Methods and apparatuses for autonomous flight termination

US9429403B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Orbital ATK, Inc. · US

Inventors

• George B. Papadopoulos · Nesconset, US
• Derek R. DeVries · Farr West, US
• Steven Thomas · Grapevine, US
• Timothy J. Van Dixhorn · Eden Prairie, US
• Charles L. Weigel · Edina, US
• Charles L. Dedon · Elk River, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 18, 2014
• Grant date: Aug 30, 2016
• Expiry date: Jul 21, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B64G1/52
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A flight safety assembly onboard an aerial vehicle includes a first sensor configured to sense first information related to flight of the aerial vehicle and a second sensor configured to sense second information related to the flight of the aerial vehicle. A sensor input is adapted to receive third information related to the flight of the aerial vehicle. A processor is operably coupled to the first sensor, the second sensor, and the sensor input. The processor is configured to determine three independent instantaneous impact points for the aerial vehicle by independently analyzing each of the first information, the second information and the third information. The processor is also configured to generate three independent onboard flight termination indicators for each of the three independent instantaneous impact points that intersects with a region to be protected.