Device for projectile control

Abstract

A device for controlling one or more of the flight parameters of a projectile: speed, spin, pitch and yaw. The invention discloses a novel approach to controlling these parameters by rotating or extruding a surface out from the body of the projectile in a plane normal to the length of the projectile. The specific shape, thickness, and degree of surface exposure would be determined by the specific application and aerodynamic analysis.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A device for controlling the flight parameters of a projectile comprising: 
 a housing unit initially containing the components of the device;    a means for integrating the housing unit with the projectile;    at least one moveable aerodynamic surface incorporated within the housing unit; and    a means for rotating the surface from a stowed position inside the housing unit to an extended position outside the housing unit and outside the body of the projectile, with the rotation being in a plane normal to the long axis of the projectile.    
     
     
         2 . The device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the means for rotating allows the surface to be selectively positioned in a plurality of positions between stowed and fully extended.  
     
     
         3 . The device as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the means for rotating allows for continuous adjustments to the position of the surface within the range of allowable movements.  
     
     
         4 . The device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the means for rotating allows for the selection of any position on a continuum between stowed and fully extended.  
     
     
         5 . The device as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the means for rotating allows for continuous adjustments to the position of the surface within the range of allowable movements.  
     
     
         6 . The device as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a means for altering the shape of the surface.  
     
     
         7 . The device as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a means for adjusting the position of the surface such that the surface is outside a plane normal to the length of the projectile.  
     
     
         8 . A device for controlling the flight parameters of a projectile comprising: 
 a housing unit initially containing the components of the device;    a means for integrating the housing unit with the projectile;    at least one moveable aerodynamic surface incorporated within the housing unit; and    a means for radially extruding the surface from a stowed position inside the housing unit to an extended position outside the housing unit and outside the body of the projectile, with the extrusion being in a plane normal to the long axis of the projectile.    
     
     
         9 . The device as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the means for extruding allows the surface to be selectively positioned in a plurality of positions between stowed and fully extended.  
     
     
         10 . The device as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the means for extruding allows for continuous adjustments to the position of the surface within the range of allowable movements.  
     
     
         11 . The device as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the means for extruding allows for the selection of any position on a continuum between stowed and fully extended.  
     
     
         12 . The device as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the means for extruding allows for continuous adjustments to the position of the surface within the range of allowable movements.  
     
     
         13 . The device as set forth in  claim 8 , further comprising a means for altering the shape of the surface.  
     
     
         14 . The device as set forth in  claim 8 , further comprising a means for adjusting the position of the surface such that the surface is outside a plane normal to the length of the projectile.