EJECTION SYSTEM AND A METHOD FOR EJECTING A PAYLOAD FROM A PAYLOAD DELIVERY VEHICLE

• US 20120132757A1
• Filed: 11/29/2010
• Published: 05/31/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Olden, Thomas A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,403,267 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/137.1
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 1/02 Dropping, ejecting, or releasing articles jettisonable fuel reservoirs B64D37/12
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 1/12 Releasing

Abstract

An ejection system for ejecting a payload from a payload delivery vehicle is provided. The ejection system includes an airbag ejection system configured to eject the payload from the payload delivery vehicle, a payload separation system configured to selectively couple the payload to the airbag ejection system, and a controller configured to inflate the airbag ejection system and further configured to signal the payload separation system to release the payload from the airbag ejection system.

Claims

1. A system for ejecting a payload from a payload delivery vehicle, comprising:

an airbag ejection system configured to eject the payload from the payload delivery vehicle;

a payload separation system configured to selectively couple the payload to the airbag ejection system; and

a controller configured to inflate the airbag ejection system and further configured to signal the payload separation system to release the payload from the airbag ejection system.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a sensor configured to determine a position of the payload relative to a position of the payload delivery vehicle,

wherein the controller is further configured to signal the payload separation system to release the payload from the airbag ejection system based upon the position of the payload relative to the position of the payload delivery vehicle determined by the sensor.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the airbag ejection system further comprises:

an airbag comprising at least one chamber; and

a sleeve substantially covering the airbag.

4. The system of claim 3, further comprising:

a valve system coupled to the airbag ejection system, the valve system configured to selectively fill the at least one chamber of the airbag,

wherein the controller is further configured to determine an ejection angle based upon the position of the payload relative to the position of the payload delivery vehicle determined by the sensor and to engage the valve system to fill the airbag and eject the payload from the payload delivery vehicle at the ejection angle.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the sleeve is substantially comprised of para-aramid synthetic fiber.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the valve system further comprises a plurality of deployment systems, each of the plurality of deployment systems configured to selectively fill the at least one chamber in the airbag such that the payload is ejected at a unique angle relative to the payload delivery vehicle.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein the sensor is further configured to determine a position of a target of the payload, and the controller is further configured to determine the ejection angle based upon the position of the payload relative to the payload delivery vehicle and the target.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the payload separation system comprises at least one self shearing bolt.

9. A method for ejecting a payload from a payload delivery vehicle, comprising:

receiving, by the payload delivery vehicle, a signal to eject the payload;

engaging, by the payload delivery vehicle, a motor to inflate an airbag selectively coupled to the payload; and

releasing the payload from the airbag.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

sensing a position of the payload in relation to the payload delivery vehicle,

wherein the releasing further comprises releasing the payload when the payload is clear of the payload delivery vehicle.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

sensing a position of the payload in relation to the payload delivery vehicle; and

determining an ejection angle, the ejection angle being an angle at which the payload is ejected respective to the payload delivery vehicle,

wherein the engaging further comprises selectively inflating a stage of the airbag and/or a chamber within the stage of the airbag to eject the payload from the payload delivery vehicle at the ejection angle.

12. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

sensing a position of the payload in relation to the payload delivery vehicle and to a target of the payload; and

determining an ejection angle, the ejection angle being an angle at which the payload is ejected respective to the payload delivery vehicle,

wherein the engaging further comprises selectively inflating a stage of the airbag and/or a chamber within the stage of the airbag to eject the payload from the payload delivery vehicle at the ejection angle and towards the target.

13. An airbag ejection system for ejecting a payload from a payload delivery vehicle, comprising:

a base coupled to the payload delivery vehicle;

an airbag coupled to the base;

a payload separation system configured to selectively couple the payload to the airbag;

a motor configured to inflate the airbag; and

a controller configured to engage the motor to inflate the airbag and further configured to control when the payload separation system releases the payload.

14. The airbag ejection system of claim 13, further comprising:

a sensor configured to determine a position of the payload relative to a position of the payload delivery vehicle,

wherein the controller is further configured to signal the payload separation system to release the payload from the airbag ejection system based at least in part upon the position of the payload relative to the position of the payload delivery vehicle determined by the sensor.

15. The airbag ejection system of claim 14, further comprising a sleeve substantially covering the airbag, wherein the airbag has at least one stage, the at least one stage having at least one inflatable chamber therein.

16. The airbag ejection system of claim 15, further comprising:

a valve system coupled to the airbag, the valve system configured to selectively fill the at least one inflatable chamber of the airbag,

wherein the controller is further configured to determine an ejection angle based upon the position of the payload relative to the position of the payload delivery vehicle and to engage the motor and the valve system to fill the airbag and eject the payload from the payload delivery vehicle at the ejection angle.

17. The airbag ejection system of claim 16, wherein the sensor is further configured to determine a position of the payload relative to a position of a target of the payload, and the controller is further configured to determine the ejection angle which would eject the payload towards the target.

18. The airbag ejection system of claim 17, wherein the payload delivery vehicle is an airborne munition.

19. The airbag ejection system of claim 18, wherein the airborne munition is configured to operate in an outer atmosphere.

20. The airbag ejection system of claim 16, wherein the valve system further comprises a plurality of deployment systems, each of the plurality of deployment systems configured to fill the at least one inflatable chamber in the airbag such that the payload is ejected at a unique angle relative to the payload delivery vehicle.