Externally Mounted Stabilizing Appendage (e.g., Fin) Patents (Class 244/3.24)
  • Patent number: 6325325
    Abstract: A translational braking device for a projectile on its trajectory. The device has at least two air brakes made in the form of flaps that are moved in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the projectile to increase the aerodynamic drag of the projectile. Each flap has at least two closed grooves, extending essentially parallel to a direction that is perpendicular to the axis of the projectile, each groove cooperating with a rod that is fixed with respect to the projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Giat Industries
    Inventors: Alain Bonnet, Bertrand Padiolleau, Anne-Laure Cros
  • Patent number: 6318667
    Abstract: A winged bomb is launched from a launch aircraft and glides to a target. During the glide the winged bomb follows a calculated guide path stored in a on board computer, with correction generated by the computer using data from an altimeter and global positioning receiver. Near the termination of the glide a television camera is activated and transmits signals to a remote location from which final correction are manually generated and transmitted by radio to the bomb. The bomb is designed with low radar cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventor: Raymond C. Morton
  • Publication number: 20010039898
    Abstract: A spin-stabilized artillery projectile (11) can be easily subsequently fitted with an axially symmetrical aerodynamic braking device for reducing the ballistic trajectory if the tip (14) which is equipped with the fuse (13) and which is easily removable from the projectile body (12) is equipped at approximately half its height with flap-shaped sectors (24) which are pivotably mounted in such a way that they can be pivotably extended and which in their launch position fit snugly into the conical peripheral surface of the tip (14) and in the operative position are pivotably extended to form a radial ring which is closed or which has gaps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Applicant: Diehl Munitionssysteme GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Bar, Jurgen Bohl, Karl Kautzsch
  • Patent number: 6314886
    Abstract: A projectile to be fired from a weapon barrel includes a projectile body and a plurality of stabilizing wings circumferentially distributed about a rearward portion of the projectile body. A pin pivotally attaches each stabilizing wing to the projectile body for pivotal motion about a pivot axis to assume a folded state and an outwardly pivoted, deployed state. In the folded state of the stabilizing wings the center of gravity of the respective stabilizing wings is at a greater radial distance from the longitudinal axis of the projectile body than the pivot axis. A gliding body is releasably mounted on each stabilizing wing. Each gliding body has a wing-shaped extension for contacting an inner surface of the barrel in the folded state of the stabilizing wings as the projectile travels in the barrel upon firing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Rheinmetall W & M GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Kuhnle, Thomas Heitmann, Torsten Niemeyer, Norbert Arendt
  • Patent number: 6315240
    Abstract: An improved tail fin assembly and method of attachment to a tactical missile capable of high performance motion. The tail fin is formed with a widened inner fin platform portion having a centrally disposed cavity formed by a pair of oppositely disposed walls inclined toward one another. An output control shaft extending from the missile includes a pair of oppositely disposed side walls inclined in a direction similar to the side walls of the cavity. When the tail fin is mounted on the output shaft, the end portion of the output shaft extends within the cavity until the side walls are confronting each other. A pair of fastening screws are advanced into aligned openings, drawing the inclined walls into surface contact to pre-load the tail fin assembly with preset tolerances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Perry Rasmussen, Eric Brogmus, Scott Stubbs
  • Patent number: 6310335
    Abstract: The subject of the invention is a translational braking device for a projectile during its trajectory comprising at least two airbrakes that are radially deployable so as to increase the projectile's aerodynamic drag. Each airbrake is a flap pivoting around a pivot integral with the projectile and parallel to its axis. The device incorporates at least one pyrotechnic piston locking at least one of the flaps in its folded position and at least two flaps are stacked one on top of the other when they are in their folded position, at least a first of the two flaps incorporates a mechanism to retain the second of the two flaps in its folded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Giat Industries
    Inventors: Alain Bonnet, Anne-Laure Cros
  • Patent number: 6307514
    Abstract: A system and method for guiding an artillery shell in flight which includes a multi-element antenna having a large central access hole therein for receiving an airfoil actuator pin, the antenna array being switched during flight, as a function of the rotation of the shell, so that the upwardly directed portion of the radiation pattern predominates over a terrestrially directed segment of the radiation pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins
    Inventor: James B. West
  • Publication number: 20010030259
    Abstract: A rudder of a missile, particularly an aircraft born ramjet missile, is attached to the missile by a plug and socket mounting. A bearing socket (B1) is attached to a base plate (B0) which is secured to the missile body (FK). The socket (B1) has a conical cavity (B3) tapering toward the base plate (B0). The plug (W1) is formed by a rudder shaft (W) also tapering toward the base plate and rotatably fitting into the conical cavity (B3). Bearings (L1, L2) in the cavity (B3) hold the plug end (W1) of the rudder shaft axially and permit rotation of the rudder shaft (W) relative to the bearing socket (B1). The socket thus holds the bearings and has an at least partly outer cylindrical contour with a diameter (B2) that fits into a standard 41 mm wide slot (S) in an aircraft that carries the missile, whereby the rudder (R) is recessed in the slot (S) when the missile is mounted to an aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Inventors: Walter Hetzer, Ernst Lenz
  • Patent number: 6283407
    Abstract: A control system for aerodynamic vehicles has a fuselage nose segment and at least one strake. The fuselage nose segment is rotationally adjustable with respect to the aircraft fuselage. The at least one strake is mounted on the fuselage nose segment so that the strake can swing out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventor: Peter Hakenesch
  • Patent number: 6250584
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for moveable control fins extending from the surface of a missile. The locking mechanism includes a pin extending thru the outer surface of the missile into an opening provided in the movable fin. A link is pivotally connected between each of the pins and a slide member disposed internally of the missile and carried by a guide. The links are in a close to dead center position when the pins are extended into the openings in each of the fins. Upon a command signal from a controller, preparatory to missile launch, a restraining device holding the slide is removed and a spring commences movement of the slide toward a position which will take the links past their dead center position upon which additional springs which are loaded around each of the pins are activated to positively move the slide and extract the pins from the openings in the fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: HR Textron, Inc.
    Inventors: William W. Hsu, Duncan D. Bragg
  • Patent number: 6247666
    Abstract: The invention, in one embodiment, is an apparatus for controlling the roll, pitch, and yaw attitudes of an air or sea vehicle. The apparatus includes an actuator including an actuation plane and an actuation mechanism, capable of displacing the actuation plane at three points; at least three non-propulsive fins; and a linkage between the actuator and each one of the fins, the linkage communicating the actuation plane's displacement to the respective one of the fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Brian C. Baker, Johnny Edward Banks
  • Patent number: 6237496
    Abstract: A tail fin assembly for a munition having a housing configured for attachment to the munition, at least one flight control surface, an actuator for effecting movement of the flight control surface(s), so as to facilitate guiding of the munition, and a guidance system for controlling the actuator mechanism. The guidance system has a global positioning system (GPS) receiver for effecting control of the actuator mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony Steven Abbott
  • Patent number: 6230630
    Abstract: An aerodynamic projectile, preferably a non-lethal projectile, including a projectile shell having an aerodynamic structure and a controlled center of gravity which exhibits improved aerodynamics and resulting accuracy and which fractures in a predetermined pattern to disperse a fill contained therein. A method of making an aerodynamic projectile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Perfect Circle Paintball, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary E. Gibson, Michael A. Varacins
  • Patent number: 6220918
    Abstract: Tossable ring airfoil projectiles configured to adopt and maintain a flying orientation that generates lift. The tossable ring airfoil projectiles generally include (i) a ring airfoil having a trailing end, an aperture, and a longitudinal symmetry axis running through the aperture, and (ii) a tail associated with the ring airfoil and extending rearward beyond the trailing end. The ring airfoil provides lift that allows the tossable ring airfoil projectile to follow a flying trajectory. The tail stabilizes the projectile during flight and may provide a torque that biases the ring airfoil toward preferred flying orientations. The tail may extend along the longitudinal symmetry axis and may include outwardly extending fins. The tossable ring airfoil projectile further may include a connection configured to associate the tail with the ring airfoil. The connection also may extend along the longitudinal symmetry axis and may include outwardly extending flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: OddzOn, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald V. Laronge
  • Patent number: 6209820
    Abstract: A system for intercepting targets having predictable flight trajectory, the system comprising a platform carrying an interceptor missile which includes a seeker unit, propulsion system steering system and destruction capability system, all communicating with a processor device. The processor device is further coupled to a data link for communicating with the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Ministry of Defense Armament Development Authority
    Inventors: Oded M. Golan, Hanan Rom, Oded Yehezkely
  • Patent number: 6168111
    Abstract: A fold-out fin has a fin geometry defined by two cross-sectional cuts through the cylindrical projectile body, both cuts being parallel to the boattail surface. This geometry insures that the stowed fin assembly fits within the gun tube. This geometry also exhibits low drag and good aerodynamic behavior. Upon launch, the fins are deployed and then locked in the fully open position with a spring loaded pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Lyle D. Kayser, T. Gordon Brown