US 12,736,316 B1Granted

Deployable canard for aerodynamic aiding of ejectable strongback separation

AssigneeRaytheon Company

InventorsAndrew P. Frits, Jr., Neil J. Swanson, Jr., Lance Markovchick

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A strongback assembly for coupling with a payload is disclosed. The assembly includes a first side configured to couple with the payload and a second side opposite the first side. First and second canards are disposed at opposite ends of the second side and are configured to generate lift forces in aerodynamic fluid to direct the strongback assembly away from the payload after separation. Each canard is rigidly coupled to an assembly comprising a rotatable cam, a biasing mechanism, and a lock extending between the first and second sides. The locks are configured to rotate between a stowed and deployed configuration. The locks are configured to be held in the stowed configuration by the payload. This enables passive aerodynamic separation of the strongback assembly from the payload, reducing residual drag and interference after release. The assembly can allow a lug-restrained and released object to become a rocket motor-boosted object.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An ejectable strongback assembly comprising:

a first side configured to couple with a payload;
a first canard disposed at a second side of the strongback assembly opposite the strongback assembly first side;
a second canard disposed at the strongback assembly second side, wherein the first canard is disposed at a first end of the strongback assembly second side and the second canard is disposed at a second end of the strongback assembly second side, the first end being opposite the second end, wherein the first canard and the second canard are both configured to generate lift forces in aerodynamic fluid about the strongback assembly to direct the strongback assembly away from the payload;
a first assembly rigidly coupled with the first canard, the first assembly having:
a cam that is:
disposed at the strongback assembly second side;
and
configured to rotate;
a biasing mechanism operatively coupled with the first assembly cam;
and
a lock extending between the strongback assembly first side and the strongback assembly second side;
a second assembly rigidly coupled with the second canard, the second assembly having:
a cam that is:
disposed at the strongback assembly second side;
and
configured to rotate;
a biasing mechanism operatively coupled with the second assembly cam;
and
a lock extending between the strongback assembly first side and the strongback assembly second side, wherein each of the first cam assembly lock and the second cam assembly lock are configured to rotate between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration where the first cam assembly lock and the second cam assembly lock are configured to be held in the stowed configuration by the payload.

16 more elements

An ejectable strongback assembly comprising:

a first side configured to couple with a payload;
a first canard disposed at a second side of the strongback assembly opposite the strongback assembly first side;
a second canard disposed at the strongback assembly second side, wherein the first canard is disposed at a first end of the strongback assembly second side and the second canard is disposed at a second end of the strongback assembly second side, the first end being opposite the second end, wherein the first canard and the second canard are both configured to generate lift forces in aerodynamic fluid about the strongback assembly to direct the strongback assembly away from the payload;
a first assembly rigidly coupled with the first canard, the first assembly having:
a cam that is:
disposed at the strongback assembly second side;
and
configured to rotate;
a biasing mechanism operatively coupled with the first assembly cam;
a lock extending between the strongback assembly first side and the strongback assembly second side;
a stop configured to engage with the first assembly lock;
a second assembly rigidly coupled with the second canard, the second assembly having:
a cam that is:
disposed at the strongback assembly second side;
and
configured to rotate;
a biasing mechanism operatively coupled with the second assembly cam;
a lock extending between the strongback assembly first side and the strongback assembly second side;
and
a stop that engages with the second assembly lock, wherein each of the first cam assembly lock and the second cam assembly lock are configured to rotate between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration where the first cam assembly lock and the second cam assembly lock are configured to be held in the stowed configuration by the payload.

17 more elements

An ejectable strongback assembly comprising:

a first side configured to couple with a payload;
a first canard disposed at a second side of the strongback assembly opposite the strongback assembly first side;
a second canard disposed at the strongback assembly second side, wherein the first canard is disposed at a first end of the strongback assembly second side and the second canard is disposed at a second end of the strongback assembly second side, the first end being opposite the second end, wherein the first canard and the second canard are both configured to generate lift forces in aerodynamic fluid about the strongback assembly to direct the strongback assembly away from the payload;
a first assembly rigidly coupled with the first canard, the first assembly having:
a cam that is:
disposed at the strongback assembly second side;
and
configured to rotate;
a biasing mechanism operatively coupled with the first assembly cam;
and
a lock extending between the strongback assembly first side and the strongback assembly second side;
a second assembly rigidly coupled with the second canard, the second assembly having:
a cam that is:
disposed at the strongback assembly second side;
and
configured to rotate;
a biasing mechanism operatively coupled with the second assembly cam;
and
a lock extending between the strongback assembly first side and the strongback assembly second side, wherein:
each of the first cam assembly lock and the second cam assembly lock are configured to rotate between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration where the first cam assembly lock and the second cam assembly lock are configured to be held in the stowed configuration by the payload;
the first assembly lock includes a biasing mechanism that biases the first assembly lock into the deployed configuration;
and
the second assembly lock includes a biasing mechanism that biases the second assembly lock into the deployed configuration.

20 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 19/327,549Filed 12 Sep 2025
Granted: 15 Sep 2026
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

F42B 15/105
Missiles having a trajectory only in the air: air torpedoes, e.g. projectiles with or without propulsion, provided with supporting air foil surfaces
F42B 15/36
Self-propelled projectiles or missiles, e.g. rockets; Guided missiles: means for interconnecting rocket-motor and body section; Multi-stage…
F42B 10/14
Stabilising arrangements: using fins spread or deployed after launch, e.g. after leaving the barrel
F42B 12/58
For dispensing discrete solid bodies: cluster or cargo ammunition, i.e. projectiles containing one or more submissiles