Abstract:
A stability system for a vehicle moving through a fluid includes stabilizers each having a drive surface that follows the position of the fluid stream perceived by the vehicle. The movement of the drive surface positions control surfaces of the stabilizers, which are coupled to the drive surfaces by mechanical linkages. Lift forces on the drive surfaces provide the force that is used in positioning the control surfaces. The deflection of the control surfaces provides a force on the vehicle that affects stability of the vehicle, for instance in making an inherently unstable vehicle more stable. The stability system may work completely passively, without any active control, and without the need for power to operate it.
Abstract:
An umbilical cable disconnect device is disclosed. The umbilical cable disconnect device includes a base having an opening configured to receive an umbilical cable, a cutter extending into the opening of the base, and a spacer component disposed in the opening between the cutter and the umbilical cable. The spacer component maintains separation of the cutter and the umbilical cable prior to disconnect of the umbilical cable. The cutter is operable to penetrate the spacer component in response to displacement of the disconnect device relative to the umbilical cable to facilitate cutting of the umbilical cable by the cutter to disconnect the umbilical cable.
Abstract:
A cover for an effector, such as a projectile, missile, or gun-launched effector, includes two parts that are translatable relative to one another, such that the cover separates in stages as the effector launches. The cover includes an outer cover portion that is made up of multiple outer cover segments that together define a central opening through which part of an inner cover portion extends. In a launch of the effector, the effector first makes contact with the inner cover portion. This pushes the inner cover portion forward, breaking the attachment with the outer cover portion, and allowing the inner cover portion to translated forward relative to the outer cover portion. As the inner cover portion translates forward relative to the outer cover portion, the inner cover portion eventually makes contact with the outer cover portion, with both being pushed forward, and separating from the launcher.
Abstract:
An effector having an extendible range and a method for extending the range of an effector includes using an axially translatable center body that is movable from a stowed position, in which the center body is stowed in an outer body of the effector, to a deployed position in which the center body extends out of the outer body to extend the axial length of the effector. The effector includes a ramjet assembly and the subsystems of the effector are contained in the center body. The movement of the center body exposes radially positioned ramjet fuel in the outer body, such that the air entering the ramjet inlet may be heated by combusting the air with the fuel for additional fuel and propulsion of the effector.
Abstract:
A fitting with a body bound by an exterior surface and an interior surface. The exterior surface includes a quick disconnect profile extending from a first end of the body and an external thread extending from a second end of the body. The interior surface includes a first bore extending from the first end of the body and a second bore extending from the second end of the body. The fitting includes an orifice formed by the first bore, between a pin and the first bore, or between the pin and a third bore of an adjustment member installed within the first bore.
Abstract:
A projectile and method of deploying a projectile includes a gun-launched projectile having a pressure reservoir that is fluidly connected to an ejection piston and fin deployment pistons. The fin deployment pistons are actuatable to engage deployable fins of the projectile to move the fins from a folded position to a deployed position. Gas pressure is generated by an external burning propellant to pressurize the pressure reservoir that retains the gas until a muzzle exit of the projectile. When the projectile exits the barrel, the reservoir gas expands thereby causing movement of the ejection piston. When a trailing end of the piston moves past fin deployment piston ports, the remaining reservoir gas pressure acts on the fin deployment pistons which subsequently push on the fins. The fins rotate toward the deployed position in which the fins are locked before the ejection piston is fully ejected.
Abstract:
An encapsulation for electronics is provided. The encapsulation includes a circuit card assembly (CCA) on which a component of the electronics is operably disposed, a compliant thermal buffer coating (TBC), thermoset material and high-performance thermoplastic materials. The compliant TBC is layered over the component and a first area of the CCA, which extends about a periphery of the component. The thermoset material is cast over the compliant TBC and a second area of the CCA, which extends about a periphery of the compliant TBC. The high-performance thermoplastic material is injection molded over the thermoset material and a third area of the CCA, which extends about a periphery of the thermoset material.
Abstract:
A cover for an effector, such as a projectile, missile, or gun-launched effector, includes two parts that are translatable relative to one another, such that the cover separates in stages as the effector launches. The cover includes an outer cover portion that is made up of multiple outer cover segments that together define a central opening through which part of an inner cover portion extends. In a launch of the effector, the effector first makes contact with the inner cover portion. This pushes the inner cover portion forward, breaking the attachment with the outer cover portion, and allowing the inner cover portion to translated forward relative to the outer cover portion. As the inner cover portion translates forward relative to the outer cover portion, the inner cover portion eventually makes contact with the outer cover portion, with both being pushed forward, and separating from the launcher.
Abstract:
An extended range projectile includes an outer shell, a center projectile body axially moveable from a stowed position to a deployed position within the outer shell, and a pusher plate assembly variably locked to an aft end of the outer shell. The pusher plate assembly includes a check valve disposed at an aft end of the pusher plate assembly, the check valve being moveable from a closed position to an open position. In the open position of the check valve, the check valve is configured to permit entry of a gunfire pressure, created in a barrel of a gun from which the extended range projectile is configured to be projected, into the pusher plate assembly such that, when the extended range projectile exits the barrel, the gunfire pressure moves the center projectile body from the stowed position to the deployed position and propels the extended range projectile.
Abstract:
A split-chord deployable wing for aerial vehicles such as missiles, UAVs, MALDs and SDBs that require both longer wing span and increased chord length. Such split-chord deployable wings must address unique problems such as synchronized deployment and integrity of the deployed wing to both vertical and sheer loads. Each wing comprises a pair of wing sections stowed fore and aft along the fuselage. Complementary gear teeth synchronize deployment of the wing sections. A deployment mechanism synchronizes deployment of the wings. Complementary tongue and groove surface portions of the wing sections progressive engage as the wing sections pivot away from the fuselage. The surface portions are segmented so that tongue segments are nested within complementary groove segments to provide both vertical and sheer stability.