Projectile Fin Deployment Retaining Clip Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing projectile systems face challenges in deploying control surfaces without interference during launch, as they may cause damage to neighboring structures or impede the projectile's path if extended prematurely.

Innovation Solution

A fin deployment system comprising a retaining system that selectively holds control surfaces in a nondeployed state until a specified event or condition occurs, utilizing biasers and retainers to ensure controlled deployment after launch, allowing the projectile to clear obstructions before extending the fins.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If control surfaces are extended during launch, then flight control capability is improved, but damage to neighboring structures or obstruction of projectile path occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflight control capabilityVSAvoiddamage to structures
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control surfaces are prepared in a non-deployed state during launch, and the deployment action is delayed until after the projectile clears the launch tube. The biasing mechanism is pre-configured to automatically deploy the surfaces when the retaining condition is no longer active, ensuring timely deployment without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control surfaces transition from a static non-deployed state during launch to a deployed state after launch. The system dynamically adapts the configuration of control surfaces based on the flight phase, using biasing forces to automatically adjust the surface position as the projectile accelerates and clears the launch tube.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If control surfaces are held in nondeployed state during launch, then damage to structures is prevented, but flight control capability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamage preventionVSAvoidflight control capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control surfaces are prepared in a non-deployed state during launch, and the deployment action is delayed until after the projectile clears the launch tube. The biasing mechanism is pre-configured to automatically deploy the surfaces when the retaining condition is no longer active, ensuring timely deployment without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the physical condition of projectile motion (clearing the launch tube) as feedback to trigger deployment. The biasing mechanism responds to the change in retention condition, automatically transitioning the control surfaces from non-deployed to deployed state based on the projectile's flight phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2215424B1Methods and apparatus for deploying control surfaces sequentially
Publication Date: 2014.01.08 RAYTHEON CO
  • EP2215424B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2215424B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP2215424B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods and apparatus for deploying control surfaces generally comprise a fin deployment system for projectiles. the fin deployment system is used to control the timing of the control surface deployment. In one embodiment, the deployment system comprises a clip that is configured to react the biasing force of one control surface against another in order to maintain the control surfaces in a non-deployed state until at least one control surface is able to overcome the retention force of the clip, thus beginning a chain reaction in which all of the control surfaces deploy sequentially.