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US 4,441,674 AGranted
Constrained store ejector
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorJohn W. Holtrop
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for the carriage and release of aircraft stores uses two ejer pistons with integral latch hooks. The pistons are hydraulically interconnected to release a store by simultaneous extension. The latch hooks are opened by upward compression of a spring within the ejector piston. A pair of hydraulically actuated sway braces are mounted on each piston assembly.
Claims5
A suspension and release mechanism for stores on a launch vehicle, such as an aircraft, comprising:
- at least one ejector module fastened to said launch vehicle which comprises:
- an ejector body fastened to said launch vehicle;
- an ejector piston set within said ejector body for moving said store from a release load position to a carriage/hold position and back again by hydraulic pressure;
- a latch hook pivotally mounted to the end of said ejector piston for grasping said store;
- a release piston mounted within said ejector piston and mechanically connected to said latch hook for pivoting said latch hook between said carriage and release positions;
- a release rod mounted within said release piston for changing the position of said latch hook via said release piston;
- and
- a spring around said release piston for limiting release of said store to upward motion of said release rod forcing compression of said spring;
- means for connecting said ejector module to a hydraulic system, such that said ejector module functions by applied pressure to hydraulic fluid;
- and
- a hydraulic sway brace system attached to said ejector module for rigidly supporting said store along said launch vehicle prior to launch of said store.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.