Thermally deployable shroud for affordable precision guided projectile

US10030952B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army · US

Inventors

• Pavol Stofko · East Stroudsburg, US
• Mark Mellini · Denville, US
• Christopher A. Stout · San Bruno, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 30, 2017
• Grant date: Jul 24, 2018
• Expiry date: Mar 30, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F42B10/46
• WIPO field: Other special machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A deployable shroud provides an aerodynamically smooth surface to minimize the drag otherwise experienced by blunt nose projectiles. The shroud comprises multiple petals mounted at the nose of the projectile that are released at a set time during flight. The deployment mechanism assembly of the shroud provides deployment of the petals without the generation of shock waves into the projectile and comprises a fusible link powered by a thermal source. The shroud assembly is self-powered and does not require energy input from the projectile.