Steerable Rotating Projectile Control System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for controlling the flight path and steering force of rotating and translating projectiles face challenges such as gyroscopic stabilization, reactive forces, and fragility, especially in harsh conditions like dirt, water, and impacts.
Innovation Solution
The development of a systems and methods for controlling the flight path and steering force of rotating and translating projectiles, which includes a self-contained control system that compensates for reactive forces and is designed to be robust and survive harsh conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a control system is added to steer a rotating projectile, then flight path control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is divided into discrete control surfaces (fins or wings) positioned at specific locations on the projectile. Each control surface can be independently actuated to produce specific steering moments, breaking down the complex control function into manageable segments that work together to achieve flight path control.
Solution Approach 2:
The control surfaces are designed to be dynamically adjustable during flight, allowing the system to adapt to changing flight conditions. The control surfaces can be rotated or deflected to different angles to produce the required steering moments, providing dynamic control capability without requiring a permanently complex structure.
2Reliability
If the projectile is made robust to survive harsh conditions, then reliability is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire projectile uniformly robust, the design applies enhanced protective features only at critical locations where the projectile is most vulnerable to harsh conditions. This localized reinforcement approach provides necessary durability while minimizing the overall weight increase that would result from uniform strengthening of the entire structure.
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 proposed solution effectively controls the flight path and steering force of projectiles, overcoming the challenges of gyroscopic stabilization and reactive forces, while also ensuring the system's durability and usability in harsh environments.
Implementation Method 1
a control system that steers the rotating projectile along a desired flight path using aerodynamic forces generated by control surfaces
Implementation Method 2
Each reference cited herein is expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety. These incorporations are intended to provide written description for aspects of the invention already known, to provide enabling teachings, regardless of field of specialization, and to define useful combinations and contexts of use. Reference citation is not intended to admit prior art status, which is determined by 35 USC 102.
Implementation Method 3
The control system for guiding the flight path of a rotating object should compensate for, or predict and respond to, the reactive force resulting from a corrective force
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling a flying projectile which rotates during flight, comprising: determining an angle of rotation of an inertial mass spinning about an axis during flight, and controlling at least one actuator for altering at least a portion of an aerodynamic structure, selectively in dependence on the determined angle of rotation and a control input, to control aerodynamic forces during flight. An aerodynamic surface may rotate and interact with surrounding air during flight, to produce aerodynamic forces. A sensor determines an angular rotation of the spin during flight. A control system, responsive to the sensor, produces a control signal in dependence on the determined angular rotation. An actuator selectively alters an aerodynamic characteristic of the aerodynamic surface in response to the control signal.