Attitude Control Mechanisms Patents (Class 244/3.21)
  • Publication number: 20100044495
    Abstract: A kit for upgrading a non-guidable shell to an airborne guidable shell includes a device to couple the kit to the body of the non-guidable shell. A fastener provides for fastening the resulting airborne shell to an aircraft and for detaching it there from. The kit also provides for causing the trajectory of the shell to change once detached from the aircraft according to instructions received in the kit; for determining the position of the shell; and for transferring data from the carrying platform to the guidance kit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: RAFAEL ADVANCED DEFENSE SYSTEMS LTD.
    Inventors: Zalman Shlomo Shpund, David Sahar
  • Patent number: 7642491
    Abstract: An aircraft 1 with a spiral inducing assembly 2 which is capable of inducing the aircraft to travel in a continuous spiraling motion without the aircraft rolling. A ramjet 6b is attached to a tube 3 that is able to rotate around the encircled part of the fuselage. The ramjet 6b is able to rotate in a pivoting manner on the rotate-able tube 3 with respect to the rotate-able tube 3, thereby changing their pitch relative to the longitudinal axis of the rotate-able tube 3. Ramjet 6b is smaller than another ramjet on the right side of the tube 3. The difference in size between the ramjets makes the ramjet 6b exert a weaker force on the rotate-able tube 3 than the ramjet on the right side when the ramjets are rotated in the same direction. The imbalance between the rotational forces thus causes the rotate-able tube 3 to rotate. A fin 6c is also able to cause the rotate-able tube 3 to rotate during flight. When rotated, the ramjets would exert a lateral force on the rotate-able tube 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Inventor: Tom Kusic
  • Patent number: 7631833
    Abstract: The present invention provides an unpowered low-cost “smart” micromunition unit for a weapon system for defense against an asymmetric attack upon ships and sea or land based facilities. A plurality of air dropped micromunition units are each capable of detecting and tracking a plurality of maneuvering targets and of establishing a fast acting local area wireless communication network among themselves to create a distributed database stored in each deployed micromunition unit for sharing target and micromunition unit data. Each micromunition unit autonomously applies stored algorithms to data from the distributed database to select a single target for intercept and to follow an intercept trajectory to the selected target. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Sam Ghaleb, James Bobinchak, Keith P. Gray, Rodney E. Heil, Philip T. Aberer
  • Patent number: 7628352
    Abstract: A projectile includes a projectile body including a flow surface; the flow surface including at least one control surface formed therein. The controls surface is formed continuous with the flow surface, and a pressure source is connected to at least one control surface. The pressure source delivers a pressure to at least one control surface to cause at least one control surface to bulge away from the flow surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Inventors: Richard Low, Michael Deeds, Daniel L. Jean, Christopher Hovland
  • Publication number: 20090283627
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an air brake system for a projectile according to various aspects of the present invention comprises a pivot and a protrusion mounted on the pivot. The protrusion is adapted to selectively translate outward from the projectile around a translation axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the projectile. The methods and apparatus may further operate in conjunction with an actuation system engaging the protrusion, wherein the actuation system is configured to selectively facilitate the translation of the protrusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventors: Chris E. Geswender, James D. Streeter, Matthew A. Zamora, Jason J. Fink, Matthew O. Eisenbacher
  • Patent number: 7584922
    Abstract: A spin-stabilized correctible-trajectory artillery shell has a generator in the rotation-decoupled engagement region between a canard guidance unit and its munition body. The generator can be switched over to avoid load fluctuations between an adjusting motor and a substitute load. In order to avoid an additional heat source in the interior of the guidance unit the substitute load is in the form of an electrical resistance on, at or in canard surfaces behind the afflux flow edges. The canard surfaces are preferably formed on anti-spin canards which are not adjustably mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Diehl BGT Defence GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Bär, Karl Kautzsch
  • Publication number: 20090218437
    Abstract: A control actuator system. The novel system includes a control surface mounted on a body and adapted to move in a first direction relative to the body, and a first mechanism for storing energy as the control surface moves in the first direction and releasing the stored energy to move the control surface in a second direction opposite the first direction. In an illustrative embodiment, the system is adapted to rotate an aerodynamic control surface of a rolling missile, and the first mechanism is a torsional spring arranged such that rotating the control surface in the first direction winds up the spring and releasing the spring causes the control surface to oscillate back and forth, alternating between the first and second directions. In a preferred embodiment, the spring has a spring constant such that the control surface oscillates at a natural frequency matching a roll rate of the missile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventors: Samuel D. Sirimarco, Gerald E. Van Zee
  • Patent number: 7566027
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a device for determining the roll orientation of a body with respect to a local fixed coordinate system or a predetermined reference vector. The device uses a measurement of an external magnetic field, such as the Earth's magnetic field, to determine a roll orientation reference with respect to the field or an uncompensated roll orientation. The uncompensated roll orientation is then adjusted according to a bias angle, such as an angular difference between the external magnetic field and a local fixed coordinate system, to determine the roll orientation of the device with respect to the local fixed coordinate system or a compensated roll angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Lyle H. Johnson, Dennis L. Kurschner
  • Patent number: 7533849
    Abstract: An optically guided mortar comprising a three axis canard assembly, an optical seeker, a guidance and control processor, and a fuze mechanism. The optical seeker is a direct replacement for existing standard mortar fuzes. The resulting system significantly improves current mortar circular error probability (CEP) and results in overall reduction of cost of target prosecution, reduction in collateral damage, improved crew survivability, and adds compatibility against limited non-stationary targets. The optical seeker detects an optical illuminator located at a target and supplies signals to the guidance and control processor which through a guidance algorithm supplies steering commands to drive motors of the three axis canard assembly which move a plurality of guidance canards to accurately direct the munition toward a target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information And Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Zemany, Mark A. Carlson, John A. Maynard
  • Patent number: 7494090
    Abstract: The present invention provides a MKV interceptor including multiple kill vehicles with autonomous management capability and kinematic reach to prosecute a large threat extent. Each KV can self-manage its own KV deployment and target engagement for a determined target volume assigned by a designated master KV. At least one KV is master capable of managing the post-separation of all of the KVs without requiring updates to the mission plan post-separation. The autonomous capability and increased kinematic reach provides for a more efficient use of boosters and more effective engagement of the threat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Michael A. Leal, Todd L. Baker, Kent P. Pflibsen
  • Patent number: 7478778
    Abstract: A rocket engine having guide vanes in the engine nozzle the guide vanes (2) being mounted for turning at or near the rearmost ends of fixed vanes (1) being parallel to the axis of the nozzle and protruding into the combustion chamber of the engine. The foremost ends (4) of the guide vanes (2) may be shielded by the rearmost ends of the fixed vanes (1), and the guide vanes (2) may be individually turnable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Nammo Raufoss AS
    Inventor: Erland Ørbekk
  • Patent number: 7434762
    Abstract: A retractable thrust vector control system (10) for a rocket motor (26) that can generate an exhaust plume comprises at least one control vane (12) connectable to an attitude control assembly (20) that rotates the vane (12) about a control axis (44). The system also includes a retraction mechanism (14) for withdrawing the control vane (12) along the control axis (44) from an extended position at least partially within a path of a rocket exhaust plume and a retracted position substantially out of a path of a rocket exhaust plume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: William M. Hatalsky, Gregory A. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 7416154
    Abstract: The Trajectory Correction Kit (TCK) is a completely self-contained retrofit kit that is externally and fixedly mounted as an add-on to the rear (aft of the tailfins) of an existing, unguided rocket. The TCK continuously measures the pitch and yaw of the rocket as it is released from the launch tube and during the initial seconds of the flight and calculates the trajectory correction that is necessary to eliminate the measured pitch and yaw. Then it activates selected thrusters among the thrusters that are positioned around the circumference of the rocket body so as to steer the rocket in a direction until the measured pitch and yaw are eliminated. This results in significant reductions in both the rocket flight path dispersion and collateral damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: David A. Bittle, Gary T. Jimmerson, Julian L. Cothran
  • Publication number: 20080179449
    Abstract: A retractable thrust vector control system (10) for a rocket motor (26) that can generate an exhaust plume comprises at least one control vane (12) connectable to an attitude control assembly (20) that rotates the vane (12) about a control axis (44). The system also includes a retraction mechanism (14) for withdrawing the control vane (12) along the control axis (44) from an extended position at least partially within a path of a rocket exhaust plume and a retracted position substantially out of a path of a rocket exhaust plume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: William M. Hatalsky, Gregory A. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 7395987
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of gun-launched guidance systems and to a navigation system based on inertial sensors mounted in a spinning projectile using at least one rotation sensing device with input components perpendicular to the spinning body's longitudinal axis, and an appertaining method for upfinding. The phase of the sinusoidal angular rate as detected by a phase-locked loop or correlator is used to determine the local vertical orientation. This invention may be used to align the inertial navigation system in spinning projectiles in ballistic trajectories, which can include artillery shells, satellites or underwater torpedoes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Erik Lindquist, Ruth D. Kreichauf
  • Patent number: 7350743
    Abstract: A homing missile of which the target tracker has a restricted, e.g. a slit-shaped, field-of-view and which incorporates means whereby the field-of-view may be rotated, e.g. by rolling the missile, has a control system which to avoid certain instability problems, such as adverse autopilot coupling, imposed or made worse by the restricted field, includes first limiting means for limiting the demanded rotation of the field-of-view and second limiting means for limiting one lateral axis missile steering signal. The other lateral axis steering signal is modified in dependence upon the one steering signal and the rotation demand signal to optimise control having regard to the restricted view-field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: BAE Systems plc
    Inventor: Martin S. Gate
  • Patent number: 7341221
    Abstract: A system and method for performing attitude determination for projectiles comprises a projectile; a plurality of magnetometers arranged orthogonally to one another in the projectile, wherein the plurality of magnetometers are adapted to take first flight vector measurements of the projectile; a plurality of angular rate sensors in the projectile and proximate to the plurality of magnetometers, wherein the plurality of angular rate sensors are adapted to take second flight vector measurements of the projectile; a digital signal processor adapted to combine the first and second flight vector measurements to estimate Euler angles associated with a position of the projectile; and a calculator adapted to determine an attitude of the projectile based on the estimated Euler angles. Preferably, the plurality of magnetometers comprises three magnetometers aligned within the projectile, and wherein a first one of the magnetometers is aligned with a spin axis of the projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Sectretary of the Army
    Inventor: Michael J. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20080006736
    Abstract: A trajectory control system includes a first control mechanism having a pair of outputs operably associated with a first pair of control surfaces, the first control mechanism operable to articulate the first pair of control surfaces in unison and a second control mechanism having a pair of outputs operably associated with a second pair of control surfaces, the second control mechanism operable to articulate the second pair of control surfaces in unison. The second control mechanism is nested in the first control mechanism such that the pair of outputs of the first control mechanism is substantially coplanar with the pair of outputs of the second control mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventor: Johnny E. Banks
  • Patent number: 7278609
    Abstract: A nose cap and control strut assembly for supersonic aircraft is disclosed. In one embodiment, the nose cap extends forward from the nose of the aircraft to deflect shock waves and decrease draft during supersonic flight. In another embodiment, control struts extending from the nose of the aircraft have control surfaces which provide yaw and pitch control for the aircraft. The control struts may be rotatable around axes substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the aircraft. The control struts may also be retractable into the aircraft. The nose cap may be mounted at the forward ends of the control struts in such a manner that the nose cap remains in a stationary position with respect to the aircraft when the control struts are rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventor: Allen A. Arata
  • Patent number: 7226015
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a forebody flow control system and more particularly to aircraft or missile flow control system for enhanced maneuverability and stabilization at high angles of attack. The present invention further relates to a method of operating the flow control system. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a missile or aircraft comprising an afterbody and a forebody; at least one deployable flow effector on the missile or aircraft forebody; at least one sensors each having a signal, the at least one sensor being positioned to detect flow separation on the missile or aircraft forebody; and a closed loop control system; wherein the closed loop control system is used for activating and deactivating the at least one deployable flow effector based on at least in part the signal of the at least one sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Orbital Research Inc
    Inventors: Troy Prince, Frederick J. Lisy, Mehul P. Patel, Jack M. DiCocco, Reed Carver, Robert N. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7219579
    Abstract: An apparatus for actuating a control surface includes a first spur gear, a first drive assembly engaged with the first spur gear, a second spur gear, a second drive assembly engaged with the second spur gear, and a gear assembly capable of being coupled with the control surface and engaged with the spur gears. The gear assembly includes a first screw, a first gear engaged with the first spur gear, a thrust nut mounted to the first gear and threadedly engaged with the first screw, a second gear engaged with the second spur gear, a second screw mounted to the second gear and mechanically coupled with the thrust nut and a translation nut threadedly engaged with the second screw and capable of being coupled with the control surface. The second screw and the thrust nut rotate independently and translations of the thrust nut are transmitted to the second screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Mark A. Turner
  • Patent number: 7108223
    Abstract: A missile includes a tail section having a multi-nozzle grid with both fixed nozzlettes, and movable, thrust vector nozzlettes. The movable nozzlettes may be configured in a number of discrete array bars, each containing multiple of the movable nozzlettes. Movement of one or more array bars may be used to vector the thrust of the missile, providing roll, yaw, or spinning of the missile, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Daniel Chasman, Stephen D. Haight, Andrew B. Facciano
  • Patent number: 7102113
    Abstract: A three-axis attitude control propulsion device and a flying object like a rocket including the device are provided in which combustion gas for attitude control can be efficiently used. A three-axis attitude control propulsion device 4, having six nozzles has a motor case 6 and three-way discharge changeover valves 10, 10? of a valve plug rotation type enabling a changeover of a flow passage by rotation of the valve plug. Combustion gas 18 is generated by combustion of propellant 8 in the motor case 6. The three-axis attitude control propulsion device is operated so that one or two of the nozzles are opened to thereby discharge the combustion gas 18 and the remaining five or four nozzles are fully closed. Thereby, a three-axis attitude control of pitch control, roll control and yaw control, and control of a neutral state, can be selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiharu Fujita, Shozo Hidaka
  • Patent number: 7076342
    Abstract: An attitude sensing apparatus for determining the attitude of a mobile unit is provided that can reliably estimate an alignment angle between a GPS antenna coordinate system and an IMU coordinate system with good accuracy regardless of the magnitude of the alignment angle. Based on observation of the difference between a GPS angular velocity and an IMU angular velocity, an alignment angle estimating section estimates an alignment angle and sensor errors. An alignment angle adder and a sensor error adder cumulatively add and update the estimated alignment angle and sensor errors, respectively. The estimated alignment angle is fed back to an inertia data converter while the estimated sensor errors are fed back to an inertia data correcting section. The apparatus repeatedly performs estimation until the estimated alignment angle gradually approaches a true alignment angle by successively feeding back estimated values to a flow of alignment angle estimation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Furuno Electric Company, ltd.
    Inventors: Masaru Fukuda, Hiroyuki Toda
  • Patent number: 7070144
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an afterbody flow control system and more particularly to aircraft or missile flow control system for enhanced maneuverability and stabilization. The present invention further relates to a method of operating the flow control system. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a missile or aircraft comprising an afterbody and a forebody; at least one activatable flow effector on the missile or aircraft afterbody; at least one sensor each having a signal, the at least one sensor being positioned to detect forces or flow conditions on the missile or aircraft afterbody; and a closed loop control system; wherein the closed loop control system is used for activating and deactivating the at least one activatable flow effector based on at least in part the signal of the at least one sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Orbital Research Inc.
    Inventors: Jack DiCocco, Troy Prince, Mehul Patel, Tsun Ming Terry Ng
  • Patent number: 7004423
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fast, low-cost, small diverter capable of generating a relatively high impulse (1-5 N-sec) over a short time period. The diverter is adapted for installation in a projectile for steering the projectile in flight by ejecting an end cap or hot burning gases in response to control signals from a guidance system. In one embodiment, multiple diverters are arranged in one or more bands about a flying projectile such as a rocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Quantic Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Folsom, Charles Piper, III, Wm. David Fahey, Jared M. McGowan
  • Patent number: 6978966
    Abstract: A system and method for performing in-orbit alignment calibration using on-board attitude sensors to improve reflector alignment after deployment to improve spacecraft pointing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Hanching Grant Wang, Richard A. Fowell, Arunkumar P. Nayak
  • Patent number: 6951317
    Abstract: A vehicle, such as a missile, with a pilot valve system controls the vehicle's thrust valves despite a hostile propellant gas environment. The pilot valve system can have one or more pilot valves. Using refractory elements, the pilot valve ball reciprocates between a supply seat and a vent seat which is subject to the filtered inflow of propellant thrust gases. When open, the pilot valve allows the stray thrust gas to communicate to a control chamber which closes a poppet against a valve seat in the nozzle. When an associated solenoid closes the pilot valve by pushing the pilot valve ball against the supply seat, the control chamber is vented to ambient. The poppet may then travel into the cylinder bore and the nozzle is opened to exhaust propellant gases and exert lateral thrust on the vehicle. Certain nozzle thrust geometries provide useful vehicle guidance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: George T. Woessner, Stephen G. Abel, Mark H. Baker, Dennis M. Alexander
  • Patent number: 6889935
    Abstract: A missile includes one or more arrays of barrel assemblies that are displaced from the centre of gravity of missile. Each barrel assembly includes a plurality of projectiles axially disposed within a barrel, and each projectile is associated with a discrete propellant charge for propelling the projectile sequentially from the barrel. Each array of barrel assemblies is capable of selectively firing the projectiles from selected barrels, whereby the missile is accelerated by the reactionary force generated by said firing of projectiles and the missile is deflected onto a new course or trajectory. This enables the missile to be steered to intercept its target, even if the target is undertaking evasive manoeuvres. Each barrel assembly may include multiple projectiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Metal Storm Limited
    Inventor: James Michael O'Dwyer
  • Patent number: 6886774
    Abstract: A method of projectile control provides a control order for an organ allowing the yaw piloting of a spinning projectile. The control order causes a modification of a yaw piloting parameter of the projectile, the parameter that needs to be controlled being fin deflection. The angular rate of roll of the projectile is measured. At least one corrective coupling term is introduced into the evaluation of the control order modifying the yaw piloting parameter. The corrective coupling term is proportional to the angular rate of roll and also to the drift over time of the pitch piloting parameter to provide projectile piloting orders control fin motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: GIAT Industries
    Inventor: Gérard Lamorlette
  • Patent number: 6871105
    Abstract: A method for facilitating an optimization of a control space in n dimensions is provided. The control space includes a plurality of points, and the method includes removing at least one hyperplane of the control space, and perturbing the remaining points of the control space to lessen errors relative to the control space prior to the removal of at least one hyperplane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Kenneth Aragones, Carol Lynn Kiaer, Ronald George Maruscik, Avinash Vinayak Taware, Robert Marcel Mattheyses
  • Patent number: 6863244
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and a memory structure for compensating for optical sensor data corrupted by angular acceleration is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of determining an angular acceleration of the optical sensor and modifying the optical sensor data according to the determined angular acceleration of the optical sensor. The apparatus comprises a sensor for determining an angular acceleration of the optical sensor and a navigation system for modifying the optical sensor data according to the determined angular acceleration of the optical sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Richard A. Fowell, Salma I. Saeed, Rongsheng Li, Yeong-Wei Wu
  • Patent number: 6817568
    Abstract: A multi-staged missile includes a booster and a submunition delivery vehicle that has one or more submunitions. The booster rapidly accelerates the submunition vehicle, and then separates from the submunition vehicle. The submunition delivery vehicle is then maneuvered to approach a target. Individual submunitions finally separate, and are individually guided to the target. By providing multiple, independently-targeted submunitions, the missile greatly increases the chances of hitting the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Wayne V. Spate, Arthur J. Schneider, Michael B. McFarland
  • Patent number: 6776369
    Abstract: Guidance of a gliding vehicle is disclosed. A method of the invention allows the range of the glide phase of a gliding vehicle to be maximized, while satisfying final flight path angle and aimpoint requirements. The method controls the time-of-flight of the gliding value to a desired value. The time-of-flight control can correct for winds, off-nominal launch conditions, and rocket motor variations, among other factors. Both time-of-flight control and range and cross-range maximization can be achieved by the inventive method, utilizing a compact closed-loop approach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Craig A. Phillips, David S. Malyevac
  • Patent number: 6752351
    Abstract: A control system for a flying vehicle in an atmospheric environment, the vehicle having an aerodynamic shape including a front end and a rear end including a plurality of attitude control jet nozzles spaced outward from the vehicle near the rear end of the vehicle or a trailing edge of a vehicle part; and a generator for providing a low mass flow of a fluid through the attitude control jet nozzles to create an area of high pressure immediately forward of the nozzles and adjacent the flying vehicle, wherein the location of the attitude control jet nozzles is so close to the rear end of the vehicle that any area of low pressure created by the low mass flow of fluid through the attitude control jet nozzles does not contact the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Lawrence E. John
  • Patent number: 6751529
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for controlling an aircraft comprises providing an attitude error as a first input into a neural controller and an attitude rate as a second input into the neural controller. The attitude error is calculated from a commanded attitude and a current measured attitude, and the attitude rate is derived from the current measured attitude. The method also comprises processing the first input and the second input to generate a commanded servo actuator rate as an output of the neural controller. The method further comprises generating a commanded actuator position from the commanded servo actuator rate and a current servo position, and inputting the commanded actuator position to a servo motor configured to drive an attitude actuator to the commanded actuator position. The neural controller is developed from a neural network, wherein the neural network is designed without using conventional control laws, and the neural network is trained to eliminate the attitude error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Neural Robotics, Inc.
    Inventor: J. Michael Fouche
  • Publication number: 20040084564
    Abstract: A control system for a flying vehicle in an atmospheric environment, the vehicle having an aerodynamic shape including a front end and a rear end including a plurality of attitude control jet nozzles spaced outward from the vehicle near the rear end of the vehicle or a trailing edge of a vehicle part; and a generator for providing a low mass flow of a fluid through the attitude control jet nozzles to create an area of high pressure immediately forward of the nozzles and adjacent the flying vehicle, wherein the location of the attitude control jet nozzles is so close to the rear end of the vehicle that any area of low pressure created by the low mass flow of fluid through the attitude control jet nozzles does not contact the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventor: Lawrence E. John
  • Patent number: 6727843
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and an arrangement for determining the angle of roll of a launchable body (4) which rotates in its path. The launchable body (4) can consist of a rotating projectile, shell, guided missile or the like, launchable from a launching device (1). According to the invention the transmitter antenna (3) and receiver antenna (5) are each designed with their sweeping beams (6, 9) directed essentially towards each other. By detecting the time the two beams (6, 9) coincide and the signal strength received in the receiver antenna, the angle of roll of the launchable body can be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Bofors Defence AB
    Inventor: Åke Hansen
  • Patent number: 6722609
    Abstract: An device for correcting the in-flight trajectory of a munition consists of an impulse motor assembly body. The slug or multiple slugs and propellant(s) are located within the impulse motor assembly body. When a trajectory correction is desired and required, the individual impulse motor propellants are activated and fired, and the slug or multiple slugs are propelled out of the in-flight munition at a specific time and a specific angle on or near the gravimetric center of gravity of the in-flight munition. The reactive forces created by the explosion of the(se) heavy metal slugs does, by equal and opposite reaction, create a corrective vector and thereby does cause a correction in the trajectory of the in-flight munition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventor: James M. Linick
  • Patent number: 6695251
    Abstract: A system for controlling attitude about pitch, yaw, and roll axes and axial thrust of a body. The system comprises a main thrust generator located on an aft portion of the body and at least one reaction control system (RCS) located on a forward portion of the body. A thrust vector controller (TVC) is connectable to the main thrust generator and at least one RCS controller is connectable to the RCS. The RCS controller and the TVC are synchronized to adjust the direction of the principal line of thrust through the body center of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Space Systems/Loral, Inc
    Inventors: John J. Rodden, Andrew E. Turner
  • Patent number: 6685134
    Abstract: The MLRS1 artillery rockets (11) which are stored in the depots of the consumer can enjoy in a technologically non-critical fashion an increase in performance in the sense of a substantially improved degree of delivery precision, insofar as the ogival head (13) is temporarily cut off so that it is possible to fit into same and thus into the foremost region of the original payload space (15), which is behind the fuse (12), in a position of surrounding the pyrotechnic delivery ejection system, an annular assembly frame (21) for a transverse thrust unit (23) with reaction elements (25), which blow out radially around the rocket, which, in dependence on position, can be individually triggered by a navigation satellite-supported course correction unit (20) which is also fitted there.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Diehl Munitionssystems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Bernhard Trosky, Harald Wich, Lutz Lehmann
  • Patent number: 6676071
    Abstract: Guidance of a gliding vehicle is disclosed. A method of the invention allows the range of the glide phase of a gliding vehicle to be maximized, while satisfying final flight path angle and aimpoint requirements. The method controls the time-of-flight of the gliding value to a desired value. The time-of-flight control can correct for winds, off-nominal launch conditions, and rocket motor variations, among other factors. Both time-of-flight control and range and cross-range maximization can be achieved by the inventive method, utilizing a compact closed-loop approach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Craig A. Phillips, David S. Malyevac
  • Patent number: 6637699
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a trajectory of a projectile includes a planetary drive train, a yaw drive assembly engaged with the planetary drive train, and a pitch drive assembly engaged with the planetary drive train. The apparatus further includes a plurality of fin assemblies linked with the planetary drive train such that, as the planetary drive train is actuated by at least one of the yaw drive assembly and the pitch drive assembly, corresponding displacements are produced in the plurality of fin assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Johnny E. Banks, Brian C. Baker
  • Patent number: 6629668
    Abstract: A system for controlling the trajectory of a launched projectile. More particularly, a method for correcting the projectile jump displacement of a launched projectile after it is released from a vessel using on-board G-hardened accelerometers orthogonally mounted along the longitudinal axis of the projectile. Deviation from an intended flight path is corrected by firing selected trajectory diverting thrusters mounted around the periphery of the projectile. Eliminating or reducing projectile jump, or the angular deviation of the flight path of a projectile relative to its intended trajectory, will greatly increase the accuracy of gun fired projectiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: John C. Grau, Arthur J. Fiorellini, Raymond E. Carr
  • Patent number: 6628995
    Abstract: Aircraft flight data collection is enhanced by changing the data sampling rate as a function of an operational condition of the aircraft, such as its flight phase. An algorithm is used to determine the flight phase. Then, the data is collected at a first sampling rate when the flight phase is one of a first set of flight phases and collected at a second sampling rate when the flight phase is one of a second set of flight phases. The second sampling rate is greater than the first sampling rate to maximize the data storage capacity of the system. Generally, the higher sampling rate is used with transient flight phases such as takeoff and thrust reverse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Shannon Lee Korson, Bruce Gunter Schings, Packey Pasquale Velleca, Mary Beth Golding
  • Patent number: 6610971
    Abstract: The present invention provides a ship self-defense missile (SSDM) weapon system for launching a plurality of light weight missiles from an existing vertical tube launch infrastructure. The system for vertically launching missiles from a ship comprises a plurality of tiers having a top tier and a bottom tier in which tier supports a plurality of missiles. The tiers are set into a launch canister having an interior wall to form a vertical stack in the launch canister. A launch means is used for selectively launching at least one of the plurality of missiles from the top tier. A means for ejecting ejects the top tier is depleted of missiles. A vertical movement means raises and lowers the tiers within the launch tube and the vertical movement means raises next tier in the vertical stack into a position to launch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Daniel Crabtree
  • Patent number: 6604705
    Abstract: Control group for directional fins on missiles and/or shells which have a containment body (15, 15′, 15″) that has on the outside of the containment body, two command surfaces in the form of half-fin surfaces (13, 14) which are hinged (at 24, 25), directable and motorized. The containment body (15, 15′, 15″) has two housings (16) each of which has an electric motor (17, 17′) which commands, through a reduction gear group (19, 29; 19′, 29′), the oscillation about the axis (Z) of a control group that is based on a pair of rings (21, 22), arranged in annular seats (31, 32) and in which end attachments (26) of the half-fins (13, 14) engage, the half-fins (13, 14) being hinged so that they are diametrically opposed in a further ring (20) arranged in an annular seat (23) of said containment body (15, 15′, 15″) where they are free to rotate about the (Z) axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: OTO Melara S.p.A.
    Inventors: Mauro Pellegri, Angelo Schino
  • Patent number: 6596976
    Abstract: A method and system for pointing and stabilizing a device that needs to be pointed and stabilized with a desired direction, are disclosed, wherein current attitude measurement and attitude rate measurement of the device measured by an attitude producer, which includes an inertial measurement unit, and the desired direction information measured by a target coordinates producer are processed by a pointing controller to compute rotation commands to an actuator. An actuator rotates and stabilizes the device at the desired direction according to the rotation commands in the presence of disturbances and parametric uncertainties to account for the undesired vibration due to disturbances. A visual and voice device provide an operator with visualization and voice indication of the pointing and stabilization procedure of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: American GNC Corporation
    Inventors: Ching-Fang Lin, Hiram McCall
  • Patent number: 6543716
    Abstract: A combined defense and navigational system on a naval vessel is disclosed. The disclosed system includes a track-while-scan pulse radar which is controlled to provide either navigational information or tracking information on selected targets. Additionally, the disclosed system includes a plurality of guided missiles, each of which may be vertically launched and directed toward intercept of a selected target either by commands from the track-while-scan radar or from an active guidance system in each such missile. The invention herein described was made in the course of or under a contract or subcontract thereunder, with the Department of Defense.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Vernon W. Miller, Vincent A. Simeone, David T. Greynolds, William E. Hunt
  • Publication number: 20030042355
    Abstract: A system for controlling attitude about pitch, yaw, and roll axes and axial thrust of a body. The system comprises a main thrust generator located on an aft portion of the body and at least one reaction control system (RCS) located on a forward portion of the body. A thrust vector controller (TVC) is connectable to the main thrust generator and at least one RCS controller is connectable to the RCS. The RCS controller and the TVC are synchronized to adjust the direction of the principal line of thrust through the body center of gravity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: John J. Rodden, Andrew E. Turner