US 7,357,684 B2
Control system for a linear propulsor array
Carl Phillip Gusler, Austin, Tex. (US)
Assigned to International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, N.Y. (US)
Filed on Feb. 03, 2005, as Appl. No. 11/50,594.
Prior Publication US 2006/0173589 A1, Aug. 03, 2006
Int. Cl. B63H 1/37 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 440—16  [180/7.1; 244/219; 416/83] 1 Claim
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A control system for an array of propulsors, wherein each propulsor comprises a primary actuator and a bar having a control tip, the array of propulsors aligned so that the control tips of the propulsors form a substantially continuous control surface, the control system composing:
an internal sensor;
an external sensor;
a gate coupled to each primary actuator; and
a primary processor for generating guidance, navigation, and operation command signals;
an actuator processor for determining a wave shape that is appropriate for any guidance, navigation, or operation command signal generated by the primary processor, and for responding to sensor input to open and close each gate so that the actuators cause the control tips to move, thereby generating the appropriate wave shape on the control surface.