Gas gun launcher
US9567108B2 · kind B2 · utility
3Cited by
53References
18Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 16, 2015 |
| Grant date | Feb 14, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 25, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF42B15/01
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A gas gun launcher has a pump tube and a launch tube with a first end of the launch tube slidably inserted into a second end of the pump tube. The pump tube may hold a heat exchanger to heat a light gas used to launch a vehicle. A sliding seal can be employed to manage recoil and to retain the gas within the launch tube and the pump tube. A fast-closing muffler at the second end of the launch tube can conserve the light gas utilized for launching a vehicle, enabling the light gas to be recycled. A launch tube alignment system is preferably automatic, ensuring the survival of the launch vehicle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.