# US 6,723,972 B2 · Method and apparatus for planar actuation of a flared surface to control a vehicle

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 6,723,972 B2
- Document ID: US6723972B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 10/011,520
- Filed: 2001-11-05
- Published: 2002-06-27
- Granted: 2004-04-20
- Earliest claimed: 2000-12-22
- Assignees: Lockheed Martin Corporation
- Inventors: Wayne K. Schroeder; Johnny Edward Banks
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6723972B2

## CPC

- F42B 15/01: Arrangements thereon for guidance or control ({steering arrangements F42B10/60}; aircraft flight control B64C; guidance systems other than those installed aboard F41G7/00, F41G9/00; locating by use of radio or other waves G01S; flight control in general G05D1/00; computer aspects G06])
- F02K 1/008: {in any rearward direction}
- F02K 1/1207: {of one series of flaps hinged at their upstream ends on a fixed structure (F02K1/1215 - F02K1/1292 take precedence)}
- F02K 9/90: using deflectors (F02K9/82 takes precedence)
- F42B 10/665: {characterised by using a nozzle provided with at least a deflector mounted within the nozzle}
- F42B: EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION (explosive compositions C06B; fuzes F42C; blasting F42D)
- F02K: JET-PROPULSION PLANTS (features of jet-propulsion plants common to gas-turbine plants, air intakes or fuel supply control of air-breathing jet-propulsion plants F02C7/00, F02C9/00)

## Abstract

The invention is, in its various embodiments and implementations, a method and apparatus for planar actuation of a flared surface to control a vehicle. In one aspect, the invention comprises an apparatus for controlling a vehicle capable of moving through a fluid medium. The apparatus includes a flare; a planar yoke operably associated with the flare; a plurality of actuators capable of moving the planar yoke to manipulate the flare through the operable association between the planar yoke and the flare; and a load bearing structure through which the translating means imparts a moment from the flare to the vehicle. In a second aspect, the invention comprises a method for controlling the maneuvering of a vehicle capable of moving through a fluid medium. The method includes moving a planar yoke to deflect at least a portion of a flare.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus for controlling a vehicle capable of moving through a fluid medium, the apparatus comprising:
a flare;
an actuation mechanism, including:
a planar yoke mechanism operably associated with the flare; and
a plurality of actuators capable of translating the planar yoke to manipulate the flare through the operable association therebetween; and
a load bearing structure through which the actuation mechanism imparts a moment from the flare to the vehicle.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a missile, a torpedo, or a guided munition.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fluid medium is an atmosphere, a body of water, or a plasma.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flare includes a plurality of active petals.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the flare further includes a plurality of passive petals.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the flare further includes:
an attachment ring; and
a plurality of springs affixed between the active petals and the attachment ring and between the passive petals and the attachment ring.

### Claim 7 (depends on 4)

The apparatus of claim 4, further wherein:
the load bearing structure includes an attachment ring; and
a plurality of springs affixed between the active petals and the attachment ring and between the passive petals and the attachment ring.

### Claim 8 (depends on 4)

The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the active petals include an interior, extruded inclined surface.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the planar yoke mechanism comprises:
a planar yoke hinged to the actuators;
a bearing ring nested inside the planar yoke; and
an anti-roll pin extending from the bearing ring.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the load bearing structure includes:
a load bearing member to which the actuator mechanism imparts the moment; and
an anti-roll key.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the load bearing structure comprises at least a portion of an aft pressure dome of a rocket motor.

### Claim 12

An apparatus for controlling a vehicle capable of moving through a fluid medium, the apparatus comprising:
a flare;
a planar yoke operably associated with the flare; and
a plurality of actuators capable of moving the planar yoke to manipulate the flare through the operable association between the planar yoke and the flare; and
a load bearing structure through which the planer yoke imparts a moment from the flare to the vehicle.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the flare further includes:
a plurality of active petals; and
a plurality of passive petals.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the flare further includes:
an attachment ring; and
a plurality of springs affixed between the active petals and the attachment ring and between the passive petals and the attachment ring.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The apparatus of claim 13, further wherein:
the load bearing structure includes an attachment ring; and
a plurality of springs affixed between the active petals and the attachment ring and between the passive petals and the attachment ring.

### Claim 16 (depends on 13)

The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the active petals include an interior, extruded inclined surface.

### Claim 17 (depends on 12)

The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the planar yoke comprises:
a planar yoke member pinned to at least one actuator;
a bearing ring nested inside the planar yoke member; and
an anti-roll pin extending from the bearing ring.

### Claim 18 (depends on 12)

The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the load bearing structure includes:
a load bearing member to which the actuator mechanism imparts the moment; and
an anti-roll key.

### Claim 19

A method for controlling the maneuvering of a vehicle capable of moving through a fluid medium, the method comprising moving a planar yoke to deflect at least a portion of a flare.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The method of claim 19, wherein moving the planar yoke includes translating or rotating the planar yoke.

### Claim 21 (depends on 19)

The method of claim 19, wherein rotating the planar yoke includes rotating a planar yoke member on a bearing ring.

### Claim 22 (depends on 19)

The method of claim 19, wherein moving the planar yoke to deflect the portion of the flare includes introducing an incline in the flare relative to a rocket motor casing.

### Claim 23 (depends on 19)

The method of claim 19, wherein moving the planar yoke to deflect the portion of the flare includes at least one of pushing the planar yoke toward the front of the vehicle and pushing the planar yoke toward the aft of the vehicle.

### Claim 24

An apparatus for controlling a vehicle capable of moving through a fluid medium, the apparatus comprising:
an attachment ring;
a flare including
at least one active petal; and
means for structurally engaging the active petal to the attachment ring to permit the active petal to deflect relative to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle;
an actuation mechanism, including:
a planar yoke mechanism operably associated with the flare; and
at least one of actuator capable of translating the planar yoke to manipulate the flare through the operable association therebetween; and
a load bearing structure to which the attachment ring is mounted and through which the actuation mechanism imparts a moment from the flare to the vehicle.

### Claim 25 (depends on 24)

The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the flare includes a plurality of active petals.

### Claim 26 (depends on 24)

The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the flare further includes:
at least one passive petal; and
means for structurally engaging the passive petal to the attachment ring to permit the passive petal to be deflected relative to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

### Claim 27 (depends on 24)

The apparatus of claim 24, further wherein the attachment ring comprises one of a portion of the flare and the load bearing structure.

### Claim 28 (depends on 24)

The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the active petals include an interior, extruded inclined surface.