Launch piston brake
AssigneeRaytheon Company
InventorsJeffery P. Sowers, Matthew B. Castor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A launcher for launching a projectile includes a launch piston for engaging and driving the projectile from the launcher and a launch brake that constrains the piston to enable separation of the piston from the projectile. The launch brake is configured to have minimal to no effect on projectile exit velocity and exit trajectory from the launcher. The launch brake is also configured to reduce the velocity of the launch piston via coupling of the masses of the launch piston and the launch brake. The coupling allows, separation of the projectile from the launch piston and reduces or prevents a negative effect on stabilization of the projectile upon exit from the launcher.
Claims20
A launcher for launching a projectile, the launcher comprising:
- a launch tube that directs and supports the projectile during launching;
- a piston that engages and drives the projectile from the launch tube;
- and
- a launch brake that constrains the piston to enable separation of the piston from the projectile.
A launcher for launching a projectile, the launcher comprising:
- a launch tube configured to support the projectile during launch and to direct the projectile from the launch tube;
- a piston configured to drive the projectile from the launch tube;
- and
- a launch brake configured to reduce the velocity of the piston to separate the piston from the projectile.
A launch brake for coupling relative to a launch tube, the launch brake for preventing continued attachment of a piston of the launcher with a projectile launched from the launcher, the launch brake comprising:
- an inner sleeve having an inner annular wall defining a bore having a tapered section extending between a larger proximal end and a smaller distal end, the inner annular wall for constraining the piston, wherein the inner sleeve is deformable in response to contact with the piston to assist in constraining the piston;
- and
- an outer sleeve disposed radially outward of the inner sleeve and supporting the inner sleeve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.