Method and machine for assembling bulkhead to rocket launchers

Abstract

Abstract A MACHINE FOR ASSEMBLING AND SECURING A BULKHEAD TO THE END OF A ROCKET LAUNCHER IS PROVIDED FOR USE WHERE THE ROCKET LAUNCHER INCLUDES A BUNDLE OF CYLINDRICAL TUBES AND THE BULKHEAD HAS A PLURALITY OF COLLAR FLANGES REGISTERED WITH THE PROTRUDING INTO THE ENDS OF THE ROCKET TUBES. THE MACHINE COMPRISES A PLURALITY OF CYLINDRICAL COLLETS ADAPTED TO REGISTER WITH AND PROTRUDE INSIDE THE COLLAR FLANGES OF THE BULKHEAD AND BEING EXPANDABLE RADIALLY TO CAUSE THE COLLAR FLANGES TO PRESS OUTWARDLY AGAINST THE INNER SURFACES OF THE TUBES TO SECURE THE BULKHEAD TO THE TUBES. EACH COLLET IS EXPANDED BY A BELLSHAPED DRAWBAR WHICH IS SLIDABLY MOVABLE WITHIN THE COLLET AND WHICH CAMS THE EXPANDABLE WALLS OF THE COLLET OUTWARDLY DURING ITS LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT. THE PLURALITY OF EXPANDING COLLETS IN ADDITION TO SECURING BULKHEADS TO ENDS OF ROCKET TUBES, IT SIZES THE OPENING IN BULKHEAD TO PERMIT THE LOADING AND FIRING OF ROCKET WITHOUT INTERFERENCE, IT ALSO ASSURES CENTER TO CENTER ALIGNMENT OF ALL FIRING TUBES, AND LONGITUDINAL ALIGNMENT TO MAINTAIN A CONSISTENT PATTERN OF ROCKETS WHEN FIRED. THE METHOD FOR SECURING THE BULKHEAD TO THE ROCKET LAUNCHER INCLUDES PLACING IT OVER THE ENDS OF THE TUBE BUNDLE WITH ITS COLLAR FLANGES FITTED LOOSELY INSIDE THE ENDS OF THE TUBES, INSERTING A PLURALITY OF EXPANDABLE CYLINDRICAL COLLETS INSIDE THE COLLAR FLANGES, AND MOVING THE DRABARS LONGITUDINALLY TO CAUSE THE CYLINDRICAL COLLET WALLS TO EXPAND.

Inventors

• 👤 John J Nash

Bibliographic Details