Method of guiding an in-flight vehicle toward a target
US5082200A · kind A · utility
14Cited by
8References
8Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 3, 1990 |
| Grant date | Jan 21, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 3, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05D1/12
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method of guiding an in-flight vehicle toward a target exhibiting a known or predictable thrusting profile is provided. The vehicle undergoes an alternating series of vehicle coasts and diverts during the vehicle's terminal intercept phase of flight. Position and velocity information of the target with respect to the vehicle is used to select a course change during each vehicle coast. The course change is intentionally offset from a collision course with the target and is effected by the next divert in the series. The amount of offset is such that the final coast results in a target intercept.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.