Simple Pitch Control System for Objects of Right Circular Cylinder Body Geometry
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorJyun-Horng Fu
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A technique for controlling the pitch of a supercavitating projectile is disclosed. For example, the illustrative embodiment controls the pitch of a supercavitating projectile by shifting its center of gravity. The center of gravity of the projectile is shifted by moving a ferromagnetic mass inside the projectile forward or backward, depending on the desired pitch. In some embodiments of the present invention, the position of the ferromagnetic mass is directed by a controller that has a predetermined trajectory stored in its memory.
Claims24
A machine having a roll axis, the machine comprising:
- a ferromagnetic mass that has a center of gravity on the roll axis;
- a first spring connected to the ferromagnetic mass;
- and
- a first magnet for displacing the ferromagnetic mass along the roll axis.
A machine having a roll axis, the machine comprising:
- a ferromagnetic mass that has a center of gravity on the roll axis;
- a first spring connected to the ferromagnetic mass for imparting a first restoring force that is coincident with the roll axis;
- and
- a second spring connected to the ferromagnetic mass for imparting a second restoring force that is coincident with the roll axis and opposed to the first restoring force.
A machine comprising:
- a barrel having a spin axis;
- and
- a bullet comprising:
- a ferromagnetic mass,
- a first spring connected to the ferromagnetic mass for imparting a first restoring force that is coincident with the spin axis, and
- a second spring connected to the ferromagnetic mass for imparting a second restoring force that is coincident with the spin axis and opposed to the first restoring force.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.