Pneumatic launcher system
First Claim
1. A pneumatic launcher system for ejecting stores comprising, in combination:
- plenum means formed to receive a charge of compressed gas;
a plurality of tubes, each formed to receive a plurality of the stores in spaced relation along the length thereof and having a breech end connected to said plenum means and a discharge end, said tubes each including passages communicating between said breech end and the end of each store facing said breech end; and
first valve means connected to said plenum means and said tubes for selectively controlling flow of the gas to said passages.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A pneumatic launch system for an aircraft for ejecting one at a time a pllity of sonobuoys within each of a multiple array of tubes. A compressed air supply from the aircraft is regulated in a plenum selectively having poppet valves for selectively releasing plenum air to each sonobuoy within a tube. Each poppet valve is held against the outlet port by differential gas pressure across a piston connected to the valve. A quick exhaust valve bleeds the air from one side of the piston causing it to open and allow the plenum air to pass through the port and apply an ejection force to a sonobuoy. When the exhaust valve is closed, the pressure on either side of the piston equalizes and the poppet valve closes. A replenishment poppet valve recharges the plenum when the pressure drops below a regulated level.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A pneumatic launcher system for ejecting stores comprising, in combination:
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plenum means formed to receive a charge of compressed gas; a plurality of tubes, each formed to receive a plurality of the stores in spaced relation along the length thereof and having a breech end connected to said plenum means and a discharge end, said tubes each including passages communicating between said breech end and the end of each store facing said breech end; and first valve means connected to said plenum means and said tubes for selectively controlling flow of the gas to said passages. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A pneumatic dispenser for sequentially ejecting a plurality of stores comprising, in combination:
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a plenum of compressed gas; a tube formed to receive the stores in spaced relation along the length thereof and having a breech operatively connected to said plenum and a discharge end, said tube including passages formed to communicate between said breech and the breech end of each of the stores; and first valve means connected to said plenum and said tube for selectively controlling flow of the gas to said passages. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification