Patent attributes
A fin deployment system for a projectile is provided, the fin deployment system defining a longitudinal axis and including: an actuator plate, a first mechanical stop arrangement, an actuation assembly, a plurality of fin assemblies, and a second mechanical stop arrangement. The actuator plate is pivotable from a first pivot position to a second pivot position about the longitudinal axis. The first mechanical stop arrangement is configured for initially locking the actuator plate at the first pivot position, and for selectively unlocking the actuator plate from the first pivot position responsive to an actuating force, to thereby allow the actuator plate to pivot to the second pivot position. The actuation assembly is for selectively applying the actuating force to the first mechanical stop arrangement, to thereby unlock the actuator plate from the first pivot position. Each fin assembly includes a fin pivotable from a stowed position to a deployed position about a respective fin hinge defining a respective deployment axis, each fin assembly forming a kinematic pair with the actuator plate such that the pivoting of the actuator plate between the first pivot position and the second pivot position, and the pivoting of each fin from the respective the stowed position to the respective the deployed position, are concurrent. The second mechanical stop arrangement is for locking the fin assemblies in the respective deployed positions responsive to the actuator plate pivoting from the first pivot position to the second pivot position.
