Active and Passive Yaw Flaps for Re-entry Vehicle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerodynamic vehicles face challenges in maintaining accurate guidance and control during re-entry into planetary atmospheres due to aerodynamic heating and surface erosion, which degrades control surfaces and increases energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of active movable yaw control surfaces positioned between fixed bordering surfaces on an aerodynamic vehicle, allowing for passive yaw damping during re-entry and active steering capabilities, with the active surfaces being preserved for terminal guidance, reducing energy consumption and improving accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If active movable yaw control surfaces are used during re-entry, then steering accuracy is improved, but surface erosion from aerodynamic heating degrades the control surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The yaw control function is segmented between passive fixed yaw surfaces (for re-entry and bank-to-turn) and active movable yaw flaps (for terminal skid-to-turn guidance). This segmentation allows the active surfaces to be protected during high-heat phases while remaining available for precision terminal steering.
Solution Approach 2:
Passive yaw damping is established in advance using fixed surfaces during re-entry, preserving the active movable surfaces for later terminal guidance phases. This preliminary action ensures active control capability remains intact when most needed for accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If active yaw control surfaces are extended throughout flight, then steering accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The active movable yaw flaps are deployed periodically only when needed for terminal skid-to-turn guidance rather than continuously. This periodic activation significantly reduces energy consumption while maintaining guidance accuracy when most critical.
Solution Approach 2:
Passive fixed yaw surfaces provide self-service yaw damping during re-entry and bank-to-turn phases, eliminating the need for active control surface operation during these phases and reducing overall energy consumption.
3Use of energy by moving object
If passive yaw control surfaces are used during re-entry, then energy consumption is reduced, but active yaw control is depleted for terminal guidance
Solution Approach 1:
The yaw control system is segmented into passive fixed surfaces for early flight phases and active movable flaps for terminal phases. This ensures active control surfaces are preserved and available for high-precision terminal skid-to-turn guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
Passive yaw damping is established in advance using fixed surfaces, preserving active movable surfaces for later terminal guidance phases where precision is most critical.
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 achieves precise guidance with a Circular Error Probable (CEP) of less than 5 meters by maintaining active control surfaces for terminal use, reducing erosion and energy consumption, and enhancing maneuverability and accuracy during hypersonic flight.
Implementation Method 1
These control surfaces are subjected to aerodynamic heating and aero-heating induced surface erosion of the controls
Implementation Method 2
The two passive/fixed yaw control surfaces, together with the movable yaw control surface in its retracted position, provide for passive yaw stabilization of the vehicle
Implementation Method 3
The active yaw control flaps are preferably arranged on opposing sides of the re-entry vehicle, and may be individually extended to provide vehicle steering. The active yaw control flaps provide for active yaw control skid-to-turn terminal guidance
Data Source
AI summary
A yaw control system is provided for use in a hypersonic airborne mobile platform, for example a re-entry vehicle. The system includes an active movable yaw control flap positioned between passive/fixed yaw ear surfaces that border or frame the active yaw flaps. The yaw control system includes an active yaw control flap embedded between passive/fixed yaw ear surfaces. The retracted active yaw control flap and passive/fixed yaw ear surfaces provide passive yaw damping during atmosphere reentry, bank-to-turn steering and midcourse fly-out/glide steering. The active yaw control flaps are preferably arranged on opposing sides of a re-entry vehicle, and may be independently extended to provide for steering the vehicle. The active yaw control flaps provide for active yaw control skid-to-turn terminal guidance to achieve a desired level of accuracy, such as needed when using the vehicle as a missile to strike a target.