Telescoped Projectile Shifting Center of Gravity for Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed projectiles face challenges in achieving both a rugged design for high acceleration and a stable flight configuration with the center of gravity forward of the center of pressure, especially in exoatmospheric environments where control surfaces are ineffective and ablation is a concern.
Innovation Solution
A projectile design that transitions from a launch configuration with the center of gravity aft of the center of pressure to a flight configuration with the center of gravity forward of the center of pressure through relative movement of its parts, utilizing an extendable base or telescoped sections to shift the mass distribution, allowing for inherent stability during flight without the need for control surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the projectile uses a rugged design with center of gravity aft of center of pressure for high acceleration launch, then the projectile can withstand high launch forces, but the projectile becomes unstable during flight
Solution Approach 1:
The projectile employs a movable base that can change position relative to the main body, allowing the center of gravity to shift dynamically. During launch, the base is retracted to place the center of gravity aft for stability under high acceleration. During flight, the base extends to move the center of gravity forward for aerodynamic stability, thus adapting the configuration to different operational phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The projectile is divided into separable components: a main body and a movable base. This segmentation allows independent positioning of each component to achieve the desired center of gravity location for different flight phases, resolving the contradiction between launch strength and flight stability.
2Ease of operation
If the projectile uses control surfaces to guide flight, then the projectile can be directed toward the target, but the control surfaces may ablate in hypersonic environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional aerodynamic control surfaces with a magnetic actuation system. Magnets embedded in the projectile interact with external magnetic fields to produce control forces and moments, eliminating the need for physical control surfaces that would be subject to ablation in hypersonic flight.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system uses variable magnetic field strengths and directions to achieve different control effects. By changing magnetic parameters rather than relying on physical surface geometry, the system achieves flight guidance without vulnerable control surfaces.
3Volume of moving object
If the projectile uses a compact launch configuration, then the projectile is rugged for high acceleration, but the center of gravity cannot be forward of center of pressure for stable flight
Solution Approach 1:
The movable base provides dynamic adjustment capability, allowing the projectile to maintain a compact configuration during launch while being able to extend during flight to achieve proper center of gravity positioning for stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A projectile reconfigures in flight from a launch configuration, in which the center of gravity is aft of the center of pressure, to a flight configuration, in which the center of gravity is forward of the center of pressure. The projectile includes a forward portion and an aft portion, and the reconfiguration involves movement of at least part of one of the portions relative to the other portion. The projectile may have an overall substantially conical shape when in the launch configuration. The forward portion may include a substantially conical nose, and a cylindrical central body attached to the nose. In the launch configuration, at least part of the central body may be located within a hollow in a base of the aft portion. The base may be slidable relative to the central body.