IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,987,791
Granted Patent B2
US 7,987,791 · App. 12/415,754 · Granted Aug 2, 2011

Method of disrupting electrical power transmission

Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,987,791
App. No.
12/415,754
Granted
Aug 2, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method of disrupting electrical power transmission including the steps of launching a projectile from a hand-held launcher, ejecting a plurality of electrically conductive members from the projectile, and bridging electrical contacts of power transmission equipment.

Claims (24)

1. A method of disrupting electrical power transmission, the method comprising the steps of:

launching a projectile above power transmission equipment, the projectile including a chamber receiving a plurality of electrically conductive streamers, each streamer having a first end with a mass greater than an opposing second end;

ejecting the plurality of electrically conductive streamers from the projectile in a direction of travel;

causing each of the plurality of electrically conductive streamers to extend in a streaming manner such that the first end leads the second end in the direction of travel; and

bridging electrical contacts of the power transmission equipment by the plurality of electrically conductive streamers descending onto the power transmission equipment.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of launching includes the steps of providing a hand-held launcher including a launch tube, and propelling the projectile from the launch tube.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the step of propelling the projectile includes activating a propellant located within the launch tube behind the projectile.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein each of the electrically conductive streamers includes a weight supported at the first end and a drag member supported at the second end, the weight configured to lead the electrically conductive streamers in the direction of travel and the drag member configured to provide aerodynamic resistance to movement of the second end of the streamers and cause extension of the first end relative to the second end.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of ejecting includes the steps of providing an explosive charge and a primer within the chamber of the projectile, and detonating the explosive charge with the primer.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein each of the electrically conductive streamers has an extended length of at least three feet.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the streamers when extending in a streaming manner cause an aerodynamic drag between the first and second ends.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein each of the electrically conductive streamers includes a flexible body formed of aluminized polyester film.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein each of the electrically conductive streamers is wound to conserve space when in a stored mode within the chamber of the projectile prior to the step of ejecting.

10. A method of disrupting electrical power transmission, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a hand-held launcher including a launch tube;

placing a projectile and a propellant within the launch tube;

activating the propellant for launching the projectile to higher elevation above power transmission equipment;

ejecting a plurality of electrically conductive members from the projectile; and

bridging electrical contacts of the power transmission equipment by the plurality of electrically conductive members descending onto the power transmission equipment.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein each electrically conductive member includes a first end with a mass greater than an opposing second end such that the first end leads the second end in a direction of travel.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein each electrically conductive member includes a weight supported at the first end and a drag member supported at the second end, the weight configured to lead the electrically conductive member in the direction of travel and the drag member configured to provide aerodynamic resistance of the second end of the electrically conductive member and cause extension of the first end relative to the second end.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the step of ejecting includes the steps of providing an explosive charge and a primer within the projectile, and detonating the explosive charge with the primer.

14. The method of claim 10 , wherein each of the electrically conductive members includes a flexible body formed of aluminized polyester film.

15. The method of claim 10 , wherein each of the electrically conductive members is wound to conserve space when in a stored mode within the projectile prior to the step of ejecting.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 1, 2009
From: SCHNEIDER, JOHN F; BROWN, CHRISTOPHER A
To: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
Reel/Frame 022483/0526 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20100242777A1 · Sep 30, 2010