Ordnance – Rocket launching – Having means restraining rocket from movement in launching...
Patent
1995-03-28
1996-07-09
Carone, Michael J.
Ordnance
Rocket launching
Having means restraining rocket from movement in launching...
89 1812, F41F 304
Patent
active
055334334
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
Locking Assembly in a Launcher for Missiles The invention relates to a locking assembly in a launcher for missiles, comprising a pivotally mounted blocking latch, which is provided with two blocking lugs which have the function of extending, in a blocking position, over a shoe provided on the missile, a spring by which the blocking latch is biased towards its blocking position, a locking lug provided on the blocking latch and a safety latch which is engaged by the locking lug in the blocking position, if acceleration forces act on the blocking latch, whereby the blocking latch is retained in its blocking position, and a safety pin, which, in the blocked state of the blocking latch, can be pushed through a housing of the locking assembly and which is engaged by the blocking latch.
Missiles, in particular target tracking rockets, are held in launchers, which, for example, are attached to an aircraft. In these launchers, they are retained by blocking latches against unintentional sliding-out. These blocking latches extend over a shoe, which is provided at the missile. The blocking latch is supported with a locking lug on a safety latch. When the missile is fired, the safety latch is pushed down by an electro-mechanical device. Such locking assemblies in launchers are in practical use. Now it has been found, that occasionally missiles slide out of the launcher. This can lead to very dangerous situations.
GB-A-2,133,865 shows a locking assembly in a launcher for missiles with a pivotally mounted blocking latch, which, with two blocking lugs extends over a shoe provided at the missile. The blocking latch is biased by a spring towards a blocking position, in which the shoe of the missile is retained by the blocking lugs. A locking lug is provided at the blocking latch. A blocking device engages the locking lug in the blocking position. According to GB-A-2,133,865, the blocking device is a toggle lever mechanism which is arranged to be released by a computer after a predetermined time and then releases the locking lug. Then the blocking latch is able to give way under the action of the thrust of a solid-fuel rocket motor of the missile and releases the shoe. Thereby, part of the fuel is burnt during the firing of the missile depending on altitude and speed of the carrier aircraft, in order to prevent the missile, under certain conditions, from being accelerated to excessive speed.
FR-A-1,258,098 shows a launcher wherein a blocking latch for a missile is unlocked by an unlocking member which extends into the jet of the missile.
It is the object of the invention to reduce the risk of unintentional sliding-out of the missile out of the launcher.
The invention is based on an investigation of the causes of such malfunctioning of the blocking latch.
After the missile has been set in and the missile is retained by means of the blocking latch, the loading team inserts the safety pin. It is assumed, that then, when the pin can be inserted without resistance, the blocking latch is properly locked in position and safely extends over the shoe of the missile. Actually, however, in the prior art locking assembly there is a position of the blocking latch, in which the safety pin can be inserted without problems, though the blocking latch does not properly extend around the shoe of the missile.
When the blocking latch is lifted according to the regulations during loading, the locking lug is located above the safety latch. If then the missile is inserted into the launcher with too much impetus, it may happen that the front blocking lug of the blocking latch is lifted by the missile and rests on the shoe of the missile.
With this faulty loading, jamming of the blocking latch may occur. The rear blocking lug remains in its lifted position. With such a position of the blocking latch, the missile may slide out of the launcher towards the front or towards the rear. In spite of this faulty loading the safety pin can be pushed in and simulates correct loading.
It can also happen, that the missile is not pushed forward sufficiently far du
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Giesenberg Peter
Lang Wilfried
Stadler Rolf
Bodenseewerk Geratiteschnik GmbH
Carone Michael J.
Wesson Theresa M.
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