FLEXIBLE COVER FOR A MISSILE CONTAINER

• US 20190323799A1
• Filed: 06/20/2017
• Published: 10/24/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mbda France (MBDA)
• Original Assignee: Mbda France (MBDA)
• Inventors: Leroy, Bertrand, Herquel, Pascal
• Granted Patent: US 10,845,159 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: F41F 3/077 Doors or covers for launching tubes

Abstract

A flexible cover includes a main layer made of a first composite material that includes a first woven material and a first elastomer. The flexible cover also includes an auxiliary layer made of a second composite material that includes a second woven material and a second elastomer. The auxiliary layer is secured to a face of the main layer and includes petal-shaped regions that are separated from one another by weakening lines.

Claims

1. A flexible cover, configured to be mounted on a missile container and to be pushed open, the flexible cover comprising:

a main layer made of a first composite material comprising a first woven material and a first elastomer; and

an auxiliary layer made of a second composite material comprising a second woven material and a second elastomer, the auxiliary layer being secured to the main layer, on a first face of the latter, the auxiliary layer comprising petal-shaped regions that are separated from one another by weakening lines, wherein the auxiliary layer is coupled to the main layer by stitches.

2. The flexible cover according to claim 1,

further comprising a second auxiliary layer arranged on a second face of the main layer opposite the first face.

3. The flexible cover according to claim 2,

wherein the first and second auxiliary layers are arranged, with their petal-shaped regions, symmetrically, with respect to a substantially central plane (P) of the main layer.

4. The flexible cover according to claim 1,

wherein at least some of the stitches are arranged along weakening lines.

5. The flexible cover according to claim 1,

wherein at least some of the stitches are arranged transversally to the weakening lines.

6. The flexible cover according to claim 1,

wherein stitches are provided over the entire surface of the petal-shaped regions.

7. The flexible cover according to claim 1,

wherein the weakening lines extend radially from a center portion of the flexible cover.

8. The flexible cover according to claim 1,

wherein at least one of:

(1) the first woven material is the same as the second woven material, and (2) the first elastomer is the same as the second elastomer.

9. The flexible cover according to claim 1,

wherein the weakening lines are filled with elastomer.

10. The flexible cover according to claim 1,

further comprising an antifriction coating on an inner face configured to be placed towards the inside of the container.

11. A missile container, comprising at least one flexible cover according to claim 1.

12. A weapons system, comprising at least one missile container according to claim 11.

13. The flexible cover according to claim 1, wherein the first woven material is the same as the second woven material.

14. The flexible cover according to claim 1, wherein the first elastomer is the same as the second elastomer.

15. The flexible cover according to claim 8, further comprising a second auxiliary layer arranged on a second face of the main layer opposite the first face.

16. The flexible cover according to claim 15, wherein the first and second auxiliary layers are arranged, with their petal-shaped regions, symmetrically, with respect to a substantially central plane (P) of the main layer.

17. The flexible cover according to claim 8, wherein at least some of the stitches are arranged along weakening lines.

18. The flexible cover according to claim 8, wherein at least some of the stitches are arranged transversally to the weakening lines.

19. The flexible cover according to claim 8, wherein stitches are provided over the entire surface of the petal-shaped regions.

20. The flexible cover according to claim 8, wherein the weakening lines extend radially from a center portion of the flexible cover.