US RE37,331 E1 · Dual-control scheme for improved missile maneuverability

Abstract

A comparative dual-control strategy actuates forward and aft control devices simultaneously to significantly improve a missile's maneuverability/dynamic capability. A substantial, and measurable, operational effect of the inventive control strategy is a dramatic improvement in a missile's divert capability. To effect a maneuver in accordance with the inventive strategy, a missile's aft fins are initially deflected to generate a force OPPOSITE that conventionally used (pushing the missile's tail in the direction of the commanded maneuver) which simultaneously actuating forward thrusters to also push the missile's nose in the direction of the commanded maneuver but at a faster rate than the tail section. This causes the missile body to simultaneously rotate and translate in the direction of the commanded maneuver. Once a sufficient amount of aerodynamic force develops due to body rotation, the aft fins are deflected to generate a force that opposes the commanded maneuver to maintain a moment on the missile body and complete the commanded maneuver. An important benefit of cooperative dual-control strategy is that the missile begins to translate in the direction of the commanded maneuver immediately (conventional isolated aft control schemes do not accomplish this) and at a faster rate than is possible with either isolated forward control devices or an intuitive dual-control approach.

Claims140

Dependent claims

A method for rapidly changing the direction of travel of a missile moving in a fluid medium to a desired new direction, said new direction being measured in the missile's inertial frame of reference, said missile having (i) a forward portion and a forward thruster control device and (ii) an aft portion and an aft fin control device, said method comprising:

(a) actuating (i) said forward thruster control device to generate a forward control force, acting on said forward portion, substantially in the desired new direction and (ii) said aft fin control device to generate an aft fin force, acting on said aft portion, substantially in the desired new direction;
(b) subsequently actuating said aft fin control device to generate an aft control fin force acting on said aft portion in a direction substantially opposite the direction of the aft control force in step (a).

A method of maneuvering a vehicle, moving in a fluid medium, toward a direction of a commanded maneuver, said vehicle having:

(i) a forward portion and a forward control device, and
(ii) an aft portion and an aft control device, said method comprising:
actuating said forward control device to generate a forward control force, acting on said forward portion, said forward control force having a component acting in a direction that is substantially the same as the direction of the commanded maneuver;
and
actuating said aft control device to generate a first aft control force, acting upon said aft portion, said first aft control force having a component acting in a direction that is substantially the same as the direction of the commanded maneuver;
wherein said forward control force is generated for a first period of time, wherein said first aft control force is generated for a second period of time, and wherein a major portion of said second period of time overlaps a major portion of said first period of time.

3 more elements

A control system for maneuvering a vehicle having a forward portion and an aft portion toward a direction of a commanded maneuver, said control system comprising:

(a) a controller configured to generate control signals corresponding to the commanded maneuver;
(b) a forward control device controllable by the control signals;
and
(c) an aft control device controllable by the control signals;
(d) said controller configured to:
actuate said forward control device so as to generate a forward control force, acting on said forward portion, said forward control force having a component acting in a direction that is substantially the same as the direction of the commanded maneuver;
actuate said aft control device so as to generate a first aft control force, acting on said aft portion, said first aft control force having a component acting in a direction that is substantially the same as the direction of the commanded maneuver;
wherein said forward control force is generated for a first period of time, wherein said first aft control force is generated for a second period of time, and wherein a major portion of said second period of time overlaps a major portion of said first period of time.

5 more elements

A control system for maneuvering a vehicle having a forward portion and an aft portion toward a direction of a commanded maneuver, said control system comprising:

(a) a controller configured to generate control signals corresponding to the commanded maneuver;
(b) a forward control device controllable by the control signals;
and
(c) an aft control device controllable by the control signals;
(d) said controller configured to:
actuate said forward control device so as to generate a forward control force, acting on said forward portion, said forward control force having a component acting in a direction that is substantially the same as the direction of the commanded maneuver;
actuate said aft control device so as to generate a first aft control force, acting on said aft portion, said first aft control force having a component acting in a direction that is substantially the same as the direction of the commanded maneuver;
wherein a time of initiation of said first aft control force is substantially simultaneous with a time of initiation of said forward control force.

5 more elements

A memory device for use with an autopilot controller for maneuvering a vehicle toward a direction of a commanded maneuver, said vehicle having:

(i) a forward portion,
(ii) an aft portion,
(iii) a forward steering device, and
(iv) an aft steering device,
said memory device encoding instructions executable by the autopilot controller to:
actuate said forward steering device to generate a forward control force, acting on said forward portion, said forward control force having a component acting in a direction that is substantially the same as the direction of the commanded maneuver;
and
actuate said aft steering device to generate a first aft control force, acting upon said aft portion, said first aft control force having a component acting in a direction that is substantially the same as the direction of the commanded maneuver;
wherein said forward control force is generated for a first period of time, wherein said first aft control force is generated for a second period of time, and wherein a major portion of said second period of time overlaps a major portion of said first period of time.

6 more elements

A memory device for use with an autopilot controller for maneuvering a vehicle toward a direction of a commanded maneuver, said vehicle having:

(i) a forward portion,
(ii) an aft portion,
(iii) a forward steering device, and
(iv) an aft steering device,
said memory device encoding instructions executable by the autopilot controller to:
actuate said forward steering device to generate a forward control force, acting on said forward portion, said forward control force having a component acting in a direction that is substantially the same as the direction of the commanded maneuver;
and
actuate said aft steering device to generate a first aft control force, acting upon said aft portion, said first aft control force having a component acting in a direction that is substantially the same as the direction of the commanded maneuver;
wherein a time of initiation of said first aft control force is substantially simultaneous with a time of initiation of said forward control force.

6 more elements

A method for generating control signals suitable for maneuvering a vehicle toward a direction of a commanded maneuver, said vehicle having:

(i) a forward portion and a forward control device controllable by forward control signals, and
(ii) an aft portion and an aft control device controllable by aft control signals, said method comprising:
generating a forward control signal suitable for actuating said forward control device to generate a forward control force, acting on said forward portion, said forward control force having a component acting in a direction that is substantially the same as the direction of the commanded maneuver;
and
generating an aft control signal suitable for actuating said aft control device to generate a first aft control force, acting upon said aft portion, said first aft control force having a component acting in a direction that is substantially the same as the direction of the commanded maneuver;
wherein said forward control force is generated for a first period of time, wherein said first aft control force is generated for a second period of time, and wherein a major portion of said second period of time overlaps a major portion of said first period of time.

3 more elements

A method for generating control signals suitable for maneuvering a vehicle toward a direction of a commanded maneuver, said vehicle having:

(i) a forward portion and a forward control device controllable by forward control signals, and
(ii) an aft portion and an aft control device controllable by aft control signals, said method comprising:
generating a forward control signal suitable for actuating said forward control device to generate a forward control force, acting on said forward portion, said forward control force having a component acting in a direction that is substantially the same as the direction of the commanded maneuver;
and
generating an aft control signal suitable for actuating said aft control device to generate a first aft control force, acting upon said aft portion, said first aft control force having a component acting in a direction that is substantially the same as the direction of the commanded maneuver;
wherein a time of initiation of said first aft control force is substantially simultaneous with a time of initiation of said forward control force.

3 more elements

An autopilot controller for generating control signals suitable for maneuvering a vehicle toward a direction of a commanded maneuver, said vehicle having:

(i) a forward portion,
(ii) an aft portion,
(iii) a forward steering device actuatable in response to forward control signals, and
(iv) an aft steering device actuatable in response to aft control signals,
said autopilot controller comprising:
(a) means for generating a forward control signal suitable for actuating said forward steering device to generate a forward control force, acting on said forward portion, said forward control force having a component acting in a direction that is substantially the same as the direction of the commanded maneuver;
and
(b) means for generating an aft control signal suitable for actuating said aft steering device to generate a first aft control force, acting on said aft portion, said first aft control force having a component acting in a direction that is substantially the same as the direction of the commanded maneuver;
wherein said forward control force is generated for a first period of time, wherein said first aft control force is generated for a second period of time, and wherein a major portion of said second period of time overlaps a major portion of said first period of time.

6 more elements

An autopilot controller for generating control signals suitable for maneuvering a vehicle toward a direction of a commanded maneuver, said vehicle having:

(i) a forward portion,
(ii) an aft portion,
(iii) a forward steering device actuatable in response to forward control signals, and
(iv) an aft steering device actuatable in response to aft control signals, said autopilot controller comprising:
(a) means for generating a forward control signal suitable for actuating said forward steering device to generate a forward control force, acting on said forward portion, said forward control force having a component acting in a direction that is substantially the same as the direction of the commanded maneuver;
and
(b) means for generating an aft control signal suitable for actuating said aft steering device to generate a first aft control force, acting on said aft portion, said first aft control force having a component acting in a direction that is substantially the same as the direction of the commanded maneuver;
wherein a time of initiation of said first aft control force is substantially simultaneous with a time of initiation of said forward control force.

5 more elements

A memory device for generating control signals suitable for use with an autopilot controller for maneuvering a vehicle toward a direction of a commanded maneuver, said vehicle having

(i) a forward portion,
(ii) an aft portion,
(iii) a forward steering device actuatable in response to forward control signals, and
(iv) an aft steering device actuatable in response to aft control signals,
said memory device encoding instructions executable by the autopilot controller to:
generate a forward control signal suitable for actuating said forward steering device so as to generate a forward control force, acting on said forward portion, said forward control force having a component acting in a direction that is substantially the same as the direction of the commanded maneuver;
and
generate an aft control signal suitable for actuating said aft control device so as to generate a first aft control force, acting upon said aft portion, said first aft control force having a component acting in a direction that is substantially the same as the direction of the commanded maneuver;
wherein said forward control force is generated for a first period of time, wherein said first aft control force is generated for a second period of time, and wherein a major portion of said second period of time overlaps a major portion of said first period of time.

6 more elements

A memory device for generating control signals suitable for use with an autopilot controller for maneuvering a vehicle toward a direction of a commanded maneuver, said vehicle having

(i) a forward portion,
(ii) an aft portion,
(iii) a forward steering device actuatable in response to forward control signals, and
(iv) an aft steering device actuatable in response to aft control signals,
said memory device encoding instructions executable by the autopilot controller to:
generate a forward control signal suitable for actuating said forward steering device so as to generate a forward control force, acting on said forward portion, said forward control force having a component acting in a direction that is substantially the same as the direction of the commanded maneuver;
and
generate an aft control signal suitable for actuating said aft control device so as to generate a first aft control force, acting upon said aft portion, said first aft control force having a component acting in a direction that is substantially the same as the direction of the commanded maneuver;
wherein a time of initiation of said first aft control force is substantially simultaneous with a time of initiation of said forward control force.

6 more elements

A method for maneuvering a vehicle, moving in a fluid medium, toward a direction of a commanded maneuver, said vehicle having:

(i) a forward portion and a forward control device, and
(ii) an aft portion and an aft control device, said method comprising:
actuating said forward control device to generate a forward control force, acting on said forward portion, said forward control force having a component acting in a direction that is substantially the same as the direction of the commanded maneuver;
and
actuating said aft control device to generate a first aft control force, acting upon said aft portion, said first aft control force having a component acting in a direction that is substantially the same as the direction of the commanded maneuver;
wherein said first aft control force and said forward control force are generated in response to the commanded maneuver so as to obtain a divert capability for the vehicle that is greater than a divert capability for the vehicle which is obtainable for an identical commanded maneuver for the vehicle using (a) only a forward control force, (b) only an aft control force, or (c) a forward control force and an aft control force in an intuitive control scheme.

3 more elements

A control system for maneuvering a vehicle having a forward portion and an aft portion toward a direction of a commanded maneuver, said control system comprising:

(a) a controller configured to generate control signals corresponding to the commanded maneuver;
(b) a forward control device controllable by the control signals;
and
(c) an aft control device controllable by the control signals;
(d) said controller configured to:
actuate said forward control device so as to generate a forward control force, acting on said forward portion, said forward control force having a component acting in a direction that is substantially the same as the direction of the commanded maneuver;
actuate said aft control device so as to generate a first aft control force, acting on said aft portion, said first aft control force having a component acting in a direction that is substantially the same as the direction of the commanded maneuver;
wherein said first aft control force and said forward control force are generated in response to the commanded maneuver so as to obtain a divert capability for the vehicle that is greater than a divert capability for the vehicle which is obtainable for an identical commanded maneuver for the vehicle using (a) only a forward control force, (b) only an aft control force, or (c) a forward control force and an aft control force in an intuitive control scheme.

5 more elements

A method for maneuvering a vehicle, moving in a fluid medium, toward a direction of a commanded maneuver, said vehicle having:

(i) a forward portion and a forward control device, and
(ii) an aft portion and an aft control device, said method comprising:
actuating said forward control device to generate a forward control force, acting on said forward portion, said forward control force having a component acting in a direction that is substantially the same as the direction of the commanded maneuver;
and
actuating said aft control device to generate a first aft control force, acting upon said aft portion, said first aft control force having a component acting in a direction that is substantially the same as the direction of the commanded maneuver;
wherein, for a period of time of 0.1 second beginning with an initiation of said step of actuating said forward control device to generate a forward control force, a major portion of a cumulative effect of said first aft control force acts in a direction that, with respect to the aft portion, is substantially the same as the direction of the commanded maneuver.

3 more elements

A control system for maneuvering a vehicle having a forward portion and an aft portion toward a direction of a commanded maneuver, said control system comprising:

(a) a controller configured to generate control signals corresponding to the commanded maneuver;
(b) a forward control device controllable by the control signals;
and
(c) an aft control device controllable by the control signals;
(d) said controller configured to:
actuate said forward control device so as to generate a forward control force, acting on said forward portion, said forward control force having a component acting in a direction that is substantially the same as the direction of the commanded maneuver;
actuate said aft control device so as to generate a first aft control force, acting on said aft portion, said first aft control force having a component acting in a direction that is substantially the same as the direction of the commanded maneuver;
wherein, for a period of time of 0.1 second beginning with an initiation of said actuation of said forward control device to generate a forward control force, a major portion of a cumulative effect of said first aft control force acts in a direction that, with respect to the aft portion, is substantially the same as the direction of the commanded maneuver.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Dual-control scheme for improved missile maneuverability

Life of this patent

Dual-control scheme for improved missile maneuverability

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims140