Tube launched weapon system
First Claim
1. An apparatus for accelerating a projectile in a tube, the projectile having a forward and an aft end, the tube having a forward end, an aft end, and an interior, the apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of propellant charges disposed along the interior of the tube and configured such that when ignited, combustion products from the charges enter the interior of the tube;
means for igniting the propellant charges in sequence, commencing with a charge near the aft end of the tube and proceeding with successive charges approaching the forward end of the tube; and
a propulsion housing located at the aft end of the projectile and movable within the tube, the housing having a forward end, an aft end having an opening, and an interior located between the forward end and the aft end, the interior being in fluid communication with at least one of the charges, such that when the propellant charges are ignited while adjacent to the propulsion housing, combustion gases from the charges flow into the interior of the propulsion housing and out the opening of the aft end.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A tube launched rocket system which uses a plurality of small propellant charges located within the tube to propel the rocket. The charges form part of the outer wall of a traveling propulsion chamber. The rest of the chamber is substantially defined by a propulsion housing, which includes a forward plate that abuts the projectile, and an aft nozzle for venting gases from the interior of the chamber. Alternative embodiments also contain baffles for directing the flow of combustion gases, and may employ an electronic ignition system for igniting the propellant charges in sequence. As charges adjoining the propulsion chamber are ignited, the resulting combustion gases thrust into the interior of the chamber, forcing the housing forward as they flow aftward through the nozzle. As the propulsion housing travels through the tube, additional propellant charges are ignited as they effectively become part of the outer wall of the propulsion chamber. The housing pushes the projectile ahead of it through the tube. Use of a sequence of small propellant charges in the tube rather than a conventional rocket motor in the projectile makes the system'"'"'s noise level manageable, permits the use of nontoxic propellant compositions, and eliminates the risk that a user will be burned by rocket motor exhaust as the projectile exits the tube. The teachings of the present invention also apply to closed breech systems.
20 Citations
19 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for accelerating a projectile in a tube, the projectile having a forward and an aft end, the tube having a forward end, an aft end, and an interior, the apparatus comprising:
-
a plurality of propellant charges disposed along the interior of the tube and configured such that when ignited, combustion products from the charges enter the interior of the tube; means for igniting the propellant charges in sequence, commencing with a charge near the aft end of the tube and proceeding with successive charges approaching the forward end of the tube; and a propulsion housing located at the aft end of the projectile and movable within the tube, the housing having a forward end, an aft end having an opening, and an interior located between the forward end and the aft end, the interior being in fluid communication with at least one of the charges, such that when the propellant charges are ignited while adjacent to the propulsion housing, combustion gases from the charges flow into the interior of the propulsion housing and out the opening of the aft end. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
Specification