Vehicle Steering Device.

Abstract

This patent application discloses a vehicle steering device that can be joined to any air-dropped, free-falling component and steers that component directly down to a pre-determined location on the earth's surface. The device is comprised of an aerodynamically-shaped housing that is joined to the front of the component, and which carries orientation means in a nose portion, high-density gravity-reaction means, and steering fins rotatably joined thereto. After the combination is dropped, at a pre-determined altitude and airspeed, the orientation means causes it to assume the most efficient aerodynamic position and then the gravity-reaction means forces the nose, which is joined to and leads the component, to dive into the earth. The reaction means are connected to the fins and force a controlled and predictable descent.

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 03, 1990
Accession Number
ADD014861

Entities

People

  • Bruce W. Travor
  • Roger A. Holler

Organizations

  • United States Department of the Navy

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Airspeed
  • Altitude
  • Direction Finding
  • High Density
  • Navigation
  • Orientation (Direction)
  • Patent Applications
  • Patents
  • Physical Properties
  • Position Finding
  • Steering

Readers

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Logistics and Supply Chain Management.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.