US3859890A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Traveling tube ejector system
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
•
Filing: 1968-12-23
•
Granted: 1975-01-14
•
Expires: 1988-12-23
Abstract
Abstract A projectile launching device in which a projectile or warhead is mounted in an ejection tube in the form of a piston and the ejection tube is mounted in a launching tube. A propellant charge in the ejection tube supplies gas pressure to the projectile to force the projectile out the ejection tube, and a rocket nozzle located to the rear of the propellant charge receives gases from combustion of propellant charge to eject the ejection tube from the launching tube.
Inventors
- 👤 William D Guthrie
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 12:22
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41F; F41F3/00; F41F3/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A traveling tube ejector system comprising: an open ended launching tube having rear and forward ends; an ejection tube slidably mounted in said launching tube for ejection out said forward end of said launching tube, said ejection tube having a forward barrel portion, an intermediate portion and rear rocket nozzle; a projectile mounted at one end of said barrel portion and adjacent said intermediate portion, and a propellant charge mounted in said intermediate portion, said propellant charge, upon ignition, simultaneously communicating gases to the nozzle and the projectile to thereby cause the projectile to be moved forward in said barrel portion and out the other end of said barrel portion at the same time said ejection tube is being forced forward through said launching tube and ejected out said forward end of said launching tube by the gases exhausted through said nozzle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
A traveling tube ejector system comprising: an open ended launching tube having rear and forward ends; an ejection tube slidably mounted in said launching tube for ejection out said forward end of said launching tube, said ejection tube having a forward barrel portion, an intermediate portion and rear rocket nozzle; a projectile mounted at one end of said barrel portion and adjacent said intermediate portion, and a propellant charge mounted in said intermediate portion, said propellant charge, upon ignition, simultaneously communicating gases to the nozzle and the projectile to thereby cause the projectile to be moved forward in said barrel portion and out the other end of said barrel portion at the same time said ejection tube is being forced forward through said launching tube and ejected out said forward end of said launching tube by the gases exhausted through said nozzle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A traveling tube ejector system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said propellant charge has openings therethrough to communicate gases to the projectile.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
A traveling tube ejector system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the area of the projectile, the area of the nozzle throat and the expansion cone of the nozzle are chosen such that said projectile will exit said other end of said barrel portion at substantially the same time said ejection tube exits said forward end of said launching tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A traveling tube ejector system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said propellant charge is a solid propellant.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A traveling tube ejector system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said nozzle is a sonic exhaust nozzle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A traveling tube ejector system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said intermediate portion has a diameter greater than said barrel portion, and said barrel portion has a plurality of circumferentially arranged guide fins.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
118 words
A traveling tube ejector system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said intermediate portion has a diameter greater than said barrel portion and said barrel portion has a plurality of circumferentially arranged guide fins, wherein said nozzle is a sonic exhaust nozzle, wherein said propellant charge is a solid propellant with openings therethrough, and wherein the area of the projectile, the area of the nozzle throat and the expansion cone of the nozzle are chosen such that said projectile will exit said barrel portion at substantially the same time said ejection tube exits said launching tube to thereby effectively increase the dwell time of the projectile in the barrel portion and effectively ballistically lengthen the barrel portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A traveling tube ejector system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the effective ballistic length of the launching tube is the summation of the length of the barrel portion and that of the launching tube.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-01-13 | 1978-07-15 | 1979-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-13 | 1982-07-15 | 1983-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-13 | 1986-07-15 | 1987-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |