US007849800B2

( 1 2) United Sta tes Pa tent

Hins da le et a ] .
US 7, 849, 800 B2
D ec . 1 4, 201 0
( 1 0) Pa tent N 0. :
( 45 ) D a te o f Pa tent:
( 5 4) HYBRID SPIN /FIN STABILIZED
PROJECTILE
( 75 ) Inv ento r s : Andr ew J. Hins da le, Or o V a lley , AZ
( US) ; Ric h a r d D r y er , Or o V a lley , AZ
( Us )
( 73 )
As s ig nee: Ra y th eo n Co m p a ny , W a lth a m , MA
( Us )
N o tic e: Su b j ec t to a ny dis c la im er , th e ter m o f th is
p a tent is ex tended o r a dj u s ted u nder 3 5
U. S. C. 1 5 4( b ) b y 6 47 da y s .
( 21 )
( 22)
Ap p l. N 0. : 1 1 /821 , 75 9
Filed: Ju n. 24, 2007
Pr io r Pu b lic a tio n D a ta
US 201 0/021 3 3 07 A1 Au g . 26 , 201 0
( 6 5 )
( 5 1 ) Int. Cl.
F42B 1 0/00 ( 2006 . 01 )
US. Cl. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 02/5 01 ; 1 02/473 ; 1 02/490;
244/3 23 ; 244/3 24
Field o f Cla s s i?c a tio n Sea r c h . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 02/ 5 01 ,
1 02/490, 473 ; 244/3 23 , 3 . 24
See a p p lic a tio n ?le f o r c o m p lete s ea r c h h is to r y .
( 5 2)
( 5 8)
( 5 6 ) Ref er enc es Cited
U. S. PATEN T D OCUMEN TS
4, 5 46 , 940 A
5 , 3 86 , 95 1 A *
1 0/1 985 Ander s s o n et a l.
2/1 995 Ga y wo o d . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244/3 22
SPIN STABILIZED FIN STABIUZED
6 , 1 3 5 , 3 87 A * 1 0/2000 Seidelet a l. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244/3 1 5
2005 /005 1 6 6 7 Al 3 /2005 Ar lto n eta l.
FOREIGN PATEN T D OCUMEN TS
W O-2009/002449 Al 1 2/2008
OTHER PUBLICATION S
Inter na tio na l Ap p lic a tio n Ser ia l N o . PCT/US2008/00771 0, Inter na
tio na l Sea r c h Rep o r t a nd W r itten Op inio n m a iled Oc t. 2, 2008 , 9
p g s .
* c ited b y ex a m iner
W O
Pr im a r y Ex a m iner il. W o o dr o w Eldr ed
( 74) Atto r ney , Ag ent, o r Fir m iSc h W eg m a n, Lu ndb er g &
W o es s ner , P. A. ; Gr eg o r y J. Go r r ie
( 5 7) ABSTRACT
A h y b r id s p in/?n s ta b iliz ed p r o j ec tile. Th e no v el p r o j ec tile
inc lu des a b o dy , a ?r s t m ec h a nis m f o r s p in s ta b iliz ing th e
b o dy du r ing a ?r s t m o de, a nd a s ec o nd m ec h a nis m f o r ?n
s ta b iliz ing th e b o dy du r ing a s ec o nd m o de. In a n illu s tr a tiv e
em b o dim ent, th e p r o j ec tile inc lu des a r i?ing b a nd a da p ted to
eng a g e W ith r i?ing in a g u n du r ing g u n la u nc h to im p a r t a s p in
r a te c o m p a tib le W ith s p in s ta b iliz a tio n to th e p r o j ec tile, a nd a
p lu r a lity o f f o lding ?ns a tta c h ed to a n a f t end o f th e b o dy . A
?n lo c k ing m ec h a nis m lo c k s th e ?ns in a n u ndep lo y ed p o s i
tio n du r ing th e ?r s t m o de a nd u nlo c k s to dep lo y th e ?ns a t a
p r edeter m ined tim e to s witc h th e p r o j ec tile to ?n s ta b iliz a tio n
du r ing th e s ec o nd m o de. Th e p r o j ec tile a ls o inc lu des a
m ec h a nis m f o r r edu c ing th e s p in o f th e p r o j ec tile to a r a te
c o m p a tib le W ith g u ided ?ig h t du r ing th e s ec o nd m o de.
3 0 Cla im s , 6 D r a wing Sh eets
1 0C
1 05 i
ID A/D
US. Pa tent D ec . 1 4, 201 0 Sh eet 1 o f 6 US 7, 849, 800 B2
M Q 2
N 6 E
m g
{ I
ll-Ill
Q m N D EV RM. > 5
W m g
l
Q m N D EEW Rim .
US. Pa tent D ec . 1 4, 201 0 Sh eet 2 o f 6 US 7, 849, 800 B2
[ -1 0
FIG. 2a
US. Pa tent D ec . 1 4, 201 0 Sh eet 3 o f 6 US 7, 849, 800 B2
[ /1 0
1 2
FIG 3
A \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \
26
ii/
US. Pa tent D ec . 1 4, 201 0 Sh eet 4 o f 6 US 7, 849, 800 B2
Gy r o v s Tim e
3 9
5 5 k
* 3 3 0
LE 27
g 24
E i;
Q 1 5
6 ; 1 2 RED UCE SPIN 1 5 0
9
6
g
0 1 0 20 3 0 40 5 0 6 0 70 80 90 1 00 1 1 0 1 20 1 3 0
Tim e ( s ec )
/1 0 r 1 0
1 2 20
3 6 20 3 2 1 2
\ 3 4
3 4 Lo ng itu dina l Ax is
\ 3 6 3 2
\
i
ii I
Lo ng itu dina l Ax is
3 6 /
F! 6 - 5 a 20 FIG. 5 b
US. Pa tent D ec . 1 4, 201 0
+
CEN TRIFUGAL
FORCE
Sh eet 6 0f 6 US 7, 849, 800 B2
__/20
ii
AFT
FIG. 6 0
_ _ Fo Ma r d
US 7, 849, 800 B2
1
HYBRID SPIN /F IN STABILIZED
PROJECTILE
BACKGROUN D OF THE IN V EN TION
1 . Field o f th e Inv entio n
Th e p r es ent inv entio n r ela tes to p r o j ec tiles . Mo r e s p ec i?
c a lly , th e p r es ent inv entio n r ela tes to s y s tem s a nd m eth o ds f o r
s ta b iliz ing g u ided p r o j ec tiles .
2. D es c r ip tio n o f th e Rela ted Ar t
Co nv entio na l p r o j ec tiles a r e ty p ic a lly s p in s ta b iliZed. W ith
s p in s ta b iliz a tio n, th e p r o j ec tile r o ta tes a t a h ig h s p in r a te
a r o u nd its lo ng itu dina l a x is . Th is k eep s th e o r ienta tio n o f th e
p r o j ec tile u nder c o ntr o l.
Gu ided p r o j ec tiles u s e a g u ida nc e s y s tem f o r na v ig a ting
th e p r o j ec tile du r ing a t lea s t p a r t o f its ?ig h t p a th . Th e g u id
a nc e s y s tem u s u a lly r eq u ir es th e p r o j ec tile to s p in a t a lo W er
r a te th a n is c o m p a tib le W ith s p in s ta b iliZa tio n. Fo r ex a m p le, a
ty p ic a l a r tiller y s h ell needs a s p in r a te o f a b o u t 200-3 00
r ev o lu tio ns p er s ec o nd o r m o r e to a c h iev e s p in s ta b iliZa tio n.
In c o ntr a s t, a ty p ic a l p r o j ec tile g u ida nc e s y s tem o p er a tes a t
s p in r a tes o f les s th a n 1 0-1 2 r ev o lu tio ns p er s ec o nd.
In o r der to a c h iev e s ta b ility a t th e lo W er s p in r a tes , g u ided
p r o j ec tiles ty p ic a lly em p lo y ?n s ta b iliZa tio n b y a dding ta il
?ns o n th e a f t end o f th e p r o j ec tile. Unf o r tu na tely , th e ta il ?ns
W h ic h p r o v ide th e r eq u ir ed s ta b ility a ls o p r o v ide h ig h a er o
dy na m ic dr a g . Th is a er o dy na m ic dr a g r edu c es th e m a x im u m
r a ng e o f th e p r o j ec tile ( a s c o m p a r ed W ith a s p in s ta b iliZed
p r o j ec tile) .
Henc e, a need ex is ts in th e a r t f o r a n im p r o v ed s y s tem o r
m eth o d f o r s ta b iliZing g u ided p r o j ec tiles th a t o f f er s inc r ea s ed
r a ng e o v er p r io r a p p r o a c h es .
SUMMARY OF THE IN V EN TION
Th e need in th e a r t is a ddr es s ed b y th e h y b r id s p in/ ?n
s ta b iliZed p r o j ec tile o f th e p r es ent inv entio n. Th e no v el p r o
j ec tile inc lu des a b o dy , a ?r s t m ec h a nis m f o r s p in s ta b iliZing
th e b o dy du r ing a ?r s t m o de, a nd a s ec o nd m ec h a nis m f o r ?n
s ta b iliZing th e b o dy du r ing a s ec o nd m o de. In a n illu s tr a tiv e
em b o dim ent, th e p r o j ec tile inc lu des a r i?ing b a nd a da p ted to
eng a g e W ith r i?ing in a g u n du r ing g u n la u nc h to im p a r t a s p in
r a te c o m p a tib le W ith s p in s ta b iliZa tio n to th e p r o j ec tile, a nd a
p lu r a lity o f f o lding ?ns a tta c h ed to a n a f t end o f th e b o dy . A
?n lo c k ing m ec h a nis m lo c k s th e ?ns in a n u ndep lo y ed p o s i
tio n du r ing th e initia l s p in s ta b iliZed m o de a nd u nlo c k s to
dep lo y th e ?ns a t a p r edeter m ined tim e, s u c h a s W h en a
s p ec i?c env ir o nm ent o r ?ig h t c o nditio n is s a tis ?ed, to s W itc h
th e p r o j ec tile to ?n s ta b iliZa tio n du r ing th e s ec o nd m o de. Th e
p r o j ec tile a ls o inc lu des a m ec h a nis m f o r r edu c ing th e s p in o f
th e p r o j ec tile to a r a te c o m p a tib le W ith g u ided ?ig h t du r ing
th e ?n s ta b iliZed m o de. In a p r ef er r ed em b o dim ent, th e p r o
j ec tile inc lu des a no v el ?n lo c k ing m ec h a nis m r es p o ns iv e to
c entr if u g a l f o r c e a nd a r o c k et m o to r des ig ned to p r o v ide a
c o u nter -to r q u e to r edu c e th e s p in r a te o f th e p r o j ec tile.
BRIEF D ESCRIPTION OF THE D RAW IN GS
FIG. 1 is a dia g r a m s h o W ing a g u ided p r o j ec tile des ig ned in
a c c o r da nc e W ith th e p r es ent tea c h ing s a t dif f er ent p o ints
a lo ng a n illu s tr a tiv e ?ig h t p a th .
FIG. 2a is a s im p li?ed s c h em a tic o f a g u ided p r o j ec tile
des ig ned in a c c o r da nc e W ith a n illu s tr a tiv e em b o dim ent o f
th e p r es ent tea c h ing s , s h o W ing th e p r o j ec tile in a s p in s ta b i
liZed m o de.
20
25
3 0
3 5
40
45
5 0
6 0
6 5
2
FIG. 2b is a s im p li?ed s c h em a tic o f a g u ided p r o j ec tile
des ig ned in a c c o r da nc e W ith a n illu s tr a tiv e em b o dim ent o f
th e p r es ent tea c h ing s , s h o W ing th e p r o j ec tile in a ?n s ta b iliZed
m o de.
FIG. 3 is a s im p li?ed s c h em a tic o f th e a f t end o f a p r o j ec tile
des ig ned in a c c o r da nc e W ith a n illu s tr a tiv e em b o dim ent o f
th e p r es ent tea c h ing s th a t u s es th e r o c k et m o to r to de-s p in th e
p r o j ec tile.
FIG. 4 is a g r a p h o f g y r o s c o p ic s ta b ility f a c to r v s . tim e o f
a n illu s tr a tiv e s p in s ta b iliZed p r o j ec tile, s h o W ing a n ex a m p le
o f W h en th e s p in r a te c a n b e r edu c ed in a c c o r da nc e W ith th e
p r es ent tea c h ing s .
FIG. 5 a is a s im p li?ed s c h em a tic o f th e a f t end o f a p r o
j ec tile des ig ned in a c c o r da nc e W ith a n illu s tr a tiv e em b o di
m ent o f th e p r es ent tea c h ing s , s h o W ing th e ta il ?ns a nd ?n
lo c k s in a s p in s ta b iliZed m o de.
FIG. 5 b is a s im p li?ed s c h em a tic o f th e a f t end o f a p r o
j ec tile des ig ned in a c c o r da nc e W ith a n illu s tr a tiv e em b o di
m ent o f th e p r es ent tea c h ing s , s h o W ing th e ta il ?ns a nd ?n
lo c k s in a ?n s ta b iliZed m o de.
FIG. 6 a is a s im p li?ed s c h em a tic o f a ta il ?n W ith a c en
tr if u g a l ?n lo c k des ig ned in a c c o r da nc e W ith a n illu s tr a tiv e
em b o dim ent o f th e p r es ent tea c h ing s , s h o W ing th e lo c k du r
ing g u n la u nc h .
FIG. 6 b is a s im p li?ed s c h em a tic o f a ta il ?n W ith a c en
tr if u g a l ?n lo c k des ig ned in a c c o r da nc e W ith a n illu s tr a tiv e
em b o dim ent o f th e p r es ent tea c h ing s , s h o W ing th e lo c k a f ter
g u n la u nc h du r ing h ig h s p in.
FIG. 6 0 is a s im p li?ed s c h em a tic o f a ta il ?n W ith a c en
tr if u g a l ?n lo c k des ig ned in a c c o r da nc e W ith a n illu s tr a tiv e
em b o dim ent o f th e p r es ent tea c h ing s , s h o W ing th e lo c k du r
ing ?n dep lo y m ent.
D ESCRIPTION OF THE IN V EN TION
Illu s tr a tiv e em b o dim ents a nd ex em p la r y a p p lic a tio ns W ill
no W b e des c r ib ed W ith r ef er enc e to th e a c c o m p a ny ing dr a W
ing s to dis c lo s e th e a dv a nta g eo u s tea c h ing s o f th e p r es ent
inv entio n.
W h ile th e p r es ent inv entio n is des c r ib ed h er ein W ith r ef er
enc e to illu s tr a tiv e em b o dim ents f o r p a r tic u la r a p p lic a tio ns , it
s h o u ld b e u nder s to o d th a t th e inv entio n is no t lim ited th er eto .
Th o s e h a v ing o r dina r y s k ill in th e a r t a nd a c c es s to th e tea c h
ing s p r o v ided h er ein W ill r ec o g niZe a dditio na l m o di?c a tio ns ,
a p p lic a tio ns , a nd em b o dim ents W ith in th e s c o p e th er eo f a nd
a dditio na l ?elds in W h ic h th e p r es ent inv entio n W o u ld b e o f
s ig ni?c a nt u tility .
Th e p r es ent inv entio n p r o v ides a s im p le, lo W c o s t a p p r o a c h
to ex tending th e b a llis tic r a ng e o f a g u ided p r o j ec tile. It c o m
b ines th e lo W dr a g p er f o r m a nc e o f a s p in s ta b iliZed p r o j ec tile
du r ing initia l ?ig h t W ith th a t o f a ?n s ta b iliZed p r o j ec tile
du r ing g u ided ?ig h t. Th er ef o r e, th e p r o j ec tile o b ta ins a ddi
tio na l r a ng e du r ing th a t p o r tio n o f ?ig h t in W h ic h it is s p in
s ta b iliZed.
Th e g u ida nc e s y s tem o f a g u ided p r o j ec tile ty p ic a lly do es
no t b eg in to c o ntr o l th e na v ig a tio n o f th e p r o j ec tile u ntil it is
a t o r b ey o nd a p o g ee ( th e h ig h es t p o int o f th e ?ig h t tr a j ec to r y ) .
Th e initia l h a lf o f th e tr a j ec to r y c a n th er ef o r e b e in a n
u ng u ided p r o j ec tile c o n?g u r a tio n u s ing s p in s ta b iliZa tio n
W ith o u t detr im enta lly a f f ec ting th e p er f o r m a nc e o f th e g u id
a nc e s y s tem . Th e p r o j ec tile c a n th en b e s W itc h ed to a ?n
s ta b iliZa tio n c o n?g u r a tio n j u s t p r io r to W h en th e g u ida nc e
s y s tem ta k es o v er c o ntr o l o f p r o j ec tile na v ig a tio n. Th is
a p p r o a c h c o m b ines th e b ene?ts o f initia l s p in s ta b iliZa tio n f o r
lo ng er r a ng e a nd ?n s ta b iliZa tio n f o r c o ntr o lla b ility .
FIG. 1 is a dia g r a m s h o W ing a g u ided p r o j ec tile des ig ned in
a c c o r da nc e W ith th e p r es ent tea c h ing s a t dif f er ent p o ints
US 7, 849, 800 B2
3
a lo ng a n illu s tr a tiv e ?ig h t p a th . D u r ing th e initia l p o r tio n o f
th e p r o j ec tile s ?ig h t, th e p r o j ec tile 1 0A is s p in s ta b iliz ed,
r o ta ting a t a h ig h s p in r a te im p a r ted to th e p r o j ec tile du r ing
?r ing b y th e r i?ing in th e b a r r el o f th e g u n. At a p r edeter m ined
tim e, th e s p in r a te o f th e p r o j ec tile 1 0B is r edu c ed. In a n
illu s tr a tiv e em b o dim ent, th e s p in r a te is r edu c ed u s ing a
r o c k et m o to r W ith a s W ir l no ZZle o r o th er m ec h a nis m f o r
p r o v iding a c o u nter -to r q u e. Th e p r o j ec tile 1 0B b eg ins to de
s p in W h en th e r o c k et m o to r is ig nited. W h en th e s p in r a te is
r edu c ed to a n a p p r o p r ia te p o int, ta il ?ns o n th e p r o j ec tile 1 0C
a r e dep lo y ed, s W itc h ing th e p r o j ec tile 1 0C to ?n s ta b iliZa tio n.
Fina lly , W h en th e s p in r a te is lo W eno u g h s u c h th a t th e g u id
a nc e s y s tem c a n o p er a te p r o p er ly , th e g u ida nc e s y s tem ta k es
o v er c o ntr o l o f th e p r o j ec tile 1 0D , g u iding it to its ta r g et.
FIGS. 2a a nd 2b a r e s im p li?ed s c h em a tic s o f a g u ided
p r o j ec tile 1 0 des ig ned in a c c o r da nc e W ith a n illu s tr a tiv e
em b o dim ent o f th e p r es ent tea c h ing s . FIG. 2a s h o W s th e
p r o j ec tile 1 0 du r ing a s p in s ta b iliZed m o de a nd FIG. 2b s h o W s
th e p r o j ec tile 1 0 in a ?n s ta b iliZed m o de. Th e g u ided p r o j ec
tile 1 0 inc lu des a b o dy 1 2, W h ic h h o u s es a g u ida nc e s y s tem 1 4
a nd m a y a ls o h o u s e a r o c k et m o to r 1 6 . Th e r o c k et m o to r 1 6
ex tends th e r a ng e o f th e p r o j ec tile 1 0 b y b o o s ting th e p r o j ec
tile to a h ig h er v elo c ity o r s u s ta ining th e p r o j ec tile v elo c ity ,
c o u nter a c ting a er o dy na m ic dr a g .
In a c c o r da nc e W ith th e p r es ent tea c h ing s , th e p r o j ec tile 1 0
a ls o inc lu des a r i?ing b a nd o r r o ta ting b a nd 1 8, W h ic h
eng a g es W ith th e r i?ing in th e b a r r el o f a g u n W h en ?r ed to
im p a r t a s p in to th e b o dy 1 2 s o th a t th e p r o j ec tile 1 0 is s p in
s ta b iliZed du r ing th e initia l p o r tio n o f its ?ig h t. In a n illu s tr a
tiv e ex a m p le, th e p r o j ec tile 1 0 h a s a s p in r a te o f a b o u t 25 0
3 00 HZ du r ing th e s p in s ta b iliZed m o de. Th e s p in r a te is th en
r edu c ed to a b o u t 2-20 HZ du r ing th e ?n s ta b iliz ed m o de.
Th e p r o j ec tile 1 0 a ls o inc lu des a p lu r a lity o f f o lding ta il
?ns 20 a tta c h ed to th e a f t end o f th e p r o j ec tile b o dy 1 2. D u r ing
th e initia l p o r tio n o f th e p r o j ec tile s ?ig h t, th e p r o j ec tile 1 0 is
s p in s ta b iliZed a nd th e ta il ?ns 20 a r e s to W ed in a n u ndep lo y ed
p o s itio n, c lo s e to th e b o dy 1 2 ( a s s h o W n in FIG. 2a ) . D ep lo y
m ent o f th e ?ns 20 is dela y ed u ntil th e p r o j ec tile s s p in r a te is
r edu c ed s u c h th a t th e ?ns 20 c a n b e dep lo y ed W ith o u t s tr u c
tu r a l da m a g e. Af ter th e ta il ?ns 20 a r e in th e dep lo y ed p o s itio n
( a s s h o W n in FIG. 2b ) , th e p r o j ec tile 1 0 is ?n s ta b iliZed.
Th e p r o j ec tile 1 0 a ls o inc lu des s o m e m ec h a nis m f o r
s W itc h ing f r o m th e initia l s p in s ta b iliZed m o de to th e ?na l ?n
s ta b iliZed m o de. Th is p r o c es s inv o lv es r edu c ing th e s p in r a te
o f th e p r o j ec tile 1 0 to a r a te c o m p a tib le W ith th e g u ida nc e
s y s tem 1 4, a nd dep lo y ing th e ta il ?ns 20. V a r io u s m eth o ds c a n
b e u s ed to r edu c e th e s p in r a te o f th e p r o j ec tile 1 0 a nd to
c o ntr o l th e dela y ed dep lo y m ent o f th e ta il ?ns 20. A f eW
illu s tr a tiv e ex a m p les W ill no W b e des c r ib ed.
FIG. 3 is a s im p li?ed s c h em a tic o f th e a f t end o f a p r o j ec tile
1 0 des ig ned in a c c o r da nc e W ith a n illu s tr a tiv e em b o dim ent o f
th e p r es ent tea c h ing s th a t u s es th e r o c k et m o to r 1 6 to de-s p in
th e p r o j ec tile 1 0. In th is em b o dim ent, th e r o c k et m o to r no ZZle
o r no ZZles p r o v ide a c o u nter -to r q u e to r edu c e th e s p in r a te o f
th e p r o j ec tile 1 0. Th e r o c k et m o to r 1 6 inc lu des a c o m b u s tio n
c h a m b er 22 ?lled W ith a p r o p ella nt 24 a nd a no ZZle 26 . Af ter
th e p r o p ella nt 24 is ig nited ( b y a n ig niter , no t s h o W n) , th e
ex h a u s t g a s p r o du c ed es c a p es th r o u g h a h o le ( no ZZle ins er t)
28 in th e c o m b u s tio n c h a m b er 22 into th e no ZZle 26 , p r o du c
ing th r u s t.
In th e illu s tr a tiv e em b o dim ent o f FIG. 3 , th e r o c k et m o to r
no ZZle 26 is a s W ir l no ZZle, W h ic h inc lu des tu r ning v a nes 3 0
a da p ted to im p a r t a no r m a l v elo c ity c o m p o nent to th e r o c k et
m o to r th r u s t to c o u nter -to r q u e th e p r o j ec tile 1 0 a g a ins t s p in,
s lo W ing it do W n in its r o ta tio na l a x is . Th e s p in r a te o f th e
p r o j ec tile 1 0 is th er ef o r e r edu c ed a s th e r o c k et m o to r 1 6
b u r ns . An a lter na tiv e des ig n is to u s e tW o o r m o r e no ZZles th a t
20
25
3 0
3 5
40
45
5 0
5 5
6 0
6 5
4
a r e c a nted o r a ng led to p r o du c e a c o u nter -to r q u e. Oth er
im p lem enta tio ns c a n a ls o b e u s ed W ith o u t dep a r ting f r o m th e
s c o p e o f th e p r es ent tea c h ing s .
Ro c k et m o to r p a r a m eter s c a n b e ta ilo r ed to a c h iev e th e
des ir ed s y s tem c h a r a c ter is tic s . In th e em b o dim ent o f FIG. 3 ,
th e p r o j ec tile 1 0 b eg ins to de-s p in W h en th e r o c k et m o to r 1 6
is ig nited. Th e r a te a t W h ic h th e s p in is r edu c ed, a nd th er ef o r e
th e tim e W h en th e s p in r a te W ill b e lo W eno u g h f o r th e g u id
a nc e s y s tem to f u nc tio n p r o p er ly , c a n b e c o ntr o lled b y th e
r o c k et m o to r th r u s t lev el, b u r n tim e, a nd s W ir l no ZZle des ig n.
FIG. 4 is a g r a p h o f g y r o s c o p ic s ta b ility f a c to r v s . tim e o f
a n illu s tr a tiv e s p in s ta b iliZed p r o j ec tile, s h o W ing a n ex a m p le
o f W h en th e s p in r a te c a n b e r edu c ed in a c c o r da nc e W ith th e
p r es ent tea c h ing s . Th e g y r o s c o p ic s ta b ility f a c to r v a r ies du r
ing th e ?ig h t o f th e p r o j ec tile, du e p r im a r ily to c h a ng es in a ir
dens ity . Th e g y r o s c o p ic s ta b ility f a c to r SG is g iv en b y th e
f o llo W ing eq u a tio n:
W h er e I X is th e r o ll m o m ent o f iner tia , I Yis th e p itc h m o m ent
o f iner tia , u ) is th e s p in r a te, V is th e v elo c ity , p is th e a ir
dens ity , d is th e dia m eter , a nd C Ma is th e p itc h ing m o m ent
c o e?ic ient o f th e p r o j ec tile.
As s h o W n in FIG. 4, p r o j ec tile s ta b ility inc r ea s es f r o m
a b o u t 1 a t m u ZZle ex it ( tim e: 0 s ) to a b o u t 3 9 a t a p o g ee
( tim e: 6 0 s ) . Th e g y r o s c o p ic s ta b ility f a c to r S G o nly needs to
b e g r ea ter th a n 1 to p r o v ide f o r s ta b le ?ig h t. At s o m e p o int, th e
s p in r a te c a n th er ef o r e b e r edu c ed, deg r a ding th e s ta b ility
f a c to r , a nd s till a llo W f o r s ta b le ?ig h t. Fo r ex a m p le, a s s h o W n
in FIG. 4, th e s p in r a te c a n b e r edu c ed f r o m 25 0 HZ to 1 00 HZ
a t a tim e o f 40 s , a nd s till m a inta in s ta b ility ( SG is r edu c ed
f r o m a b o u t 21 to a b o u t 3 ) .
Onc e th e s p in r a te is r edu c ed eno u g h to a v o id s tr u c tu r a l
da m a g e to th e ta il ?ns , th e ?ns o f th e p r o j ec tile c a n b e
dep lo y ed, s W itc h ing th e p r o j ec tile to a ?n s ta b iliZed m o de.
Alter na tiv ely , f o r a p r o j ec tile W ith o u t a r o c k et m o to r , th e
s p in r a te c a n b e r edu c ed b y dep lo y ing th e ta il ?ns a nd a llo W
ing th e ?ns th em s elv es to dec eler a te th e s p in o f th e p r o j ec tile.
Th is indu c es a h ig h b ending m o m ent lo a d o n th e ?ns , s o th e
?ns s h o u ld b e m u c h m o r e r u g g ed in th is des ig n s u c h th a t th ey
c a n a b s o r b th e to r s io na l lo a d.
In th e illu s tr a tiv e em b o dim ent, th e ta il ?ns a r e lo c k ed in th e
u ndep lo y ed p o s itio n du r ing th e s p in s ta b iliZed m o de a nd th en
u nlo c k ed du r ing dep lo y m ent s o th ey f o ld o u t to th e ?n s ta b i
liZed p o s itio n. V a r io u s lo c k ing m ec h a nis m s c a n b e u s ed to
c o ntr o l W h en th e ?ns a r e dep lo y ed. FIGS. 5 -6 s h o W tW o
dif f er ent illu s tr a tiv e em b o dim ents .
FIGS. 5 a a nd 5 b a r e s im p li?ed s c h em a tic s o f th e a f t end o f
a p r o j ec tile 1 0 des ig ned in a c c o r da nc e W ith a n illu s tr a tiv e
em b o dim ent o f th e p r es ent tea c h ing s , s h o W ing th e ta il ?ns 20
a nd ?n lo c k s 3 2. FIG. 5 a s h o W s th e p r o j ec tile du r ing th e s p in
s ta b iliZed m o de a nd FIG. 5 b s h o W s th e p r o j ec tile in th e ?n
s ta b iliZed m o de. W h en th e ?n lo c k 3 2 is eng a g ed ( s h o W n in
FIG. 5 a ) , th e lo c k 3 2 k eep s th e ?ns 20 in th e s to W ed p o s itio n,
c lo s e to th e b o dy 1 2 in a r ec es s ed s ec tio n 3 4, du r ing th e s p in
s ta b iliZed m o de. W h en th e lo c k 3 2 is r etr a c ted ( s h o W n in FIG.
5 b ) , th e ?ns 20 ea c h r o ta te a b o u t a p iv o t p in 3 6 p la c ed in a
c o r ner o f th e ?n 20 u ntil th ey r ea c h th eir dep lo y ed p o s itio n.
Th e lo c k m a y b e a n elec tr ic a l lo c k th a t is c o ntr o lled b y a n
elec tr o nic s ig na l s u p p lied b y th e g u ida nc e s y s tem . Altem a
tiv ely , th e lo c k m a y b e c o ntr o lled b y th e r o c k et m o to r . Fo r
ex a m p le, it c o u ld b e a p r es s u r e lo c k a da p ted to u nlo c k W h en
US 7, 849, 800 B2
5
th e p r es s u r e in th e r o c k et m o to r is r edu c ed to a c er ta in p o int
( W h en th e a m o u nt o f p r o p ella nt r em a ining in th e m o to r
r ea c h es a p r edeter m ined lev el, W h ic h , in th e em b o dim ent o f
FIG. 3 , c o r r es p o nds to a p a r tic u la r s p in r a te o f th e p r o j ec tile) .
FIGS. 6 a -6 c s h o W a no v el c entr if u g a l ?n lo c k 3 2' th a t u s es
c entr if u g a l f o r c e to c o ntr o l W h en th e ta il ?ns 20 a r e dep lo y ed.
FIG. 6 a is a s c h em a tic o f a ta il ?n 20 W ith a c entr if u g a l ?n
lo c k 3 2' des ig ned in a c c o r da nc e W ith a n illu s tr a tiv e em b o di
m ent o f th e p r es ent tea c h ing s , s h o W ing th e lo c k 3 2' du r ing
g u n la u nc h . FIG. 6 b s h o W s th e lo c k 3 2' a f ter la u nc h , du r ing
th e s p in s ta b iliz ed m o de W h en th e p r o j ec tile h a s a h ig h s p in
r a te. FIG. 6 c s h o ws th e lo c k 3 2' W h en th e ?n 20 is dep lo y ed.
In th is em b o dim ent, th e ?ns 20 a r e dep lo y ed W h en th e s p in
r a te o f th e p r o j ec tile is r edu c ed to a p r edeter m ined p o int.
Th e c entr if u g a l lo c k 3 2' inc lu des a b ia s s p r ing 40 a nd a
no tc h 48 f o r a p iv o t p in 3 6 . Th e ta il ?n 20 inc lu des a h o le 42
in W h ic h th e p iv o t p in 3 6 is ins er ted. Th e p iv o t p in 3 6 , a b o u t
W h ic h th e ?n 20 r o ta tes , inc lu des tW o o p p o s ing ?a t s ides 44
a nd 46 . Th e ?n 20 a ls o inc lu des a no tc h 48 nex t to th e p iv o t
h o le 42. Th e no tc h 48 is s h a p ed s o th a t th e p iv o t p in 3 6 c a n ?t
W ith in, s u c h th a t th e no tc h 48 eng a g es th e ?a ts o n th e p iv o t p in
3 6 , p r ev enting th e ?n 20 f r o m b eing a b le to r o ta te. Th e b ia s
s p r ing 40 is a n L-s h a p ed lea f s p r ing a da p ted to h o ld th e ?n 20
a g a ins t th e p r o j ec tile b o dy 1 2 s o th a t th e ?a ts o n th e p in 3 6 do
no t eng a g e th e no tc h 48. In th e illu s tr a tiv e em b o dim ent, th e
?n 20 h a s a r o u nd r eg io n 5 0 a r o u nd th e p iv o t h o le 42 a nd
no tc h 48 W h ic h is s lig h tly elev a ted r ela tiv e to th e p la ne o f th e
?n 20. Th e b ia s s p r ing 40 eng a g es th is elev a ted r eg io n 5 0,
a p p ly ing a b ia s f o r c e th a t p u s h es do W n to W a r ds th e lo ng itu
dina l a x is o f th e p r o j ec tile 1 0.
As s h o W n in FIG. 6 a , du r ing g u n la u nc h ( a nd du r ing h a n
dling , p r io r to g u n ?r e) , th e b ia s s p r ing 40 f o r c es th e elev a ted
r eg io n 5 0 o f th e ta il ?n 20 do W n to W a r ds th e lo ng itu dina l a x is
o f th e p r o j ec tile 1 0. In th is p o s itio n ( u nlo c k ed p o s itio n) , th e
p iv o t p in 3 6 is in th e p iv o t h o le 42, a nd th e no tc h 48 do es no t
eng a g e th e ?a ts o n th e p in 3 6 . Th e ?n 20 is th er ef o r e f r ee to
r o ta te. D u r ing g u n la u nc h , s etb a c k a c c eler a tio n lo a ds tend to
r o ta te th e ?n 20 into th e s to W ed p o s itio n, lo c k ing th e ?n 20
a g a ins t th e p r o j ec tile b o dy 1 2 ( b ec a u s e th e c enter o f g r a v ity o f
th e ?n 20 is b elo W th e p iv o t p o int) .
As s h o W n in FIG. 6 b , a f ter g u n la u nc h , th e p r o j ec tile 1 0 is
s p inning a t a h ig h s p in r a te a nd c entr if u g a l f o r c e o v er c o m es
th e b ia s s p r ing 40. Centr if u g a l f o r c e m o v es th e ?n 20 r a dia lly
o u tW a r d, a W a y f r o m th e p r o j ec tile b o dy 1 2, into a lo c k ed
p o s itio n in W h ic h th e no tc h 48 eng a g es th e ?a ts o n th e p iv o t
p in 3 6 , lo c k ing th e ?n 20 a g a ins t r o ta tio n.
As s h o W n in FIG. 6 0, a s th e s p in r a te dec a y s , a t s o m e p o int
th e b ia s s p r ing f o r c e o v er c o m es th e c entr if u g a l f o r c e, m o v ing
th e ?n 20 b a c k into th e u nlo c k ed p o s itio n, a llo W ing th e ?n 20
to r o ta te. Th e r es idu a l c entr if u g a l f o r c e r o ta tes th e ?n 20
a b o u t th e p iv o t p in 3 6 o u tW a r ds a W a y f r o m th e p r o j ec tile b o dy
1 2, into its dep lo y ed p o s itio n.
Th e b ia s s p r ing 40 is des ig ned to p r o v ide a b ia s f o r c e th a t
o v er c o m es th e c entr if u g a l f o r c e W h en th e p r o j ec tile 1 0 is a t a
des ir ed s p in r a te ( e. g . , W h en th e s p in r a te is r edu c ed eno u g h to
a v o id s tr u c tu r a l da m a g e to th e ta il ?ns 20) .
Th u s , th e no v el a p p r o a c h o f th e p r es ent inv entio n u s es s p in
s ta b iliZa tio n to s ta b iliZe a g u ided p r o j ec tile du r ing a n initia l
p h a s e ( a f ter g u n la u nc h ) a nd th en s W itc h es to ?n s ta b iliZa tio n
s o m etim e du r ing ?ig h t, b ef o r e th e g u ida nc e s y s tem ta k es
o v er na v ig a tio n. In a p r ef er r ed em b o dim ent, a r o c k et m o to r
des ig ned to p r o v ide a c o u nter -to r q u e is u s ed to r edu c e th e
s p in r a te f r o m a r a te c o m p a tib le W ith s p in s ta b iliZa tio n to a
r a te c o m p a tib le W ith g u ided ?ig h t. W h en th e s p in r a te dec a y s
to a s a f e lev el, ta il ?ns a r e dep lo y ed, s W itc h ing th e p r o j ec tile
to ?n s ta b iliZa tio n. Th is h y b r id a p p r o a c h o p tim iZes th e ?ig h t
c h a r a c ter is tic s o f th e p r o j ec tile du r ing b o th th e g u ided a nd
20
25
3 5
40
45
5 0
5 5
6 0
6 5
6
u ng u ided p o r tio ns o f its ?ig h t, inc r ea s ing th e o v er a ll r a ng e o f
th e p r o j ec tile ( a s c o m p a r ed W ith c o nv entio na l ?n s ta b iliZa
tio n) .
Th u s , th e p r es ent inv entio n h a s b een des c r ib ed h er ein W ith
r ef er enc e to a p a r tic u la r em b o dim ent f o r a p a r tic u la r a p p lic a
tio n. Th o s e h a v ing o r dina r y s k ill in th e a r t a nd a c c es s to th e
p r es ent tea c h ing s W ill r ec o g niZe a dditio na l m o di?c a tio ns ,
a p p lic a tio ns a nd em b o dim ents W ith in th e s c o p e th er eo f .
It is th er ef o r e intended b y th e a p p ended c la im s to c o v er a ny
a nd a ll s u c h a p p lic a tio ns , m o di?c a tio ns a nd em b o dim ents
W ith in th e s c o p e o f th e p r es ent inv entio n.
Ac c o r ding ly ,
W h a t is c la im ed is :
1 . A p r o j ec tile c o m p r is ing :
a b o dy ;
?r s t m ea ns f o r s p in s ta b iliZing th e b o dy du r ing a ?r s t m o de;
s ec o nd m ea ns f o r ?n s ta b iliZing th e b o dy du r ing a s ec o nd
m o de; a nd
m ea ns f o r r edu c ing a s p in r a te o f th e p r o j ec tile du r ing th e
?r s t m o de p r io r to dep lo y m ent o f ?ns f o r th e s ec o nd
m o de,
W h er ein th e s ec o nd m ea ns inc lu des a p lu r a lity o f f o lding
?ns a tta c h ed to a n a f t end o f th e b o dy ,
W h er ein th e p r o j ec tile a ls o inc lu des th ir d m ea ns f o r s W itc h
ing f r o m th e ?r s t m o de to th e s ec o nd m o de a f ter th e s p in
r a te is r edu c ed, a nd
W h er ein th e th ir d m ea ns inc lu des m ea ns f o r lo c k ing th e ?ns
in a n u ndep lo y ed p o s itio n du r ing th e ?r s t m o de, th e
m ea ns f o r lo c k ing u s ing c entr if u g a l f o r c e to lo c k th e ?ns
in th e u ndep lo y ed p o s itio n.
2. Th e p r o j ec tile o f c la im 1 W h er ein th e th ir d m ea ns
inc lu des f o u r th m ea ns f o r dep lo y ing th e ?ns to a dep lo y ed
p o s itio n a t a p r edeter m ined tim e a f ter th e s p in r a te is r edu c ed.
3 . Th e p r o j ec tile o f c la im 2 inc lu ding m ea ns f o r dep lo y ing
th e ?ns W h en a p r edeter m ined env ir o nm ent o r ?ig h t c o nditio n
is s a tis ?ed.
4. Th e p r o j ec tile o f c la im 2 W h er ein th e th ir d m ea ns
inc lu des ?f th m ea ns f o r r edu c ing th e s p in r a te o f th e p r o j ec
tile.
5 . Th e p r o j ec tile o f c la im 4 inc lu ding m ea ns f o r dep lo y ing
th e ?ns W h en th e p r o j ec tile is de-s p u n to a p r edeter m ined s p in
r a te.
6 . Th e p r o j ec tile o f c la im 4 W h er ein th e ?f th m ea ns
inc lu des a r o c k et m o to r a da p ted to p r o v ide a c o u nter -to r q u e
to de-s p in th e p r o j ec tile a s th e r o c k et m o to r b u r ns .
7. Th e p r o j ec tile o f c la im 6 W h er ein th e r o c k et m o to r
inc lu des a s W ir l no ZZle.
8. Th e p r o j ec tile o f c la im 6 W h er ein th e r o c k et m o to r
inc lu des tW o o r m o r e no ZZles a ng led to p r o du c e th e c o u nter
to r q u e.
9. Th e p r o j ec tile o f c la im 6 W h er ein th e f o u r th m ea ns
inc lu des a ?n lo c k a da p ted to lo c k th e ?ns in a n u ndep lo y ed
p o s itio n du r ing th e ?r s t m o de a nd u nlo c k to dep lo y th e ?ns in
r es p o ns e to a p r es s u r e in th e r o c k et m o to r .
1 0. Th e p r o j ec tile o f c la im 4 W h er ein th e f o u r th m ea ns
inc lu des a ?n lo c k r es p o ns e to c entr if u g a l f o r c e a da p ted to
lo c k th e ?ns in a n u ndep lo y ed p o s itio n du r ing th e ?r s t m o de
a nd u nlo c k to dep lo y th e ?ns in r es p o ns e to a b ia s f o r c e W h en
th e b ia s f o r c e o v er c o m es th e c entr if u g a l f o r c e.
1 1 . Th e p r o j ec tile o f c la im 4 W h er ein th e p r o j ec tile a ls o
inc lu des a g u ida nc e s y s tem f o r c o ntr o lling na v ig a tio n o f th e
p r o j ec tile du r ing th e s ec o nd m o de.
1 2. Th e p r o j ec tile o f c la im 1 1 inc lu ding m ea ns f o r r edu c ing
th e s p in r a te to a r a te c o m p a tib le W ith th e g u ida nc e s y s tem .
1 3 . Th e p r o j ec tile o f c la im 1 2 W h er ein th e f o u r th m ea ns
inc lu des a ?n lo c k a da p ted to lo c k th e ?ns in a n u ndep lo y ed
US 7, 849, 800 B2
7
p o s itio n du r ing th e ?r s t m o de a nd u nlo c k to dep lo y th e ?ns in
r es p o ns e to a n elec tr ic a l s ig na l p r o v ided b y th e g u ida nc e
s y s tem .
1 4. A p r o j ec tile c o m p r is ing :
a b o dy ;
a r i?ing b a nd a da p ted to eng a g e W ith r i?ing in a g u n to
im p a r t a s p in r a te c o m p a tib le W ith s p in s ta b iliz a tio n to
th e b o dy du r ing g u n ?r e;
a p lu r a lity o f f o lding ?ns a tta c h ed to a n a f t end o f th e b o dy ;
a ?n lo c k ing m ec h a nis m a da p ted to lo c k th e ?ns in a n
u ndep lo y ed p o s itio n du r ing a n initia l s p in s ta b iliZed
m o de a nd u nlo c k to dep lo y th e ?ns to s W itc h th e p r o j ec
tile to a ?n s ta b iliZed m o de; a nd
a m ec h a nis m f o r r edu c ing th e s p in r a te o f th e p r o j ec tile
du r ing th e s p in s ta b iliZed m o de p r io r to dep lo y m ent o f
th e ?ns to enter th e ?n s ta b iliZed m o de.
1 5 . A p r o j ec tile c o m p r is ing :
a b o dy ;
a r i?ing b a nd a da p ted to eng a g e W ith r i?ing in a g u n to
im p a r t a s p in r a te c o m p a tib le W ith s p in s ta b iliZa tio n to
th e b o dy du r ing g u n ?r e;
a p lu r a lity o f f o lding ?ns a tta c h ed to a n a f t end o f th e b o dy ;
a ?n lo c k ing m ec h a nis m a da p ted to lo c k th e ?ns in a n
u ndep lo y ed p o s itio n du r ing a n initia l s p in s ta b iliZed
m o de a nd u nlo c k to dep lo y th e ?ns to s W itc h th e p r o j ec
tile to a ?n s ta b iliZed m o de; a nd
a m ec h a nis m f o r r edu c ing th e s p in r a te o f th e p r o j ec tile
du r ing th e s p in s ta b iliZed m o de p r io r to dep lo y m ent o f
th e ?ns to enter th e ?n s ta b iliZed m o de,
W h er ein th e ?n lo c k ing m ec h a nis m is a da p ted to dep lo y th e
?ns eith er a f ter a p r edeter m ined tim e o r W h en a p r ede
ter m ined env ir o nm ent o r ?ig h t c o nditio n is s a tis ?ed,
W h er ein th e ?n lo c k ing m ec h a nis m u s es c entr if u g a l f o r c e
to lo c k th e ?ns in th e u ndep lo y ed p o s itio n.
1 6 . Th e p r o j ec tile o f c la im 1 5 W h er ein th e m ec h a nis m f o r
r edu c ing th e s p in r a te c o m p r is es a r o c k et m o to r a da p ted to
p r o v ide a c o u nter -to r q u e to de-s p in th e p r o j ec tile a s th e r o c k et
m o to r b u r ns .
1 7. Th e p r o j ec tile o f c la im 1 6 W h er ein th e ?n lo c k ing
m ec h a nis m is r es p o ns iv e to a p r es s u r e in th e r o c k et m o to r .
1 8. Th e p r o j ec tile o f c la im 1 5 W h er ein th e ?n lo c k ing
m ec h a nis m is r es p o ns iv e to a b ia s f o r c e to u nlo c k th e ?ns
W h en th e b ia s f o r c e o v er c o m es a c entr if u g a l f o r c e.
1 9. Th e p r o j ec tile o f c la im 1 5 W h er ein th e p r o j ec tile a ls o
inc lu des a g u ida nc e s y s tem f o r c o ntr o lling na v ig a tio n o f th e
p r o j ec tile du r ing th e ?n s ta b iliZed m o de.
20. Th e p r o j ec tile o f c la im 1 9 W h er ein th e s p in r a te is
r edu c ed to a r a te c o m p a tib le W ith th e g u ida nc e s y s tem .
21 . Th e p r o j ec tile o f c la im 1 9 W h er ein th e ?n lo c k ing
m ec h a nis m is r es p o ns iv e to a n elec tr ic a l s ig na l p r o v ided b y
th e g u ida nc e s y s tem .
22. A s y s tem f o r c o ntr o lling dep lo y m ent o f a f o lding ?n o n
a p r o j ec tile c o m p r is ing :
?r s t m ea ns r es p o ns iv e to c entr if u g a l f o r c e f o r lo c k ing th e
?n a g a ins t r o ta tio n;
s ec o nd m ea ns f o r a p p ly ing a b ia s f o r c e o n th e ?n s u c h th a t
th e ?n m o v es to a n u nlo c k ed p o s itio n in W h ic h it is f r ee
to r o ta te W h en th e b ia s f o r c e o v er c o m es th e c entr if u g a l
f o r c e; a nd
5
20
25
3 0
3 5
40
45
5 0
5 5
8
W h er ein th e s ec o nd m ea ns inc lu des m ea ns f o r r edu c ing a
s p in r a te o f th e p r o j ec tile W h ile th e p r o j ec tile is s p in
s ta b iliZed p r io r to th e ?n m o v ing to th e u nlo c k ed p o s i
tio n.
23 . Th e s y s tem o f c la im 22 W h er ein th e s y s tem inc lu des a
p iv o t p in p la c ed th r o u g h a p iv o t h o le in th e ?n a nd a tta c h ed to
th e p r o j ec tile s u c h th a t th e ?n c a n r o ta te a b o u t th e p iv o t p in,
th e p iv o t p in h a v ing tW o o p p o s ing ?a t s ides .
24. Th e s y s tem o f c la im 23 W h er ein th e ?r s t m ea ns inc lu des
a no tc h in th e ?n nex t to th e p iv o t h o le a da p ted to eng a g e th e
?a t s ides o n th e p iv o t p in, lo c k ing th e ?n a g a ins t r o ta tio n,
W h en a c entr if u g a l f o r c e g r ea ter th a n th e b ia s f o r c e is a p p lied
to th e ?n.
25 . Th e s y s tem o f c la im 24 W h er ein th e s ec o nd m ea ns
inc lu des a b ia s s p r ing a da p ted to a p p ly a b ia s f o r c e o n th e ?n
s u c h th a t p iv o t p in is W ith in th e p iv o t h o le a nd o u t o f th e no tc h
W h en th e b ia s f o r c e is g r ea ter th a n th e c entr if u g a l f o r c e.
26 . Th e s y s tem o f c la im 25 W h er ein th e b ia s s p r ing is
a da p ted to p r o v ide a b ia s f o r c e th a t o v er c o m es th e c entr if u g a l
f o r c e W h en th e p r o j ec tile is a t a p r edeter m ined s p in r a te.
27. Th e s y s tem o f c la im 26 W h er ein th e p iv o t h o le is p o s i
tio ned s u c h th a t c entr if u g a l f o r c e r o ta tes th e ?n into a
dep lo y ed p o s itio n W h en th e c entr if u g a l f o r c e is les s th a n th e
b ia s f o r c e.
28. Th e s y s tem o f c la im 27 W h er ein th e p iv o t h o le is p o s i
tio ned s u c h th a t s etb a c k a c c eler a tio n lo a ds o n th e ?n du r ing
g u n la u nc h r o ta te th e ?n into a n u ndep lo y ed p o s itio n.
29. A lo c k f o r a f o lding ?n o n a p r o j ec tile c o m p r is ing :
a p iv o t p in p la c ed th r o u g h a p iv o t h o le in th e ?n a nd
a tta c h ed to th e p r o j ec tile s u c h th a t th e ?n c a n r o ta te
a b o u t th e p iv o t p in, th e p iv o t p in h a v ing tW o o p p o s ing
?a t s ides ;
a no tc h in th e ?n nex t to th e p iv o t h o le a da p ted to eng a g e
th e ?a t s ides o n th e p iv o t p in, lo c k ing th e ?n a g a ins t
r o ta tio n, W h en a c entr if u g a l f o r c e g r ea ter th a n a b ia s
f o r c e is a p p lied to th e ?n; a nd
a b ia s s p r ing a da p ted to a p p ly a b ia s f o r c e o n th e ?n s u c h
th a t th e ?n is in a n u nlo c k ed p o s itio n in W h ic h it is f r ee
to r o ta te W h en th e b ia s f o r c e is g r ea ter th a n th e c entr if u
g a l f o r c e,
W h er ein a s p in r a te o f th e p r o j ec tile is r edu c ed W h ile th e
p r o j ec tile is s p in s ta b iliZed p r io r to th e ?n m o v ing to th e
u nlo c k ed p o s itio n.
3 0. A m eth o d f o r s ta b iliZing a g u ided p r o j ec tile inc lu ding
th e s tep s o f :
im p a r ting a h ig h s p in r a te c o m p a tib le W ith s p in s ta b iliZa
tio n o n th e p r o j ec tile du r ing la u nc h ;
r edu c ing th e s p in r a te o f th e p r o j ec tile to a s p in r a te c o m
p a tib le W ith g u ided ?ig h t;
dep lo y ing ta il ?ns a f ter th e s p in r a te is r edu c ed to s W itc h
th e p r o j ec tile to ?n s ta b iliZa tio n; a nd
a p p ly ing a b ia s f o r c e to o v er c o m e a c entr if u g a l f o r c e to
u nlo c k a nd dep lo y th e ta il ?ns , th e c entr if u g a l f o r c e
h o lding th e ta il ?ns in a lo c k ed p o s itio n du r ing s p in
s ta b iliZa tio n.