1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to ballistic projectiles, and more particularly, to a device and method that facilitate maneuverability of ballistic projectiles.
2. Description of Related Art
Mortar shells are barrel-launched ballistic projectiles that are typically used for military applications. The efficacy of the mortar shell typically depends upon the maximum accuracy and range the mortar shell provides. The accuracy of the mortar shell is affected by the atmospheric conditions that the mortar shell experiences during the flight path of the mortar shell. Such atmospheric conditions may include turbulence or unsteady winds that may cause the mortar shell to diverge from its intended flight path. Mortar shells are typically used in situations where the atmospheric conditions are unpredictable; therefore, compensating for these conditions prior to launching of the mortar shell may be difficult. Furthermore, mortar shells are typically rigid projectiles that are not capable of adjusting their trajectory during flight to compensate for atmospheric conditions.
The range of the mortar shell is affected by the amount of charge used to launch the mortar shell and the angle at which the mortar shell is launched. Mortar shells are typically launched by a propelling charge, which is provided either with the mortar shell or is provided separately during the loading of the mortar shell. The range of a mortar shell launched with separately provided charge can be controlled by the amount of charge provided. However, once the mortar shell has been launched, no additional propellant is typically provided; therefore, the range of the mortar shell is dependent upon the amount of charge used and/or the angle at which the mortar shell was launched. It should be noted that every mortar shell and/or launch device defines a maximum amount of charge that it can withstand, thus limiting the maximum range of the mortar shell. Accordingly, the accuracy and range of a mortar shell are limited.
A need exists for a mortar shell that is maneuverable during the flight path of the mortar shell to increase the accuracy and range of the mortar shell. Such a device advantageously could be used with existing mortar shell designs and launch devices.
A ring tail is provided according to the present invention for maneuvering a mortar shell during the flight path of the mortar shell. The ring tail is joined to an aft section of the mortar shell, and it extends aftward after the mortar shell has been launched to aerodynamically control the launched mortar shell. The orientation of the ring tail is advantageously adjusted during the flight path to compensate for atmospheric conditions or other undesirable affects that diminish accuracy and to provide additional lift for improved range capability. The ring tail is also capable of being mounted to existing mortar shell designs, even retrofitted to existing mortar shells, and may be used with existing launch devices.
According to the present invention, a ring tail that is joined to a ballistic projectile, such as a mortar shell, comprises a ring member having a wall with a forward end and an aft end. The wall advantageously defines a generally cylindrical wall. One embodiment comprises a plurality of generally radially oriented panels that are joined to an outer surface of the generally cylindrical wall. A still further embodiment of the present invention comprises a second ring member joined to a distal end of the panels such that the two ring members are coaxial to provide further aerodynamic control of the mortar shell.
At least one rod joins the ring tail to the aft section of the mortar shell. The rod has a length that is measured from the forward portion of the rod attached to the mortar shell to an aft portion of the rod attached to the ring member. Advantageously, the rod comprises a compressed coil rod or a telescoping rod. The ring tail also comprises an actuation device that adjusts the length of the rod during the flight path of the mortar shell to thereby maneuver the mortar shell.
A method is also provided according to the present invention for maneuvering a ballistic projectile during the flight path of the ballistic projectile. After the ballistic projectile has been launched, at least one rod that joins a ring member to the ballistic projectile is extended in an aftward direction so that the ring member is located a distance from the aft section of the ballistic projectile. The length of the at least one rod is then adjusted to move the ring member relative to the ballistic projectile and to provide aerodynamic control so that the ballistic projectile may be maneuvered.
Therefore, embodiments of the present invention facilitate maneuverability of a ballistic projectile, such as a mortar shell, during the flight path of the ballistic projectile. This maneuverability provides for improved accuracy and range of the ballistic projectile. Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention may be used with existing mortar shell designs and launch devices.
Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
With reference to
The mortar shell 10 of
The ring tail 20 of
The ring tail 20 of the present invention also comprises at least one rod 30 that joins the ring member 22 to the mortar shell 10. In particular, the ring tail 20 of
Each rod 30 has a forward portion 32 structured and arranged for joining to an aft section 14 of the mortar shell 10. The rods 30 of the illustrated embodiment are joined with a pin device 34 that allows each rod to pivot about the pinned forward end 32. The forward portion 32 of the rod 30 generally comprises the forward section of the rod such that the pin device 34 may be located at any position along the forward section of the rod. The pin device 34 advantageously defines a lock pin that is locked into an aperture in the mortar shell 10, wherein the aperture is structured and arranged for receiving the lock pin. Further embodiments of the present invention may include alternative pin devices or may include alternative devices for joining the rod to the mortar shell, such as a ball joint to list one non-limiting example. Alternative devices for joining the rod to the mortar shell may also include additional components, such as a ring that rigidly joins the perimeter of the mortar shell, to list another non-limiting example.
Each rod 30 also has an aft portion 36 that is joined to the forward end 24 of the ring member 22 of the ring tail 20. The aft portion 36 of the rod 30 generally comprises the aft section of the rod such that the ring member 22 may be joined at any position along the aft section of the rod. It should be appreciated that even though the forward portions 32 and aft portions 36 of the rods 30 are generally the forward and aft sections, respectively, the forward portion that is joined to the aft section of the mortar shell need only be forward of the section of the rod that is joined to the forward end of the ring tail. The aft portion 36 of the rod 30 advantageously comprises a ball joint device 38 that joins the rod to the ring member 22 and provides for ball joint-type action of the ring member relative to the rod. Further embodiments of the present invention may include alternative devices for joining the rod to the ring member and may also provide for various types of relative motion between the rod and ring member.
The rod 30 has a length as measured between the forward portion 32 and the aft portion 36, such that the length is measured from the point where the forward portion joins the aft section 14 of the mortar shell 10, and the point where the aft portion joins the forward end 24 of the ring member 22. For the ring tail 20 of
The rods 30 of
The telescoping rods 30 of
The length of the rod 30 is adjusted with an actuation device operably joined to the rod. The actuation device 39 is advantageously an electromechanical linear actuator; however, further embodiments of the present invention may comprise alternative actuation devices, such as an electrical linear actuator, a mechanical linear actuator, or non-linear actuation devices, to list a few non-limiting examples. The actuation device 39 is joined to at least one rod 30 to be in mechanical communication with the rod to adjust the length of the rod by moving the forward portion of the rod and/or the aft portion of the rod relative to one another. The actuation device 39 is advantageously mounted within the rod 30, as shown in
Referring again to
The ring member 22 of the illustrated embodiments may be manufactured as a unitized structure typically of high temperature steel. The first ring member 22, the generally radially oriented panels 40, and the second ring member 42 may all comprise a unitized structure of high temperature steel, wherein the various components are joined by welding, forming, fastening, or the like to list non-limiting examples, such that the ring member defines a unitized structure. In further embodiments of the present invention, the ring member 22 may comprise a unitized structure of composite material. Still further embodiments of the present invention may comprise alternative materials suitable to withstand the launching of the mortar shell and robust enough to undergo the forces generated during the flight path.
The mortar shell 10 of
The data determined by the guidance sensor 44 is advantageously used by the ring tail 20 to determine the amount of forces required to maneuver the mortar shell to compensate for atmospheric conditions, such as turbulence, or to increase the range of the mortar shell. These determinations are generally made instantaneously so that the ring tail 20 is capable of adjusting the length of the at least one rod 30 to generate the desired forces to maneuver the mortar shell 10. Advantageously, the lengths of two or more rods 30 are adjusted to provide greater changes in orientation of the ring tail 20, as in
The ring tail 20 of the mortar shell 10 of
The ring tail 20 of the present invention is advantageously structured and arranged for joining to a ballistic projectile, such as a mortar shell 10, without requiring significant design changes for the ballistic projectile. This compatibility between the ring tail 20 of the present invention allows the ring tail to be used in existing launch devices with existing mortar shells 10, or other ballistic projectiles, and also permits the ring tail to be retrofitted onto existing mortar shells.
Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
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