Launch tube with adjustable plenum
US7013788B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 24, 2003 |
| Grant date | Mar 21, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 5, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF41A21/28
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A launch tube assembly including an aft launch tube portion, a forward launch tube portion, and a transfer sleeve having a first end fixed to and adjacent the forward end of said aft launch tube portion and a second end adjustably receiving the forward launch tube portion. A forward end of the aft launch tube portion faces a rearward end of the forward launch tube portion within the transfer sleeve. An adjustable plenum is present having a volume within the transfer sleeve defined by an adjusted distance between the facing ends of aft and forward launch tube portions. An end cap is pinned to a forward end of the forward launch tube portion, a gas generator housed in the aft launch tube portion, and a countermeasure device is housed in the forward launch tube portion. An adjustably selected volume of the plenum is such that a gas generated by the gas generator will enable propulsion of the countermeasure device at a predetermined acceleration from the forward launch tube portion.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.