Piezoelectric Actuation for Munition Control Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current actuation devices for gun-fired projectiles and mortars face challenges such as high power requirements, limited dynamic response, large volume occupation, survivability issues, reliability concerns, and high costs, making them impractical for medium to small caliber munitions and requiring innovative solutions for precise trajectory correction within short flight durations.
Innovation Solution
Development of novel high force/torque and high dynamic response control surface actuation devices powered by gas-generating charges, which occupy minimal volume, are scalable to any caliber, and utilize minimal electrical energy, integrating actuation into the projectile structure for enhanced survivability and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If electrical motors of various types are used for actuation, then actuation force and torque are improved, but power requirement increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional electrical motors with a piezoelectric actuator that uses piezoelectric ceramics to convert electrical energy directly into mechanical motion. This substitution eliminates the need for complex motor assemblies, gears, and electromagnetic fields, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining adequate actuation force for control surface manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental operating parameters by using piezoelectric materials that exhibit high strain output at low voltage levels. The piezoelectric actuator operates with minimal electrical energy input, transforming the physical state of the piezoelectric ceramic elements to produce precise mechanical displacement for control surface actuation without the high power demands of conventional motors.
2Force
If electrical motors with gearing are used, then actuation torque is improved, but device volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates traditional motor-gear assemblies and replaces them with a compact piezoelectric actuator. The piezoelectric ceramic elements directly generate the necessary mechanical motion and force through their piezoelectric effect, removing the need for separate motor housing, electromagnetic components, and gear mechanisms, thereby dramatically reducing the overall actuator volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The piezoelectric actuator components are nested within a compact structure where the piezoelectric ceramic elements are integrated directly into the actuator body. This nesting approach allows the actuation mechanism to be embedded within minimal space, with the control surface linkage integrated into the same structural envelope, achieving high torque output from a extremely compact volume.
3Speed
If voice coil motors or solenoids are used, then actuation speed is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces voice coil motors and solenoids with piezoelectric actuators that utilize the piezoelectric effect for direct mechanical actuation. This substitution eliminates the continuous electromagnetic field generation required by voice coils and solenoids, reducing power consumption to only the brief moments when voltage pulses are applied to achieve rapid displacement, thereby maintaining high actuation speed with minimal energy usage.
4Measurement precision
If smart materials such as piezoelectric ceramics are used, then actuation precision is improved, but strain capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite structures that integrate piezoelectric ceramic elements with flexible polymer matrices or other complementary materials. This composite approach allows the piezoelectric ceramics to provide precise actuation control while the composite structure amplifies the strain output and distributes mechanical stresses, thereby achieving both high actuation precision and sufficient strain capability for effective control surface manipulation.
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
The novel actuation devices provide significantly enhanced precision for both stationary and moving targets, reduce power and volume requirements, improve survivability, and lower costs, enabling effective guidance and control systems for guided projectiles and mortars with improved reliability and scalability.
Implementation Method 1
actuation devices for guided gun-fired munitions and mortars that can be scaled to any caliber munitions
Implementation Method 2
novel high force/torque and high dynamic response control surface actuation devices powered by gas-generating charges
Data Source
AI summary
A munition including: a control surface actuation device including: an actuator having two or more pistons, each of the pistons being movable between an extended and retracted position, the retracted position resulting from an activation of each of the two or more pistons; and a movable rack having a pocket corresponding to each of the two or more pistons, each pocket being engageable with a corresponding portion of each of the two or more pistons, a distance between the pockets being different than a distance between the portions of the two or more pistons, such that activation of the portion into the corresponding pocket sequentially translates the rack; and a control surface operatively connected to the rack such that translation of the rack rotates the control surface.