Ordnance – Mounts – Aircraft type
Reexamination Certificate
1990-03-12
2001-03-13
Carone, Michael (Department: 3643)
Ordnance
Mounts
Aircraft type
C089S001811, C089S001815, C089S001818, C089S001410
Reexamination Certificate
active
06199470
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to launching systems for aircraft and more particularly relates to an apparatus which includes a rotary launcher which can carry multiple projectiles, the projectiles being launched for aircraft defense.
2. Description of the Related Art
There has been a long felt need for efficiently protecting a host aircraft from approaching threats, such as missiles. In response to this need present assignee, Rockwell International Corporation, has developed a projectile, known within the company as the Killer Volleyball (KV). The KV is desired to be launchable from a host aircraft for aircraft defense. The KV and the system for which it is used are claimed in concurrently filed patent applications, Ser. No. 07/493,088, entitled “Killer Volleyball For Vehicle Defense” and Ser. No. 07/491,798, entitled “Killer Volleyball Defense System”. All three of these patent applications are assigned to Rockwell International Corporation.
The development of the KV resulted in a concomitant need for a launcher which could efficiently launch the KV from the host aircraft. Such a launch is preferably parallel to the line of flight of the host aircraft. The rapid deployment of multiple KVs was desired. In the development of such a launcher, the present invention was conceived which, although is particularly adapted for launching the KV, has broader utilities, for example, to launch other active defensive weapons.
A patent search has revealed the following references which may be deemed material to the prosecution of the present application:
U.S. Pat. No. 2,826,120, issued to J. M. Lang et at, utilizes a mechanically actuated ejector rack to eject a weapon perpendicular to the line of flight of the host vehicle. The Lang et al device requires complicated mechanical retention/actuation devices to support the weapon prior to and at deployment.
Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,333,384, entitled “Rotary Rack Launcher with Direct Load Pass Suspension”, issued to A. M. Arnold, discloses a launcher designed to eject the weapon perpendicular to the line of flight of the host vehicle. Like the Lang et al device, the Arnold design utilizes a mechanically actuated ejector rack and requires the use of a mechanical retention/actuation device.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, a principle object of the present invention to allow rapid deployment of multiple projectiles in a dynamic, turbulent, aerodynamic environment.
Another object is to provide an efficient deployment of spherically shaped projectiles without degrading their aerodynamic profiles.
It is yet another object of the present invention to eject projectiles at any predetermined angle relative to the line of flight of the host aircraft.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a compact launcher capable of being installed on the aft end of a host vehicle.
It is still another object of the present invention to insure a large field-of-view for the projectile being launched.
These and other objects are achieved by the present invention which is an apparatus for launching projectiles from a host aircraft. In its broadest aspects, the apparatus comprises: a rotary launcher, a plurality of launch tube assemblies, a plurality of projectile retention means, and a plurality of ejection cartridges. The rotary launcher has a plurality of support fittings thereon, each for securing a tube assembly to the rotary launcher. Each projectile retention means securely retains each projectile within its respective launch tube. Each ejection cartridge is mounted to a respective launch tube assembly and interfaces with a projectile retention means to provide an ejection of that projectile retention means.
The present launching apparatus is particularly adapted to launching spherical projectiles on the order of 10 to 14 inches in diameter, the approximate sizing of the Killer Volleyball.
In its narrower aspects, each projectile retention means is formed of a rigid, spherical foam, having a thermal protective coating which partially encapsulates the spherical projectile and secures it to the launch tube assembly, obviating the requirement for mechanical fasteners.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2826120 (1958-03-01), Lang et al.
patent: 3160062 (1964-12-01), Moy et al.
patent: 3348452 (1967-10-01), Sawle
patent: 3554078 (1971-01-01), Horvath
patent: 4178851 (1979-12-01), Brady
patent: 4264045 (1981-04-01), Campbell
patent: 4333384 (1982-06-01), Arnold
patent: 4455943 (1984-06-01), Pinson
patent: 4522104 (1985-06-01), Degen
patent: 4625646 (1986-12-01), Pinson
patent: 4637292 (1987-01-01), Peterson
patent: 4664034 (1987-05-01), Christian
patent: 4682528 (1987-07-01), Wohler
patent: 2025009 (1980-01-01), None
Dewan Anil
Parke Richard N.
Stock William H.
Boeing North American Inc.
Carone Michael
Ginsberg Lawrence N.
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