US 12,760,993 B1Granted

Ejectable strongback for the attachment of rocket boosters to air-launched weapons

AssigneeRaytheon Company

InventorsAndrew P. Frits, Jr., Neil J. Swanson, Jr., Lance Markovchick

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Abstract

An ejectable strongback assembly for coupling a delivery vehicle to a payload is provided. The assembly includes a first side configured to couple with the payload, and a second side with first and second canards positioned at opposite ends. The canards generate lift forces in aerodynamic fluid to direct the strongback away from the payload after separation. The assembly further includes first and second interfaces extending from the first side to engage with the payload, at least one separation mechanism to provide initial separation, and electronics configured to send a control signal to the interfaces. The system enables secure attachment and controlled, low-shock release of the strongback and booster, minimizing residual hardware and aerodynamic interference after launch. The assembly can allow a lug-restrained and released object to become a rocket motor-boosted object.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An ejectable strongback assembly comprising:

a first side configured to couple with a payload;
a first canard disposed at a second side of the strongback assembly opposite the strongback assembly first side;
a second canard disposed at the strongback assembly second side, wherein the first canard is disposed at first end of the strongback assembly second side and the second canard is disposed at a second end of the strongback assembly second side, the first end being opposite the second end, wherein the first canard and the second canard are both configured to generate lift forces in aerodynamic fluid about the strongback assembly to direct the strongback assembly away from the payload;
a first interface and a second interface disposed at the strongback assembly first side, wherein the first interface and the second interface each are configured to:
extend from the housing first side;
and
engage with the payload;
at least one separation mechanism extending from the strongback assembly first side, the at least one separation mechanism being configured to:
engage with a side of the payload;
separate the strongback assembly from the payload;
and
electronics configured to send a control signal to the first interface and the second interface.

9 more elements

An ejectable strongback assembly comprising:

a first side configured to couple with a payload;
a first canard disposed at a second side of the strongback assembly opposite the strongback assembly first side;
a second canard disposed at the strongback assembly second side, wherein the first canard is disposed at first end of the strongback assembly second side and the second canard is disposed at a second end of the strongback assembly second side, the first end being opposite the second end, wherein the first canard and the second canard are both configured to generate lift forces in aerodynamic fluid about the strongback assembly to direct the strongback assembly away from the payload;
at least one interface disposed at the strongback assembly first side, wherein the at least one interface is configured to:
extend from the housing first side;
and
engage with the payload;
at least one separation mechanism extending from the strongback assembly first side, the at least one separation mechanism being configured to:
engage with a side of the payload;
separate the strongback assembly from the payload;
and
electronics in electrical communication with the at least one interface, the electronics being configured to send a control signal to the at least one interface.

9 more elements

An ejectable strongback assembly comprising:

a first side configured to couple with a payload;
a first canard disposed at a second side of the strongback assembly opposite the strongback assembly first side;
a second canard disposed at the strongback assembly second side, wherein the first canard is disposed at first end of the strongback assembly second side and the second canard is disposed at a second end of the strongback assembly second side, the first end being opposite the second end, wherein the first canard and the second canard are both configured to generate lift forces in aerodynamic fluid about the strongback assembly to direct the strongback assembly away from the payload;
an interface disposed at the strongback assembly first side, wherein the interface is configured to:
extend from the strongback assembly first side;
and
engage with the payload;
and
at least one separation mechanism extending from the housing first side, the at least one separation mechanism being configured to:
engage with a side of the payload;
separate the strongback assembly from the payload.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.