GB357694A - Improvements in or relating to aircraft catapults or launching apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

357,694. Aircraft launching apparatus. MACTAGGART, SCOTT, & CO., Ltd. and MITCHELL, C. C., Station Ironworks, Loanhead, Edinburgh. July 24, 1930, No. 22376. [Class 4.] In aircraft launching apparatus having a piston operated by gaseous pressure obtained by the explosion of a combustible mixture, after the ignition of the initial charge of the mixture further charging of combustible mixture into the ignited charge, is effected automatically or by hand and at an increasing rate. The combustion chamber c<1> of the launching cylinder c is fitted with a fuel nozzle e which receives air under pressure through a valve a<1> from a cylinder a<2> charged by a motor-driven pump a<4>, and fuel under pressure through a valve o<1> from a spring-loaded accumulator o<2> charged by means of a hand pump o<3>. Tapered valves a<1>, o<1> are controlled simultaneously by a bell-crank lever c<4> operable by a hand lanyard c<7> or by a piston c<3> the movement of which is effected by the pressure in the combustion space after ignition and is controlled by a dashpot d. Ignition is effected by cartridge, the striker mechanism k being actuated by a lanyard k<6> coupled to lanyard c<7>. According to a modification two pistons c<3> may be provided one controlling the air and one the fuel supply. The apparatus may be adapted for use with heavy oil in which case either spray or solid injection may be employed and ignition may be effected either by means of a hot bulb or by the means shown, in which case a preliminary charge of petrol or paraffin gas is injected. Alternatively electrical ignition may be utilized. According to the Provisional Specification the control mechanism of the fuel accumulator o<2> is so arranged that at the end of the piston stroke the accumulator ram comes against an abutment and the supply of fuel is cut off.