Rotational control actuation system for guiding projectiles
US9939238B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 9, 2010 |
| Grant date | Apr 10, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 19, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF42B10/14
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A projectile incorporates one or more spoiler-tabbed spinning disks to effect flow around the projectile and thus impart steering forces and/or moments. The spoiler tabs may be deployed only during steering phases of travel thus minimizing the drag penalty associated with steering systems. The disks are driven by motors and informed and controlled by sensors and electronic control systems. The spoiler tabs protrude through the surface of the projectile only for certain angles of spin of the spinning disk. For spin-stabilized projectiles, the disks spin at substantially the same rate as the projectile, but the disks may function in fin-stabilized projectiles as well. Any number of such spinning flow effector disks may be incorporated in a projectile, with the manner of functional coordination differing slightly for even and odd numbers of disks.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.