Flexible cover for a missile container

• US 10,845,159 B2
• Filed: 06/20/2017
• Issued: 11/24/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mbda France (MBDA)
• Original Assignee: Mbda France (MBDA)
• Inventors: Leroy, Bertrand, Herquel, Pascal
• Primary Examiner(s): Eldred, J. Woodrow
• Application Number:
  US16/313,794
• Publication Number:
  US 20190323799A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,253 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F41F 3/077 Doors or covers for launching tubes

Abstract

A flexible cover includes a main layer made of a first composite material that includes a first woven material and a first elastomer. The flexible cover also includes an auxiliary layer made of a second composite material that includes a second woven material and a second elastomer. The auxiliary layer is secured to a face of the main layer and includes petal-shaped regions that are separated from one another by weakening lines.

Claims

1. A flexible cover, configured to be mounted on a missile container and to be pushed open, the flexible cover having a first side opposite a second side, the first side facing an interior portion of the missile container when mounted thereon, the flexible cover comprising:

a main layer made of a first composite material comprising a first woven material and a first elastomer;

a first auxiliary layer made of a second composite material comprising a second woven material and a second elastomer, the first auxiliary layer being secured to the main layer, on a first face of the latter, the first auxiliary layer comprising petal-shaped regions that are separated from one another by weakening lines, wherein the first auxiliary layer is coupled to the main layer by stitches; and

an antifriction coating disposed on the first side of the flexible cover.

2. The flexible cover according to claim 1,

further comprising a second auxiliary layer arranged on a second face of the main layer opposite the first face, the second auxiliary layer comprising petal-shaped regions that are separated from one another by weakening lines, wherein the second auxiliary layer is coupled to the main layer by stitches.

3. The flexible cover according to claim 2,

wherein the petal-shaped regions of the first and second auxiliary layers are arranged symmetrically with respect to a plane (P) central to a thickness of the main layer.

4. The flexible cover according to claim 1,

wherein at least some of the stitches are arranged parallel to at least one of the weakening lines.

5. The flexible cover according to claim 1,

wherein at least some of the stitches are arranged transversally to at least one of the weakening lines.

6. The flexible cover according to claim 1,

wherein stitches are provided parallel to each weakening line.

7. The flexible cover according to claim 1,

wherein the weakening lines extend radially from a center portion of the flexible cover.

8. The flexible cover according to claim 1,

wherein at least one of:

(1) the first woven material is the same as the second woven material, and (2) the first elastomer is the same as the second elastomer.

9. The flexible cover according to claim 1,

wherein the weakening lines are filled with elastomer.

10. A missile container, comprising at least one flexible cover according to claim 1.

11. A weapons system, comprising at least one missile container according to claim 10.

12. The flexible cover according to claim 1, wherein the first woven material is the same as the second woven material.

13. The flexible cover according to claim 1, wherein the first elastomer is the same as the second elastomer.

14. The flexible cover according to claim 8, further comprising a second auxiliary layer arranged on a second face of the main layer opposite the first face, the second auxiliary layer comprising petal-shaped regions that are separated from one another by weakening lines, wherein the second auxiliary layer is coupled to the main layer by stitches.

15. The flexible cover according to claim 14, wherein the petal-shaped regions of the first and second auxiliary layers are arranged symmetrically with respect to a plane (P) central to a thickness of the main layer.

16. The flexible cover according to claim 8, wherein at least some of the stitches are arranged parallel to at least one of the weakening lines.

17. The flexible cover according to claim 8, wherein at least some of the stitches are arranged transversally to at least one of the weakening lines.

18. The flexible cover according to claim 8, wherein stitches are provided parallel to each weakening line.

19. The flexible cover according to claim 8, wherein the weakening lines extend radially from a center portion of the flexible cover.