Patent Application
20100282892
The present invention generally relates to exoatmospheric kill vehicles, and more particularly relates to a control system for an exoatmospheric kill vehicle.
Missile defense systems have been under development by the world's leading military powers since the latter part of the 20th century. One category of such defense systems is designed to target and intercept strategic missiles, such as intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), often in exoatmospheric environments (i.e., very high altitudes).
One method for disabling such an object involves ramming a payload into it without making use of any explosive devices (i.e., using only the force of impact). These payloads are sometimes referred to as “exoatmospheric kill vehicles (EKVs)” or “kinetic kill vehicles (KKVs)” and are typically deployed by ground-based missile systems. Once deployed, EKVs may utilize on-board sensors and electrical systems, in combination with multiple sets of thrusters, to both stabilize the kill vehicle and to alter the trajectory thereof. Due to the high speeds at which the EKV and the target are traveling (e.g., several miles per second), maintaining precise control of the vehicle is essential.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an improved control system for an EKV (or other maneuverable kill vehicle). Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the invention and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background of the invention.
A control system for a maneuverable kill vehicle is provided. The control system includes a pressurized fluid source configured to provide a pressurized fluid, a valve in fluid communication with the pressurized fluid source, and a voice coil actuator comprising a magnet and a conductive coil oriented relative to the magnet such that when current flows through the coil, the coil moves relative to the magnet, wherein the voice coil actuator is coupled to the valve such that said relative movement of the coil causes an adjustment in a flow rate of the pressurized fluid through the valve.
A control system for a maneuverable kill vehicle is provided. The control system includes a pressurized fluid source configured to provide a pressurized fluid, a valve in fluid communication with the pressurized fluid source, and a voice coil actuator. The voice coil actuator includes a magnet assembly having first and second magnets, each having first and second poles, and being arranged such that the first poles of the first and second magnets are positioned substantially between the second poles of the first and second magnets, and first and second conductive coil portions oriented relative to the magnet assembly such that when current flows through the coil portions, the coil portions move relative to the magnet assembly. The voice coil is coupled to the valve such that said relative movement of the coil portions causes an adjustment in a flow rate of the pressurized fluid through the valve.
A maneuverable kill vehicle is provided. The maneuverable kill vehicle includes a frame, a pressurized fluid source connected to the frame configured to provide a pressurized fluid, a plurality of valves in fluid communication with the pressurized fluid source, a plurality of voice coil actuators, each comprising a magnet and a conductive coil oriented relative to the magnet such that when current flows through the coil, the coil moves relative to the magnet, wherein each of the voice coil actuators is coupled to a respective valve such that the relative movement of the coil causes an adjustment in a flow rate of the pressurized fluid through the respective valve, and a controller in operable communication with the voice coil actuators and configured to selectively cause the current to flow through the coils of the voice coil actuators.
The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, and brief summary or the following detailed description. It should also be noted that
The pressurized fluid system 18 is located near a central portion of the body 12 and is configured to provide a pressurized fluid to the divert and ACS thruster systems 20 and 22. In one embodiment, the pressurized fluid system 18 includes a solid propellant gas generator (e.g., a solid rocket fuel or propellant engine). In another embodiment, the fluid system includes a container of an inert, pressurized gas, such as nitrogen. Although shown in
The divert thruster system 20 is located near the central portion of the body 12 and includes four divert thruster assemblies 30, located at respective top, bottom, and lateral sides of the body 12. Each of the thruster assemblies include a divert thruster valve 32 and a divert thruster nozzle 34. The divert thruster valves 32 are in fluid communication with the fluid source 18 through an array of fluid conduits 36 and are operable between “open” and “closed” modes to control the flow of the pressurized fluid through the divert nozzle thruster nozzles 34 to the exterior of the vehicle 10. The divert thruster nozzles 34 are arranged such that central axes 37 thereof are substantially perpendicular to and intersect a primary axis 38 of the body 12 (e.g., a roll axis of the vehicle 10).
Referring now to
The magnet assembly 64 is connected to the casing 62 at one end thereof and is sized such that a gap 72 lies between a remainder of the magnet assembly 64, including a periphery thereof and the opposing end. The magnet assembly 64 includes first and second magnets 74 and 76 and first and second ferromagnetic members 78 and 80, all of which are symmetric about the actuator axis 70. The first and second magnets 74 and 76 are substantially in the shape of a disc and have a thickness (as measured along the actuator axis 70) that decreases as the magnets 74 and 76 extend away from the actuator axis 70. As such, a distance between the first and second magnets 74 and 76 increases with distance from the actuator axis 70. The magnets 74 and 76 each have first (N) and second (S) poles and are arranged such that the second poles (S) of the two magnets 74 and 76 lie on opposing sides of the first poles (N). That is, in the depicted embodiment, the first poles (N) of the magnets 74 and 76 “face” each other. It should be understood however that in other embodiments the magnets 74 and 76 may be arranged differently, such as by having the second poles (S) positioned between the first poles (N).
The ferromagnetic members 78 and 80 are also disc-shaped but have a thickness that increases as the ferromagnetic members 78 and 80 extend away from the axis. As such, a distance between the first and second ferromagnetic members 78 and 80 decreases with distance from the actuator axis 70. As shown in
As illustrated specifically in
Referring again to
Still referring to
As shown in
Referring again to
Although not specifically shown, the navigation system 26 includes multiple gyroscopes and accelerometers configured to detect changes in angular orientation and acceleration, respectively, in three dimensions. The navigation system 26 also includes one of more receivers for receiving data (e.g., commands and positional data) from various sources, such as ground-based and satellite-based transmitters.
The electronic control system (or controller) 28 may be in the form of a computer, or computing system, having a memory (i.e., computer-readable medium) for storing a set of instructions (i.e., software) and a processing system, including various circuitry and/or integrated circuits, such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), discrete logic, microprocessors, microcontrollers, and digital signal processors (DSPs), connected to the memory for executing the instructions, as is commonly understood in the art. The instructions stored within the control system 28 may include the methods and processes for controlling the vehicle 10 as described below. Although not shown, the electronic control system 28 includes a power supply, which may be any one of various types of variable direct current (DC) power supplies. The electronic control system 28 (and/or the power supply) is electrically connected to, or in operable communication with, the divert thruster valves 32 (i.e., the actuators contained therein), the ACS thruster actuators 44 (i.e., the first and second coil portions 86 and 88), the sensor array 24, and the navigation system 26.
Although not shown, the vehicle 10 may also include a propulsion thruster and associated valve at the aft end thereof, which is in fluid communication with the pressurized fluid supply 18.
In operation, the vehicle 10 may be deployed into an exoatmospheric environment by a suitable delivery system (e.g., a rocket). Once deployed, the vehicle 10 receives data and commands through the navigation system 26, which the electronic control system 28 uses to selectively activate the divert and ACS thruster systems 20 and 22. When activated, the divert thruster assemblies 30 cause the pressurized fluid to be evacuated from the vehicle 10, typically in relative short bursts. The divert thruster assemblies 30 are configured such that the bursts of fluid therefrom cause a relative large force to be applied to the vehicle 10 to adjust the trajectory of the vehicle 10.
In response to slight, undesired variations in the trajectory of the vehicle 10 (e.g., as detected by the gyroscopes and accelerometers in the navigation system 26), the electronic control system 28 may selectively activate the ACS thruster assemblies 40 as described to stabilize the vehicle 10 (e.g., stop the vehicle 10 from tumbling and/or spinning, as well as orientate it such that it is pointed towards the desired target).
Referring to
Referring now to
As a result, pressurized fluid is allowed to pass through the valve body 48 and be evacuated through the ACS thruster nozzle 46. The ACS thruster assemblies 40 (and the associated pressurized fluid source) are configured such that the bursts of fluid therefrom cause relatively small force to be applied to the vehicle 10 to make slight adjustments to and stabilize the vehicle 10. When the control system 28 deactivates the flow of current through the coil portions 86 and 88, the spring member 90 presses the bobbin 66 back into the pre-loaded position, and thus the valve member 50 returns to the first position, as shown in
One advantage of the control system described above is that the valve member is in a fixed position relative to the moveable portion (e.g., the bobbin) of the actuator. This, when combined with the fact that the valve member moves only a small distance (e.g., several thousandths of an inch) within the valve body, results in extremely precise control of the ACS thruster assemblies (particularly when used with a pintle valve). Additionally, the lack any sort of gearing assembly between the bobbin and the valve member eliminates backlash and compliance from the system, thereby improving position control and system reliability and reducing the cost of the vehicle.
While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that various changes can be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims and the legal equivalents thereof.
