AU2001233939A1 - An acceleration system - Google Patents
An acceleration systemInfo
- Publication number
- AU2001233939A1 AU2001233939A1 AU2001233939A AU2001233939A AU2001233939A1 AU 2001233939 A1 AU2001233939 A1 AU 2001233939A1 AU 2001233939 A AU2001233939 A AU 2001233939A AU 2001233939 A AU2001233939 A AU 2001233939A AU 2001233939 A1 AU2001233939 A1 AU 2001233939A1
- Authority
- AU
- Australia
- Prior art keywords
- cable
- axis
- rotary member
- end portion
- wheel
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Description
AN ACCELERATION SYSTEM
This invention relates to an acceleration system for accelerating a load, and particularly, but not exclusively, to an aircraft launching system.
In GB 1 145 137 A, there is described an aircraft launching system comprising a cable, an end portion of which is adapted for releasably coupling with an aircraft and a remote end portion of which is secured. The cable is entrained in a pulley system which includes a mechanism for accelerating the cable in a longitudinal direction so as to launch an aircraft coupled to the cable. The mechanism comprises a flywheel and a two speed transmission coupled to the flywheel by a multiple disc friction clutch. The arrangement is such that the aircraft is accelerated slowly at first, for a distance of approximately a quarter of the launch distance, and then accelerates rapidly to reach take-off speed.
An object of the present invention is to provide an acceleration system which provides energy uniformly over a short timespan.
According to the present invention there is provided an acceleration system comprising a cable, an end portion of which is adapted for releasably coupling with a load, a rotary member adapted for rotation on an axis and drive means for disengageably engaging with the rotary member so as to rotate the rotary member on the axis characterised in that the rotary member is provided with a surface for receiving a portion of
the cable remote from the said end portion and the surface has a curved profile the radial dimension of which increases progressively from the said axis in an arcuate direction of the said axis.
Following is a description, by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of one method of carrying the invention into effect.
In the drawings :-
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation demonstrating the principle of operation of an acceleration system in accordance with the present invention,
Figure 2 is a diagrammatic representation of an embodiment of an acceleration system in accordance with the present invention, and
Figure 3 is a diagrammatic representation of another embodiment of an acceleration system in accordance with the present invention.
Referring now to Figure 1 of the drawings, a system 10 for accelerating a load 1 1 in accordance with the present invention comprises a wheel 12 rotatably mounted on an axis 13 and driven, so as to rotate on the axis 13, by means of a power source 14 acting through a drive roller 15 in contact with a peripheral surface of the wheel 12. The wheel 12 is provided with a surface 16 for receiving a cable 17. The surface 16, when viewed axially of the axis 13, is of a curved
formation the profile of which extending longitudinally of the surface 16 and in a radial direction from the axis 13 increases progressively from the axis 13 in an arcuate direction of the axis 13. The cable 17 is guided around a pulley 18 which is freely rotatably mounted on an axis 19 located above the wheel 12 and an end portion of the cable 17 is adapted to be locatable on the axis 13. Means (not shown) is provided for pushing the cable 17 towards the wheel 12 in an axial direction of the wheel 12.
In a starting position, an end portion of the cable 17 remote from the axis 13 is connected to the load 1 1 while the distal end of the cable 17 is held away from the profiled surface 16 of the wheel 12. The power source 14 is then operated so as to rotate the wheel 12. When the rotational kinetic energy is sufficient to provide power to accelerate the load 11, then the said means is operated to push the distal end of the cable 17 towards the wheel 12 so that the distal end of the cable 17 locates on the profiled surface 16, the end portion of the cable 17 remote from the load 11 being restrained at the centre of the wheel 12.
The effect of the profile of the surface 16 is such that the cable 17 draws the load 11 in a direction towards the pulley 18, initially at low speed and then at progressively increasing speed as the radial distance of the profile of the surface 16 from the axis 13 increases.
Means would be provided for disengaging the drive roller 15 from the wheel 12 and for braking the wheel 12 after the load 11 has been launched.
Referring now to Figure 2 of the drawings there is shown an embodiment of a system 20, in accordance with the present invention, for launching an aircraft 21. The system 20 differs from the system 10 shown in Figure 1 in that a flywheel 22 is provided with the profiled surface 16 and drive is provided by a power source 23 acting through a clutch 24. The cable 17 is arranged to wind on a drum 25, instead of on the profiled surface 16, and the drum 25 has connected to an outer surface thereof an end portion a second cable 26, a remote end portion of which is located on the axis 13 of rotation of the flywheel 22. The second cable 26 is turned on the drum 25 at the one end portion thereof and is adapted to cooperate with the profiled surface 16 of the flywheel 22 at the remote end portion thereof.
The arrangement is such that the drum 25 is of lighter construction than the flywheel 22 and may be arranged such as to accommodate the length of the cable 17 more easily than the profiled surface 16.
Referring now to Figure 3 of the drawings there is shown an embodiment of a system 30 which operates in accordance with the principle described with reference to Figure 1 except that, instead of being locatable on the axis 13, an end of the cable 17 is provided with a ball 31 and the wheel 12 is provided with a pair of spaced protrusions 32, 33 located adjacent a centre of the wheel 12.
The arrangement is such that, in a starting position, the wheel 12 rotates on the axis 13 and the portion of the cable 17
extending from the pulley 18 to the ball 31 is located a short distance away from the wheel 12. Means (not shown) is then operated to push that same portion of the cable 17 towards the wheel 12 so that the cable 17 is located between the protrusions 32, 33 but is prevented by the ball 31 from running out through the gap between the protrusions 32, 33. The cable 17, therefore, is entrained around the profiled surface 16 of the wheel 12 as the wheel rotates.
The axis 13 may comprise a tube and the cable 17 may be guided through the tube. Such an arrangement provides for separation of the cable 17 from the wheel 12 at a location of reduced angular speed. There may also be provided means (not shown) separate from the wheel 12, for rotating on the axis 13 and adapted to rotate at the same speed as the wheel 12 for drawing the cable 17 in a direction normal to the plane of the wheel 12. The arrangement would be such that, when the cable 17 has been drawn off the profiled surface 16 of the wheel 12 and onto the said means, the said means can be slowed and stopped independently of the wheel 12 and the cable 17 can be returned to a starting position. The wheel 12, being separate from the said means, is reaccelerated immediately after launch of the aircraft 21 so as to restore lost energy while the cable 17 is returned to the starting position.
It will be appreciated that, while the invention is particularly adapted for launching aircraft, it may also be suitable for other applications, such as for launching targets in a firing range.
The invention may also be suitable for other industrial applications, for example for propelling motor vehicles in crash testing.
It will be appreciated that an acceleration system in accordance with the present invention is simpler and more economic than high pressure steam operated systems known hitherto.
Claims (6)
1. An acceleration system comprising a cable ( 17), an end portion of which is adapted for releasably coupling with a load (1 1), a rotary member (12) adapted for rotation on an axis (13) and drive means (15) for disengageably engaging with the rotary member (12) so as to rotate the rotary member (12) on the axis ( 13) characterised in that the rotary member ( 12) is provided with a surface ( 16) for receiving a portion of the cable (17) remote from the said end portion and the surface (16) has a curved profile the radial dimension of which increases progressively from the said axis (13) in an arcuate direction of the said axis(13) .
2. A system as claimed in Claim 1 characterised in that there is provided an additional rotary member (25) adapted for rotation on a second axis in spaced parallel relation to the said axis (13) and a second cable (26) wherein the said portion of the said cable ( 17) is attached to the additional rotary member (25) and an end portion of the second cable (26) is attached to the additional rotary member (25) and a remote end portion of the second cable (26) is received by the surface (16) of the said rotary member (22) having the curved profile.
3. A system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 characterised in that the axis (13) comprises a tube and the cable
( 17,26) extends through the tube.
4. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims characterised in that the drive means (23) includes a clutch mechanism (24) .
5. A system as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims characterised in that there is provided means for engaging a portion of the said cable ( 17,26) with the said rotary member (12,22) so that the said portion of the said cable (17,26) locates on the said surface (16) while an end portion of the said cable (17,26) remote from the load (1 1) is restrained at a centre of the rotary member ( 12,22) .
6. A system as claimed in Claim 5 characterised in that the said engaging means includes a pair of spaced protuberances (32,33) located on the said rotary member (12) and a ball (31) located at an end of the said cable ( 17) remote from the load ( 1 1).
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GBGB0004215.0A GB0004215D0 (en) | 2000-02-24 | 2000-02-24 | Heavy load traction system |
GB0004215.0 | 2000-02-24 | ||
PCT/GB2001/000760 WO2001062594A1 (en) | 2000-02-24 | 2001-02-23 | An acceleration system |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
AU2001233939A1 true AU2001233939A1 (en) | 2001-11-15 |
AU2001233939B2 AU2001233939B2 (en) | 2004-04-08 |
Family
ID=9886210
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
AU3393901A Pending AU3393901A (en) | 2000-02-24 | 2001-02-23 | An acceleration system |
AU2001233939A Ceased AU2001233939B2 (en) | 2000-02-24 | 2001-02-23 | An acceleration system |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
AU3393901A Pending AU3393901A (en) | 2000-02-24 | 2001-02-23 | An acceleration system |
Country Status (19)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US6682054B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1261517B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2003523888A (en) |
CN (1) | CN1419508A (en) |
AP (1) | AP2002002610A0 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE257450T1 (en) |
AU (2) | AU3393901A (en) |
BR (1) | BR0108615B1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2401227A1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE60101732T2 (en) |
DK (1) | DK1261517T3 (en) |
DZ (1) | DZ3304A1 (en) |
EA (1) | EA004556B1 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2211767T3 (en) |
GB (1) | GB0004215D0 (en) |
HK (1) | HK1054013A1 (en) |
NZ (1) | NZ521512A (en) |
OA (1) | OA12219A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2001062594A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB0325456D0 (en) * | 2003-10-31 | 2003-12-03 | Demole Frederic J | Payload launching system |
CN101607602A (en) * | 2008-06-18 | 2009-12-23 | 上海奇谋能源技术开发有限公司 | A kind of launching power method and device |
CN101804866B (en) * | 2010-02-20 | 2014-01-29 | 姜明 | Flywheel energy storage accelerating carrier-based aircraft ejector |
CN102020021B (en) * | 2011-01-04 | 2013-02-06 | 贾正跃 | Reverse pulling and prompt release assisted takeoff method for realizing short-range take-off of aircraft carrier-based plane |
CN102862684A (en) * | 2011-07-05 | 2013-01-09 | 王长存 | Novel aircraft carrier flying-off deck |
CN103129745B (en) * | 2011-11-28 | 2016-08-03 | 丁陶生 | Carrier-borne aircraft omnidistance even acceleration mechanical traction high speed takeoff method and device |
EP3034410B1 (en) * | 2014-12-16 | 2017-03-01 | The Boeing Company | Take-off system and method for unmanned aerial vehicles |
CN108408075A (en) * | 2017-02-09 | 2018-08-17 | 陈云桥 | Aircraft carrier landing high-speed annular mobile device |
US10746495B1 (en) * | 2019-08-28 | 2020-08-18 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Catapult launcher |
FR3128208A1 (en) | 2021-10-14 | 2023-04-21 | Loravia | TAKE-OFF AND CLIMB ASSISTANCE OF TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT BY TRACTION USING A CABLE |
Family Cites Families (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB220292A (en) | 1923-08-09 | 1925-10-01 | Schneider & Cie | Arrangement for launching aeroplanes in the air from the ground or from a vessel |
US1734353A (en) | 1927-11-25 | 1929-11-05 | Sperry Dev Co | Automatic launching device for airplanes |
DE515648C (en) | 1928-08-11 | 1931-01-09 | E H Ernst Heinkel Dr Ing | Aircraft launch path with a flywheel serving as an energy store |
US2379267A (en) | 1941-02-20 | 1945-06-26 | Wilson Gilbert Thomas | Apparatus for launching or assisting in the launching of airplanes |
US3446461A (en) | 1966-10-28 | 1969-05-27 | Bliss Co | Aircraft launching system |
US3599905A (en) * | 1969-06-19 | 1971-08-17 | Gulf & Western Ind Prod Co | Servocontrolled launched or recovery system for aircraft |
DE2558901A1 (en) | 1975-12-27 | 1977-07-07 | Merten Geb | Wall mounted cable drum - has central power socket with pivot bush for axial sliding of drum |
US4094143A (en) * | 1976-12-13 | 1978-06-13 | All American Industries, Inc. | Variable torque hydraulic clutch |
US4353448A (en) * | 1977-11-09 | 1982-10-12 | Sommer Co. | Clutch unit |
US4678143A (en) | 1982-12-17 | 1987-07-07 | Frazer-Nash Ltd. | Launcher for remotely piloted aircraft |
FR2667390B1 (en) * | 1990-09-28 | 1995-01-27 | Thomson Brandt Armements | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PRINTING A LATERAL-BENDED PATH TO A PROJECTILE LAUNCHED FROM AN AIRCRAFT. |
US5524733A (en) | 1994-07-22 | 1996-06-11 | Wen; Chun T. | Adjusting device of brake rods for bicycles |
-
2000
- 2000-02-24 GB GBGB0004215.0A patent/GB0004215D0/en not_active Ceased
-
2001
- 2001-02-23 CA CA002401227A patent/CA2401227A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2001-02-23 NZ NZ521512A patent/NZ521512A/en unknown
- 2001-02-23 DZ DZ013304A patent/DZ3304A1/en active
- 2001-02-23 CN CN01807253A patent/CN1419508A/en active Pending
- 2001-02-23 ES ES01905975T patent/ES2211767T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-02-23 AT AT01905975T patent/ATE257450T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2001-02-23 JP JP2001561617A patent/JP2003523888A/en active Pending
- 2001-02-23 US US10/204,702 patent/US6682054B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2001-02-23 EP EP01905975A patent/EP1261517B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-02-23 DK DK01905975T patent/DK1261517T3/en active
- 2001-02-23 EA EA200200899A patent/EA004556B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2001-02-23 AU AU3393901A patent/AU3393901A/en active Pending
- 2001-02-23 BR BRPI0108615-4A patent/BR0108615B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2001-02-23 OA OA1200200260A patent/OA12219A/en unknown
- 2001-02-23 DE DE60101732T patent/DE60101732T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2001-02-23 AU AU2001233939A patent/AU2001233939B2/en not_active Ceased
- 2001-02-23 AP APAP/P/2002/002610A patent/AP2002002610A0/en unknown
- 2001-02-23 WO PCT/GB2001/000760 patent/WO2001062594A1/en active Search and Examination
-
2003
- 2003-09-09 HK HK03106389.3A patent/HK1054013A1/en unknown
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