Gas driven hatch cover assembly

#1. Field of the Invention

#The invention in general relates to closure devices, and more particularly to a hatch assembly which may be utilized as the protective cover of a vertical missile launch system.

#2. Description of Related Art

#FIG. 1 is an isometric view of one type of system in which the present invention may be used.

#FIG. 2 is a plan view, and

#FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a hatch assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

#In the drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, like or corresponding parts are denoted by like or corresponding reference numerals.

#Although the present invention may be utilized as a closure means for a variety of structures, it will be described, by way of example, with respect to a vertical missile launcher, such as illustrated in FIG. 1.

#As seen in FIG. 1, missile launcher apparatus 10 includes an array of adjacent sleeves 12 to 16, each accommodating a respective missile containing canister 20 to 24. As seen through cutouts in the walls of the sleeves, the canisters 20 to 24 extend from the lower, or breech end of its respective sleeve, to the upper, or muzzle end of the sleeve. The sleeves are held together by a series of frames 26 to 28 and the breech ends of all of the sleeves are collectively connected to a common plenum 29 having a cooling water supply 30.