Modular expandable tube assembly and launch system
AssigneeRaytheon Company
InventorsPhilip A. Bies, Ryan K. McLean
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tube launch system is used for launching payloads from a platform and includes at least one tube launch section that is removably mounted to the platform, a plurality of powered wheels that are electrically powered and arranged in the tube launch section for propelling the payloads through the tube launch section, and a power source configured to operate the powered wheels. The tube launch system may include a magazine having an endless conveyor and powered magazine wheels that are engageable with the payloads to move the payloads from the endless conveyor to the tube launch section.
Claims20
A tube launch system for launching payloads from a platform, the tube launch system comprising:
- at least one tube launch section that is removably mounted to the platform, wherein the at least one tube launch section includes a plurality of tube launch sections that are removably connected to each other one after another in an axial direction;
- a plurality of powered wheels that are electrically powered and arranged in each of the plurality of tube launch sections for directly engaging the payloads to propel the payloads through the plurality of tube launch sections;
- and
- a power source configured to operate the powered wheels.
A tube launch system for launching payloads from a platform, the tube launch system comprising:
- at least one tube launch section that is removably mounted to the platform;
- a plurality of powered wheels that are electrically powered and arranged in the tube launch section for directly engaging the payloads to propel the payloads through the at least one tube launch section;
- a power source configured to operate the powered wheels;
- and
- a plurality of unpowered wheels that are axially spaced from the powered wheels.
A tube launch system for launching payloads from a platform, the tube launch system comprising:
- at least one tube launch section that is removably mounted to the platform;
- a plurality of powered wheels that are electrically powered and arranged in the at least one tube launch section for directly engaging the payloads to propel the payloads through the at least one tube launch section;
- a power source configured to operate the powered wheels;
- and
- at least one magazine arranged adjacent the at least one tube launch section for storing the payloads and feeding the payloads to the at least one tube launch section, wherein the at least one magazine includes an endless conveyor and a plurality of powered magazine wheels that are electrically powered and engageable with the payloads to move the payloads from the endless conveyor to the at least one tube launch section.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.