Rotating release launching system
AssigneeAnduril Industries, Inc.
InventorsNicholas Robert Alley, Jesse Owen Williams, Matthew Gordon Brasher
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present disclosure provides a payload deployment system that is operative to receive and retain a configurable payload. The payload deployment mechanism helps to reduce the drag of the payload and to protect the payload from environmental factors. The payload may be released using a hinge mechanism to ensure the payload does not contact the payload deployment mechanism when the payload is deployed. A vent may be utilized to equalize pressure between the external environment and a body portion of the payload deployment mechanism. The vent may generate an additional force to assist in separating the payload from the launcher.
Claims20
A method for deploying a configurable payload from a launcher, the method comprising:
- providing a body portion having a bay area partially defined by the body portion;
- rotating a door portion within the body portion between a first orientation and a second orientation to expose at least a portion of the bay area, wherein the door portion retains the configurable payload in the first orientation and releases the configurable payload as the door portion rotates from the first orientation to the second orientation;
- applying a first force to the configurable payload while the door portion is in the first orientation, wherein applying the first force biases the configurable payload into a particular position within the bay area;
- applying a second force to the configurable payload while the door portion is in the second orientation, wherein applying the second force propels the configurable payload away from the door portion;
- and
- transferring an angular momentum of a rotation of the door portion to the configurable payload within the door portion as the door portion transitions from the first orientation to the second orientation.
A method for deploying a payload, the method comprising:
- providing a launcher having a door rotatable between a first orientation and a second orientation, wherein, in the first orientation, the door encloses an area of the launcher configured to receive the payload, and, in the second orientation, the door exposes the area of the launcher for deploying the payload;
- applying a first force to the payload while the door is in the first orientation, wherein applying the first force arranges the payload within the area of the launcher;
- applying a second force to the payload while the door is in the second orientation, wherein applying the second force propels the payload away from the door;
- and
- transferring an angular momentum of a rotation of the door to the payload within the door as the door transitions from the first orientation to the second orientation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.