Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
244300210 | Attitude control mechanisms | 45 |
20090218437 | Torsional spring aided control actuator for a rolling missile - 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. | 09-03-2009 |
20090283627 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR AIR BRAKE RETENTION AND DEPLOYMENT - 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. | 11-19-2009 |
20100044495 | AIRBORNE GUIDED SHELL - 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. | 02-25-2010 |
20110297783 | ROLLING PROJECTILE WITH EXTENDING AND RETRACTING CANARDS - A slow rolling projectile comprises a projectile body has a forward section and a rear section and having a longitudinal axis. Two or more canards in the forward section are capable of being extended from and retracted into the projectile body at predetermined frequencies and/or for predetermined times. Two or more tail fins in the rear section are fixed coextensive to or at an angle to the longitudinal axis, and an actuator extends and retracts the canards. The canards are capable of being extended and retracted at a rate based on the rotation of the projectile sufficient to correct for lateral movement. A GPS or INS navigational system activates an actuator to extend and retract the canards. | 12-08-2011 |
20120080553 | PREDICTIVE ROLL CAPTURE - A method for controlling autopilot roll capture of a rocket comprising adapting the start time and the rate of roll capture such that regardless of the initial rocket spin rate, the roll capture process is completed at a predetermined time. | 04-05-2012 |
20120091254 | SYSTEMS, APPARATUS AND METHODS TO COMPENSATE FOR ROLL ORIENTATION VARIATIONS IN MISSILE COMPONENTS - The roll orientation of a thrust vector control (TVC) or other missile section is measured and used to compensate the operation of the control surface. A measurement of a roll orientation of the control surface relative to the missile is obtained from a detector, memory or other source. Compensated control commands are determined at least in part based upon the measurement to account for the roll orientation of the control surface relative to the missile, and the compensated control command is provided to thereby actuate the control surface during operation of the missile. | 04-19-2012 |
20120104150 | PROJECTILE 3D ATTITUDE FROM 3-AXIS MAGNETOMETER AND SINGLE-AXIS ACCELEROMETER - A method to determine roll angle, pitch angle, and heading angle of a spinning projectile during a flight of the spinning projectile is provided. The method includes providing a magnetic unit vector in an inertial frame of the projectile at a projectile launch location prior to launch of the projectile; determining a magnetic unit vector in a body frame and in an inertial frame of the spinning projectile during the flight of the spinning projectile; determining a velocity unit vector in the body frame and in the inertial frame of the spinning projectile during the flight of the spinning projectile; and calculating the roll angle, the pitch angle, and the heading angle of the spinning projectile during the flight of the spinning projectile, regardless of the spin rate of the projectile. The roll angle and the pitch angle of the spinning projectile form an attitude of the spinning projectile. | 05-03-2012 |
20120119014 | TORSION SPRING WING DEPLOYMENT INITIATOR - A compact, purely mechanical wing deployment assisting mechanism uses torsion springs and lever arms to apply a deploying force to a guidance wing during its initial deployment through a wing slot in a rocket or missile, thereby assisting the wing to burst through a cover seal protecting the wing slot. The wings are then fully deployed by centrifugal force. Various embodiments include two “extreme duty” springs and two lever arms per wing, working in parallel. Embodiments provide a total of at least 24 pounds of force per wing at the end of a spring travel of 0.30 inches. In some embodiments, the entire mechanism weighs less than 0.5 pounds and/or occupies less than 2.5 cubic inches per wing. In embodiments, an assembled group, including two springs and two lever arms, is located between each pair of wings, whereby each assembled group applies one lever arm to each adjoining wing. | 05-17-2012 |
20120138729 | FLIGHT-CONTROL SYSTEM FOR CANARD-CONTROLLED FLIGHT VEHICLES AND METHODS FOR ADAPTIVELY LIMITING ACCELERATION - Embodiments of a flight-control system and methods of reducing the probability of a roll-control reversal in a canard-controlled flight vehicle are generally described herein. In some embodiments, the flight-control system may monitor angular velocities of the flight vehicle to detect the onset of instability and adaptively control an acceleration limit of the flight vehicle based on the detected instability to reduce the probability of a roll-control reversal. The onset of instability may be detected by persistently high angular velocities. The acceleration limit may be further adaptively controlled based on an approach of a vehicle trim limit. | 06-07-2012 |
20120199691 | PROJECTILE THAT INCLUDES AS NEEDED PRESSURE-RELIEVING WRAP-AROUND TAIL FINS - Some embodiments pertain to a projectile that includes a casing and a plurality of fins which are secured to the casing. Each of the fins is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The fins are typically in the stowed position during storage and launch, and move to the deployed position as soon as possible after launch. Each fin includes a first foil that has a first set of openings and a second foil that includes a second set of openings. The first sets of openings in the first foils are aligned with the second sets of openings in the second foils when each of the fins is in the stowed position. The first sets of openings in the first foils are not aligned with the second sets of openings in the second foils when each of the fins is in the deployed position. | 08-09-2012 |
20120205487 | ROCKET GUIDANCE ADAPTER - A two-piece adapter for mounting a guidance system on unguided rockets allows for the existing designs and stores of unguided rockets to be retrofitted with guidance capability to provide a “guided rocket”. The adapter provides the external mounting features for mounting the guidance system and does so in a manner that transfers the steering loads of the guidance system to the rocket airframe and maintains the proper preloading and relationship of the fuze-to-warhead to detonate the warhead. The two-piece adapter comprises an inner adapter and an outer adapter. The inner adapter is secured between the fuze and warhead without requiring modifications of either part and provides the external mounting feature. The outer adapter is secured to the inner adapter and effectively moves the external mounting feature forward in front of the fuze where the guidance system is attached. | 08-16-2012 |
20120211592 | MULTI-CALIBER FUZE KIT AND METHODS FOR SAME - A multi-caliber fuze kit includes a fuze housing configured for coupling with multiple projectiles. One or more canards are moveably coupled with the fuze housing. The one or more canards are adjustable between two or more canard configurations. In a first canard configuration, the one or more canards are at a first canard angle relative to a bore sight of the fuze housing, and the first canard angle is configured for use with a first projectile. In a second canard configuration, the one or more canards are at a second canard angle relative to the bore sight of the fuze housing, and the second canard angle is configured for use with a second projectile. The first and second canard angles are different. In another example, in the first canard configuration the one or more canards include a first canard shape configured to provide a first specified trajectory with the first projectile. In the second canard configuration the one or more canards include a second canard shape configured to provide a second specified trajectory with the second projectile. The first canard shape and the second canard shape are different. | 08-23-2012 |
20120211593 | TRAJECTORY MODIFICATION OF A SPINNING PROJECTILE - The invention is a projectile, device and system having a roll control device which may be fixed or deployable, for providing torque counter to the spin of the projectile and providing drag on the projectile. The roll control device includes a guidance collar rotatably attached to the projectile located near a front end of the projectile wherein the guidance collar includes one or more guidance collar aero-surfaces shaped to provide torque counter to the spin on the projectile. The guidance collar aero-surfaces may be controlled by a brake and guidance electronics on the projectile. The invention also includes a body collar fixedly attached to the projectile aft of the guidance collar, wherein the body collar includes one or more body collar aero-surfaces and fixed or deployable drag devices. Another embodiment use only a guidance collar aero-surfaces to orient a fixed drag device relative to an Earth inertial reference frame to create asymmetrical drag on the projectile and thereby altering its trajectory. | 08-23-2012 |
20120211594 | PROJECTILE THAT INCLUDES A FIN ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM WITH CHANGING BACKLASH - Some embodiments pertain to a projectile that includes a casing and at least one fin that extends from the casing. The projectile further includes a drive inside the casing and an adjustment mechanism inside the casing. The adjustment mechanism includes a first gear that engages the drive and a second gear that engages the fin and the first gear. The second gear includes teeth that are different distances from an axis of rotation of the second gear. The teeth of the second gear that engage the first gear may be the farthest from the axis of rotation of the second gear when the fin is aligned with a flight axis of the projectile. The engaging teeth of the second gear get closer to the axis of rotation of the second gear as the fin is maneuvered away from the flight axis of the projectile. | 08-23-2012 |
20120223180 | GUIDANCE DEVICE - There is disclosed a collar ( | 09-06-2012 |
20140306055 | METHOD AND GNC SYSTEM FOR DETERMINATION OF ROLL ANGLE - The invention relates to a method for determining the roll angle of a guidable and substantially or partially roll-stable projectile comprising control system, radio-based positioning receiver and sensor for measuring roll angular velocity, in which the following steps are included: actuation of the actuators of the projectile by the control system, included in the projectile, for manoeuvring of the projectile; estimation of a first signal, the projectile control force, on the basis of the control system included in the projectile; measurement of a second signal, the velocity of the projectile relative to the ground-fixed coordinate system, with the radio-based positioning receiver mounted in the projectile; measurement of a third signal, the rotational velocity, with the sensor for roll angular velocity mounted in the projectile; calculation of a roll angle on the basis of the first, second and third signals, estimated projectile control force, measured projectile velocity, and measured rotational velocity, by summation of the absolute angle change with weighting of an angle evaluation. The invention additionally relates to a GNC system for a guidable projectile comprising control system, radio-based positioning system, and a sensor for measuring roll angular velocity. | 10-16-2014 |
20140312162 | ROLLING VEHICLE HAVING COLLAR WITH PASSIVELY CONTROLLED AILERONS - A spinning, rolling, or roll-stabilized vehicle, such as a projectile, includes a fuselage that rotates about its longitudinal axis (spins) during flight. A collar is positionable relative to the fuselage to steer the projectile, with the collar having ailerons to provide a roll force to position the collar. The collar also has elevators to provide lateral force to steer the projectile. The positioning of the collar may be accomplished by moderating the roll force of the ailerons to hold the position of the collar substantially constant with regard to a longitudinal axis of the projectile. The ailerons passively change angle of attack with changes in the dynamic pressure of the projectile. At low speeds the ailerons have a relatively large angle of attack, and at high speeds, the ailerons resiliently reduce their angles of attack, avoiding large rolling forces on the collar. | 10-23-2014 |
20140326824 | DETERMINATION OF ANGLE OF INCIDENCE - The invention relates to a method for determining angle of incidence for a projectile in the path of the projectile from launcher to target, which projectile is guidable and substantially or partially roll-stable and comprises a control system and at least two actuators with associated control members, in which the following steps are included: determination of applied force for pitch control by evaluation of the moment upon the actuators of the projectile, determination of applied force for yaw control by evaluation of the moment upon the actuators of the projectile, calculation of the pitch component α of the angle of incidence and of the yaw component β of the angle of incidence, based on comparison between the evaluated moments and reference data for moments. The invention also relates to a GNC system. | 11-06-2014 |
20150060593 | Hierarchical closed-loop flow control system for aircraft, missiles and munitions - The present invention relates to a missile or aircraft with a hierarchical, modular, closed-loop flow control system and more particularly to aircraft or missile with a flow control system for enhanced aerodynamic control, maneuverability and stabilization, and to a method of operating the flow control system. | 03-05-2015 |
244300220 | Fluid reaction type | 26 |
20080223977 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROJECTILE GUIDANCE - Methods and apparatus for projectile systems according to various aspects of the present invention comprise a projectile attached to an auxiliary control system. The auxiliary control system may include a control system and a transverse propulsion system. The control system controls the trajectory of the projectile system, for example by activating the transverse propulsion system to adjust the trajectory. | 09-18-2008 |
20080258004 | Exo Atmospheric Intercepting System and Method - According to an embodiment of the present invention there is provided a kill-vehicle to be used in an exo-atmospheric anti-missile interceptor aimed at hitting a target, the kill-vehicle having a main body and comprising: an electronic box; a sensor unit coupled to the electronic box and including at least one sensor for tracking the target at a certain field of view; an inertial measurement unit coupled to the sensor unit; and a divert system controlled by the electronic box for providing the kill-vehicle with thrust at a desired direction; said divert system and electronic box constituting said main body, wherein the kill-vehicle further comprises at least one gimbals unit coupled to the main body and to the sensor unit for controllably changing an angle between the sensor unit and the main body, and wherein said electronic box is configured to synchronically operate said divert system and gimbals unit such that the target remains in the field of view of said at least one sensor and the thrust is provided in a direction required for hitting the target. | 10-23-2008 |
20080302906 | Spin-Stabilized Correctible-Trajectory Artillery Shell - 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. | 12-11-2008 |
20090072076 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ATTITUDE CONTROL OF A FLIGHT VEHICLE USING PITCH-OVER THRUSTERS - A reliable and inexpensive attitude control system uses a plurality of pitch-over thrusters to perform rapid and precise attitude maneuvers for a flight vehicle. The pitch-over thrusters create rotational moments that directly pitch and yaw the flight vehicle. The use of very simple thrusters and control techniques provides for a reliable and cost effective solution. The ability to perform overlapping pitch and yaw maneuvers with single-shot fixed-impulse thrusters provides for high-speed maneuverability. | 03-19-2009 |
20090084888 | STEERING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A GUIDED FLYING APPARATUS - A steering system for use in a traveling guided flying apparatus ( | 04-02-2009 |
20100123038 | Aircraft spiraling mechanism with jet assistance - E - An aircraft in the form of multi-stage missile | 05-20-2010 |
20100147992 | ECCENTRIC DRIVE CONTROL ACTUATION SYSTEM - A control surface actuation system has the ability to move aerodynamic control surfaces using a rotational motion of a motor. In an arrangement, rotational motion of the motor enables the aerodynamic control surfaces of a rotating projectile to oscillate and thus vary the angle of the control surfaces as the projectile spins. The rotation of a motor in one direction in combination with a gear and a link and a crank arm attached to a shaft of the aerodynamic control surfaces allows the control surfaces to move in fluttering motion to induce the maneuvering of a projectile in the desired direction. A controller takes information regarding the current condition of the projectile and drives the motor to move the aerodynamic devices to maneuver the projectile. | 06-17-2010 |
20100237185 | PROJECTILE CONTROL DEVICE - 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. | 09-23-2010 |
20100327106 | System and Method for Attitude Control of a Flight Vehicle using Pitch-Over Thrusters - A reliable and inexpensive attitude control system uses a plurality of pitch-over thrusters to perform rapid and precise attitude maneuvers for a flight vehicle. The pitch-over thrusters create rotational moments that directly pitch and yaw the flight vehicle. The use of very simple thrusters and control techniques provides for a reliable and cost effective solution. The ability to perform overlapping pitch and yaw maneuvers with single-shot fixed-impulse thrusters provides for high-speed maneuverability. | 12-30-2010 |
20110006152 | Modular Divert and Attitude Control System - There is disclosed a vehicle and methods for maneuvering the vehicle. The vehicle may include a plurality of multiple-impulse rocket motors, each of which comprises a plurality of independently ignitable solid fuel propellant charges, and a processor that generates at least one command to ignite at least one solid fuel propellant charge of at least one of the plurality of multiple-impulse rocket motors. | 01-13-2011 |
20110309186 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR FAST ACTION IMPULSE THRUSTER - Methods and apparatus for a fast action impulse thruster according to various aspects of the present invention may comprise a projectile comprising an impulse thruster system. The impulse thruster system may comprise a guidance system and a fast action impulse thruster system. The guidance system may control the trajectory of the projectile, for example by activating the fast action impulse thruster system to adjust the projectile's trajectory. The fast action impulse thruster system may be configured such that it may provide an impulse force to guide the projectile with a reaction time that is not affected by the rotational velocity of the projectile. The impulse force may be achieved by ejecting at least one mass from the projectile at high velocity such that a resulting momentum exchange may alter the trajectory of the projectile. The fast action impulse thruster system may also be configured in such a way so as to provide a significant improvement to the overall safety during the production, assembly, and handling of the projectile. | 12-22-2011 |
20120119015 | Actuators For Gun-Fired Projectiles and Mortars - An actuator stack is provided and having a tubular body and two or more individual actuators stacked in a longitudinal direction in the tubular body. Where each of the two or more actuators have a solid propellant; a primer for igniting the propellant; and detonation wiring for powering the primer. The actuator stack further having a separation layer formed between adjacent individual actuators in the stack. | 05-17-2012 |
20120175456 | Adjustable Range Munition - An adjustable range munition has at least one gas vent that is selectively variable to affect the amount of force that is directed onto the projectile upon actuation of the propellant section, thereby to control the range of the munition. | 07-12-2012 |
20120175457 | VEHICLE FOR LAUNCHING FROM A GAS GUN - A vehicle for launching from a gas gun having a housing; preferably incorporating a precessional attitude control system; and utilizing a flared base, fins, or active use of the attitude control system during passage through the atmosphere. Subtly canting the fins can produce desired spinning of the vehicle. The propulsion system can employ liquid, hybrid, or solid fuel. A removable aero-shell assists atmospheric flight with thermal protection being provided by anticipated ablation, an ablative aero-spike, or transpirational cooling. And a releasable sabot enhances the effectiveness of the launch. | 07-12-2012 |
20120181375 | Modular Guided Projectile - A modular artillery projectile and method of engaging a target. A modular artillery projectile may include a payload module, a guidance module coupled to the payload module and a rear module coupled to the guidance module. The payload module may be selected from a plurality of interchangeable payload modules containing different payloads. The guidance module may include a transverse propulsion system to propel the modular artillery projectile transversely to a longitudinal axis of the modular artillery projectile, a global positioning system receiver, and a control system to control the transverse propulsion system responsive to the global positioning system receiver to guide the modular artillery projectile to a predetermined target position. | 07-19-2012 |
20120187235 | GUIDANCE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR PROJECTILES - In one embodiment, a projectile is guided by employing heat, generated from the aerodynamic heating of a surface of the projectile while the projectile is in flight, to vaporize a material stored within the projectile. The resulting gas is used guide the projectile. | 07-26-2012 |
20120211595 | WEAPON INTERCEPTOR PROJECTILE WITH DEPLOYABLE FRAME AND NET - A weapon interceptor projectile has a deployable frame for maintaining a deployable net in shape. The deployable frame may be an inflatable structure, including a flexible material inflated by a gas generator. The inflatable structure has a perimeter that supports an outside shape of the net, and a series of spokes or arms that couple the perimeter to a body of the projectile. The perimeter may have an airfoil cross-section shape, reducing drag of the frame and aiding in deployment. The perimeter may be have a circular shape, giving the net a circular area. The deployable frame allows the net to maintain its shape during flight, increasing its area and its ability to come into contact with an incoming weapon, such as a rocket propelled grenade (RPG). | 08-23-2012 |
20120211596 | PROPULSION AND MANEUVERING SYSTEM WITH AXIAL THRUSTERS AND METHOD FOR AXIAL DIVERT ATTITUDE AND CONTROL - Embodiments of a propulsion and maneuvering system that may be suitable for use during a terminal phase in an interceptor are generally described herein. The propulsion and maneuvering system may include one or more axial thrusters to provide thrust along axial thrust lines that run through a center-of-gravity of the interceptor and a plurality of divert thrusters to provide thrust in radial directions. The combination of divert and axial thrusters may allow the interceptor to respond to a maneuvering target and may allow the interceptor to increase its velocity along a line-of-sight (LOS) to a target to change target impact/engagement time. | 08-23-2012 |
20130181086 | MITIGATION OF DRIFT EFFECTS IN SECONDARY INERTIAL MEASUREMENTS OF AN ISOLATED DETECTOR ASSEMBLY - The 6-axis position and attitude of an imaging vehicle's detector assembly is measured by mounting the detector assembly on a compliant isolator and separating the main 6-axis IMU on the vehicle from a secondary IMU comprising at least inertial rate sensors for pitch and yaw on the detector assembly. The compliant isolator couples low-frequency rigid body motion of the vehicle below a resonant frequency to the isolated detector assembly while isolating the detector assembly from high-frequency attitude noise above the resonant frequency. A computer processes measurements of the 6-axis rigid body motion and the angular rate of change in yaw and pitch of the isolated detector assembly to mitigate the drift and noise error effects of the secondary inertial rate sensors and estimate the 6-axis position and attitude of the detector assembly. | 07-18-2013 |
20140061364 | INTEGRATED PROPULSION AND ATTITUDE CONTROL SYSTEM FROM A COMMON PRESSURE VESSEL FOR AN INTERCEPTOR - An interceptor is provided with an integrated propulsion and attitude control system (ACS) in which propellant burn forms a common pressure vessel for high-pressure gas. An aft port in the rocket motor directs gas through one or more main nozzles that expel high-velocity gas in a generally axial direction to propel the interceptor. A forward port directs gas through one or more attitude control nozzles that expel high-velocity gas in a generally radial direction to control the attitude of the interceptor. The main nozzle(s) and stabilization fins are fixed, there is no servo control to the main nozzles or fins to affect attitude control. The use of a common pressure vessel enables an integrated propulsion and ACS that can be compact, lightweight and inexpensive. | 03-06-2014 |
20140138474 | METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR ACTIVE PROTECTION FROM AERIAL THREATS - Embodiments include active protection systems and methods for an aerial platform. An onboard system includes one or more radar modules, detects aerial vehicles within a threat range of the aerial platform, and determines if any of the plurality of aerial vehicles are an aerial threat. The onboard system also determines an intercept vector to the aerial threat, communicates the intercept vector to an eject vehicle, and causes the eject vehicle to be ejected from the aerial platform to intercept the aerial threat. The eject vehicle includes a rocket motor to accelerate the eject vehicle along an intercept vector, alignment thrusters to rotate a longitudinal axis of the eject vehicle to substantially align with the intercept vector, and divert thrusters to divert the eject vehicle in a direction substantially perpendicular to the intercept vector. The eject vehicle activates at least one of the alignment thrusters responsive to the intercept vector. | 05-22-2014 |
20140138475 | ROCKET PROPELLED PAYLOAD WITH DIVERT CONTROL SYSTEM WITHIN NOSE CONE - A rocket is provided and includes booster stages at a rear of the nose cone, the booster stages being configured for propelling the nose cone in a propulsion direction and a divert control system housed entirely in the nose cone for controlling an orientation of the propulsion direction. | 05-22-2014 |
20140197270 | AIR VEHICLE WITH CONTROL SURFACES AND VECTORED THRUST - An air vehicle, such as a missile, for example an interceptor, includes control surfaces and a vectored thrust system, both used for steering the missile. A controller is operatively coupled to both steering mechanisms, and is configured to operate in a low dynamic pressure mode, which uses the vectored thrust system for at least part of the steering, only when the dynamic pressure is low, such as when the missile is at high altitude. At higher dynamic pressure, such as at lower altitude, the controller is configured to operate in a high dynamic pressure mode that uses only the control surfaces for steering. This allows the interceptor to operate at higher altitudes than interceptors that use only control surfaces for steering during flight. During flight for a high altitude interception the missile shifts from the high dynamic pressure mode to the low dynamic pressure mode. | 07-17-2014 |
20150300780 | ROCKET CLUSTER DIVERT AND ATTITUDE CONTROL SYSTEM - A flight vehicle includes a nose portion, a fuselage retaining structure aft of the nose portion, and an axial motor for expelling axial thrust along a longitudinal axis of the flight vehicle. Radial motors are coupled to the retaining structure and axisymmetrically arranged about the axial motor. Each radial motor is configured to expel radial thrust radially outwardly in respect to the flight vehicle. Roll thrusters are operatively coupled with the radial motors and coupled to the fuselage retaining structure. The roll thrusters are configured to provide a roll moment of the flight vehicle about a central longitudinal axis of the flight vehicle. Ejectors are operatively coupled to the radial motors, and a controller is operatively coupled to the radial motors and the ejectors. The controller is configured to selectively fire and selectively eject the radial motors to maintain relative centering of a center of gravity of the flight vehicle. | 10-22-2015 |
20160146583 | REDUCTION OF ROCKET JET STREAM DISPERSION - The presently disclosed subject matter includes a method, apparatus and computer storage device for reducing dispersion of a rocket caused by jet-stream misalignment, the rocket comprising a rocket engine. Information indicative of a division of total operation time of the rocket engine into a first time period and a second time period is obtained; wherein an impulse which is generated during the first time period is at least approximately the same as an impulse generated during the second time period; a period of time which equals to the first time period starting from time of activation of the rocket engine is measured; upon termination of the period of time, the rocket is rotated around the rocket's longitudinal axis; and the angle of rotation measured; and the rotation is stopped once a 180° rotation is completed. | 05-26-2016 |
20160178331 | METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR ACTIVE PROTECTION FROM AERIAL THREATS | 06-23-2016 |