Configurable pod structure and store stowage and deployment system and method
US9180967B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 28, 2012 |
| Grant date | Nov 10, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 11, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF41F3/065
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
In one embodiment there is provided a radar signature and induced aerodynamic drag minimizing, externally mountable, internally configurable pod structure optimized for internal placement of one or more deployable stores through configuration and optimal kinematic operation of a pod door assembly. The pod structure has an externally mountable pod housing, a predetermined pod housing cross-sectional configuration optimized to provide a configurable interior volume accommodating multiple different store configurations, and a predetermined pod housing configuration having a cross-sectional configuration optimized to minimize a radar signature and an induced aerodynamic drag. The pod structure further has a pod door assembly integral with the pod housing and having a plurality of pod doors and one or more seal door mechanism assemblies. The pod structure is optimized in kinematic operational combination of the pod doors and seal door mechanism assemblies controlling ejection launch envelopes.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.