Fin deployment system
AssigneeBAE Systems Land & Armaments L.P.
InventorsEugene W. Carlson, Thomas A. Zolen, Robert W. Citro, Kien D. Tran
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A projectile having a fin deployment system disposed about its circumference. The fins are initially contained by a fin cover that is removed by aerodynamic force. The fins are then rotated around a rotational axis parallel to and offset from the central axial axis of the projectile body by the centrifugal forces created by the rotation of the projectile as the projectile passes through a barrel of a gun system or tube launcher. The fin deployment system can also have locking systems that lock the fins in the deployed position and prevent the fins from rotating back into the retracted position after deployment.
Claims22
A fin deployment system for a projectile comprising
- a plurality of fins rotatable along a rotational axis parallel to and offset from the central axial axis of a projectile body, wherein each fin is rotatable around the rotational axis between a retracted position and a deployed position;
- a cylindrical mount assembly defining a plurality of axial channels each aligning with the offset rotational axis of a corresponding fin;
- said cylindrical mount assembly defining a central opening through which the aft end of the projectile extends;
- and
- a fin cover positioned over the fins and cylindrical mount when positioned in the retracted position ,said fm cover having a tubular shape so as not to block the aft end of the projectile.
A projectile comprising a projectile body and a fin deployment system, said fin deployment system comprising;
- a plurality of fins;
- and
- a cylindrical mount assembly having a tubular shape so as to surround the aft portion of the projectile,
- wherein each fin further comprises a fin portion and a barrel positioned at one end of the fin portion such that rotation of the barrel rotates the fin portion around the rotational axis of the barrel;
- and
- wherein the cylindrical mount assembly defines a plurality of axial channels each corresponding to one of the fins and adapted to rotatably receive the barrel of the corresponding fin.
A method of deploying a plurality of fins from a tube or barrel launched projectile, the method comprising:
- mounting a cylindrical mount assembly about the aft end of a projectile, said cylindrical mount assembly including plurality fins, wherein the fins are rotatable along a rotational axis offset from a projectile central axis
- rotating the fins into a retracted position such that the fins are generally aligned tangential with the exterior of the projectile body;
- fitting a removable fin cover over the cylindrical mount assembly, said fin cover holding the plurality of fins in the retracted position;
- firing the projectile from a tube or barrel, wherein the barrel or tube rotates the projectile body around the central axis;
- removing the fin cover;
- and
- deploying the fins.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.