Projectile Angle of Attack Control via Side-Acting Impulse Motors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current projectiles, such as mortars, have limited impact on semi-hard targets due to their short firing range and lack of control over the angle of attack, resulting in inefficient splinter distribution and penetration.
Innovation Solution
A projectile design featuring a nose portion, casing, fin portion, active part, initiation devices, sensors, impulse motors, and a gyro system that allows for selective tilting and control of the angle of attack before detonation, enabling targeted impact by measuring distance and using impulse motors to rotate the projectile relative to its path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional mortar shells are used with all-round strike capability, then the construction remains simple and cost-effective, but the impact on semi-hard targets and enclosed targets is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The projectile incorporates movable control surfaces and fins that can be adjusted during flight to change the angle of attack dynamically. This allows the simple mortar shell to adapt its orientation for optimal impact on different target types, resolving the contradiction between construction simplicity and impact effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the orientation parameter (angle of attack) of the projectile during flight using impulse motors and control surfaces. This parameter modification enables the same simple construction to achieve different impact effects depending on the target type, maintaining ease of manufacture while improving manufacturing precision.
2Measurement precision
If fin-stabilized artillery shells with GPS guidance are used, then the accuracy and control over angle of attack improve, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex GPS guidance systems with a simpler inertial guidance approach using gyroscopes and impulse motors. This mechanical substitution maintains angle of attack control capability while reducing device complexity and cost, making the system suitable for mortar applications rather than heavy artillery.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts only the essential control elements (gyroscopes, impulse motors, control surfaces) needed for angle of attack control, omitting the complex GPS guidance system. This selective extraction achieves the necessary measurement precision while keeping device complexity manageable for mortar shells.
3Adaptability or versatility
If mortar shells detonate with all-round strike capability, then the splinters are distributed in all directions, but the penetration effect on vehicle roofs and concealed targets is minimal
Solution Approach 1:
The projectile uses control surfaces and fins to concentrate the splinter effect in specific directions rather than distributing it uniformly in all directions. This creates local quality in the impact pattern, directing splinters toward vulnerable areas like vehicle roofs and concealed targets, thereby improving penetration effect while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the angle of attack to optimize splinter distribution for different target types. By changing orientation during flight, the projectile can concentrate impact energy where needed, improving penetration effect on semi-hard targets while preserving the versatility of all-round strike capability.
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 design enhances the impact on semi-hard targets by allowing precise control over the angle of attack, increasing the effectiveness of splinter distribution and penetration, particularly useful for targets with side protection or enclosures.
Implementation Method 1
a side-acting impulse motor (3) which tilts the projectile from one position into another position
Implementation Method 2
The single-axis gyro is used to determine the angle of rotation of the projectile
Data Source
AI summary
A projectile with selectable angle of attack for increased impact on a target includes an active charge and controllable initiation device for initiation of the active charge, wherein the projectile also includes at least one side-acting impulse motor for tilting the projectile relative to its trajectory from a substantially vertical position, in which the front face of the projectile is directed toward the target, into a more horizontal position, in which the outer surface of the projectile is directed toward the target.