Supercavitating vehicle control

Abstract

A control system for a supercavitating vehicle includes a set of winglets for rapid maneuverability and a segmented ring wing for fine stabilization control. The winglets and ring wing extend from an aft portion of the vehicle. The winglets are supported by a strut attached to the vehicle. The angle of attack of each winglet into the water adjacent the cavity is controlled by a winglet actuator. The winglet assembly may be extended into the water or retracted to be completely within the cavity by means of a spring-loaded actuated mount. The segmented ring wing is controlled by a ring actuator. The ring actuator may be used to control the angle of attack of the ring wing. Alternately, or in combination, the flow over the ring wing may be neutralized by using the cavitator of the vehicle to globally enlarge the cavity and thus limit the flow.

Description

STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTEREST[0001]The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.CROSS REFERENCE TO OTHER PATENT APPLICATIONS[0002]Not applicable.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003](1) Field of the Invention[0004]The present invention relates to vehicle control systems and methods and more specifically to systems and methods for controlling a trajectory of a supercavitating vehicle.[0005](2) Description of the Prior Art[0006]There exists a need for reducing drag in underwater vehicles, such as torpedoes, so as to enhance their speed, reliability and stealthy operation. For a nominally streamlined, fully wetted underwater vehicle, 80% of the overall drag is skin friction drag. The remaining drag is pressure or blockage drag.[0007]Some investigations into reducing the drag of high-speed, underwater vehicles have focused attention on...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016]The segmented ring wing is controlled by one or more ring actuators. The dynamic effects of the ring wing may be neutralized by using the cavitator of the vehicle to globally enlarge the cavity and thus limit the flow over the ring wing. Alternately, or in combination, the ring actuator may be used to control the angle of attack of the ring wing. Thus, fine stabilization control is conducted by the wing ring and rapid maneuverability is obtained by the winglets.

[0020]In another variation, ring struts each may have a first end connected to the vehicle and a distal end pivotally connected to one of the segments of the ring wing. Ring actuators each may be connected to one of the ring struts and a corresponding one of the segments. Operation of a ring actuator may pivot the corresponding segment about the distal end of the ring strut to adjust the angle of attack of the corresponding segment in the cavity. Each ring actuator is biased to adjust the angle of attack of the corresponding segment to provide steady lift.

Problems solved by technology

However, if the speed of the vehicle is not sufficiently fast, the vapor cavity may collapse about the trailing portions of the vehicle.

However, the existing system of aft vehicle control produces considerable parasitic drag.

In addition, such systems create continuous low frequency oscillations that result in intermittent banging of the tail surface on the air-water interface.

The banging results in structural vibration, which increases the noise emanating from the vehicle and thereby decreases the overall stealth of the vehicle.

Images