Apparatus for launching an object in a fluid environment
US6701819B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 19, 2002 |
| Grant date | Mar 9, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 19, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF41F3/07
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus for launching an object in a fluid environment having a tubular member with a forward muzzle end, an opposed rearward end. The object is positioned in the tubular member. Ends of the tubular member are closed by expellable members. Flood valves are located on the expellable members and, on activation, allow flooding of the tubular member by external fluid. A propellant device and an object contact member are disposed within the tubular member. When the propellant device is activated, the object contact member moves the object. These actions are controlled by a control device which first causes the flood valves to enable fluid to flood the interior region. Next, the control device causes the expellable members to be expelled from the tubular member. The control device then causes the propellant device to generate gas in a predetermined manner launching the object from the tubular member.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.