Load reducing stores launch tube
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorMatt H. Travis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatuses, vehicles, and methods to reduce loads applied to a store when the store is launched from the vehicle are disclosed. A particular apparatus includes a launch chamber and a flap. The launch chamber has a first portion configured to receive a store. A second portion is configured to be positioned over an opening in a hull of a vehicle. The chamber has a forward end and an aft end. The flap is positioned a distance from the aft end of the launch chamber. The flap has a first end rotatably mounted proximate to the first portion of the launch chamber and has a second end extending toward the second portion of the launch chamber. The flap is configured to rotate about the first end when the store impacts the flap due to the forces applied to the store by the fluid when the store is launched.
Claims20
An apparatus for launching a store comprising:
- a launch chamber having a first portion configured to receive a store and a second portion configured to be positioned over an opening in a hull of a vehicle, the launch chamber having a forward end and an aft end;
- and
- a flap positioned a distance from the aft end of the launch chamber, wherein the flap has an first end rotatably mounted proximate to the first portion of the launch chamber and has a second end extending toward the second portion of the launch chamber, and wherein the flap is configured to rotate about the first end when the store impacts the flap due to forces applied to the store by an ambient fluid when the store is launched.
A vehicle, comprising:
- a hull;
- a stores launcher configured to launch at least one store;
- a launch tube configured to receive the store from the stores launcher;
- a launch chamber having a first portion configured to receive the store from the launch tube and a second portion configured to be positioned over an opening in the hull, the launch chamber having a forward end and an aft end;
- and
- a flap positioned a distance from the aft end of the launch chamber, wherein the flap is movably mounted within the launch chamber, and the flap is configured to rotate about a first end of the flap when the store impacts the flap due to forces applied to the store by a fluid when the store is launched.
A method comprising:
- launching a store from a stores launch chamber toward an ambient atmosphere, wherein the ambient atmosphere includes a fluid, wherein the stores launch chamber has a first end to receive the store and a second end open to the ambient atmosphere;
- and
- in response to at least a portion of the store contacting the fluid, receiving the store against a flap rotatably mounted within the stores launch chamber, wherein the flap is configured to rotate about the first end when the store impacts the flap due to forces applied to the store by the fluid when the store is launched.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.