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US 9,040,886 B1Granted
Adaptive aerodynamic control system for projectile maneuvering
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsBradley M. Hopping, Craig R. DeMeester
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A projectile control system includes a plurality of fins, a drive mechanism coupled to each of the plurality of fins to enable the plurality of fins to be independently retracted or deployed, and a control mechanism in communication with the drive mechanisms to independently control the deployment or retraction of the plurality of fins. A projectile having the projectile control system and a method of operating a projectile are also described herein.
Claims12
A projectile control system comprising:
- a substructure;
- a plurality of fins;
- a drive mechanism coupled to each of the plurality of fins to enable the plurality of fins to be independently retracted or deployed, wherein the drive mechanism includes a motor coupled to the substructure, a drive shaft coupled to the motor, and a yoke coupled between a fin of the plurality of fins and the drive shaft, wherein the yoke comprises a first pair of guide slots and the fin comprises a first pair of guide pins configured to be inserted into the first pair of slots, the first pair of slots configured to enable the fin to move radially inward and outward from the drive shaft;
- and
- a control mechanism in communication with the drive mechanisms to independently control the deployment or retraction of the plurality of fins.
2 more elements
A projectile comprising:
- a fuselage;
- and
- a projectile control system coupled to the fuselage, the projectile control system including:
- a substructure;
- a plurality of fins;
- a drive mechanism coupled to each of the plurality of fins to enable the plurality of fins to be independently retracted or deployed, the drive mechanism including a motor coupled to the substructure, a drive shaft coupled to the motor, and a yoke coupled between a fin in the plurality of fins and the drive shaft, wherein the yoke comprises a first pair of guide slots and the fin comprises a first pair of guide pins configured to be inserted into the first pair of slots, the first pair of slots configured to enable the fin to move radially inward and outward from the drive shaft;
- and
- a control mechanism in communication with the drive mechanisms to independently control the deployment or retraction of the plurality of fins.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.