US 4,787,203 A · Shock absorption and retention mechanism

Abstract

A safety system for protecting a ship and adjacent rocket motor rounds stored in the ship from a rocket motor inadvertently igniting includes a shock absorption and retention mechanism that is operative to catch and hold the igniter during inadvertent ignition and thereby prevent the igniter from blocking the rocket motor forward exhaust port which would eliminate the thrust neutral condition of the safety system and allow the rocket motor to break free from the fixture holding it and jeopardize the safety of the ship.

Drawings

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Drawings

Claims12

Dependent claims

A shock absorption and retention mechanism for stopping and retaining a moving part against a bulkhead comprising,

a bulkhead,
an object movable toward said bulkhead, said object having a side facing said bulkhead,
at least one pin protruding from said bulkhead toward said movable object,
a plurality of external self-locking rings,
at least one metallic slug, and
at least one recess in said side of said movable object facing said bulkhead, said recess having an inner centrally located region and including said plurality of self-locking rings captured in stacked arrangement therein with said metallic slug held in said centrally located region thereof, the configuration and internal diameter of said self-locking rings being such as to allow relatively unrestrained entry therein of said restraining pin but arranged to strongly resist withdrawal therefrom,
whereby, upon movement of said movable object toward said bulkhead and entry of said retaining pin into said recess, said metallic slug is crushed by engagement therewith of said retaining pin thereby effecting absorption of kinetic energy of said movable object and said movable object is retained against said bulkhead by said self-locking rings grabbing said retaining pin with no rebound.

4 more elements

A shock absorption and retention mechanism for stopping and retaining the igniter of a solid propellant rocket motor to prevent the igniter from blocking a forward port provided in solid propellant rocket motor for venting a gaseous flow upon accidental ignition thereof, comprising,

a solid propellant rocket motor having an igniter located at a forward position thereof, said igniter having a forward surface,
an adapter unit having a closure plate forming a forward bulkhead for the solid propellant rocket motor said adapter unit being attached to said rocket motor at a position forward thereof and adjacent said igniter, said adapter unit having at least one port therein for venting gaseous flows resulting from accidental ignition of said rocket motor,
a plurality of external locking rings,
at least two metallic slugs,
at least two similar alignment and retaining pins rigidly supported in spaced relation on said closure plate of said adapter unit and protruding therefrom in parallel relation toward said igniter,
the forward surface of said igniter complementing that of said closure plate of said adapter and having at least two spaced similar recesses therein with the spacing thereof being substantially the same as the spacing of said retaining pins with each of said recesses including a plurality of said self-locking rings arranged in stacked relation therein and having a centrally located inner recess therein with an individually associated one of said metallic slugs held therein,
the configuration and internal diameter of each of said self-locking rings being such as to allow relatively unrestrained entry therein of each of said retaining pins but arranged to strongly resist withdrawal therefrom,
whereby upon movement of said igniter toward the closure plate of said adapter unit and entry of each of said retaining pins into an associated one of said recesses in said igniter each of said metallic slugs is crushed by the associated one of said retaining pins thereby effecting absorption of kinetic energy of said igniter, and said igniter is retained against the closure plate of said adapter unit by said self-locking rings grabbing said retaining pins with no rebound.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description2,313 words

Summary561 words

#1. Field of the Invention

#This invention relates to a retention mechanism for stopping and retaining a heavy moving part against a bulkhead or stop. The invention has particular utility in a safety system for protecting a ship and adjacent rocket motor rounds stored therein from a rocket motor booster accidentally or inadvertently igniting.

#2. Description of the Prior Art

Brief description of the drawings9 figures

#Having summarized the invention, a detailed description follows with reference being made to the accompanying drawings which form part of the specification, of which:

#FIG. 1 is a schematic side view, with portions shown in cross section, of a rocket motor including at the forward end thereof an adapter that encloses an absorption and retention mechanism according to the invention;

#FIG. 2 is an external front view of the adapter of FIG. 1 showing two spaced radially outboard vents or exhaust ports therein;

Detailed description1,468 words

#Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a solid propellant rocket motor designated generally by numeral 10. Motor 10 which is held in a suitable fixture, includes a case 12 containing a solid propellant 14 therein and having a nozzle 16 at the aft end and an igniter 18 at the forward end. An adapter unit 20 encloses the forward end of the motor 10 and forms a forward bulkhead structure therefor.

#Typically, motor 10 has a "SAFE" and an "ARMED" condition. When adjusted to the ARMED condition, the igniter 18 may be actuated upon command to ignite the solid propellant 14 for intended or planned operation of motor 10. The present invention is not concerned, however, with the ARMED condition. Hence, the motor structure enabling that condition will not further be described herein.

#In the SAFE condition of the motor 10, the igniter 18 is held in place by three aluminum shear washers 22, 24 and 26 and three retention and guide rods 28, 30 and 32 that extend toward the closure plate 36, parallel to the longitudinal axis 34 of motor 10, and arranged in cooperative sliding relation therewith. Retention and guide rods 28, 30 and 32 are rigidly secured, as by screw thread means to the adapter 20.

Facts

Application

07/010,064Filed 2 Feb 1987

Granted

29 Nov 1988

Term ended

2 Feb 2007

Estimated · how

Pre-1995 term; greater of 17 years from grant or 20 years from filing when eligible. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification4 codes

F42B 39/20
Packaging or storage of ammunition or explosive charges; Safety features thereof; Cartridge belts or bags: packages or ammunition having valves…
F02K 9/38
Constructional parts; Details not otherwise provided for: safety devices, e.g. to prevent accidental ignition
F42B
Explosive charges
F02K
Jet-propulsion plants

Description2,313 words

Summary561 words

#1. Field of the Invention

#2. Description of the Prior Art

Brief description of the drawings9 figures

#Having summarized the invention, a detailed description follows with reference being made to the accompanying drawings which form part of the specification, of which:

#FIG. 2 is an external front view of the adapter of FIG. 1 showing two spaced radially outboard vents or exhaust ports therein;

Detailed description1,468 words

Shock absorption and retention mechanism

Life of this patent

Shock absorption and retention mechanism

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims12

Description2,313 words

Drawings

Classification4 codes

Life of this patent

Description2,313 words