Inflatable bladder submunition dispensing system
US5005481A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 26, 1989 |
| Grant date | Apr 9, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 26, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF42B3/04
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A submunition dispensing system is disclosed which includes inflatable bladders expandable from collapsed to inflated conditions in response to fluid pressure. The bladders are mounted in cavities of a carrier frame underlying subpacks of submunitions. The bladders lie adjacent to the support and central structures of the frame defining the cavities. Each bladder can be configured to have either an unpleated or a pleated configuration in the collapsed condition. The bladder can also be configured for expansion to an overall constant diameter outer shape or to a generally conical outer shape in the inflated condition. Expansion to the conical shape imparts a velocity gradient to the subpack. The dispensing system also includes retaining assemblies for releasably retaining the subpacks in the cavities against the collapsed bladders and a gas generator disposed in a passage of the central structure of the carrier frame. The gas generator is actuated at the proper instant to deliver pressurized fluid to the collapsed bladders expanding them from the collapsed to inflated conditions and causing ejection of the subpacks from the cavities.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.