US4023496A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ejector motor braking system
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
•
Filing: 1972-08-09
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Granted: 1977-05-17
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Expires: 1992-08-09
Abstract
Abstract A two stage separable missile adapted to be expelled from a launch tube by separable ejector motor and propelled along its trajectory by a flight motor ignited after the missile leaves the launch tube. The first stage includes a warhead, flight rocket motor and foldable tail fins. The second stage mounts on the rear of the first stage and encloses the folded tail fins. The second stage includes an ejector rocket motor for ejecting the missile from its tube and a braking motor for separating the first and second stages and decelerating the second stage to a zero velocity by the time it has traveled the length of the launch tube.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert H. Fink
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 22:11
CPC Classifications
F; F42; F42B; F42B5/00; F42B5/02; F42B5/10; F42B5/105
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
In a tube launched missile system having a two stage separable missile to be launched from a rocket launcher tube that is open at each end, the improvement comprising: a first stage that includes a first casing having a rocket motor mounted therein and foldable fin means mounted on the rearward end thereof, a second stage that includes a second casing having its forward end slidably mounted on the rearward end of said first casing, an ejector motor means mounted in said second casing and arranged to exhaust from the rearward end of said second casing so as to eject said missile from the launcher tube, a braking motor means mounted in said second casing and arranged to exhaust from the forward end of said second casing for separating said first and second stages and decelerating said second stage substantially to zero by the time said second stage reaches the muzzle end of the launcher tube, thus reducing the risks of injury to the surroundings by the second stage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
169 words
In a tube launched missile system having a two stage separable missile to be launched from a rocket launcher tube that is open at each end, the improvement comprising: a first stage that includes a first casing having a rocket motor mounted therein and foldable fin means mounted on the rearward end thereof, a second stage that includes a second casing having its forward end slidably mounted on the rearward end of said first casing, an ejector motor means mounted in said second casing and arranged to exhaust from the rearward end of said second casing so as to eject said missile from the launcher tube, a braking motor means mounted in said second casing and arranged to exhaust from the forward end of said second casing for separating said first and second stages and decelerating said second stage substantially to zero by the time said second stage reaches the muzzle end of the launcher tube, thus reducing the risks of injury to the surroundings by the second stage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
The tube launched missile system recited in claim 1 wherein: said foldable fin means includes a plurality of tail fins that are normally spring biased to an open position unless restrained in a folded position, and said second casing includes a forward end section that slides over the folded tail fins with a friction fit and abutts the rearward end of said first casing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The tube launched missile system recited in claim 2 wherein those areas of each of said tail fins that contact said second casing are provided with a relatively friction free coating to facilitate separation of said first and second stages of said missile.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The tube launched missile system recited in claim 3 wherein, said ejector motor means comprises a cylindrical propellant grain having a central cavity and said braking motor means is mounted in said cavity in a position whereby said braking motor is ignited by the exhaust from said ejector motor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
151 words
The tube launched missile system recited in claim 4 which further includes: a base member mounted in the rearward end of said second casing for substantially closing the rearward end thereof, said base member having at least one nozzle opening formed therein for exhausting said ejector motor, a dome-like member mounted intermediate the ends of said second casing, said dome-like member including a rearwardly extending, centrally disposed and internally threaded section, said dome-like member and said base member along with said second casing forming a motor casing for said ejector motor, and said braking motor includes a motor casing having a nozzle section on one end thereof, said nozzle section being externally threaded so as to mount in the internally threaded section of said dome-like member, whereby said ejector motor exhausts from the rear of said second stage and said braking motor exhausts toward the forward end of said second stage.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1980-05-16 | 1980-11-15 | 1981-05-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-05-16 | 1984-11-15 | 1985-05-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-05-16 | 1988-11-15 | 1989-05-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |