Patent US3708442A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4005655A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4005655A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inflatable stabilizer/retarder
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1976-02-02
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Granted: 1977-02-01
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Expires: 1996-02-02
Abstract
Abstract An extensible aerodynamic stabilizer and retarder apparatus for use on theail section of free fall weapons. The apparatus replaces the conventional tail fins previously used to stabilize such weapons. The disclosed apparatus is capable of collapsing to a diameter no larger than that of the diameter of the weapon itself. A weapon embodying the present invention can be usable in either of two retarding modes at the option of the aircraft pilot. The stabilizer and retarder comprises a plurality of pivotally attached fin members positioned symmetrically about the aft end of the bomb and connected together at their free ends by a strong flexible material. The attached fin members form a cylindrical area or chamber within which a flexible inflatable conical shaped bag is stored for deployment where a high drag mode of operation for the weapon is required.
Inventors
- 👤 Nick Kleinschmidt
- 👤 James V. Netzer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 20:21
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42B; F42B10/00; F42B10/32; F42B10/48; F42B10/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
A tail assembly for a fin stabilized retarded bomb comprising: an adapter ring configured to permit attachment to the aft end of a bomb; a plurality of fin members each having one end pivotally attached to said adapter ring; said fin members comprising a structural member of T-shaped cross section with the fin portion attached to a base cross member or web portion extending orthogonal to said fin portion; said fin members forming together a cylindrical enclosure area; an inflatable bag positioned within said cylindrical enclosure area and being fastened to said web portions; said inflatable bag having first and second ram air openings designed to admit air to the inside of said bag when the bomb is released from an aircraft; means for confining said fin members at the aft end thereof so that the fin portions of said members are substantially confined within the envelope diameter of the bomb; means for confining said bag from opening further than a predetermined amount; means for removing the restraint of said confining means and allowing full inflation of said bag.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
A tail assembly for a fin stabilized retarded bomb comprising: an adapter ring configured to permit attachment to the aft end of a bomb; a plurality of fin members each having one end pivotally attached to said adapter ring; said fin members comprising a structural member of T-shaped cross section with the fin portion attached to a base cross member or web portion extending orthogonal to said fin portion; said fin members forming together a cylindrical enclosure area; an inflatable bag positioned within said cylindrical enclosure area and being fastened to said web portions; said inflatable bag having first and second ram air openings designed to admit air to the inside of said bag when the bomb is released from an aircraft; means for confining said fin members at the aft end thereof so that the fin portions of said members are substantially confined within the envelope diameter of the bomb; means for confining said bag from opening further than a predetermined amount; means for removing the restraint of said confining means and allowing full inflation of said bag.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
166 words
In a retardable drop bomb or the like adapted to be released from a delivery aircraft the combination comprising: a rear terminal bulkhead; a tailsection attached to said bulkhead and comprising fin means deployable from a first mode, wherein said section presents a contour wholly within the envelope diameter of said bomb, selectively to a second mode wherein said section presents a stabilizing substantially conical contour and selectively to yet a third mode, wherein said section presents a greater conical contour effective to retard the velocity of the bomb after it's release from the aircraft; said fin means comprising a plurality of fin members each having one end pivotally attached to said bulkhead: said fin members extending rearwardly of said bulkhead and having base portions lying within a surface of revolution; loosely defining a chamber therewithin; an inflatable fabric bag within said chamber; and including means for causing inflation of said bag with ram air when said bomb is deployed in said second or third mode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
166 words
In a retardable drop bomb or the like adapted to be released from a delivery aircraft the combination comprising: a rear terminal bulkhead; a tailsection attached to said bulkhead and comprising fin means deployable from a first mode, wherein said section presents a contour wholly within the envelope diameter of said bomb, selectively to a second mode wherein said section presents a stabilizing substantially conical contour and selectively to yet a third mode, wherein said section presents a greater conical contour effective to retard the velocity of the bomb after it's release from the aircraft; said fin means comprising a plurality of fin members each having one end pivotally attached to said bulkhead: said fin members extending rearwardly of said bulkhead and having base portions lying within a surface of revolution; loosely defining a chamber therewithin; an inflatable fabric bag within said chamber; and including means for causing inflation of said bag with ram air when said bomb is deployed in said second or third mode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said base portions include means fastening said base portions to spaced portions of said bag; and said means for causing inflation including openings in said bag between said spaced portions thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said tail section includes: first means for confining said fin means to the contour of said first mode; second means for confining said fin means in said second mode; and selectively operable means actuable to render said confining means inoperable in a planned manner.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said fin members pivot by reason of partial inflation of said bag from said first mode position to said second mode position when said first confining means is rendered inoperable and the bomb is falling through the atmosphere.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said bag fully inflates and presents a larger conical contour extending from said fin members when said second confining means is rendered inoperative.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said bag includes a peripheral generally torroidal protuberance in the area of greatest circumference.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said bag includes a peripheral generally torroidal protuberance in the area of greatest circumference.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said tail section includes: first means for confining said fin means to the contour of said first mode; second means for confining said fin means in said second mode; and selectively operable means actuable to render said confining means inoperable in a planned manner.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said fin members pivot by reason of partial inflation of said bag from said first mode position to said second mode position when said first confining means is rendered inoperable and the bomb is falling through the atmosphere.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said fin members pivot by reason of partial inflation of said bag from said first mode position to said second mode position when said first confining means is rendered inoperable and the bomb is falling through the atmosphere.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-02-01 | 1980-08-02 | 1981-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-02-01 | 1984-08-02 | 1985-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-02-01 | 1988-08-02 | 1989-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |