US3561703A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Canopy breaking by shaped charge
Assignee: Stencel Aero Engineering Corp
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Filing: 1969-07-07
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Granted: 1971-02-09
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Expires: 1989-07-07
Abstract
Abstract A device for breaking the canopy overlying an aircraft ejection seat prior to the time that the seat contacts the canopy. An explosive shaped charge is provided for directly blasting an opening in the canopy and detonating means are provided for exploding the change. Movable means, advantageously in the form of canopy breaker means are provided for movement toward the underside of the canopy as a seat ejection operation is initiated and the detonating means explodes the charge at substantially the same time as the canopy breaker means contacts the underside of the canopy. As the charge blasts an opening in the canopy, the breaker means continues moving through the canopy to enlarge the opening, if necessary.
Inventors
- 👤 Fred B Stencel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 06:46
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64C; B64C1/00; B64C1/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
In the combination of an aircraft having a cockpit covered by a frangible canopy and an ejection seat installed in said cockpit and being selectively ejectable therefrom, the improvement for breaking said canopy to facilitate ejection which comprises: movable means mounted within said cockpit and being movable toward the underside of said canopy as an ejection operation of said seat is initiated; an explosive shaped charge for directly blasting an opening in said canopy; and detonating means for exploding said shaped charge at substantially the same time as said movable means contacts said underside of said canopy.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
In the combination of an aircraft having a cockpit covered by a frangible canopy and an ejection seat installed in said cockpit and being selectively ejectable therefrom, the improvement for breaking said canopy to facilitate ejection which comprises: movable means mounted within said cockpit and being movable toward the underside of said canopy as an ejection operation of said seat is initiated; an explosive shaped charge for directly blasting an opening in said canopy; and detonating means for exploding said shaped charge at substantially the same time as said movable means contacts said underside of said canopy.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The improvement defined in claim 1 wherein said movable means comprises canopy breaker means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The improvement defined in claim 2 wherein said detonating means includes a first portion mounted on said canopy breaker means and a second cooperating portion mounted on the underside of said canopy.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improvement defined in claim 2 wherein said explosive shaped charge is mounted on said canopy breaker means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The improvement defined in claim 2 wherein said explosive shaped chargE is mounted on the underside of said canopy.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The improvement defined in claim 2 wherein said canopy breaker means is moved through said canopy after said explosive charge blasts said opening therein, such movement of said canopy breaker means serving to enlarge said opening and further fracture said canopy if said blast failed to form a large enough opening.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The improvement defined in claim 1 wherein said movable means comprises a headrest forming a part of said ejection seat.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improvement defined in claim 7 wherein said explosive shaped charge is mounted on top of said headrest.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The improvement defined in claim 7 wherein said explosive shaped charge is mounted on the underside of said canopy.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US2543057A
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US2587243A
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US2693326A
Cited
US3152781A
Cited
US3248072A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-02-08 | 1974-08-10 | 1975-02-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-02-08 | 1978-08-10 | 1979-02-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-02-08 | 1982-08-10 | 1983-02-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |