N101-096 TITLE: Non-Inductive Actuation Mechanisms to Reduce Interference with Magnetometer-Based Navigation

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Air Platform, Sensors, Weapons

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: FNC: EMW FY11-01 – Precision Urban Mortar Attack (PUMA)

OBJECTIVE: Demonstrate an inexpensive, non-inductive actuation mechanism that can be used in a canard actuation system (CAS) without adding noise or bias to the measurements of onboard magnetometers during guidance and fuzing operations of miniaturized precision munitions.

DESCRIPTION: Magnetometers are widely used as roll orientation and roll rate sensors for navigation systems. They are widely used in navigation because the earth’s magnetic field does not change over the wide range of operating conditions (including GPS jamming) that a guided munition would experience, and can provide an accurate roll orientation reference, and roll rate data. However, conventional canard and control surface actuators are inductive in nature (DC brushless motors, solenoids) and often will corrupt the output signal of the magnetometer, thus inducing error into the navigation solution. Traditionally these devices are either shielded or moved far away from the magnetometer to mitigate the effects. With the demand for smaller and smaller precision munitions (81mm, 60mm) it becomes infeasible to move the actuators far enough away from the sensors, and shielding takes up precious volume that is required for other components. Other actuation methods such as pneumatic and gas reservoir are infeasible due to the volume requirements for the reservoir.

PHASE I: Develop actuator design that includes specification of technology/phenomenology employed to facilitate non-interference, and provide estimates of SWAP and output.

PHASE II: Develop and demonstrate a prototype actuator in a laboratory environment. Conduct testing in a controlled magnetic environment to characterize non-interference performance. Conduct lab testing to show performance of adequate mechanical output for guided mortar applications.

PHASE III: This technology is expected to transition to the PUMA FNC and, if successful, may become an integral part of mortar guidance kits in development by the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Army.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: These actuators could be used in a variety of military and civilian automation, robotics, motion control, and navigation systems where it is advantageous to package magnetometers next to control actuators.

REFERENCES:
1. www.freepatentsonline.com/7532428.html

2. www.sae.org/technical/papers/1999-01-0730

3. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6TJJ-4S98V2W-D&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=e7503548f1b66b870b9bc3728999e481

KEYWORDS: actuators, magnetometer, sensors, precision, munitions, navigation, miniaturization, non-inductive

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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