MissingAChance Posted March 23, 2015 #1 Share Posted March 23, 2015 A new patent granted to aircraft, defense and security company Boeing is taking its cues from science fiction. Just like the glowing energy shields seen protecting troops, machines and even spacecraft in Star Wars and Star Trek, the design -- named "Method and system for shockwave attenuation via electromagnetic arc" -- uses energy to deflect potential damage. http://www.cnet.com/...ftag=YHF65cbda0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shrooma Posted March 23, 2015 #2 Share Posted March 23, 2015 wake me when they get round to building a Death Star..... . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucas Cooper Merrin Posted March 23, 2015 #3 Share Posted March 23, 2015 The shockwaves from IED's or grenades or even old fashioned mines dont pose a huge risk to armoured vehicle's anyway!unless its within very close proximity (like a direct hit) its the shrapnel that does the damage! Its the infantry out with a vehicle that suffer from shockwaves, a nearby blast can take their eardrums out and literally cause brain damage!, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paperdyer Posted March 23, 2015 #4 Share Posted March 23, 2015 From the drawing in the CNET article, The shrapnel and shockwave appear to have to be a fair distance from the vehicle. Perhaps the system senses in-coming shells. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seeder Posted March 23, 2015 #5 Share Posted March 23, 2015 Headline says Boeing developing 'Star Wars' force fields Story says Boeing has succeeded in patenting a 'concept'.... or another word for an idea 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandpa Greenman Posted March 23, 2015 #6 Share Posted March 23, 2015 It is a start, but I don't see to being all that practical. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevemagegod Posted March 23, 2015 #7 Share Posted March 23, 2015 Cant wait to see the finished product. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wondering Soul Posted March 23, 2015 #8 Share Posted March 23, 2015 What seeder said; its a patent so if anyone does make one, boeing can sue them for patent infringement. Apple does this alot ..... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paperdyer Posted March 23, 2015 #9 Share Posted March 23, 2015 Here's the link to the patent if anyone's interested https://www.google.com/patents/US8740071?dq=shockwave+attenuation+system+Boeing&hl=en&sa=X&ei=qG8QVfnTEIq8yQSu4oGACg&ved=0CCAQ6AEwAA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Id3al Experience Posted March 23, 2015 #10 Share Posted March 23, 2015 Can you patent anything that may or may not be possible? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithisco Posted March 23, 2015 #11 Share Posted March 23, 2015 It really is just a concept with the only "unique" feature being the embodiment of a proximity sensor with an arc generator (as far as I can see from reading the full patent). and, potentially, conductive paths for EM dispersion to ground. That the USPTO actually granted a Patent is quite surprising to be honest as the concept is not new with plasma fields being promulgated in Science Fiction literature for several decades- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithisco Posted March 23, 2015 #12 Share Posted March 23, 2015 (edited) Can you patent anything that may or may not be possible? No... you can only patent specific applications requiring (in this case) hardware applications. For instance: you cannot patent a fundamental Law of Physics, it remains within the Public Domain - it is just how you use that Physical Law to produce a product that can lead to a Patent. You cannot patent something that is Fantasy (you can copyright the name of the "impossible" but that is all). Edited March 23, 2015 by keithisco Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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