Hierarchical closed-loop flow control system for aircraft, missiles and munitions

摘要

The present invention relates to a missile or aircraft with a hierarchical, modular, closed-loop flow control system and more particularly to aircraft or missile with a flow control system for enhanced aerodynamic control, maneuverability and stabilization. The present invention further relates to a method of operating the flow control system.;Various embodiments of the flow control system of the present invention involve different elements including flow sensors, active flow control device or activatable flow effectors and logic devices with closed loop control architecture. The sensors of these various embodiments are used to estimate or determine flow conditions on the various surfaces of a missile or aircraft. The active flow control device or activatable flow effectors of these various embodiments create on-demand flow disturbances, preferably micro-disturbances, at different points along the various aerodynamic surfaces of the missile or aircraft to achieve a desired stabilization or maneuverability effect. The logic devices are embedded with a hierarchical control structure allowing for rapid, real-time control at the flow surface.

主权项

1. A munition comprising:
a. an aerodynamic surface or surfaces, and a forebody and an aftbody; b. at least two air flow control zones each comprising a discrete area or region and an adjustable control surface on the aerodynamic surface or surfaces of the munition, at least one of the at least two air flow control zones being on the forebody of the munition, the at least one air flow control zone on the forebody comprising at least one activatable canard as the control surface capable of being activated and controlled, wherein the at least one activatable canard is deactivated when the activatable canard is flush or nearly flush to the aerodynamic surface or surfaces of the munition on or in which the activatable flow effector is located; and c. one or more digital logic devices, the digital logic devices having a separate local, closed loop control system for adjusting the control surface in each flow control zone, a first local, closed loop control system for activating and controlling the at least one activatable canard to, in part, maneuver the munition, and a global control system to coordinate the local control systems.