@ JAMES Y. DUNBAR, ROBERT D. GILPN a NORMAN R. HUSSEY.

KOM ZQCQJOQ Sept. 13, l949 I .ENF 1 1 h 11 llll 1.1 1 1 1 ktm 11111111 1 11 tmkwzth Septf. 13, 1949, J. Y. DUNBAR ET Al. 2,481,503

ISQLATED RADIANT ENERGY CONTROL SYSTEM Filed March 19, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 JAMES Y. DUNBAR, ROBERT D. GILPIN B NORMAN R. HUSSY.

Patented Sept. 13, 1949 'ISOLATED vRADINT ENERGY 'CONTRGL SYSTEM '.Iames Y. Dunbar, Robert D. Gilpin, and Norman R. Hussey, United States Navy Application-March 19, 1945, Serial No. 583,484

(Cl. Z50-2) (Granted under Vthe act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 O Gr. 757) Claims.

This Ainvention `relates generally to `a remote control system, and more particularly to the radiant energy controlledltype, isolatedfrom enemy jamming and locai interference for use in controlling robot `planes 'and bombs.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a radiant energy remote control system, wherein thereception of radiant energy is insensitive to signals from any point ahead of the line of flight.

Another object'of `this yinvention is to provide a radiant energy remote Vcontrol system in which the vibratile control elements are isolated from airborne sound, vibration, and shock.

A further object of this invention is to provide a'radiantenergyremote control system inwhich changes in carrier wave 'frequency do not affect operation.

'A still further :object of this invention is to provide a radiant energy lremote rcontrol system responsive to selected control frequencies.

Another object of rthis invention is to provide a mechanical device fthat builds upa large amplitude response to weak energy impressions.

Anotherobject `of this inventionis to provide a method fordirecting a robot to atarget.

Another object of this invention =is to provide a resonant electro-mechanical switch.

The invention will now be described withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. Lis a Wiring diagram of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a'front elevational view of the reed tube;

rFig. 3 is a side elevational .view -o'f the reed tube;

Fig. 4 is a bottom View of Fig. 3; and

Fig. '5 is a bottom view of an octal socket for tube of Fig. 2.

A dipole directional antenna l is grounded through coil 2. Said Acoil 2 is inductively coupled With tank vcircuit coil '3 of the regenerative detector '4. The tank coil 3 is center tapped at 5 so asto include a portion of said coil 6 in the plate circuit "l, leaving the remainder 3 in the grid circuit '9. The magnetic coupling 'between the two portions of the coil 3, namely the plate circuit portion 5 and the grid circuit portion 8, provides the regenerative feedback. Said feedback can be adjusted by moving the position of thetap on said coil 3. The resistance I@ and the condenser Il, in parallel in thefgrid circuit, enable the triode l2 to be used as a detector without the use ofa C battery. Said grid leak resistance and condensermaintain the grid bias at a proper negative potential "for detection by Well known principles of grid leak biasing. The plate circuit leading from vsaid regenerative detector 4 is connected to a T type radio frequency 'ilter I3 composed of radio 'frequency choke coils I4 and l5 and a grounded radio frequency bypass .condenser I6. The cathode 4Il' of said triode l2 is grounded. The output terminal of said choke input iilter I3 is connected to the primary H3 of transformer I9, and the potentiometer A20, .in series. Potentiometer moving contact 2l .controls the ypotential in the plate circuit by selectively varying the resistance 22. One end ofthe potentiometer resistance `'/22 is grounded lat 23, and the other end is connected .tothepositive terminal of grounded battery 24, with a resistance anda switch 26, in series, therebetween.

'The secondary'Zl of transformer I9 haswone ,of its output terminals connected to the grid .and theother terminal to the cathode `of triode 128. Resistor 29 is connected across secondary rv2l. Cathode resistor 30 with shunt capacitor 3l are connected to cathode of triode .2,8 andgrounded at ,32.

The plateof 'triode 28 is connected to one of the primary -coil 3? terminals of transformer 134. The other of said primary coil terminals is connected to contact `of switch 26.

Current 'for `the tube heater elements '36 and .31 .is suppliedvby a battery 94 which is electrical-- ly connected thereto, and also grounded at 38. Swith ,39, .inserted inthe heater circuit, -controls the current therein.

Secondary 40 rof transformer 34 has one of its ends connected to terminal 4| ,and the other end to terminal .42 .of boX `v43. Said terminals-4| and 4.2 pass ,through the wallof acoustic isolation box 43, vso that theyserve as terminals on the inside ofthe -boX as well as on lthe outsideof said box.

'I'he acoustic isolation box 43 is rdesigned in the conventional manner to isolate the following vacuum tube and relay switches, to be mounted therein, from airborne sound, vibration and shock.

Tube44 consists of anenvelope45 mounted'on f an octal base y45 to fit a standardoctal socket.

' operating relation with the free ends of reeds 54, 55, 56 and 51, respectively. Said support 53 is of non-conducting material and mounted to base 41 by any usual means. The yoke contacts 49, 58, 5| and 52 are electrically connected to base pins 58, 59, B6 and 6|, respectively, in the usual vacuum tube manner. Electromagnet 62, securely mounted on heavy base 41, and separated therefrom by insulator 63, is positioned in close proximity to said ferrous reeds so that the reeds can be magnetically actuated thereby. Said electromagnet is electrically connected to base pins 64 and 65 in the usual vacuum tube manner, thence to terminals 4| and 42 for outside connections.

The reeds 54, 55, 56 and 51 have a natural mounted frequency of 8, 10, 12 and 15 cycles per second, respectively. However, reeds of any other natural frequency can also be used. All of Said elements are mounted in a vacuum. The damping caused by air is thus removed and the resonance curve of the reed becomes very sharp, so that several reeds may have natural frequencies very close to each other and operated by a single magnet. In such a group only the reed having a frequency the same as that given to the pulsatingly energized magnet will operate, the others not so tuned remaining relatively stationary. It is a physical fact that if the forcing frequency is the same as the natural frequency of a system having low damping, very large amplitudes of vibration m'ay be expected.

When the weak magnetic impulses resulting from weak radiant energy waves are applied to a reed, the amplitude of the reed progressively increases until contact is made with its associated yoke contact which closes a circuit that energizes and actuates a relay, with or Without a time delay mechanism. A motor is thereby operated which controls the control surfaces of a robot flying apparatus.

The assembled tube 44 is inserted in a standard octal socket that is suspended in acoustic isolation box 43 so that the natural frequency of the suspension is well below that of any of the reeds, thereby insuring that no false impression of the reeds from undesirable sources can take place.

Within this same acoustic box 43 are mounted four relay switches 96, E1, 68 and 69 of conventional construction, which control motors 10 and 1| located outside said acoustic box 43. Relay 66 controls motor 1|] in clockwise direction; relay 61, in counter-clockwise direction. Relay 68 controls motor 1| in clockwise direction; relay 69, in counter-clockwise direction.

Electromagnet base pins 54 and 65 are connected across secondary coil terminals 4| and 42.

Conductor 12 electrically connects contact 13 of switch 39 with reed base 41, through pin terminal 48. Grounded moving coils 14, 15, 16 and 11 are electrically connected to pin terminals 6|, 60, 59 and 58, respectively. In other words, the reeds 54, 55, 56 and 51, their associated yoke contacts 44, 50, 5| and 52, and their related relay moving coils 14, 15, 16 and 11, respectively, are connected in parallel across battery 94.

Relay armatures 18, 19, 8|] and 8| with their associated xed contacts 82, 83, 84 and 85, and their related motor reversing field coils 86, 81, 88 and 89, respectively, are connected in parallel across battery 94.

Motors 1U and 1|, with their paired reversing coils 86, 81, 88 and B9, respectively, are located outside of box 43 and are connected to their associated relays 65, 61, 68 and 69 through means of contacts 98, 9|, 92 and 93, respectively, which pass through the walls of said box 43 and serve as terminals inside as well as outside of said box. The reversible motors 1U and 1| are mechanically connected to those elements of a robot plane or bomb that control the vertical and horizontal control surfaces such as elevators or rudders.

Operation A transmitter generates and modulates or interrupts the radio-frequency power that its associated antenna converts into electromagnetic radiation. The carrier Wave is amplitude modulated to a constant frequency of 8, 10, 12, or 15 cycles per second. Other frequencies may be used depending on the natural frequencies of the responding reeds used in the receiver. In this construction, the reeds 54, 55, 56 and 51 have a responding natural frequency of 8, 10, 12 and 15, respectively.

As the transmitted radiant energy wave cuts across the dipole directional antenna I, a similar voltage is generated in the antenna ground system, consisting of antenna l, coil 2, and ground. This system is connected to the regenerative detector 4 by means of transformer coupling between antenna coil 2 and tank circuit coil 3. Dipole directional antenna is insensitive to signals from any point ahead of the line of flight, thereby insuring freedom from jamming or enemy interference.

The output of regenerative detector 4 is fed into filter |3 wherein the audio frequency is separated from the radio frequency.

The audio frequency output from lter |'3 is fed into coupling transformer I9 which feeds into amplifier 28.

Said amplified signal is transformer coupled to and fed into reed switch tube 44, through means of coupling transformer 34.

As the audio frequency voltage energizes electromagnet 62, magnetic impulses are applied to the reeds 54, 55, 56 and 51, having natural frequencies of 8, l0, 12 and 15 cycles per second, respectively. The sending station transmits a wave modulated at any of these frequencies. If the transmitted impulse is 10 cycles per second, only reed 54 having a natural frequency of 10 cycles per second will respond in resonance, contact will be made with its associated yoke contact 49, relay switch 64 energized and actuated to a closed position, motor 1| started thereby, and the control surfaces of a plane or robot actuated in a way that will result in the plane or robot ascending up Similarly, a plane or robot can be controlled to move down, left or rightj through means of corresponding circuits disclosed.

The reed switch tube 44 is mounted in an acoustic isolation box 43, to isolate the reeds from airborne sound stimulation.

The switch tube v44 is additionally isolated from interference by suspending it on shock absorbing and vibration damping means, such as light springs, to prevent the reeds being influenced by extraneous forces. 'I'he natural frequency of the suspension is well below that of any of the reeds, so that no false operation of the reeds from undesirable sources takes place.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes Without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

What I claim is:

l. In a radiant energy remote control system having a transmitter for transmitting radiant energy signals of predetermined frequencies; an

airborne object having control surfaces; a directional receiving antenna mounted on said airplane, insensitive to signals from any point ahead of the line of flight; and a detector coupled to said antenna; the combination, comprising: an evacuated envelope; a plurality of reeds mounted therein, having natural frequencies corresponding to the signal frequencies; isolating means surrounding said envelope to isolate against airborne sound, vibration, and shock; an electromagnet energizable by the output of said detector for vibrating said reeds; contact means engaged by the reeds when the vibration reaches a predetermined amplitude; a plurality of relays controlled by said contact means; and a plurality of motors controlled by said relays for actuating said control surfaces.

2. In a radiant energy remote control system, having means for transmitting radiant energy signals of predetermined frequencies; a flying object having control surfaces; and means for receiving and detecting said radiant energy signals mounted on said flying object, insensitive to signals from any point ahead of the line of flight; the combination, comprising: an evacuated envelope; Vibratile means having natural frequencies corresponding to said signal frequencies mounted therein; isolating means for isolating said Vibratile means against airborne sound, Vin bration and Shock; contact means engageable by said vibratile means, respectively; electromagnetic means energizable by said received signal, for actuating said vibratile means into engagement with said contact means; and external circuits actuated by the engagement of said vibratile means and said contact means for controlling said control surfaces.

3. In a radiant energy remote control system having means for transmitting a radiant energy signal; a movable object having control means; and means for receiving said radiant energy signal mounted on said movable object, insensitive to signals from any point ahead of the line of movement; the combination, comprising: vibratile means having natural frequencies corresponding to the frequencies of said signal; contact means engageable by said vibratile means; electromagnetic means energizable by said signal for actuating said vibratile means into engagement with said contact means; and operating circuit means, adapted to be connected to said control means, operable by the said engagement for controlling said movable object.

4. In a remote control radiant energy receiver having a receiving antenna responsive to signals of a predetermined frequency from a predetermined direction and a detector coupled to said antenna, the combination comprising: an evacuated envelope; a plurality of reeds mounted therein, having natural frequencies corresponding to said signal frequencies; a plurality of contacts positioned within said envelope and engageable by said reeds, respectively; isolating means surrounding said envelope to isolate against airborne sound, vibration and shock; an electromagnet energizable by the output of said detector for vibrating said reeds electromagnetically; and external circuits actuated by the engagement of any one of said reeds with its associated contact when the vibration reaches a predetermined amplitude.

5. In a remote control radiant energy receiver having means for receiving modulated radiant energy responsive to signals from a predetermined direction, the combination comprising: vibra tile means having natural frequencies corresponding to the frequencies of the modulation components of said radiant energy; contact means engageable by said vibratile means, respectively; electromagnetic means energizable by said received radiant energy for actuating said vibratile means; and external circuits operable by the engagement of said contact means and said vibratile means.

JAMES Y. DUNBAR. ROBERT D. GILPIN. NORMAN R. HUSSEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,002,903 Davison Sept. 12, 1911 1,514,699 Hanson Nov. 11, 1924 1,597,416 Mirick Aug. 24, 1926 1,860,285 Gunn May 24, 1932 1,984,379 Mirick Dec. 18, 1934 2,043,746 Garstang June 9, 1936 2,109,475 Fanning Mar. 1, 1938 2,118,930 Lilja May 31, 1938 2,160,056 Brandt May 30, 1939 2,325,829 Boswau Aug. 3, 1943 2,340,798 Deal Feb. 1, 1944 2,397,088 Clay Mar. 26, 1946

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