Energy Beam Interceptor Vehicle Positioning for Target Engagement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for intercepting airborne missiles and aircraft require either powerful long-range directed-energy emissions or terminal guidance for kinetic impact, which are complex and energy-intensive, and often fail to deliver sufficient energy to the target efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A smaller energy emitter mounted on a vehicle that can bring the emitter close to the target, using a combination of missile technology and directed-energy systems to deliver a lower-powered energy beam capable of disabling or destroying the target with reduced energy requirements and complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If powerful long-range directed-energy emissions are used, then the ability to intercept targets at remote distances is improved, but the energy requirements and system complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffective rangeVSAvoidenergy requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The interceptor vehicle performs preliminary action by traveling to and positioning itself close to the target before the energy beam engagement. This preliminary positioning allows the use of a smaller, less energy-intensive emitter, as the beam only needs to travel a short distance to effectively engage the target.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The interceptor vehicle serves as an intermediary between the energy emitter and the target. Instead of requiring the emitter to directly engage the target from a distance, the vehicle mediates by delivering the emitter close to the target, thereby reducing the energy transmission requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If terminal guidance for kinetic impact is used, then the ability to destroy targets is improved, but the system complexity and energy intensity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetarget destruction capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical kinetic impact system with a directed-energy system. Instead of relying on the interceptor vehicle to physically collide with and destroy the target through kinetic force, the system uses an energy beam to disable or destroy the target, thereby reducing the complexity associated with terminal guidance and mechanical impact systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Use of energy by moving object

If smaller energy emitters are used, then the energy requirements and complexity are reduced, but the effective range is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy emissionsVSAvoideffective range

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables effective targeting and disabling of airborne targets with reduced energy emissions and complexity, minimizing the need for powerful long-range lasers or direct kinetic impacts, while maintaining the capability to deliver sufficient energy to the target.

Implementation Method 1

very powerful energy emissions to overcome energy losses from traveling long distances through the atmosphere

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAtmospheric energy loss:

Implementation Method 2

Directed-energy emission systems have been developed that are land, sea and air based

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDirected energy beam: Laser

Data Source

PatentUS10690456B1Energy beam interceptor

Publication Date: 2020.06.23 BITAR PETER V

AI summary

Disclosed is an energy beam interceptor that includes an interceptor vehicle of either a missile or a lighter than air vehicle that carries an energy beam generator with a minimum power output of approximately 500 W, a high density power supply that power the energy beam generator, an energy beam targeting apparatus that directs emissions from the energy beam generator and an energy beam targeting controller that targets emissions from the energy beam generator with the energy beam targeting apparatus.