Systems and methods for ejecting a store from an aircraft

A system for ejecting a store from an aircraft, the system comprising:

• a stowage tube configured to retain the store, wherein the stowage tube includes an open rear end;
• a door panel coupled to the stowage tube;
• an actuator driven linkage coupled to the door panel, wherein the actuator driven linkage is configured to rotate the door panel about a pivot axis at a forward edge opposite from an aft end between a closed position associated with a stowed position of the system and an open position associated with a deployed position of the system, and wherein the stowage tube is configured to rearwardly eject the store out of the open rear end when the system is in the deployed position, an ejector valve in fluid communication with a chamber having a piston, wherein the piston is configured to engage the store, and wherein the ejector valve provides pressurized fluid to move the piston to eject the store when the system is in the deployed position, wherein the ejector valve comprises:
• a poppet valve;
• and
• a regulating orifice sized to controllably regulate flow of the pressurized fluid to cause an applied force to the piston to increase with stroke, wherein the piston is configured to impart an end-of-stroke velocity to the store.

A method for ejecting a store from an aircraft, the method comprising:

• retaining a store within a stowage tube having an open rear end, wherein the stowage tube is mounted on a door panel;
• rotating the door panel, by an actuator driven linkage coupled to the door panel, about a pivot axis at a forward edge opposite from an aft end between a closed position associated with a stowed position of the system and an open position associated with a deployed position of the system;
• engaging the store with a piston disposed within a chamber that is in communication with an ejector valve having a poppet valve;
• and
• rearwardly ejecting the store out of the open rear end when the system is in the deployed position.

An aircraft comprising:

• a system for ejecting a store, the system comprising:
• a stowage tube configured to retain the store, wherein the stowage tube includes an open rear end;
• a door panel coupled to the stowage tube, wherein the stowage tube is mounted on the door panel;
• an actuator driven linkage coupled to the door panel, wherein the actuator driven linkage is configured to rotate the door panel about a pivot axis at a forward edge opposite from an aft end between a closed position associated with a stowed position of the system and an open position associated with a deployed position of the system, wherein the pivot axis is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the aircraft, and wherein the stowage tube is configured to rearwardly eject the store out of the open rear end when the system is in the deployed position;
• and
• an ejector valve in fluid communication with a chamber having a piston, wherein the piston is configured to engage the store, and wherein the ejector valve provides pressurized fluid to move the piston to eject the store when the system is in the deployed position, and wherein the ejector valve comprises a poppet valve.