Projectile control device
US8076623B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 17, 2009 |
| Grant date | Dec 13, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 17, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF42B10/28
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A spin-stabilized projectile is steered by taking air from an air intake at the front of the projectile, and expelling the air along an outer surface of the projectile to alter its trajectory toward the desired impact location. Air taken in through the air intake is directed toward a rotor that is able to rotate relative to the rest of the projectile. The rotor has an outlet that may direct the air taken in at the air inlet out in a direction having both radial and circumferential components. The force produced in the radial direction provides a steering force substantially normal to the projectile axis, used to steer the projectile. The force produced in the circumferential direction is used to provide impetus to spin the rotor. A brake is used to control the rotational speed of the rotor, to control the direction that the air is expelled from the projectile.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.