Actuating System for Vehicle Control Surface Orientation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control surfaces on vehicles such as aircraft, submarines, and missiles do not provide a means to control the radar return signature and performance envelope, limiting their operational flexibility and stealth capabilities.
Innovation Solution
An actuating system that adapts control surfaces by allowing six degrees of freedom without a pivot point at the root, using a hexagonal arrangement of linear actuators to rotate control surfaces between the horizontal and vertical planes, reducing the radar cross-section and enhancing performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional control surfaces with pivot points at the root are used, then the control surface can be actuated, but the radar cross section increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional 2D control surface actuation (rotation about a root pivot) to 3D spatial repositioning by moving the control surface between horizontal and vertical planes. This dimensional change eliminates the need for root pivot points that create radar reflections, while the hexagonal actuator arrangement provides the necessary degrees of freedom for this spatial transformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The control surface is designed to perform multiple functions by operating in different planes. When positioned horizontally, it provides conventional pitch control; when positioned vertically, it reduces radar cross section. The same control surface structure serves both stealth and control functions, eliminating the need for separate horizontal and vertical tail surfaces.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate horizontal and vertical tail surfaces are used to provide different control modes, then the performance envelope is expanded, but the weight and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of separate horizontal and vertical tail surfaces into a single control surface that can operate in both orientations. This consolidation eliminates redundant structures, reduces weight, and simplifies the overall tail assembly while maintaining the full performance envelope through dynamic repositioning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control surface transitions from a static, fixed-orientation structure to a dynamic, reconfigurable structure. The ability to move between horizontal and vertical planes allows the same physical structure to adapt to different operational requirements, providing both stealth and high-lateral control capabilities without requiring multiple fixed structures.
3Ease of operation
If a pivot point is located at the root of the control surface, then the control surface can be rotated, but the radar return signature increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pivot point from the root of the control surface and relocates it to the empennage structure. This extraction eliminates the radar-reflective pivot point from the control surface itself while maintaining the rotational actuation capability through the hexagonal actuator arrangement that provides six degrees of freedom.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The present invention provides an actuating system, comprising:a rotatable member rotatable relative to a fixed member;at least one actuator coupled to the rotatable member and to the fixed member; and a planar control surface coupled to the rotatable member such that the control surface extends perpendicularly from the periphery of the rotatable member wherein, in use, when a first actuator is in a first configuration the rotatable member is rotated such that the planar control surface is arranged in a first position, and when the first actuator is in a second configuration the rotatable member is rotated such that the planar control surface rotates about the central axis of the rotatable member to be arranged in a second position. The present invention also provides a vehicle and a part for a vehicle having the actuating system, as well as a method of actuating a control surface for a vehicle.