Collapsible launching system
First Claim
1. A fluid pressure actuated launching system comprising in combination, a plurality of cylinder members, each of said cylinder members having an opening extending longitudinally therewithin and a longitudinal slot communicating with said opening, hinge means situated between said cylinder members and connecting each cylinder member with an adjacent cylinder member such that the longitudinal slot in each cylinder member is positionable thereby to form a substantially continuous longitudinal slot and opening therewithin when said cylinder members are contiguous, tensioned closure means for sealing portions of said longitudinal slot, means connected to said closure means and one of said cylinder members for relieving the tension on said closure means, means for disconnecting said closure means from said means for relieving the tension on said closure means, and a linearly movable piston assembly having a portion thereof in contact with said closure means and linearly movable during ejection and return strokes, an interior portion of said piston assembly being movably disposed within the opening in the cylinder members and having an exterior portion integral with said interior portion and adapted to engage an article to be launched from said launching system .
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A fluid pressure actuated launching system for aircraft or other articles having a piston assembly with an exterior portion that engages the aircraft or article to be launched and an interior portion disposed within and adapted to move within a plurality of connected cylinders to provide a long working stroke and controlled acceleration of the piston and article to be launched. The cylinders are hinged to one another so that the launching system is collapsible to form a compact unit and facilitate portability and ready accommodation on a launch vehicle of limited size. The cylinders are provided with a longitudinal slot to permit passage of a web between the exterior and interior portions of the piston assembly. The slot is adapted to be sealed by a tensioned flexible closure ribbon that is operatively connected to the piston assembly and is restrained at both ends so that it does not travel. As the piston travels within the cylinder, the closure ribbon passes through a cavity in the piston assembly that guides the ribbon away from its sealing engagement with the cylinders as the piston moves. The fluid pressure may be applied to the cylinder at one end to drive the piston during the launch stroke and at the opposite end to return the piston assembly. The closure ribbon tensioning means may be selectively operated to permit one end of the closure ribbon to be unfettered and thereby enable the cylinders to be folded on their hinges to form a compact unit while re-engagement of the closure ribbon tensioning means may be quickly restored when the cylinders are again opened to the operational launch position.
66 Citations
7 Claims
- 1. A fluid pressure actuated launching system comprising in combination, a plurality of cylinder members, each of said cylinder members having an opening extending longitudinally therewithin and a longitudinal slot communicating with said opening, hinge means situated between said cylinder members and connecting each cylinder member with an adjacent cylinder member such that the longitudinal slot in each cylinder member is positionable thereby to form a substantially continuous longitudinal slot and opening therewithin when said cylinder members are contiguous, tensioned closure means for sealing portions of said longitudinal slot, means connected to said closure means and one of said cylinder members for relieving the tension on said closure means, means for disconnecting said closure means from said means for relieving the tension on said closure means, and a linearly movable piston assembly having a portion thereof in contact with said closure means and linearly movable during ejection and return strokes, an interior portion of said piston assembly being movably disposed within the opening in the cylinder members and having an exterior portion integral with said interior portion and adapted to engage an article to be launched from said launching system .
Specification