Methods and apparatus for increasing aerodynamic performance of projectiles

• US 7,090,163 B2
• Filed: 04/26/2004
• Issued: 08/15/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Omnitek Partners LLC
• Original Assignee: Omnitek Partners LLC
• Inventors: Rastegar, Jahangir S., Pelz, Richard B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Collins, Timothy D.
• Application Number:
  US10/833,477
• Publication Number:
  US 20050133661A1
• Time in Patent Office: 841 Days
• Field of Search: 244/3.27, 244/3.28, 244/3.29, 244/3.24, 244/3.3
• US Class Current: 244/3.28
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 10/146 Fabric fins, i.e. fins comprising at least one spar and a fin cover made of flexible sheet material
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 10/38 Range-increasing arrangements F42B10/34, F42B14/06 and F42B15/105 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 10/40 with combustion of a slow-burning charge, e.g. fumers, base-bleed projectiles
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 10/42 Streamlined projectiles
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 10/44 Boat-tails specially adapted for drag reduction

Abstract

A method for enhancing an aerodynamic performance of an unmanned projectile. The method including at least one of the following: (a) morphing a cross-sectional shape of the projectile after launch thereof; (b) morphing a longitudinal shape of the projectile after launch thereof; (c) bleeding a fluid at a base of the projectile during flight thereof: (d) varying a base cone angle of the projectile as a function of speed thereof; (e) deploying at least one wing from a body of the projectile after launch thereof; and (f) deploying a fin from the body of the projectile after launch thereof.

Claims

1. An unmanned projectile comprising:

an outer skin;

at least one of a wing and fin formed from at least a portion of the outer skin; and

means for deploying the at least one of the wing and fin from the skin of the projectile after launch thereof to increase an aerodynamic performance of the projectile;

wherein the means for deploying comprises means for releasing a retention of the at least one of the wing and fin to deploy the same and the means for releasing the retention comprises a locking strip disposed on the skin and having a portion thereof which interferes with the at least one of the wing and fin to prevent its deployment and a release means for releasing the strip from interfering with the at least one of the wing and fin, the locking strip comprising a shape memory alloy.

2. The projectile of claim 1, further comprising means for shaping the at least one of the wing and fin after deployment thereof.

3. The projectile of claim 2, wherein means for shaping the at least one of the wing and fin after deployment comprises one or more stiffening ribs having a first shape before deployment and a second shape after deployment.