Smart bullet
OwnerJay Lipelesinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A smart bullet capable of in-flight maneuvers generated by the selective extension of a spoiler from a de-spun control section of the bullet into the stream of air passing the bullet. A micro gyro located in the control section provides a rotation signal used in the control of a motor rotatably attached between the control section and a spinning section of the bullet. A rearward facing lens and optical detector receive guidance information from a gun-mounted guidance system. The direction of extension of the spoiler is selectively controlled by controlling the operation of the motor in response to the guidance information. The detector and pre-amplifier circuit are bonded to the lens structure to minimize microphonic noise generation. An optical link is used to communicate information between the spinning and control sections of the bullet.
Claims18
A projectile comprising:
- a casing having a caliber in the range of 15-65 mm;
- a spinning section;
- a de-spun section rotatably attached to the spinning section;
- a drag-creating air stream control element moveably attached to the de-spun section, the drag-creating air stream control element having a first position withdrawn into the de-spun section and a second position protruding from the de-spun section into an air stream passing the projectile.
A projectile comprising:
- a casing having a maximum outside diameter in the range of 15-65 mm;
- a spinning section;
- a control section rotatably connected to the spinning portion along an axis of flight;
- a motor connected between the spinning section and the control section for providing relative rotation there between along the axis of flight;
- a drag-creating air stream control element moveably connected to the control section;
- an actuator connected between the control section and the drag-creating air stream control element for moving the drag-creating air stream control element between a withdrawn position and an extended position relative to the axis of flight.
A projectile comprising:
- a spinning section having an axis of flight;
- a control section rotatably connected to the spinning portion along the axis of flight;
- a motor for de-spinning the control section relative to the spinning section along the axis of flight;
- a lens connected to the spinning section;
- a detector supported by the lens for receiving an optical control signal passing through the lens and for generating an electrical control signal responsive to the optical control signal;
- an amplifier disposed on a flex circuit and connected to the detector for amplifying the electrical control signal, the flex circuit being bonded to the lens;
- and
- a motor controller connected to the amplifier for controlling the motor in response to the electrical control signal.
A method of delivering a projectile to a target, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a projectile with a caliber in the range of 15-65 mm and having a spinning section and a control section rotatably attached to the spinning section;
- providing a drag-creating air stream control element attached to the control section on a single side of the projectile, the drag-creating device having a withdrawn position and an extended position;
- firing the projectile from a rifled gun with the drag-creating device in the withdrawn position to impart a spinning rotation to the projectile about an axis of flight;
- monitoring the trajectory of the projectile to determine a desired control maneuver relative to the axis of flight;
- de-spinning the control section so that the spoiler assumes a desired position relative to the axis of flight;
- moving the drag-creating air stream control element to an extended position to create drag on a single side of the projectile to accomplish the desired control maneuver.
A projectile comprising:
- a casing having a caliber selected for an in-bore launch;
- a laser receiver attached to the casing for receiving an optical guidance signal and for producing an electrical guidance signal;
- and
- a control element attached to the casing and responsive to the electrical guidance signal for guiding the projectile in flight;
- wherein the laser receiver further comprises:
- a laser detector;
- a lens for directing the optical guidance signal onto the laser detector;
- and
- an amplifier circuit connected to the laser detector;
- wherein the detector and the amplifier circuit are attached to the lens.
A projectile comprising:
- a casing having a caliber of no more than 65 mm;
- a spinning section;
- a de-spun section rotatably attached to the spinning section;
- a drag-creating air stream control element moveably attached to a single side of the de-spun section, the drag-creating air stream control element having a first position withdrawn into the de-spun section and a second position protruding from the de-spun section into an air stream passing along the single side of the projectile.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.