Flight Vehicle Control Surfaces as Momentum Wheels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tactical missiles operating at high altitudes face challenges in attitude control due to the thin atmosphere, where conventional control surfaces are ineffective for producing aerodynamic forces to adjust attitude and steer the missile.
Innovation Solution
The integration of control surfaces that can rotate relative to the fuselage, functioning both as conventional control surfaces for aerodynamic force generation in the atmosphere and as momentum wheels in exo-atmospheric conditions, utilizing the same actuators and control system to adjust the vehicle's attitude through torque reactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional control surfaces are used to produce aerodynamic forces for attitude adjustment, then attitude control is effective within the atmosphere, but control becomes ineffective at high altitudes where the atmosphere is too thin
Solution Approach 1:
The control surfaces are designed to perform dual functions: acting as conventional aerodynamic control surfaces within the atmosphere and as momentum wheels in exo-atmospheric conditions. This multi-functionality allows the same components to provide reliable attitude control across both atmospheric and space environments, resolving the contradiction between control effectiveness and operational altitude range
Solution Approach 2:
The control surfaces are made dynamically reconfigurable through rotation capability. By rotating the control surfaces about their spanwise axes, the system transitions between two operational modes: fixed position for aerodynamic control in atmosphere, and rotating momentum wheel configuration for control in vacuum. This dynamic adaptability enables the system to maintain reliability across varying atmospheric conditions
2Reliability
If separate systems are used for atmospheric and exo-atmospheric attitude control, then control effectiveness is maintained in both environments, but weight and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The same control surfaces and actuators serve dual purposes: providing aerodynamic control forces within the atmosphere and functioning as momentum wheels in exo-atmospheric conditions. This eliminates the need for separate control systems for different environments, significantly reducing the weight of moving objects while maintaining control effectiveness across both atmospheric and space operations
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the atmospheric control surface function and the exo-atmospheric momentum wheel function into a single integrated system. The control surfaces, actuators, and control architecture are combined to provide both modes of operation, eliminating redundant components and reducing overall system weight
3Reliability
If separate systems are used for atmospheric and exo-atmospheric attitude control, then control effectiveness is maintained in both environments, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is designed with universal components that perform multiple functions. The same actuators that position control surfaces for aerodynamic control also rotate them to function as momentum wheels. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate control systems, while maintaining reliable attitude control in both atmospheric and exo-atmospheric environments
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines the atmospheric and exo-atmospheric control systems into a single integrated architecture. The control surfaces, actuators, sensors, and control logic are merged to provide unified control across both operational environments, significantly reducing device complexity compared to having separate independent systems
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables efficient attitude control in both atmospheric and exo-atmospheric environments, reducing the need for separate systems, minimizing weight, space, and cost, while maintaining effective control by leveraging the same control surfaces and actuators for both modes of operation.
Implementation Method 1
The control surfaces can also be rotated to operate as rotation wheels or momentum wheels, to provide attitude adjustment to the fuselage of the flight vehicle
Implementation Method 2
when the attitude control system is in exo-atmospheric mode, the attitude control system selectively changes attitude of the fuselage by selectively rotating the control surfaces, to thereby put a torque on the fuselage as a direct reaction to the rotating of the control surfaces
Implementation Method 3
control surfaces that can be positioned conventionally to produce aerodynamic forces to produce torque to adjust attitude within atmosphere
Data Source
AI summary
A flight vehicle, such as a missile, operates both atmospherically and exo-atmospherically. The flight vehicle has control surfaces which are able to rotate relative to a fuselage of the flight vehicle, with the control surfaces extending outside of the fuselage into the airstream (or space) around the fuselage. The control surfaces may be used to control attitude in both atmospheric flight and exo-atmospheric flight. In atmospheric flight the control surfaces operate conventionally, with the aerodynamic forces on the control surfaces creating a torque on the flight vehicle. The control surfaces may be selectively positioned, such as by use of actuators, to achieve the desired torque on the flight vehicle, to achieve the desired attitude. In exo-atmospheric flight the control surfaces can be used as momentum wheels, with the control surfaces selectively rotated to produce a reaction torque on the fuselage.