Closed, self-contained ballistic apogee detection module and method
US11898828B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 19, 2021 |
| Grant date | Feb 13, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 18, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF42B30/10
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A closed, self-contained ballistic apogee detection module for use in a projectile, such as a rocket, mortar round, or artillery round, fuses data from multiple built-in sensors, such as an accelerometer, a magnetometer, and a gyroscope, and processes the data using a microprocessor through a custom quaternion extended Kalman filter to provide accurate state and orientation information about the projectile so as to accurately predict apogee. The module outputs a signal indicating apogee detection or prediction which they projectile uses to initiate fuze arming, targeting control, airbody transformation, maneuvering, flow effector deployment or activation, payload exposure or deployment, and/or other mission activity. Because the system and method of the invention does not rely on external environmental data to detect apogee, it need not use a pressure sensor and can be completely sealed in and closed without requiring access to air from outside the projectile for barometric readings.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.