Methods for extended-range, enhanced-precision gun-fired rounds using g-hardened flow control systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11041702-B1
Application number	US-201916691715-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Nov 22, 2019
Priority date	Feb 18, 2013
Publication date	Jun 22, 2021
Grant date	Jun 22, 2021

Abstract

Methods involve using a guided munition (e.g., a mortar round or a grenade) that utilizes deployable flow effectors, activatable flow effectors and/or active flow control devices to extend the range and enhance the precision of traditional unguided munitions without increasing the charge needed for launch. Sensors such as accelerometers, magnetometers, IR sensors, rate gyros, and motor controller sensors feed signals into a controller which then actuates or deploys the flow effectors/flow control devices to achieve the enhanced characteristics.

First claim

We claim:

1. A method of increasing both the range and the precision of a munition comprising:
firing or launching from a smooth-bore barrel a g-hardened munition having a forebody, an afterbody, at least one activatable flow effector adapted for extending the range and enhancing the precision of the munition, sensors consisting of at least one accelerometer, at least one magnetometer, at least one IR sensor, at least one rate gyroscope, and at least one microcontroller configured to process signals from the sensors and provide output to control the at least one activatable flow effector;
activating the at least one flow effector during flight, and
increasing both the range and the precision of the munition through the activation of the at least one flow effector,
wherein the munition is adapted to survivably experience a launch or firing acceleration of more than 10,000 g's and one or more batteries, one or more memory storage units, the at least one microcontroller, and all sensors other than the at least one IR sensor are potted inside an electronic cup using a potting compound made of a two-part resin and hardener pair, such that a homogenous physical structure is created around the potted components.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the munition is adapted to survivably experience a launch or firing acceleration of more than 16,000 g's.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the munition is adapted to survivably experience a launch or firing acceleration of more than 18,000 g's.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the munition comprises at least two deployable dihedral wings on the munition body, and one or more deployable, independently adjustable canards on the forebody, and the method comprises the steps of deploying the at least two dihedral wings, deploying the one or more canards, and independently adjusting the angle of attack of the canards using a geared transmission located inside of the munition body to stabilize the munition to eliminate spin and lift the munition forebody with respect to the afterbody.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the munition further comprises at least one additional sensor adapted to determine the munition's relative position with respect to a moving target or location and/or threats or obstacles in or around the munition.

6. The munition of claim 5 , wherein the munition further comprises a video camera adapted to sense orientation of the munition and/or to identify a target.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one activatable flow effector comprises a canard that extends beyond the outer radius of the munition, and wherein the munition further comprises an activatable wing that also extends beyond the outer radius of the munition.

8. A method of increasing both the range and the precision of a munition comprising:
firing or launching from a smooth-bore barrel a g-hardened munition having a forebody, an afterbody, at least one deployable wing, at least one deployable flow effector or deployable flow control surface on the forebody, sensors consisting of at least one accelerometer, at least one IR sensor, and at least one gyroscope, and at least one microcontroller configured to process signals from the sensors and provide output to control the at least one deployable flow effector or deployable flow control surface;
thereafter deploying the at least one deployable wing and the at least one deployable flow effector to affect air flow over the at least one deployable wing, and
both extending the range and increasing the precision of the munition thereby,
wherein the g-hardened munition is adapted to survivably experience a launch or firing acceleration of more than 10,000 g's.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the munition further comprises at least one additional sensor adapted to determine the munition's relative position with respect to a moving target or location and/or threats or obstacles in or around the munition.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the at least one deployable flow effector on the forebody is a canard.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the canard's angle of attack is modified after deployment by a beveled geared reduction mechanism located inside of the munition body.

12. The method of claim 8 , wherein the munition further comprises a video camera adapted to sense orientation of the munition and/or to identify a target.

13. The method of claim 8 , wherein the munition wherein the munition comprises at least two deployable dihedral wings on the munition body, and one or more deployable, independently adjustable canards on the forebody, and the method comprises the steps of deploying the at least two dihedral wings, deploying the one or more canards, and independently adjusting the angle of attack of the canards using a geared transmission located inside of the munition body to stabilize the munition to eliminate spin and lift the munition forebody with respect to the afterbody.

14. The method of claim 8 , wherein the munition further comprises at least one additional sensor adapted to determine the munition's relative position with respect to a moving target or location and/or threats or obstacles in or around the munition.

15. The method of claim 8 , wherein one or more batteries, one or more memory storage units, the at least one microcontroller, and all sensors other than the at least one IR sensor are potted inside an electronic cup using a potting compound made of a two-part resin and hardener pair, such that a homogenous physical structure is created around the potted components.

16. A method of increasing both the range and the precision of a munition comprising:
firing or launching from a smooth-bore barrel a g-hardened munition having a forebody and an afterbody, at least two deployable dihedral wings on the munition body, one or more deployable canards on the forebody, sensors consisting of at least one accelerometer, at least one IR sensor, and at least one gyroscope, and at least one microcontroller configured to process signals from the sensors and provide output to control the at least two deployable dihedral wings and/or the at least two deployable canards;
thereafter deploying the wings and the one or more deployable canards to lift the forebody with respect to the afterbody and achieve a desired glide ratio,
thereby increasing both the range and the precision of the munition.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the deployable dihedral wings' angles of attack are independently modified after deployment by a beveled gear reduction mechanism located inside of the munition body.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the canards' angles of attack are independently modified after deployment by a beveled gear reduction mechanism located inside of the munition body.

19. The munition of claim 16 , wherein the munition further comprises at least one additional sensor adapted to determine the munition's relative position with respect to a moving target or location and/or threats or obstacles in or around the munition.

20. The munition of claim 16 , wherein one or more batteries, one or more memory storage units, the at least one microcontroller, and all sensors other than the at least one IR sensor are potted inside an electronic cup using a potting compound made of a two-part resin and hardener pair, such that a homogenous physical structure is created around the potted components.

Assignees

• Orbital Res Inc

Inventors

• Vasudevan Srikanth
• Suchy Paul
• Birch Matthew C

Classifications

• F42B10/14 Primary

  using fins spread or deployed after launch, e.g. after leaving the barrel · CPC title

• F42B10/62

  Steering by movement of flight surfaces · CPC title

• F41G7/2253

  Passive homing systems, i.e. comprising a receiver and do not requiring an active illumination of the target · CPC title

• F41G7/222

  for spin-stabilized missiles · CPC title

• F41G7/2293

  using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves · CPC title