US3190033A

US3190033A - Thermally actuated power aerial device

Info

Publication number: US3190033A
Application number: US88901A
Authority: US
Inventors: Wilburn W Wood
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1961-02-13
Filing date: 1961-02-13
Publication date: 1965-06-22
Anticipated expiration: 1982-06-22

Description

msoms W. W. WOOD THERMALLY ACTUA'IED POWER AERIAL DEVICE June 22, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

Filed Feb. 13, 1961 a ll INVENTOR. gVOQD AT TORNEY June 22, 1965 w. w. woon 3,190,033

THERMALLY ACTUATED POWER AERIAL DEVICE Filed Feb. 13, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 7

INVENTOR.

WILBURN W. WOOD ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,190,933 THERWALLY AQTUATED NEWER AERIAL DlEWiIE Wilhurn W. Wood, 79 East Road, Tacoma, Wash. Filed Feb. 13, 1961, Ser. No. 83,991 Claims. (Ci. 4574) This invention relates to a thermally actuated power device and although the principles thereof may have various applications one particular application thereof, and as illustrated herein, is in a toy missile.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a thermally actuated power device having a novel power drive system, and more particularly one employing a pressure chamber containing a thermally sensitive, expandable material adapted to rupture an end wall of the chamber for producing a thrust.

It is another object of the present invention to provide in combination a pressure chamber containing a thermally sensitive, expandable material adapted to rupture an end wall of the chamber for producing a thrust upon being subjected to heat, and means for producing such heat.

Another object is to provide a device of the type described having improved wall structure which is adapted to rupture upon being subjected to a predetermined pressure and which upon rupturing merely opens into a puncture-like configuration rather than in any case permitting fragments to break loose.

Another object is to provide a device of the type de scribed having an improved thrust tube construction.

Another object is to provide a device of the type described in the form of a toy missile having novel means for supporting and launching the same.

Still another object is to provide a novel combination of toy missile, launching pad and circuit means for actuating power drive means of the missile.

Briefly stated, the illustrated toy missile which incorporates the features of the present invention comprises a body member having a chamber adapted to contain a thermally sensitive expandable material which when heated a selected amount produces sufficient pressure to rupture a weakened wall portion of the chamber, thus producing a thrust to drive the missile. Also forming a part of the present invention are means to heat the chamber and means for supporting the missile for launching. Such heating and supporting means comprises a launching pad in which is incorporated a heating element,

a source of potential, and a switch for closing the circuit between the source of potential and the heating element.

The invention will be better understood and other objects thereof will become apparent from the accompanying specification and claims considered together with the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals of reference indicate like parts, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toy missile incorporating the features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a joint structure of the weakened wall portion of the body member chamber;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, slightly enlarged, ot the weakened wall portion of the body member chamber, shown apart from other structure, after rupture thereof;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one form of a launching pad, together with a source of potential and switch;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a missile seated on the launching pad of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another form of launching mechanism;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a cradle incorporated in the embodiment of FIG. 6 for supporting a missile;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the cradle;

FIG. 9 is a front edge view of said cradle; and

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken on the line 1tl-1tl of FIG. 8.

Referring now particularly to the drawings and first to FIG. 1, the present thermally actuated. power device comprises a hollow tubular body member 11) which for the purposes of illustrating one purpose thereof may be formed in the shape of a toy missile, one end 12 of the body it? being closed and the opposite end 14 beingopen. Mounted intermediate the two ends is a transverse sealing member such as a diaphragm 16 which has an integral connection around its peripheral edge with body 1% to form an upper air-tight chamber 18.

The joint between the diaphragm 16 and the tubular body it may comprise any suitable construction. In this regard and as shown in FIG. 2, the body 16 comprises an upper gas pressure chamber 10a and a lower empty thrust chamber lilb. The juncture of the diaphragm l6 therewith comprises a rolled joint wherein the outer edges of the diaphragm are rolled and turned back into adjacent edges of the body portions and compressed tightly to provide an air-tight pressure connection.

Diaphragm 1c is formed of a plate material which will withstand a pressure less than the other confining walls of chamber 18 whereby when the pressure in the chamber builds up to a certain point the diaphragm will rupture. The material from which the diaphragm is made preferably comprises thin metal. Such diaphragm is provided with radially extending weakened portions 22 whereby when the diaphragm fails as a result of pressure in the chamber 18 it will merely assume a punctured-like condition at its weakened portion rather than in any case permitting fragments thereof to break loose. The pattern of the weakened area 22 before rupture is illustrated in FIG. 1, and the condition of the diaphragm after rupture thereof is illustrated in FIG. 3.

The body portion lit preferably is formed of a heat conducting material so that it and chamber 18 will readily assume the temperature of surrounding conditions. The diaphragm to also preferably is formed of a heat conducting metal whereby heat of. adiacent areas may readily be transmitted to the chamber 18.

It is to be understood that other forms of weakening lines or thinned areas may be provided to accomplish the desired results which are, first, to cause the diaphragm to fail prior to the other walls of the body member and, second, to rupture almot instantaneously to produce a driving thrustfrom pressured discharge of the contents of chamber 18.

Pressure in the chamber 18 is developed by a thermally sensitive material 24 which upon being heated converts to a gaseous form and upon reaching a selected temperature will have produced a sufiicient pressure to rupture the diaphragm. As an example of the material used in the chamber 13, a material of low boiling point such as a fiuorinated hydrocarbon may be used which at normal temperature exists in liquid form and which upon being heated immediately converts to a gas to accomplish the desired result. Thus, it is desirable that a material 2d be used which remains in liquid form at room temperature or any temperature thereabove which normally would be encountered prior to use of the toy, but which would be converted to gaseous form at higher temperatures.

The escape of the gas from chamber 18, upon failure of diaphragm 16, will produce a thrust sufficient to lift the missile a considerable distance into the air. The lower portion 12% of the body lltl has a restricted throat or Venturi 3d. This throat as one purpose restricts slightly the discharge of pressure from chamber 18 to prolong the thrust from the open end of the missile. The present thermally actuated power device when used as a toy missile is provided with fins 32.

Also forming a part of the present invention is a support or launching pad for the toy missile which in a preferred construction is adapted to hold the missile in a starting position as well as to produce heat necessary to convert the thermally sensitive material 24 in chamber to gas. One form of launching pad and heating means is shown in FIG. 5. In this embodiment there is employed a base 3-6 and an upright standard 38 adapted to receive thereover the lower portion of the missile as shown in FIG. 5. Incorporated in the standard 3% ad jacent the upper end thereof is a heating element 40. The standard is of a predetermined length relative to the length of the lower portion Nb of body lit that when the missile is seated on the standard the heating element 4 is disposed closely adjacent the under surface of diaphragm 16. Therefore, when heat is applied to the element ll) the chamber 13 is heated rapidly and the gaseous charge is created therein.

Heating element 40 is connected to wires 42, 4-4, which together with a wire 45 form a circuit including a source of potential 46 and a switch mechanism 47. The source of potential 4-6 may comprise one or more dry cells mounted in a metal holder 455 or of course may comprise an alternating current source. The holder in cross section is channel-shaped and has at one end thereof a spring finger St! for holding the batteries in the holder. The forward end of the holder comprises an integral upright front metal wall 52 having a bifurcated portion 54- for receiving an insert 56 of insulating material supporting centrally thereof a metal eyelet 58 engageable by the top terminal of the forward battery. Eyelet 58- is held spaced from metal wall 52 by the insert 56. As apparent in FIG. 5 wire is connected to eyelet 58 and wire 44 is connected to front wall 52 to complete a circuit through the batteries and holder.

Switch 47 is of a structure to serve both to close the circuit between the source of potential and the heating element and to limit circuit closure time for each operation. The switch comprises a housing 61 having internal shoulders 62 for supporting a curved leaf spring contact member 64 engaged by a push button 66 and connected to wire 45. Spring 64 is adapted to return push button as to an outer position when released. Disposed adjacent contact member 6- and adapted to be engaged thereby upon pushing button 66 inwardly is a bimetallic contact 68 supported at one end and connected to Wire 42. It will be apparent that upon pressing button 66 the switch is closed and current is supplied to heating element 40 to heat chamber 18 of a missile.

Bimetallic contact 68 is arranged to disengage itself from contact 64 and thus open the circuit after engagement with the latter contact for a selected length of time. Thus, upon closing the circuit by pushing button 66, the contact 68 will remain in the circuit until the differential of expansion of the elements thereof causes it to release itself, such circuit closure time being for example around three seconds or a preselected time such as to allow heating of the element as to a desired temperature. Such switch action prevents a drain on the batteries in the event the button as is held down.

PIGS. 6l0 illustrate a second form of launcher for the missile. This embodiment comprises a trough-shaped holder '74. This holder has a pair of integral depending apertured cars '76 supported on a horizontal bolt '78 in a base member 80. Bolt 78 is threaded at one end to receive a Wing nut $2 which is adapted to be adjusted to a position permitting adjustment of the holder '74 or a set position. One of the ears in has a pointer or index mark 84 and the base 38 has indicia 86 for the purpose of setting or indicating the inclination of the holder.

Trough '74 is provided with an elongated heating element connected to

circuit wires

42a and 44a. Preferably, the trough comprises a hollow body portion, as best seen in FIG. 10, and the heating element is housed therein. It is to be understood, however, that the heating element may lie on the upper or lower surface thereof if desired.

In the FIG. 6 embodiment, the missile lies in the trough 74 and upon the heatin of element 96, the body of said missile is heated to convert the thermally sensitive mate rial 24 to gas. By adjustment of the trough relative to thehorizontal, the missile can be directed at the desired angle.

The body portion it? may also serve as a fire detecting device since when the diaphragm l6 fails due to a heating of chamber 13 it produces a loud report. For this purpose, the body lltl may be located strategically around the home or other building.

It is to be understood that the forms of my invention herein shown and described are to be taken as preferred.

examples of the same and that various other changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A thermally actuated power device comprising a tubular body member closed at one end and open at the other, a rupturable transverse sealing member in said body member intermediate the ends thereof for forming a closed pressure chamber with said closed end and an empty thrust chamber with said open end, said sealing member being arranged to open instantaneously upon being subjected to a selected gas pressure, heat-actuable gas generating means disposed interiorly of said pressure chamber and being adapted to pressurize said pressure chamber and rupture instantaneously said sealing member to produce a gas power thrust through said thrust chamber and said open end of the body member, and heating means disposed exteriorly of said pressure chamber to heat the same and actuate said gas generating means.

2. The thermally actuated power device of claim 1 wherein said transverse sealing member comprises a dia phragm fixedly connected around the edge thereof to said body portion and having a weakened area inwardly from said edge for instantaneous puncture of said diaphragm upon a selected gas pressure being developed in said pressure chamber.

3. The thermally actuated power device of claim 1 including holding means for said device, said heating means being incorporated in said holding means and being disposed closely adjacent said pressure chamber to heat the same.

4. The thermally actuated power device of claim 3 wherein said holding means comprises a horizontal base, and an upright standard arranged to project into said thrust chamber.

5. The thermally actuated power device of claim 3 wherein said holding means comprises a base, and a trough-shaped member in which said tubular body member is adapted to lie.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 556,058 3/96 Huey 12411 2,588,184 3/52 Walsh 4674 2,640,417 6/53 Bjork et a1. 102-49 2,645,999 7/53 Bogard 102--49 6 2,683,330 7/ 54 Taylor 46-76 2,724,237 11/55 Hickman 4674 2,918,751 12/59 Johnson 4674 FOREIGN PATENTS 164,296 8/58 Sweden. 405,645 1/34 Great Britain.

RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

DELBERT B. LOWE, JOHN M. HORAN, Examiners.

Claims

1. A THERMALLY ACTUATED POWER DEVICE COMPRISING A TUBULAR BODY MEMBER CLOSED AT ONE END AND OPEN AT THE OTHER, RUPTURABLE TRANSVERSE SEALING MEMBER IN SAID BODY MEMBER INTERMEDIATE THE ENDS THEREOF FOR FORMING A CLOSED PRESSURE CHAMBER WITH SAID CLOSED END AND AN EMPTY THRUST CHAMBER WITH SAID OPEN END, SAID SEALING MEMBER BEING ARRANGED TO OPEN INSTANTANEOUSLY UPON BEING SUBJECTED TO A SELECTED GAS PRESSURE, HEAT-ACTUABLE GAS GENERATING MEANS DISPOSED INTERIORLY OF SAID PRESSURE CHAMBER AND BEING ADAPTED TO PRESSURIZE SAID PRESSURE CHAMBER AND RUPTURE INSTANTANEOUSLY SAID SEALING MEMBER TO PRODUCE A GAS POWER THRUST THROUGH SAID THRUST CHAMBER AND SAID OPEN END OF THE BODY MEMBER, AND HEATING MEANS DISPOSED EXTERIORLY OF SAID PRESSURE CHAMBER TO HEAT THE SAME AND ACTUATE SAID GAS GENERATING MEANS.