IP Library Granted Patent US 8,825,231
Granted Patent B2
US 8,825,231 · App. 13/981,746 · Granted Sep 2, 2014

Method and system for piloting a flying craft with rear propulsion unit

Inventors: Paul Caye (Courdimanche, FR); James Caillaud (Maisons Lafitte, FR); Guillaume Laporte (Triel sur Seine, FR)
Assignee: Astrium SAS
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,825,231
App. No.
13/981,746
Granted
Sep 2, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method and system for piloting a craft with a rear propulsion unit are disclosed. The method can include a servo loop where the attitude (θ M ) of the craft ( 1 ) is measured in the vicinity of the rear end ( 1 R) of the craft, then the orientation (β) of the propulsion means ( 2 ), which can be oriented relative to the rear end ( 1 R), is adjusted as a function of the attitude measurement (θ M ) in such a way that the craft ( 1 ) is stabilized on its flight path.

Claims (7)

1. Method for piloting a flying craft ( 1 ) by propulsion unit configured to provide said flying craft with thrust, said propulsion unit configured to be oriented relative to the rear end ( 1 R) of said flying craft, according to which method, in accordance with a servo loop:

the attitude (θ M ) of said flying craft ( 1 ) is measured, and

the orientation (β) of said propulsion unit ( 2 ) is adjusted as a function of said attitude measurement (θ M ), in such a way as to stabilise said flying craft ( 1 ) on its flight path, wherein the attitude (θ M ) of said flying craft ( 1 ) is measured in the vicinity of said rear end ( 1 R), wherein, when adjusting the orientation (β) of said propulsion unit ( 2 ), angular (δθ M , δθ T T) and linear (δy M , δy T ) deformations at the rear end ( 1 R) of said flying craft ( 1 ) and at the location (M) of the attitude measurement (θ M ) are taken into account.

2. Method according to claim 1 , wherein the location (M) of the attitude measurement (θ M ) of said flying craft ( 1 ) is determined in such a way that, regardless of the deformation of said flying craft, the angular deformation (δθ M ) at the location (M) of said attitude measurement and the linear deformation (δy T T) at the rear end ( 1 R) of flying said craft are opposite signs.

3. Method according to claim 1 , wherein when, for a given deformation of said flying craft ( 1 ), the angular deformation (δθ M ) at the location (M) of the attitude measurement and the linear deformation (δy T ) at the rear end ( 1 R) of said flying craft are the same sign, the orientation (β) of the propulsion unit ( 2 ) is adjusted taking into account said sign.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the orientation (β) of said propulsion unit is adjusted relative to a longitudinal axis of said flying craft.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the angular orientation (β) of a longitudinal axis of said propulsion unit is adjusted relative to a longitudinal axis of said flying craft.

Assignments (4)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 19, 2019
From: AIRBUS SAFRAN LAUNCHERS SAS
To: ARIANEGROUP SAS
Reel/Frame 050083/0723 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 18, 2019
From: ASTRIUM SAS
To: AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE SAS
Reel/Frame 050083/0345 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 18, 2019
From: AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE SAS
To: AIRBUS SAFRAN LAUNCHERS SAS
Reel/Frame 050083/0896 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 25, 2013
From: CAYE, PAUL; CAILLAUD, JAMES; LAPORTE, GUILLAUME
To: ASTRIUM SAS
Reel/Frame 030877/0454 →
Priority Claims (1)
FR 11 00230 · Jan 26, 2011 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20130311010A1 · Nov 21, 2013