Telescoping pressure-balanced gas generator launchers for underwater use
First Claim
1. A launching apparatus comprising:
- a launch tube having a fore end and an aft end, each end having an opening formed therein;
a muzzle cap fit to the fore end of said launch tube;
a breech mounting formed at the aft end of said launch tube;
a primary housing positioned in the aft end of said launch tube forward of said breech mounting, said primary housing having a fore end and an aft end;
a first telescoping cylinder slidably positioned within the fore end of said primary housing;
a second telescoping cylinder slidably positioned within the aft end of said primary housing;
a first telescoping piston slidably disposed in said first telescoping cylinder;
a second telescoping piston slidably disposed in said second telescoping cylinder and joined to said breech mounting;
a gas generator provided within said primary housing between said first telescoping cylinder and said second telescoping cylinder;
a ram plate positioned in said launch tube and connected to said first telescoping piston; and
a projectile seated between said ram plate and said muzzle cap.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A launching apparatus including a launch tube having fore and aft ends, each end having an opening formed therein. A muzzle cap is fitted to the fore end and a breech mounting is formed at the aft end. A primary housing is seated in the aft end, the primary housing having fore and aft ends. A first telescoping cylinder containing a first telescoping piston is positioned within the fore end of the housing and a second telescoping cylinder containing a second telescoping piston is positioned within the aft end of the housing. A ram plate and a breech mounting are connected to the first and second pistons respectively. A gas generator is provided within the housing and a projectile is seated between the ram plate and muzzle cap. The first and second cylinders and the first and second pistons expand from the housing and propel the projectile.
26 Citations
6 Claims
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1. A launching apparatus comprising:
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a launch tube having a fore end and an aft end, each end having an opening formed therein;
a muzzle cap fit to the fore end of said launch tube;
a breech mounting formed at the aft end of said launch tube;
a primary housing positioned in the aft end of said launch tube forward of said breech mounting, said primary housing having a fore end and an aft end;
a first telescoping cylinder slidably positioned within the fore end of said primary housing;
a second telescoping cylinder slidably positioned within the aft end of said primary housing;
a first telescoping piston slidably disposed in said first telescoping cylinder;
a second telescoping piston slidably disposed in said second telescoping cylinder and joined to said breech mounting;
a gas generator provided within said primary housing between said first telescoping cylinder and said second telescoping cylinder;
a ram plate positioned in said launch tube and connected to said first telescoping piston; and
a projectile seated between said ram plate and said muzzle cap. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
said first telescoping cylinder includes a first end having an outwardly flanged end wall and a second end opposite the first end; and
said primary housing having a fore end stop flange positioned in said primary housing fore end, said first telescoping cylinder outwardly flanged end wall engaging with said fore end stop flange of said primary housing on extension of said first telescoping cylinder.
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4. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said first telescoping piston includes:
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a piston head slidable between the first and second ends of said first telescoping cylinder; and
a piston shaft connected at one end to said ram plate and at the other end to said piston head, said piston shaft being slidably supported within the second end of said first telescoping cylinder.
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5. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein:
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said second telescoping cylinder includes a first end having an outwardly flanged end wall and a second end opposite the first end; and
said primary housing having an aft end stop flange positioned in said primary housing aft end, said second telescoping cylinder outwardly flanged end wall engaging with said aft end stop flange of said primary housing on extension of said second telescoping cylinder.
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6. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said second telescoping piston includes:
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a piston head slidable between the first and second ends of said second telescoping cylinder; and
a piston shaft connected at one end to said piston head and at the other end to said breech mounting, said piston shaft being slidably supported within the second end of said second telescoping cylinder.
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Specification