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US3648955A
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Method and means for producing divergence of plural ejection seat trajectories
Assignee: Stencel Aero Engineering Corp
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Filing: 1970-02-02
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Granted: 1972-03-14
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Expires: 1990-02-02
Abstract
Abstract A method and means for producing divergence of the trajectories of plural ejection seats as such seats are ejected from an aircraft so that collisions will be avoided. As soon as each seat is ejected upwardly from the aircraft, a first force is applied to the seat at a point offset from the yaw axis of the seat to cause the seat to rotate about its yaw axis at a certain yaw rate. After such rotation at the yaw rate has occurred for a preselected interval of time, an opposed force is applied to terminate the seat rotation and the yaw rate so that the seat is reoriented from its initial trajectory path, but the yaw rate is substantially zero. Thus, when the occupant separates from the ejection seat, he will not be traveling with any yaw rate.
Inventors
- 👤 Fred B Stencel
- 👤 Walter R Peck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 14:49
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64D; B64D25/00; B64D25/08; B64D25/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A method for producing divergence of plural ejection seat trajectories comprising the steps of: ejecting plural ejection seats substantially simultaneously upward out of an aircraft cockpit in which such seats are initially installed; applying a first yaw producing force to each seat to start each seat rotating at a yaw rate and in opposed directions; applying a second yaw producing force to each seat at a predetermined time after said first yaw producing force is applied; said second yaw producing force being applied in opposition to said first yaw producing force to substaNtially terminate said yaw rate and said seat rotation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
101 words
A method for producing divergence of plural ejection seat trajectories comprising the steps of: ejecting plural ejection seats substantially simultaneously upward out of an aircraft cockpit in which such seats are initially installed; applying a first yaw producing force to each seat to start each seat rotating at a yaw rate and in opposed directions; applying a second yaw producing force to each seat at a predetermined time after said first yaw producing force is applied; said second yaw producing force being applied in opposition to said first yaw producing force to substaNtially terminate said yaw rate and said seat rotation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as defined in claim 1 wherein said first yaw producing force is applied to each seat to rotate each seat away from the axis of forward motion of said aircraft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
165 words
Means for producing divergence of the trajectories of plural ejection seats which are initially housed in the cockpit of an aircraft, said means comprising: a pair of opposed rotational force producing means connected to each seat; means for actuating one of said pair of opposed rotational force producing means substantially when said seat is ejected upwardly out of the aircraft cockpit to start said seat rotating about its yaw axis at a certain yaw rate; means for actuating the other of said pair of opposed rotational force producing means at a predetermined time after said first rotational force producing means has been actuated; said other force producing means, when actuated, causing said seat to substantially stop its rotation about its yaw axis; at least two such ejection seats being provided, the first actuated of said rotational force producing means acting in one rotational direction on one seat and acting in the opposite rotational direction on the other seat to cause divergence of said seat trajectories.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
165 words
Means for producing divergence of the trajectories of plural ejection seats which are initially housed in the cockpit of an aircraft, said means comprising: a pair of opposed rotational force producing means connected to each seat; means for actuating one of said pair of opposed rotational force producing means substantially when said seat is ejected upwardly out of the aircraft cockpit to start said seat rotating about its yaw axis at a certain yaw rate; means for actuating the other of said pair of opposed rotational force producing means at a predetermined time after said first rotational force producing means has been actuated; said other force producing means, when actuated, causing said seat to substantially stop its rotation about its yaw axis; at least two such ejection seats being provided, the first actuated of said rotational force producing means acting in one rotational direction on one seat and acting in the opposite rotational direction on the other seat to cause divergence of said seat trajectories.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
Means as defined in claim 3 wherein releasable coupling means are provided for keeping the occupant of said ejection seat in the seat for a predetermined time after ejection and until said other rotational force producing means has been actuated so that the yaw rate will be substantially zero when said occupant is released from said seat.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
Means as defined in claim 3 wherein one of said pair of opposed rotational force producing means comprises a stabilizing line connected to the seat offset from the yaw axis thereof so that when said line pulls taut, the seat is caused to rotate about its yaw axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
Means as defined in claim 5 wherein said stabilizing line is of the energy absorbing type.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
Means as defined in claim 3 wherein one of said pair of opposed rotational force producing means is a rocket connected to said seat with its nozzle offset from the yaw axis thereof so that when said rocket fires, the seat is caused to rotate about its yaw axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
Means as defined in claim 3 wherein each seat includes a main thrust producing rocket attached to the rear thereof and wherein the nozzle of the main rocket is canted to provide an off-center thrust which provides one of said pair of rotational force producing means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
Means as defined in claim 3 further including a drogue parachute connected centrally to the rear of each seat to cancel any seat instability caused by aerodynamic moments.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
Means as defined in claim 3 wherein each seat includes dual seat bucket mounted sustainer rockets wherein the ignition of one sustainer rocket is delayed to provide initially an off-center thrust in the desired direction and to provide subsequently an equal off-center thrust in the opposite direction.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3186662A
Cited
US3222015A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-03-14 | 1975-09-13 | 1976-03-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-03-14 | 1979-09-13 | 1980-03-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-03-14 | 1983-09-13 | 1984-03-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |