Pneumatic projectile launcher and sonobuoy launcher adaptor
US7278416B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 19, 2005 |
| Grant date | Oct 9, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 25, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF41B11/00
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A pneumatic sonobuoy launcher adapted for simultaneously storing, and sequentially and independently launching, at least two sonobuoys includes a barrel with a closed back end, an expulsion end opposite the back end and an interior sonobuoy-guiding channel extending between the opposed ends. The channel is adapted for storing a series of sonobuoys including rearwardmost and forwardmost sonobuoys stored, respectively, closest to the back end of the barrel and closest to the expulsion end of the barrel. Each stored sonobuoy occupies a distinct region of the channel separated by an interval from at least one other region. An expulsion-gas delivery system includes at least one valve that is selectively connectable into fluid communication with an expulsion-gas supply and is pneumatically switchable from at least (i) a first gas-channeling state in which expulsion gas introduced through the valve is directed to a first interval between sonobuoys to (ii) a second gas-channeling state in which expulsion gas introduced into the valve is directed to at least one of (a) a second interval located to the rear of the first interval and (b) a location within the channel behind the rearwardmost s…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.