US4383661A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flight control system for a remote-controlled missile
Assignee: Thales SA
•
Filing: 1980-06-23
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Granted: 1983-05-17
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Expires: 2000-06-23
Abstract
Abstract A ground station forming part of a system for controlling the flight of a missile comprises two cascaded computers, the first of these computers generating guidance instructions on the basis of initially available data while the second computer converts these instructions into control signals transmitted to the missile. A receiver aboard the missile translates these control signals into operating commands for missile-borne actuators affecting its course, e.g. motors controlling yaw and pitch through the positioning of aerodynamic surfaces; the responses of the actuators to the operating commands are monitored by negative-feedback loops including error-correcting networks.
Inventors
- 👤 Philippe Ottenheimer
- 👤 Pierre Haon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 09:03
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41G; F41G7/00; F41G7/20; F41G7/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A system for controlling the flight of a missile provided with actuators affecting its course, comprising: a ground section including a first computer supplying guidance instructions on the basis of initial data available at launching time, a second computer receiving said guidance instructions from said first computer and converting same into control signals for the actuators aboard the missile, and transmission means connected to said second computer for sending out said control signals; receiving means aboard the missile in radio communication with said transmission means for detecting said control signals; and circuit means aboard the missile connected to said receiving means for translating said control signals into operating commands for said actuators.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
112 words
A system for controlling the flight of a missile provided with actuators affecting its course, comprising: a ground section including a first computer supplying guidance instructions on the basis of initial data available at launching time, a second computer receiving said guidance instructions from said first computer and converting same into control signals for the actuators aboard the missile, and transmission means connected to said second computer for sending out said control signals; receiving means aboard the missile in radio communication with said transmission means for detecting said control signals; and circuit means aboard the missile connected to said receiving means for translating said control signals into operating commands for said actuators.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said circuit means comprises a negative-feedback loop including an error-correcting network and a subtractor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system as defined in claim 1 or 2 wherein said circuit means includes a distributor separating said control signals into yaw-control and pitch-control signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system as defined in claim 3 wherein said distributor comprises a resolver connected to a roll gyro for adapting said yaw-control and pitch-control signals to a co-ordinate system tied to the position of the missile.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as defined in claim 1 or 2 wherein said actuators have aerodynamic surfaces positionable by motor means responsive to said operating commands.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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FR2129948B1
Cited
US4097007A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-05-16 | 1986-11-15 | 1987-05-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-05-16 | 1990-11-15 | 1991-05-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-05-16 | 1994-11-15 | 1995-05-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |