Launch container for multiple stores

• US 5,092,221 A
• Filed: 09/28/1990
• Issued: 03/03/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The United States of America As Represented By The Secretary of Agriculture
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Travor, Bruce W., McEachern, James F.
• Primary Examiner(s): BROWN, DAVID
• Application Number:
  US07/590,875
• Time in Patent Office: 522 Days
• Field of Search: 89/1.51, 89/1.56, 89/1.818, 102/260, 102/261
• US Class Current: 89/1.51
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 22/003 adapted for being launched from an aircraft or water vehicle;, e.g. with brakes deployed in the water
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2209/10 pyrotechnic means

Abstract

This invention comprises a multi-store, gas-fired launcher that fits into,nd is electrically connected with, a transporting vehicle and that contains sequentially-stacked assemblies that generate sufficient gas force to discharge an individual store. An electrical pulse from the transporting vehicle cause a sequencer in the launcher to divert the charge to a burn resistor. At burn-out, a spring-activated striking arm punctures a CO2 bottle which provides sufficient gas pressure to force the store out of the launcher.

Claims

1. A transporting and dispensing device to allow storage, transportation and dispensing of at least three stores, comprising:

a. tubular container means for connection into an aircraft at a breech end and adapted to accept an electrical charge and dispense stores at an oppositely-disposed discharge end;

b. pressure resistance means packed adjacent said stores to form an individual pressure-sealed chamber;

c. electrical circuitry means leading from a transporting craft to each of said individual chambers;

d. pressurized gas means located in each chamber and

e. firing means comprising a pivotal striker having a spike fixed to a first end and being releasably biased to an open and non-contacting position adjacent said gas means connected to said electrical circuit means and said pressurized gas means so that upon initiation thereof selected stores are dispensed from said container means.

2. A device as descried in claim 1 wherein said pressure resistance means comprises a disc removingly set inside said container means to provide resistance to movement up to a predetermined pressure level.

3. A device as described in claim 1 wherein said electrical circuitry means comprises switching means installed adjacent said stores to divert an electric charge, a wiring harness connecting each said store to a sequencer and a plurality of burn resistors connected therewith, one each adjacent an individual store.

4. A multi-store dispenser comprising:

a. a tubular launcher for insertion at a breech end into a transporting vehicle'"'"'s receptacle;

b. a switching circuit to receive an electrical signal and divert the signal to an obturator package; and

c. a plurality of stores sequentially packed in said launcher, each said store having, on alternating sides, an obturator package containing compressed gas means with gas communicating holes located between the store and said gas means, a spring-loaded striker arm pivotable to release the gas and a burn resistor releasably preventing said striker arm from puncturing said gas means.

5. A transportation and dispensing device for storage and dispensing of a plurality of stores, comprising:

a. tubular container means adapted to receive an electrical charge at a breech end and dispense stores at an oppositely-disposed discharge end;

b. disc means removeably set adjacent each said store to hermetically seal each said store in an individual chamber inside said container means, each said disc means being attached to said container means by a plurality of shear pins;

c. a source of pressurized gas located inside each said chamber;

d. a pivotal striker adjacent said gas source releasably biased to move from a first position to a second position whereupon said gas is released inside said chamber; and

e. electrical circuitry extending from said breech end to each said striker and including a plurality of burn resistors, one each adjacent each said striker and holding said striker in said first position, so as to receive an electrical charge sufficient to break said burn resistor and release said striker.