Claims
- 1. A submunition dispensing system for use with a carrier frame having a support structure defining a plurality of cavities disposed about and extending along a central axis of the frame for stowing in each cavity a plurality of elongated subpacks each containing a plurality of munitions therein, said dispensing system comprising:
- (a) a plurality of inflatable bladders each expandable from a collapsed to an inflated condition in response to fluid pressure within said bladder, each bladder in said collapsed condition being positioned in one of the cavities so as to underlie the subpacks disposed therein;
- (b) means for releasably retaining the subpacks in the cavities adjacent said bladders in said collapsed condition;
- (c) means in each cavity for laterally supporting and laterally spacing at least one of said plurality of subpacks from another of said plurality of subpacks within said cavity; and
- (d) fluid pressure-generating means for delivering pressurized fluid to said bladders to expand them from said collapsed to inflated condition and cause ejection of the munitions in said subpacks from the cavities.
- 2. The dispensing system as recited in claim 1, wherein each bladder includes attachment means connected to said bladder for mounting said bladder to the frame.
- 3. The dispensing system as recited in claim 1, wherein each bladder has a pleated configuration in said collapsed condition.
- 4. The dispensing system as recited in claim 1, wherein each retaining means overlies one of the cavities and the subpack of munition disposed therein.
- 5. The dispensing system as recited in claim 1, wherein each retaining means includes retention bars for engaging outer portions of the subpack.
- 6. The dispensing system as recited in claim 1, wherein each retaining means includes straps for overlying the subpack and releasably attaching at opposite ends to the frame.
- 7. The dispensing system as recited in claim 1, wherein said fluid pressure-generating means is a gas generator for disposing in a central passage in the frame between the cavities.
- 8. In combination with a carrier frame having a central structure defining an elongated passage along an axis and a plurality of support structures radially projecting outwardly from said central structure and defining a plurality of open elongated cavities circumferentially disposed about and axially extending along said central structure for stowing a plurality of elongated subpacks of munitions in each of said cavities therein, each of said subpacks containing a plurality of munitions, a submunition dispensing system comprising:
- (a) a plurality of inflatable metallic bladders each expandable from a collapsed condition to an inflated condition in response to fluid pressure within said bladder, each bladder in said collapsed condition being mounted in one of said cavities adjacent said support and central structures and underlying the subpacks disposed in said one cavity;
- (b) at least one retaining means overlying at least one of said cavities, overlying and engaged with the subpacks disposed in said cavities, and releasably attached to at least one of said support structures for releasably retaining the subpacks in said cavities against said bladders in said collapsed conditions;
- (c) fluid pressure-generating means mounted in said passage of said central structure and connected in flow communications with each of said inflatable bladders, said pressure-generating means being actuatable for delivering pressurized fluid to said bladders to expand them from said collapsed to inflated conditions and cause ejection of each of the munitions in said subpacks from said cavities; and
- (d) means in each cavity for laterally supporting and laterally spacing at least one of said subpacks from another of said plurality of subpacks in said cavity.
- 9. The dispensing system as recited in claim 8, wherein each bladder includes attachment means connected to each of said bladders for mounting said bladders to the frame.
- 10. The dispensing system as recited in claim 8, wherein each bladder has a pleated configuration in said collapsed condition.
- 11. The dispensing system as recited in claim 8, wherein each retaining means overlies one of the cavities and the subpack of munition disposed therein.
- 12. The dispensing system as recited in claim 8, wherein each retaining means includes a plurality of retention bars engaged with outer portions of the subpack.
- 13. The dispensing system as recited in claim 8, wherein each retaining means includes a strap overlying the subpack, said strap being releasably attached at opposite ends to the frame.
- 14. The dispensing system as recited in claim 8, wherein said fluid pressure-generating means is a gas generator disposed in a central passage in the frame between the cavities.
Parent Case Info
This is a division of application Ser. No. 07/370,978, filed Jun. 26, 1989 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,481.
The present invention generally relates to weapon dispensing systems and, more particularly, is concerned with an inflatable metal bladder submunition dispensing system used for ejection and dispersion of submunitions.
Submunitions ejected and dispersed from a carrier vehicle such as an air-dropped or ground-launched missile are weapons commonly referred to as "cluster bombs". The basic objective of any cluster weapon is to achieve an effective ground pattern with the contained submunitions. The desired ground pattern is typically a uniform dispersal of submunitions over a circular area of a predetermined diameter. It is particularly important not to leave a void in the center of the pattern.
To achieve such submunition dispersal pattern, the dispensing system must be capable of delivering energy to the submunitions in a manner to yield a wide range of transverse (radial) submunition velocities. The velocities should range from zero (or slightly above) to a value high enough to yield the predetermined diameter pattern. There are many proven prior art systems which can impart relatively high dispersal velocities to submunitions. However, there are no such systems which impart a wide range of velocities simultaneously.
Prior art dispensing systems developed for submunition dispersal have used an inflatable fabric bag. This bag has either a cylindrical or a generally rectangular box shape. The sides are generally parallel to a central axis through the bag. The cylindrical or rectangular fabric bag system does not produce variable velocities in the submunitions. Further, inflatable fabric bags have limitations regarding their pressure and temperature capabilities.
For example, the german MLRS-AT2 warhead uses an inflatable membrane system to disburse submunitions. The membrane is inflated from a stowed folded position to a cylindrical shape by a gas generator. Gas leakage is prevented by the proximity of the membrane to flat bulkheads of the warhead. The submunitions are all ejected at uniform velocity.
A method of providing a velocity gradient to submunition dispersal was developed by the assignee of the present invention. In this design an inflatable bag having parallel sides is positioned behind a stack of submunitions resting on an elongated support arm. One end of the support arm is pivotally secured, the other free to rotate outward in response to expansion of the inflatable bag. Upon inflation of the bag by the gas generator, each of the submunitions is dispersed at a velocity depending on its position in the stack along the length of the support arm. However, this design is relatively complex.
Consequently, there is a need for a simpler approach to dispensing submunitions or cluster weapons at variable velocities which will achieve the desired dispersal pattern while at the same time being able to withstand higher pressures and temperatures.
The present invention provides a submunition dispensing system which satisfies the aforementioned needs. The dispensing system of the present invention employs inflatable structures called "bladders". These bladders are preferably made of fabric or metal. Metallic bladders, have significantly higher pressure and temperature capabilities than fabric bladders and, hence, can produce a much higher dispersion velocity than fabric bladders.
The fabric and metallic bladders of the dispensing systems according to the present invention preferably have nonparallel sides to produce a velocity gradient in the disbursed submunitions. The final inflated shape of the bladders generally tapered, can be tailored to produce desired specific velocity gradients in the submunitions during the dispensing event which in turn leads to more uniform and efficient ground patterns. A pear or conical shape, for example, may produce an optimum dispersal pattern depending on the particular application. Also, the final inflated shape may be tailored to compensate for a nonsymmetrical center of mass of the submunition being ejected.
The present invention is directed to a single or multiple event submunition dispensing system for use with a carrier frame of a vehicle, such as an air-dropped or ground-launched missile. The carrier frame preferably has a central structure defining an elongated passage and a plurality of support structures radially projecting outwardly from the central structure. These support structures define a plurality of open elongated cavities circumferentially disposed about and axially extending along the central structure. The cavities of the carrier frame are for stowing a plurality of elongated subpacks of munitions therein.
Each metal or fabric bladder is expandable from a collapsed condition to an inflated condition in response to fluid pressure. One or more bladders, in the collapsed condition, are mounted in one or more of the cavities adjacent to and along the support and central structures of the carrier frame. Each bladder preferably underlies one or more subpacks disposed in the cavity.
Each bladder can be configured to have either an unpleated or a pleated configuration in the collapsed condition. The pleated configuration allows expansion through a longer stroke and can provide higher velocity differential than the unpleated configuration therefore imparting a higher maximum velocity to the subpack of munitions. The bladder can also be configured for expansion to an overall constant diameter full shape in the inflated condition. However, in order to impart a variable velocity gradient to the submunition subpack, the bladder is preferably configured for expansion to a conical shape.
Also, the dispensing system preferably includes a plurality of retaining assemblies for releasably retaining the subpacks in the cavities against the collapsed bladders. Each retaining assembly overlies one of the cavities and the subpack of munitions disposed therein. The assembly may include elongated retention bars which engage outer portions of the subpack generally parallel to the axis of the central structure and straps overlying the subpack circumferentially. The straps and bars may be releasably attached to the support structures.
Further, the dispensing system includes a fluid pressure-generating means, such as a gas generator, preferably disposed in the passage of the central structure of the carrier frame. The gas generator is connected in flow communication with the inflatable bladders by means such as orifices alone or connectors with orifices in the central structure. The gas generator is remotely actuated at the proper instant by an ignition interface in the carrier frame to deliver pressurized fluid to the collapsed bladders expanding them from the collapsed to inflated conditions and causing ejection of the subpacks from the cavities.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.
US Referenced Citations (13)
Foreign Referenced Citations (3)
| Number |
Date |
Country |
| 0265609A2 |
May 1988 |
EPX |
| 2169067A |
Jul 1986 |
GBX |
| 2202310A |
Sep 1988 |
GBX |
Divisions (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
| Parent |
370978 |
Jun 1989 |
|
Patent Grant
5107767
