Missile Seeker Activation Control for Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Missile seekers face energy consumption and thermal management issues due to prolonged activation during target acquisition, especially when fire control radar information is degraded or absent, leading to increased operating time and risk of deactivation or overheating.
Innovation Solution
A homing device with an active assembly that alternates between activation and deactivation phases, using a passive assembly for target detection and reducing energy consumption, and a module for managing activation/deactivation based on signal power thresholds and uncertainty domains to extend operational time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the homing device is activated continuously during the search phase to ensure target detection, then the detection reliability is improved, but the energy consumption increases and thermal management becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The homing device alternates between active and inactive periods during the search phase. Instead of continuous activation, the device uses periodic pulses with calculated durations that balance detection reliability with energy conservation and thermal management, allowing the seeker to remain operational for the required mission duration
2Measurement precision
If the homing device is activated early to handle degraded target designation, then the target acquisition capability is improved, but the operating time exceeds design limits causing deactivation risk
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the activation strategy based on the quality of target designation information. When fire control radar provides degraded information, the homing device activates earlier and uses longer pulse durations to compensate for the larger search volume, while still managing overall operating time through intelligent pulse scheduling
3Measurement precision
If the active assembly emits high-power signals continuously to maintain detection precision, then the measurement precision is improved, but thermal energy management becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The active assembly transmits high-power signals in periodic pulses rather than continuously. The pulse duration and repetition frequency are calculated to maintain adequate detection precision while allowing thermal dissipation between pulses, preventing overheating and potential breakage of the seeker
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 approach enhances the seeker's operational duration, reduces energy consumption, and maintains performance even with degraded target designation, while minimizing detection time and thermal stress.
Implementation Method 1
an active assembly comprising at least one active sensor configured to transmit and receive signals for detecting an active radar target
Implementation Method 2
a passive assembly comprising at least one passive sensor configured to receive target detection signals
Data Source
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AI summary
Self-guiding device (3) for missile, comprising an activation/deactivation module (14) for the active assembly (6), configured to manage the activation/deactivation of the active assembly (6) during three phases: during a first phase, to deactivate the active assembly (6); during a second phase, to alternately activate and deactivate the active assembly (6); and during a third phase, called pursuit, to activate the active assembly (6), the third phase following the second phase.