USA as Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Other

The Boeing Company

John W Holtrop

Bruce C Bartels

James Johnathan Childress

Jack R Bates

Larry L Liedtke

Gary L Petersen

Steven E Ayler

John K Manion

Steve Ayler

Russell T Trovinger

A leak detector and shut-off apparatus shuts off hydraulic fluid downstream o prevent the hazards attendant hydraulic failure such as loss of fluid and fire. A first sensor is coupled to a supply line for hydraulic fluid to produce pressure differential force F.sub.s, which is representative of the flow of hydraulic fluid. A second sensor is coupled to a return line for hydraulic fluid to produce pressure differential force F.sub.r that is representative of flow of hydraulic fluid. A compensator creates representation F.sub.c of the rate of accumulation of hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic circuit downstream of the device and a safety margin. A shutoff mechanism is connected to the first and second sensors and the compensator to shut off the supply and return lines when F.sub.s is greater than the sum of F.sub.r and F.sub.c. Mechanical and electrical designs shutoff or isolate downstream hydraulic actuators, branches or select components immediately when a leak is detected to prevent loss of fluid and to reduce the hazards of fire.

Hydraulic circuit leak detector and shut-off mechanism

A plurality of resilient bladders filled with an inert gas line the walls of a fuel tank to protect fuel in the tank from explosion or leakage in the event that the tank is punctured by a ballistic projectile. The thickness of the bladders is controlled by a plurality of cords extending from one side of each bladder to the other. The inert gas is continuously supplied to the bladders so that the gas escaping from a puncture in a bladder prevents fuel from leaking from the tank through the puncture. During normal operation, the gas is vented into the tank to fill the ullage space of the tank with the insert gas. A conduit extends into the tank through the bladder. The walls of the bladder are sealed to each other around the conduit, thereby making it unnecessary to seal the walls of the bladder to the conduit.

Fuel tank having ballistic protection bladder

A hydraulic actuator having redundant cylinder assemblies, each assembly ng of lightweight and economical construction in having a relatively thin tubular wall reinforced to withstand hydraulic pressure by a layer of resin reinforced filament, the thickness and the material of the wall being such that petals formed from the wall by projectile penetration are sheared by engagement with a piston of the assembly as this piston is moved, together with an actuated element, by the piston of the other assembly.

Jam resistant fluid power actuator for ballistic-damage tolerant

A hydraulic cartridge suitable for releasing stores in aircraft relies on a ressurized piston rod which extends upon release of hydraulic pressure. The piston rod is enclosed in a cylinder and connected to a source of hydraulic fluid. Upon arming of the piston rod a hydraulic liquid is pumped into the piston rod and forces out a gas via an accumulation piston. Upon complete filling of the piston rod, a trigger is held in place by the pressurized fluid. Upon release of pressure, the pressure on the trigger becomes unbalanced and a spring releases the trigger from the piston rod permitting it to extend.

Hydraulic aircraft/stores cartridge

A rapid fire gun round is made with a composite chamber. The chamber is led by rotational motion rather than by reciprocating motion. The round will work in a recoilless gun configuration. An alternate arrangement permits multiple barrels to be arranged with an ammunition chain to form a Gatling gun configuration. A liner can be inserted in the gun barrel to be replaced with wear as appropriate.

Composite round/rapid fire gun

An elastomeric sway bracing and ejector system for aircraft is provided by wo different apparatus. In one, an elastomeric cushion is placed on the aircraft in a position to be crushed by a carried aircraft store. In the other, an elastomeric bladder is filled with gas, which is compressed to the sway brace store. This acts as a cushion between the aircraft and the store. In both apparatus, the release of the store permits it to be ejected by the compressed force of the elastomeric material. Insertion of pressurized sections in the elastomeric cushion permit both the cushion and the bladder to be inflated by different air pressures to control the resilient force exerted against the store.

Elastomeric sway bracing and ejector system

An apparatus for the carriage and release of aircraft stores uses two ejer pistons with integral latch hooks. The pistons are hydraulically interconnected to release a store by simultaneous extension. The latch hooks are opened by upward compression of a spring within the ejector piston. A pair of hydraulically actuated sway braces are mounted on each piston assembly.

Constrained store ejector

The present invention relates to a launch mechanism for launching a store from a vehicle such as an aircraft. The store is stored in a controlled manner close to the body of the aircraft and, in preparation for launch, is displaced in an arcuate or circular trajectory away from the vehicle by a swing arm pivotally constrained to the vehicle. A release mechanism is provided at the distal end of the swing arm for controlled securement and release of the store.

Launch mechanism

An electrohydraulic control system with mechanical position sensing feedb is presented. A movable flight control canard is rotatably operated for providing flight control of the missile. A hydraulically powered actuator is mounted to the airframe with the canard being secured to the actuator shaft for controlled rotation of the canard. Hydraulic fluid under pressure enters the actuator at its base controlled via a rotary valve. A stepper motor is mounted to the canard and is geared to drive the rotary valve as determined by digital control signals generated by the missile guidance computer. When the stepper motor receives a train of pulses, the stepper motor rotor rotatingly moves the rotary valve from the null or closed position to an open position admitting hydraulic fluid into the rotary actuator causing the canard to turn. The stepper motor rotates along with the canard and provides position feedback for closing the rotary valve when the canard has reached the equilibrium position determined by the control signal.

Electrohydraulic control system

A liquid propellant gun having a chamber adapted to receive a projectile liquid propellant and having a breech area containing a fuel injection system and a valve internally thereof and a bolt which is chambered within said valve and adapted to move from a projectile load to a fire position. The movement of the bolt from projectile load to fire position is done in one movement and this is possible in that the valve is able to hold high-pressure, making unnecessary a forward jogging of the bolt before firing.

Liquid propellant gun, breech pressure axial injection

An improved bi-propellant injection system for a liquid propellant gun inding a valve which is positively opened at the start of the injection of the fuel and oxidizer into the gun chamber and held at a predetermined displacement to provide a constant size propellant orifice throughout the fuel and oxidizer injection cycle.

Liquid propellant gun, positive displacement single valve

A liquid propellant gun loading, propellant injection and firing mechanism haracterized by a rotating breech block having a generally spherical contour. The breech block is intermittently rotated to and locked in sequential loading, fuel injection and firing positions.

Rotary bolt liquid propellant gun

A liquid propellant gun featuring concentric propellant pump, valve and b. Forward movement of the bolt causes forward movement of the propellant pump by interconnection of ball detents. The valve is forced open by differential pressure and closed by abutment of pump surfaces. At this juncture the ball detent connection is relieved and the bolt continues forward to pressurize the propellant charge before firing.

Liquid propellant gun

The injector assembly for liquid propellant guns is slidably mounted for ement into or out of the firing chamber of the gun as a sliding breech block. The bolt is movable within the injector assembly in one portion and the firing device is chambered in the alternate portion of the block.

An injection system for a liquid propellant gun including coaxial flow vas giving complete mixing of two propellant components by convergent streams, wherein ullage is eliminated by closely contouring the valves with the gun chamber and the flow valves are automatically controlled by action of the propellant pump.

Growing community of inventors

Ridgecrest, CA, United States of America

John W Holtrop