Radial sonobuoy launcher
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsMark L. Olsen, Jon W. Pitzer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A radial sonobuoy launch system comprising a clam-shell launch tube and method for launching a sonobuoy. The clam-shell launch tube radially releases a sonobuoy and the clam-shell launch tube is reloaded during flight. The sonobuoys are pneumatically ejected about parallel to the airstream. A pressure boundary structure, having a door and a gate, maintains cabin pressure during reloading and launching. Support arms and drive arms evenly distribute the ejection accelerations from the firing mechanism and guide the trajectory of the sonobuoy during release. A clam-shell launch tube is capable of launching a multitude of differently sized sonobuoys.
Claims30
A system for launching a store from a vehicle comprising:
- at least one clam-shell launch tube capable of receiving said store and capable of radially releasing said store.
A system for launching a store from a vehicle comprising:
- at least one clam-shell launch tube having a longitudinal slit;
- at least one support arm in contact with said launch tube;
- and
- at least one pneumatic firing mechanism in contact with said support arm.
A system for launching a store from a vehicle comprising:
- at least one clam-shell launch tube capable of receiving said store and capable of radially releasing said store;
- at least one support arm in contact with said launch tube;
- a pressure boundary structure surrounding said launch tube and said support arm, and said structure in contact with an outer surface of said vehicle;
- at least one rotary door positioned on said outer surface, and said door is capable of forming a pressure seal;
- at least one drive arm positioned such that said drive arm is capable of engaging said launch tube and capable of guiding the trajectory of said store;
- at least one pneumatic actuator in contact with said rotary door, said actuator is capable of opening said launch tube, and said actuator is capable of propelling said store through said door;
- and
- at least one gate positioned on said structure, such that said store is capable of being loaded into said launch tube there though, and said gate is capable of forming a pressure seal.
A method for launching a store from a vehicle comprising the steps of:
- loading said store into a clam-shell launch tube, said launch tube is capable of receiving said store and capable of radially releasing said store;
- and
- actuating a firing mechanism, such that said store is radially propelled from said launch tube.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.