Magnetostrictive missile guidance system
US6467722B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 31, 2002 |
| Grant date | Oct 22, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 31, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF42B10/62
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The Magnetostrictive Missile Guidance System pivots the missile nosecone about a multi-directional joint on the missile axis to produce aerodynamic control forces for missile flight path control. The nosecone is driven by magnetostrictive materials in conjunction with displacement amplification devices. The determination of the nosecone deflection angle necessary to achieve any change in the flight path is made by a sensing device that produces position signals and a guidance computer that produces the desired flight path command signals. The sensing device senses the current position of the nosecone and this position signal is compared with the command signal by the computer to yield an error signal, which is indicative of the difference between the two input signals. Then appropriate magnetic field is applied to the magnetostrictive materials to cause them to grow in length and deflect the nosecone until the error signal is eliminated and flight path is changed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.