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:
Mar. 10, 2015
Filed:
Aug. 09, 2012
Thomas A. Black, Tucson, AZ (US);
David J. Reyes, Tucson, AZ (US);
Robert W. Von Mayr, Sahuarita, AZ (US);
Erik A. Fjerstad, Tucson, AZ (US);
John D. Willems, Tucson, AZ (US);
Thomas A. Black, Tucson, AZ (US);
David J. Reyes, Tucson, AZ (US);
Robert W. Von Mayr, Sahuarita, AZ (US);
Erik A. Fjerstad, Tucson, AZ (US);
John D. Willems, Tucson, AZ (US);
Raytheon Company, Waltham, MA (US);
Abstract
By removing the aerodynamic fin forces from the fin lock mechanism, achieved by actuating the fin control system to apply a controlled force that counters the aerodynamic forces acting on the control fins, the system can reduce the transmission of aerodynamic forces onto the fin lock mechanism, which makes the fin lock mechanism easier to unlock with less force. Accordingly, a method for unlocking a fin lock mechanism that releasably holds one or more missile control fins in a locked position, where the control fins are prevented from rotating, includes the steps of (i) applying an alternating positive and negative rotational force to a control fin; (ii) monitoring the position of the control fin during the applying step; and (iii) while the position of the control fin does not exceed a predetermined value, repeating the applying step for a predetermined number of times or for a predetermined period.