Projectile Spin Stabilization via Radial Fluid Vents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for removing space debris, such as harpoons, face stability issues due to the lack of aerodynamic effects in space, leading to unreliable orientation and trajectory of the projectile.
Innovation Solution
A projectile is designed with a hollow center to receive compressed fluid, which expels it tangentially through vents, creating a gyroscopic effect for stabilization and maintaining orientation by imparting rotational speed, combined with a barrel and helical-connection mechanism for simultaneous rotation and translation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a harpoon is launched in space to remove debris, then the projectile can reach the target object, but the projectile loses orientation stability due to lack of aerodynamic effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies spin stabilization by imparting rotational motion to the projectile about its longitudinal axis. This dynamic approach creates gyroscopic effects that maintain orientation stability in the vacuum of space where aerodynamic stabilization is ineffective. The rotational speed is maintained throughout flight to ensure continuous stabilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces aerodynamic stabilization (which relies on atmospheric interaction) with pure mechanical spin stabilization. By substituting the air-dependent aerodynamic effects with a vacuum-compatible rotational mechanism, the projectile achieves reliable orientation control in the space environment.
2Stability of the object's composition
If compressed fluid is expelled through radial vents to create rotation, then the projectile achieves gyroscopic stabilization, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the propellant delivery system with the spin-generation system by using the same compressed fluid reservoir and vent mechanism for both functions. The fluid pressure that propels the projectile forward also drives the rotational motion when expelled through radially oriented vents, eliminating the need for separate stabilization mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The projectile uses its own internal compressed fluid reservoir to generate both thrust and rotational stabilization without external assistance. The single-purpose compressed gas system serves dual functions: linear propulsion through axial expulsion and rotational stabilization through radial venting, making the system self-sufficient.
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 solution ensures the projectile maintains its desired trajectory and orientation, effectively addressing the stability issues of existing debris removal methods by utilizing rotational speed and pressure to propel and stabilize the projectile.
Implementation Method 1
spinning the projectile, which is to say a device that imposes a rotational speed on the projectile about its line of sight, with a view to imparting a gyroscopic stiffness to the projectile in order to stabilize the orientation thereof
Implementation Method 2
a hollow part at its centre, opening onto a first of the two ends of the projectile and intended to receive a compressed fluid, a plurality of vents passing through the projectile from the hollow part substantially perpendicular to the axis X and with substantially radial outlet which is intended to expel the compressed fluid substantially at a tangent to the projectile
Data Source
AI summary
A projectile extending along an axis X between two ends, the projectile being positioned in a barrel of substantially cylindrical shape of axis X is provided. The projectile comprises: a hollow part at its center, opening onto a first of the two ends of the projectile to receive a compressed fluid, a plurality of vents passing through the projectile from the hollow part substantially perpendicular to the axis X and with a substantially radial outlet to expel the compressed fluid substantially at a tangent to the projectile. The invention also relates to the barrel and to a launch device comprising a projectile and a barrel.