Radial sonobuoy launcher

• US 6,679,454 B2
• Filed: 04/15/2002
• Issued: 01/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Olsen, Mark L., Pitzer, Jon W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Barefoot, Galen L.
• Application Number:
  US10/123,823
• Publication Number:
  US 20030192992A1
• Time in Patent Office: 645 Days
• Field of Search: 244/137.1, 244/137.4, 244/118.1, 89/330.2, 89/15.1, 89/15.2, 89/15.4, 89/15.5, 89/15.8, 89/15.9, 89/45, 89/18.01, 89/18, 89/18.02, 89/18.05, 89/18.15, 89/18.16, 89/18.19, 89/360.8
• US Class Current: 244/137.1
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 1/22 Other structures integral with fuselages to facilitate loading , e.g. cargo bays, cranes
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 1/10 Stowage arrangements for the devices in aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 1/12 Releasing
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 9/00 Equipment for handling freight; Equipment for facilitating passenger embarkation or the like emergency equipment B64D17/00, B64D19/00, B64D25/00; structures integral with fuselage to facilitate loading, fuselage floors specially adapted for freight, steps mounted on and retractable within aircraft B64C; ground installations B64F
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 9/27 in revolver-type guns
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 9/73 Drum magazines
• CPC Class Codes: F41F 3/06 from aircraft F41F3/0406 takes precedence; arrangements of rocket launchers on aircraft B64D7/08; bomb releasing in flight B64D1/06
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 50/40 Weight reduction

Abstract

A radial sonobuoy launch system comprising a clam-shell launch tube and method for launching a sonobuoy. The clam-shell launch tube radially releases a sonobuoy and the clam-shell launch tube is reloaded during flight. The sonobuoys are pneumatically ejected about parallel to the airstream. A pressure boundary structure, having a door and a gate, maintains cabin pressure during reloading and launching. Support arms and drive arms evenly distribute the ejection accelerations from the firing mechanism and guide the trajectory of the sonobuoy during release. A clam-shell launch tube is capable of launching a multitude of differently sized sonobuoys.

Claims

1. A system for launching a store from a vehicle comprising:

at least one clam-shell launch tube capable of receiving said store and capable of radially releasing said store;

a pressure boundary structure surrounding said launch tube, said structure in contact with an outer surface of said vehicle; and

at least one rotary dispenser positioned outside said pressure boundary structure, said rotary dispenser capable of loading said store into said launch tube.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one firing mechanism positioned such that said firing mechanism is capable of engaging said launch tube and capable of propelling said store.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one door positioned on said outer surface, such that said firing mechanism is capable of propelling said store there through, and said door is capable of forming a pressure seal.

4. The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said door is a revolving door.

5. The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said door is a rotary door.

6. The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said firing mechanism is in contact with said door.

7. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said firing mechanism is a pneumatic actuator.

8. The system as claimed in claim 2, further comprising at least one support arm in contact with said launch tube, and said support arm is capable of opening said launch tube.

9. The system as claimed in claim 2, further comprising at least one drive arm positioned such that said drive arm is capable of engaging said launch tube and capable of guiding the trajectory of said store.

10. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one gate positioned on said structure, such that said store is capable of being loaded into said launch tube there though, and said gate is capable of forming a pressure seal.

11. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one gate positioned on said structure, such that said store is capable of being loaded into said launch tube there though, and said gate is capable of forming a pressure seal;

and

at least one door positioned on said outer surface, such that said firing mechanism is capable of propelling said store there through, and said door is capable of forming a pressure seal.

12. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein said door is a rotary door.

13. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein said firing mechanism is in contact with said door.

14. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein said firing mechanism is a pneumatic actuator.

15. The system as claimed in claim 11, further comprising at least one support arm in contact with said launch tube, and said support arm is capable of opening said launch tube.

16. The system as claimed in claim 11, further comprising at least one drive arm positioned such that said drive arm is capable of engaging said launch tube and capable of guiding the trajectory of said store.

17. A system for launching a store from a vehicle comprising:

at least one clam-shell launch tube having a longitudinal slit;

at least one support arm in contact with said launch tube;

at least one pneumatic firing mechanism in contact with said support arm, said firing mechanism being capable of ejecting said store in a direction away from said launch tube;

a pressure boundary structure surrounding said launch tube and said firing mechanism, and said structure in contact with an outer surface of said vehicle;

at least one gate positioned on said structure, such that said store is capable of being loaded into said launch tube there through, and said gate is capable of forming a pressure seal; and

at least one rotary dispenser positioned outside said pressure boundary structure and inside said vehicle, said rotary dispenser capable of loading said store into said launch tube.

18. The system as claimed in claim 17, further comprising at least one door positioned on said outer surface, such that said firing mechanism is capable of propelling said store there through, and said door is capable of forming a pressure seal.

19. The system as claimed in claim 18, wherein said door is a revolving door.

20. The system as claimed in claim 18, wherein said door is a rotary door.

21. The system as claimed in claim 20, wherein said firing mechanism is in contact with said door.

22. A system for launching a store from a vehicle comprising:

at least one clam-shell launch tube capable of receiving said store and capable of radially releasing said store;

at least one support arm in contact with said launch tube;

a pressure boundary structure surrounding said launch tube and said support arm, and said structure in contact with an outer surface of said vehicle;

at least one rotary door positioned on said outer surface, and said door is capable of forming a pressure seal;

at least one drive arm positioned such that said drive arm is capable of engaging said launch tube and capable of guiding the trajectory of said store;

at least one pneumatic actuator in contact with said rotary door, said actuator is capable of opening said launch tube, and said actuator is capable of propelling said store through said door;

at least one gate positioned on said structure, such that said store is capable of being loaded into said launch tube there though, and said gate is capable of forming a pressure seal; and

at least one rotary dispenser positioned outside said pressure boundary structure and inside said vehicle, said rotary dispenser capable of loading said store into said launch tube.

24. The method as claimed in claim 22, further comprising the step of providing a pressure sealable door positioned on said outer surface, such that said firing mechanism is capable of propelling said store there through and said door is capable of forming a pressure seal.

25. The method as claimed in claim 24, wherein said door is a revolving door.

26. The method as claimed in claim 24, wherein said door is a rotary door.

27. The method as claimed in claim 26, wherein said firing mechanism is in contact with said door.

23. A method for launching a store from a vehicle comprising the steps of:

providing at least one clam-shell launch tube for receiving said store, said launch tube being capable of radially releasing said store;

providing a pressure boundary structure surrounding said launch tube;

providing a rotary dispenser positioned outside said structure and within said vehicle;

providing at least one gate positioned on said structure;

loading said store into said clam-shell launch tube by said rotary dispenser through said gate; and

actuating a firing mechanism, such that said store is radially propelled from said launch tube.

28. The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein said firing mechanism is a pneumatic actuator.

29. The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein said store is propelled about parallel to an air stream.