Portable launcher

• US 6,079,310 A
• Filed: 04/30/1998
• Issued: 06/27/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Miller, Richard E. Jr., Lowery, Robert W., Powers, John W., Yagla, Jon J.
• Primary Examiner(s): JOHNSON, STEPHEN
• Application Number:
  US09/070,770
• Time in Patent Office: 789 Days
• Field of Search: 89/1.816, 89/1.817, 89/1.818, 89/1.806, 89/1.807, 89/1.8, 89/14.1, 89/16
• US Class Current: 89/1.816
• CPC Class Codes: F41F 3/0413 Means for exhaust gas disposal, e.g. exhaust deflectors, gas evacuation systems

Abstract

A launcher is disclosed having means for directing and concentrically spreading, as well as dispersing, exhaust gases created by an internal combustion of an object, such as a missile, that is operatively launchable therefrom. The concentric duct provides the directing, spreading and dispersing means and cooperates with a cup having means to arrange a port in operative relationship with an exhaust outlet of the object being launched. The cup which mates with the concentric duct has one of its ends open to the ambient so that the exhaust gases are lead into and out of the concentric duct so as to be concentrically dispersed into the atmosphere.

Claims

1. A launcher with no moving parts and having means for collecting and dispersing exhaust gases of a launchable device having an exhaust outlet, said means comprising:

a first enclosure having a wall that extends longitudinally and has interior and exterior surfaces with the interior surface encompassing and housing said launchable device;

support means having first and second faces separated from each other by a first predetermined distance to define an exhaust discharge region with one face thereof being affixed to said exterior surface of said first enclosure;

a second enclosure having a wall that extends longitudinally and has interior and exterior surfaces with the interior surface affixed to the other face of said support means; and

a cup having a central portion and a rim that mates with said wall of said second enclosure;

stem portions having means for being connected to opposite sides of said wall of said second enclosure and being spaced apart from each other to define a port, said port being located relative to said cup and in operative relationship with said exhaust outlet to allow exhaust gases of said launchable device to pass through said port and to be directed into said exhaust discharge region by said cup; and

wherein said first and second enclosures are cylindrical and each has a bore with a predetermined width extending lengthwise therethrough for each respective enclosure, and wherein the width of the bore of said second enclosure exceeds the width of said bore of said first enclosure by an amount corresponding to said first predetermined distance plus the thickness of the first enclosure.

2. The launcher having means for collecting and dispersing exhaust gases according to claim 1, further comprising at least one plate dimensioned to snugly fit about and encompass the exterior surface of said second enclosure and having provisions for receiving fastening means.

3. The launcher having means for collecting and dispersing exhaust gases according to claim 1, wherein said exterior surface of said first enclosure has provisions for receiving and holding one of said faces of said support means.

4. The launcher having means for collecting and dispersing exhaust gases according to claim 1, wherein said first enclosure includes at least one retaining member encompassing one end of said first enclosure.

5. The launcher having means for collecting and dispersing exhaust gases according to claim 1, wherein said support means comprises a plurality of slats arranged into a plurality of groups with each group comprising a pair that is spaced apart from each other by a first predetermined distance, and wherein said second enclosure comprises a plurality of sections of a number corresponding to said plurality of groups of slats and which sections are spaced apart from each other by said first predetermined distance and affixed to said pairs of slats, said separated sections providing a plurality of chambers of a number corresponding to said plurality of groups of slats and said chambers being located between said first and second enclosures.

6. The launcher having means for collecting and dispersing exhaust gases according to claim 5, wherein said plurality of groups of slats is of a number four (4).

7. The launcher having means for collecting and dispersing exhaust gases according to claim 5, wherein said plurality of chambers are dimensioned to accommodate the fins of a launchable object.

8. The launcher having means for collecting and dispersing exhaust gases according to claim 5, wherein said plurality of chambers are dimensioned to accommodate the storage of electronic equipment and the passage therein of electrical cabling.

9. The launcher having means for collecting and dispersing exhaust gases according to claim 5, wherein said plurality of chambers are dimensioned to accommodate ducts for the emission and removal of fluids.

10. The launcher having means for collecting and dispensing exhaust gases according to claim 1, wherein said first and second enclosures, said support means, and said cup comprise titanium alloy.

11. The launcher having means for collecting and dispersing exhaust gases according to claim 1, wherein said second enclosure is formed from a plurality of pieces, each piece of said plurality having complementary connecting dimensions relative to each other so that said plurality of pieces may be interconnected to each other to form said second enclosure.