Asymmetrical control surface system for tube-launched air vehicles

• US 7,185,846 B1
• Filed: 03/06/2006
• Issued: 03/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: United States Secretary of the Army
• Original Assignee: The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army
• Inventors: Bittle, David A., Cothran, Julian L., Jimmerson, Gary T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Luu; Teri Pham
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sanderson; Joseph W.
• Application Number:
  US11/370,390
• Time in Patent Office: 365 Days
• Field of Search: 244/46, 244/3.24, 244/3.26, 244/3.27, 244/3.29, 244/3.28, 102/490
• US Class Current: 244/3.28
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 10/14 using fins spread or deployed after launch, e.g. after leaving the barrel

Abstract

Asymmetrical Control Surface System for Tube-Launched Air Vehicles places one control surface, such as a wing or a horizontal tail, above horizontal midplane axis of an air vehicle, such as a tube-launched missile, and the opposing control surface below the midplane axis. Such asymmetrical arrangement of the control surfaces increases the lift and maneuverability of the air vehicle during flight. For stowage inside the tube prior to launch, each control surface slides into its corresponding slot in the body of the vehicle, making the entire control system compact.

Claims

1. Asymmetrical control surface system for an air vehicle, the air vehicle having a horizontal midplane axis, a controlling computer, vertical tails and further being stowable in and launchable from a tube, said asymmetrical control surface system comprising:

a plurality of stowable wings, said wings being deployable upon launch of the air vehicle from the tube, at least one of said wings being movably attached to the vehicle above said midplane axis and at least one of said wings being movably attached to the vehicle below said midplane axis;

a plurality of horizontal tails, at least one of said horizontal tails being movably attached to the vehicle above said midplane axis and at least one of said horizontal tails being movably attached to the vehicle below said midplane axis; and

a means to deploy said wings and horizontal tails in response to the controlling computer.

2. Asymmetrical control surface system for an air vehicle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said system further comprises a plurality of slots positioned within the vehicle, said slots being of sufficient dimensions to stow said wings and horizontal tails, respectively, therein so as to enable the air vehicle, said wings and horizontal tails to be stowed within the tube prior to launch.

3. Asymmetrical control surface system as set forth in claim 2, wherein said deploying means comprises a plurality of actuators, each of said wings and horizontal tails being coupled to one of said actuators, said actuators responding to the controlling computer to deploy its respective wing or tail.

4. Asymmetrical control surface system as set forth in claim 3, wherein said plurality of wings comprises:

a first wing positioned at approximately ⅔

way of the distance from said midplane axis to the top of the vehicle body; and

a second wing positioned at approximately ⅔

way of the distance from said midplane axis to the bottom of the vehicle body.

5. Asymmetrical control surface system as set forth in claim 4, wherein said plurality of horizontal tails comprises:

a first horizontal tail positioned approximately ⅔

way below said midplane axis and a second horizontal tail positioned approximately ⅔

way above said midplane axis, such that said first wing and said first horizontal tail are positioned on opposite sides of the air vehicle.

6. Asymmetrical control surface system as set forth in claim 5, wherein each of said actuators is coupled to its respective wing or tail via an actuator shaft, said shaft motivating said wing or tail to deploy to a pre-determined angle.

7. Asymmetrical control surface system as set forth in claim 6, wherein said control system further comprises:

a first and a second aerodynamic shrouds, said shrouds being placed on opposite sides of the vehicle, said shrouds protecting said deploying means from exterior elements.