The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 02, 2011
Filed:
Sep. 08, 2010
Robert S. Brinkerhoff, Tucson, AZ (US);
Michael J. Mahnken, Oro Valley, AZ (US);
Richard D. Loehr, Tucson, AZ (US);
James M. Cook, Tucson, AZ (US);
Robert S. Brinkerhoff, Tucson, AZ (US);
Michael J. Mahnken, Oro Valley, AZ (US);
Richard D. Loehr, Tucson, AZ (US);
James M. Cook, Tucson, AZ (US);
Raytheon Company, Waltham, MA (US);
Abstract
A reliable and inexpensive attitude control system uses a plurality of pitch-over thrusters to perform rapid and precise attitude maneuvers for a flight vehicle. The pitch-over thrusters create rotational moments that directly pitch and yaw the flight vehicle. The use of very simple thrusters and control techniques provides for a reliable and cost effective solution. The ability to perform overlapping pitch and yaw maneuvers with single-shot fixed-impulse thrusters provides for high-speed maneuverability. Although this approach is applicable to provide attitude control for any flight vehicle including all types of missiles, kill-vehicles and space craft, it is particularly applicable for smaller highly maneuverable cost-constrained missile systems. One such system is an 'Active Protection System' or APS in which a missile system is integrated with a vehicle such as a HumVee or armored personnel carrier to provide defensive counter-measures against possible attack.