Single actuator direct drive roll control

Abstract

A system and method for controlling roll in a projectile. The novel system (56) includes first (52) and second (58) sections adapted to counter-rotate relative to each other and a mechanism (76) for inducing the counter-rotation to generate a roll torque on the projectile (50). In the preferred embodiment, the mechanism (76) is a motor comprised of a rotor (64) affixed to the first section (52), and the second section (58) which acts as a stator that rotates around the rotor (64) when a current is applied to the armature. In an alternative embodiment, the second section (58) is turned by a motor (80) attached to the first section (52) which drives a small gear engaging a full-diameter ring gear (82) on the second section (58). In the illustrative examples, the first (52) and second (58) sections are a missile forebody and a tail section of the projectile.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.