초록

A projectile is guided by employing heat, generated from the aerodynamic heating of a surface of the projectile while the projectile is in flight, to vaporize a material stored within the projectile. The resulting gas is used to guide the projectile.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method for guiding a projectile, comprising: employing heat, generated from the aerodynamic heating of an exterior surface of the projectile while the projectile is in flight, to vaporize a material stored within an inner chamber of the projectile that is adjacent to the exterior surface of the

1. A method for guiding a projectile, comprising: employing heat, generated from the aerodynamic heating of an exterior surface of the projectile while the projectile is in flight, to vaporize a material stored within an inner chamber of the projectile that is adjacent to the exterior surface of the projectile, the exterior surface of the projectile sealing the inner chamber from the external environment surrounding the projectile; andutilizing a gas generated by the vaporization of the material to guide the projectile. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the material stored within the projectile is selected from the group consisting of a solid, a liquid, and a wax. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the material stored within the projectile is a solid that is vaporized by sublimation. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the material stored within the projectile is a liquid that is vaporized by boiling. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the material stored within the projectile is a perfluorinated hydrocarbon in its solid phase. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the material stored within the projectile is non-corrosive and non-explosive. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the gas is used to pneumatically actuate aerodynamic surfaces to guide the projectile. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the gas is expelled from the projectile to guide the projectile. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the projectile comprises a military warhead. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the projectile is selected from the group consisting of a missile, a rocket, a gun-launched projectile, a re-entry vehicle, and an aircraft. 11. The method of claim 1 further comprising exposing the projectile to an electromagnetic field to accelerate the vaporization of the material. 12. A projectile, comprising: a material stored within an inner chamber of the projectile that is adjacent to an exterior surface of the projectile, the material being vaporizable by heat generated from the aerodynamic heating of the exterior surface of the projectile while the projectile is in flight, the exterior surface of the projectile sealing the inner chamber from the external environment surrounding the projectile; andmeans for utilizing a gas generated by the vaporization of the material to guide the projectile. 13. The projectile of claim 12, wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of a solid, a liquid, and a wax. 14. The projectile of claim 12, wherein the material is a solid and the inner chamber stores and compresses the gas, the gas generated by subliming the solid. 15. The projectile of claim 12, wherein the material is a liquid and the inner chamber stores and compresses the gas, the gas generated by boiling the liquid. 16. The projectile of claim 12, wherein the material is a perfluorinated hydrocarbon in its solid phase. 17. The projectile of claim 12, wherein the material is non-corrosive and non-explosive. 18. The projectile of claim 12, wherein the means for utilizing the gas to guide the projectile comprises a pneumatic actuator for actuating an aerodynamic surface of the projectile. 19. The projectile of claim 12, wherein the means for utilizing the gas to guide the projectile comprises a nozzle for expelling the gas from the projectile. 20. The projectile of claim 12, wherein the material absorbs heat to protect heat sensitive components internal to the projectile. 21. The projectile of claim 12 further comprising a military warhead. 22. The projectile of claim 12, wherein the projectile is selected from the group consisting of a missile, a rocket, a gun-launched projectile, a re-entry vehicle, and an aircraft. 23. The projectile of claim 12 further comprising, in proximity to the material, a resistive element for accelerating the vaporization of the material. 24. The projectile of claim 12, wherein the material is selected to protect shock sensitive components internal to the projectile from launch and acceleration environments. 25. A guidance-control system, comprising: a material stored within an inner chamber of the guidance-control system that is adjacent to an exterior surface of the guidance-control system, the material being vaporizable by heat generated from the aerodynamic heating of the exterior surface of the guidance-control system while the guidance-control system is in flight, the exterior surface of the guidance-control system sealing the inner chamber from the external environment surrounding the guidance-control system; andmeans for utilizing a gas generated by the vaporization of the material to guide a projectile. 26. A method for guiding a projectile, comprising: employing heat, generated from the aerodynamic heating of an exterior surface of the projectile while the projectile is in flight, to precipitate a phase change for a material stored within an inner chamber of the projectile that is adjacent to the exterior surface of the projectile, the exterior surface of the projectile sealing the inner chamber from the external environment surrounding the projectile;maintaining, for a period of time, the material at a temperature and pressure where gas, liquid, and solid phases of the material coexist in thermodynamic equilibrium;thereafter, reducing a pressure exerted on the material to generate a gas; andutilizing the gas to guide the projectile.