Multi-Sonobuoy Launch Container With Constant Force Spring

The present invention discloses an electronically-actuated, multi-store dispenser wherein a constant force spring causes sequential launching of stores from their tandem position inside a launch container. In some environments, it is desirable to dispense multiple stores from a launch vehicle, for instance sonobuoys, in dense patterns. Due to physical limitations of space in the dispensing vehicle, an effort was made to miniaturize the active components inside the store and therefore reduce the overall outer dimensions thereof. Once the size of the store was reduced, in order to meet the demands of the denser patterns, the inside of the individual launch containers were modified to allow each to hold and dispense more than one store. This new type of launch container, in addition to maintaining the size requirement dictated by the transporting vehicle, is operated by the vehicle's electrical systems.

A multi-store launcher, that utilizes a constant force pressure on a stack of sonobuoys coupled with an electronically-controlled gate bar, is disclosed. The constant force, which can come from a biasing means, such as springs, urges the stack of sequentially-positioned stores to attempt to exit at the discharge end of the container. Upon an electronic signal from the transporting vehicle, a solenoid activates a clevis, or shackle, which, in turn, raises the gate bar for a brief period. The lower-most store is forced out of the container and ears on the next lowermost store are caught at the closed gate bar. These actions are repeated until all the sonobuoys are launched.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a multi-store launcher wherein constant force is exerted on a stack of stores to launch each store with equal exit velocity.

Another object of the invention is to provide a multi-store launch container for launching, sequentially, a plurality of stores wherein said container is adaptable to presently existing transporting vehicles.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-store launch container wherein an electronic pulse from the transporting vehicle releases a gate that has been blocking the exit of individual stores.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of this invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a modified standard-size sonobuoy launch container with a plurality of sonobuoys (shown in phantom outline) contained therein;

FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view, taken along lines II--II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view, taken alongs lines III--III of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a lateral cross-sectional view, taken along lines IV--IV of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 shows an enlarged, partially broken away, detailed view taken at the lower section of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 shows a sectional view taken along lines VI--VI of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows a lateral cross-sectional view taken along lines VII--VII of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 8 shows an enlarged and exploded perspective view of the empty discharge end of the launch container.

The instant invention makes use of presently-existing, standard-sized launch containers that are capable of dispensing only one store, such as a sonobuoy, at a time and constant force negator springs, that apply launch pressure to a stack of miniature stores placed in the container, as shown at 20 in FIG. 1, to allow operations that require multiple store dispensing. Container 20, also as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, is comprised of a tubular outer skin 21 joined at the breech end thereof to a securing cap 23 with circular lugs 24 and concentrically, semi-circular arranged inner skin sections 25, as seen at FIGS. 4 and 7. A plurality of sequentially stacked stores 22a-f (as seen in phantom in FIG. 1) rest inside skin 25. Tubular skin 21 and skin sections 25 can be made from any number of suitable materials, such as ABS plastic or the like, and are joined to cap 23 by "jam-fitting", or such other techniques known in the art. Cap 23 and lugs 24 are made to standard sizes to insure capatibility with vehicles, such as aircraft, that transport the launchers. Electrical leads 26 bring electrical power from a transporting aircraft to a solenoid 28, which has been affixed into cap 23 at the axial center thereof, in place of the commonly used CAD (cartridge-actuated device). Solenoid 28 is a negative-action, or "pull-in" type solenoid, which, as is known, withdraws its tongue for a short duration of time upon receiving a pulse of power from the vehicle. Attached to the solenoid tongue (not shown) by standard means is a clevis, or shackle, 32, to complete the control section of the invention.

As seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, a pair of non-elastic and non-deformable cables 34a,34b are attached to clevis 32 and extend, through pulley systems 40a,40b respectively, in between outer skin 21 and inner skin 25, the length of container 20 to gate means 54a,54b respectively. Each pulley system 40a,b has a "Z-shaped" bracket 41a,b attached to the inner surface of outer skin 21 to radiate inwardly towards the center of container 20. Each bracket carries, for rotational use, a series of pulleys 42a, 42b, 43a, 43b, 44a and 44b, attached through spacers 45, 46, and 47, respectively, as is known, and cables 34a,34b extend from clevis 32 beneath pulleys 42 and 43 and over pulley 44. Cables 34a,34b further are slidingly threaded along oppositely-situated channels (see FIG. 2) between outer skin 21 and inner skins 25 to attachment points on oppositely-disposed gate means 54a,54b.

As can be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4, a pair of negator springs 48a,48b extend from anchoring means, such as screws 49a,49b, respectively, at opposite sides of the discharge end of container 20, along the inside of skin 21 to fit into oppositely-placed spring grooves 51a,51b in obturator 52. Obturator 52 provides a releasable seal that conforms to the inner periphery of container 20 and that slidingly moves along inner skin 25, under the constant force pressure from springs 48, as each attempts to recoil, as each store is dispensed.

FIGS. 5-8 clearly show how the gate means 54 and the decelerator means 80 work, in conjunction with the stack of stores 22a-f, to block exit of the outermost store, release just the outermost store and control the shifting of position of remaining stores after the outermost has been dispensed. Each individual store, for example 22a, has oppositely-extending ears 27 (see FIG. 7), protruding in a perpendicular manner from approximately the mid-section thereof. Ears 27 slidingly fit into exit pathways 82a,82b carved out of inner skin sections 25 and control the exit of each store from container 20. Pathways 82 are arranged on opposite sides of section 25 and extend longitudinally from the breech end a predetermined distance until changing course to turn, at an angle of between forty and eighty degrees, to reach an opening 84a,84b in the bottom edge of the discharge end.

Pathways 82 are of a predetermined width larger than the diameter of ears 27 throughout the longitudinally extending section until just above decelerator means 80, where the width is decreased at a predetermined angle so that each pathway is made more narrow. This constricted area in pathways 82 tends, through the increased frictional resistance to ears 27 sliding therealong, to slow down the movement of a particular store as it reaches that specific location in container 20. Further, since an angled curve is formed at the bottom end of the longitudinally-extending portion of pathways 82, when ears 27 travel into this part, a second deceleration of the store movement takes place.

Slidingly fitting into longitudinally-extending chutes 63a,63b are gate means 54a,54b. Each gate is comprised of an elongated, double thickness bar with a proximal and a distil end and having a bevelled edge 56a,56b at the distil end of a first thickness 57a,57b and an oppositely-disposed curved proximal end 58a,58b on the other thickness 59a,59b. Additionally, a return spring 61a,61b is attached to the distil end 62a,62b of the second thickness by pins 65a,65b for a purpose to be described. As can be seen in FIG. 8, chutes 63a,63b extend into both outer skin 21 and inner skin sections 25 to provide a multi-planar area for gate means 54a,54b to move in.

The herein described invention allows the dispensing of a plurality of stores 22a-f from a standard size launch container 20 physically joined to a transporting vehicle after connecting electrical power from the vehicle thereto. Negator springs 48a,48b, through the constant pressure or force on stores 22a-f, provide the propulsion force necessary to accelerate each store to a desired exit velocity within the time of a stroke length of clevis 32. As solenoid 28 is actuated, clevis 32 pulls in on cable 34, which is connected, through pulley systems 40, to gate means 54. As power is applied, means 54 is moved from a position where thickness 57 blocks any movement by ears 27 to a release position where bevelled edges 56 clear pathways 82. The electric pulse to solenoid 28 is timed to allow the force from negator springs 48 to eject only one store, or, in other words, to allow only one set of ears 27 to clear gate means 54. Once the ears of the outermost store starts to move along the angled portion of pathway 82, the ears of the store immediately next to it slide down the longitudinal section of pathway 82 until they reach the decelerating means 80. Means 80, both the constricted area and the angle in pathway 82 slow the movement of this next store down sufficiently to allow, after the electric pulse ends, the first thickness 57 to be returned by force from return springs 61 to block the exit of any more stores. Subsequent stores are all dispensed in like manner, with the coils from negator springs 48 always forcing themselves against obturator 52.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.