US2969942A

US2969942A - Catapult return system

Info

Publication number: US2969942A
Application number: US830172A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles M Scheuerman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1959-07-28
Filing date: 1959-07-28
Publication date: 1961-01-31
Anticipated expiration: 1978-01-31

Description

31, 1961 c. M. SCHEUERMAN 2,969,942

CAIAPULT RETURN SYSTEM Filed July 28, 1959 jvwwvto'b CHARLES M. SGHEUERMAN United States Patent CATAPULT RETURN SYSTEM Charles M. Scheuerman, Timonium, Md., assignor, by mesne assignments, to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the 'Navy Filed July 28, 1959, Ser. No. 830,172

2 Claims. (Cl. 244-63) The present invention relates to a power return system for catapults. More particularly, the invention relates to a power return system for pressure operated launching devices wherein the energy remaining in the firing cylinder after a launcher is fired is utilized for returning the launcher to its initial position. Heretofore, it has been necessary to use a separate pressure system for returning the launching car and the remaining energy in the firing cylinder was wastefully expended in the atmosphere. Other devices in the prior art disclose a manual means of returning the launcher to its original position. These methods require considerable time and effort.

An object of the present invention is to return a launching car in pressure operated launching devices with a minimum of effort and time.

Another object is to provide a power return system which utilizes the excess pressure in a firing cylinder for returning a launcher to its initial firing position.

Still another object of the invention is to mechanize the power return of a launching car to its original position in a quick and efiicient manner.

A further object is to provide a power return for catapults which is simple in construction, efiicient in operation, and durable in service.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

The figure is a diagrammatic view of a catapult apparatus according to the invention and showing the components at the end of its launching stroke and also showing the components in accelerating position in phantom mes.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, a sheave is mounted on a fixed support 11. Spaced a substantial distance from sheave 10 is a second sheave 12, which is also mounted on a support 13 for rotation thereon. An endless belt 14 passes over the

sheaves

10 and 12 and has secured thereto on the upper run a launching car 15 which is adapted to engage an aerodynamic body, for example, a target drone, or the like. The lower run of belt 14 has secured thereto a driving piston 16 which is enclosed in an elongated firing cylinder 17. The opposite end of cylinder 17 is provided with a pressure equalizing chamber 18 containing a length of apertured tubing 19 in axial alignment with cylinder 17 and of the same diameter. The tubing 19 is apertured to permit pressurized fluid to pass into the chamber as piston 16 passes into tubing 19, thus to equalize pressure on both sides of the piston as will be hereinafter described. Mounted on the sheave 10 is a driven sprocket and clutch 20 with a belt 21 connected thereto for receiving energy from a pneumatic motor 22. The firing cylinder 17 is connected at one end by a conduit 23 with a source of pressure (not shown). A firing valve 24 is connected in conduit 23 whereby the cylinder 17 and a secondary conduit 25 may be connected to or shut 011 from the source of pressure. Also combined with the conduit 25 is a return valve 26 which may be opened for operation of the motor 22.

The operation of the catapult return system is as follows:

The figure shows the power system at the end of a launching stroke prior to returning the launching car 15 to its battery position. As a result, the firing cylinder 17 is pressurized and the firing valve 24 has been closed to shut ofi the source of outside pressure. In order to return the launching car 15 to its initial or battery position the firing cylinder 17 is now used as a pressure source. Operation of the return valve 26 by manual means permits the pressurized air to flow from the cylinder 17 through the pneumatic motor 22 to atmosphere. The pneumatic motor 22 is driven by the fluid flow therethrough which is caused by the pressure differential between firing cylinder 1'7 and atmosphere. The motor 22 is coupled to the sheave 10 through the sprocket and clutch 20 by means of the belt 21. The clutch serves to disconnect the motor 22 so that it will not be subjected to high launching speeds. The actuation of the valve 26 and clutch 20 are operated simultaneously by a single control handle (not shown). When the piston 16 is in the area of the equalizing chamber 18, the piston has equal pressure on both ends; thereby exerting no force on the belt 14. During the interval of the return stroke in which the piston 16 is within the chamber 18, all power for returning is derived from the motor 22. After leaving the chamber area, as shown in phantom lines, the piston contributes a force to the belt 14 to assist in the return of the launching car 15. The piston 16 exerts this force as a result of a decrease in pressure on one side which, in turn, is due to the air being bled off to the motor, while the higher pressure remaining in chamber 18 is exerted on the opposite side. This pressure will vary from a maximum to a minimum value as the piston 16 returns to its initial or battery position.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may bev practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

1. In a pressure operated launching device; a pair of spaced sheaves, an endless belt passing over said sheaves and having an upper run and a lower run, a firing cylinder fixedly mounted between said sheaves, the lower run of said belt passing through said cylinder, a driving piston fixedly mounted on said belt for linear movement in said cylinder from a firing position to a terminal position, a first conduit connected to one end of said cylinder and adapted to be attached to a fluid pressure source. a rotary pneumatic motor, a secondary conduit fluidly connecting said first conduit with said motor, a second belt connecting said motor to one of said sheaves. a first valve means in said first conduit for permitting said fluid under pressure to flow into said firing cylinder to drive said first belt and operate said launching device, a second valve means in said secondary conduit for permitting pressure remaining in said cylinder after firing to pass through said motor and thereby rotate said second belt and sheave to return said piston to said firing position.

2. The apparatus of claim I further comprising a clutch means located between said one of said sheaves and said motor whereby said motor can be disengaged during high speed tiring phases.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,347,105 Mesurier July 20, 1920 2,125,904 Fellers Aug. 9, 1938 2,827,248 Van Zelm Mar. 18, 1958