A catapult device

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of emitter, and especially relates to a catapult device. The catapult device comprises a barrel, a tray for propelling a launching equipment is arranged in the barrel, the tray is slidingly arranged in the barrel in a guide mode, a power unit for propelling the tray to the barrel mouth is further arranged in the barrel, a rope extending along the barrel wall is connected between the barrel and the tray, so that the tray is stopped after reaching a tray limit position when the power unit propels the tray to the barrel mouth, and / or the tray is kept at a tray initial position when the tray falls back into the barrel under the action of gravity. The rope can keep the tray at the tray initial position, and can also prevent the tray from separating from the barrel with the launching equipment, so that a tray initial limiting device and a tray blocking device are replaced. The rope is flexible and can be laid along the barrel wall, occupies small space, has simple structure, simplifies the structure of the catapult device, increases the effective space in the barrel, and improves the assembly density of the catapult device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of launcher technology, and more particularly to a catapult device. Background Technology

[0002] Launching equipment such as projectiles and drones increasingly utilizes catapult launch methods. A catapult typically consists of a launch tube, a power unit, and a launch tray. The launch equipment is mounted on the tray inside the launch tube. During launch, the power unit releases high-pressure gas (gas, steam, compressed air, etc.), which expands and performs work within the launch tube, propelling the tray. The tray then propels the launch equipment out of the launch tube along a preset trajectory. To prevent the tray from being ejected from the launch tube and falling into the tube, potentially injuring personnel or equipment, a tray-blocking device is installed in the tray's movement path at the launch tube opening to prevent the tray from detaching from the launch tube.

[0003] The catapult system should have high space utilization, long life, high efficiency and high reliability. The existing catapult system requires both a mechanical pallet initial limiting device at the bottom of the tube and a mechanical pallet blocking device at the opening. The mechanical limiting device and blocking device occupy a large space in the radial direction, which in turn occupies the pallet movement space. This results in low effective space utilization for the movement of the launching equipment inside the tube, increases the structural size of the catapult system and reduces the loading density of the launching equipment. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a catapult device that solves the problem that existing catapult devices use mechanical pallet initial limiting devices and pallet blocking devices, which occupy the pallet movement space and result in low effective space utilization for the movement of the launching equipment inside the tube.

[0005] The ejection device of the present invention adopts the following technical solution: an ejection device, including a cylinder, a tray for launching equipment is disposed inside the cylinder, the tray is guided and slidably disposed inside the cylinder, a power unit for pushing the tray to the cylinder opening is also disposed inside the cylinder, and a rope extending along the cylinder wall is connected between the cylinder and the tray so that the tray stops after reaching the tray limit position when the power unit pushes the tray to the cylinder opening, and / or the tray is held in the initial position when the tray falls back into the cylinder under the action of gravity.

[0006] The ejection device of this invention improves upon existing ejection devices. In use, as the tray moves downwards under its own weight, a rope holds it in its initial position. The launching equipment is placed on the tray, and a power unit provides the tray with a spring-like thrust. Under the action of the power unit, the tray carries the launching equipment towards the cylinder opening. When the tray reaches the opening, the rope pulls on the tray to prevent it from detaching from the cylinder. The launching equipment is propelled away from the cylinder by the spring-like thrust of the tray, completing the launch. After the launching equipment separates from the tray, the tray returns to its initial position under gravity. The rope holds the tray in its initial position and prevents it from detaching from the cylinder with the launching equipment, replacing traditional mechanical tray initial limiting devices and tray blocking devices. The rope is flexible and can be laid along the cylinder wall, occupying little space and having a simple structure. This simplifies the ejection device structure, increases the effective space inside the cylinder, and improves the assembly density of the ejection device.

[0007] Furthermore, the rope is connected to the cylinder at the midpoint of the inner wall along the axial direction, and the rope length ensures that it remains taut when the pallet is in both its extreme and initial positions. This allows the same rope to limit the pallet's movement to both extreme positions. The rope's connection to the cylinder at the midpoint ensures that the distance from the connection point to the pallet's initial position and to the cylinder opening is the same. The same rope can both hold the pallet in its initial position and prevent it from detaching from the cylinder when it reaches the opening. Since only one installation point is needed for the same rope on the cylinder, space utilization is higher.

[0008] Furthermore, the ropes are multiple ropes evenly distributed along the circumference of the cylinder. This even distribution of multiple ropes along the circumference of the cylinder ensures that the forces acting on the pallet within the cylinder are balanced, maintaining the pallet's stability and high reliability.

[0009] Furthermore, the rope is positioned at the bottom of the tray at the connection point. The other end of the rope is connected to the bottom of the tray, allowing the rope to wrap around the side of the tray. As the tray moves from its initial position, the rope adheres to the cylinder wall, ensuring a relatively enclosed space below the tray, resulting in better impact force from the power unit. Moreover, as the tray moves towards the cylinder opening, the rope remains below the tray, ensuring unimpeded movement.

[0010] Furthermore, a pressure ring is provided on the bottom surface of the tray, and the end of the rope is pressed between the pressure ring and the bottom surface of the tray, with the rope passing around the inside of the pressure ring and connecting to the cylinder. This pressure ring design ensures high reliability of the connection between the rope and the tray, making it less prone to breakage.

[0011] Furthermore, the inner wall of the cylinder is provided with a groove extending from the connection point between the rope and the cylinder to at least one extreme position of the pallet. The groove allows the rope to lie within it during pallet movement without protruding from the inner wall of the cylinder, ensuring a seal between the pallet and the inner wall of the cylinder during movement. During pallet movement, the rope adheres to the groove, ensuring a relative seal between the pallet and the cylinder wall, resulting in a relatively enclosed space below the pallet. This improves the impact force of the power unit and makes the structure more compact.

[0012] Furthermore, the rope is a flexible belt. The flexible belt fits snugly against the cylinder wall, occupies little space, and the flexible material provides cushioning for the movement of the pallet, ensuring a good fit and preventing breakage.

[0013] Furthermore, a radially penetrating pressure relief port is provided on the circumferential side of the tray. When the tray is in its extreme position, the pressure relief port is higher than the edge of the cylinder and communicates with the outside to relieve pressure. When the tray moves to the cylinder opening, the pressure relief port is higher than the cylinder and communicates with the external environment, allowing the high-pressure gas released by the power unit to be discharged, and the launching equipment to separate from the tray. This design facilitates pressure relief and has a good effect.

[0014] Furthermore, the tray is a downward-facing grooved tray, and the pressure relief port is located on the annular groove wall of the grooved tray. The downward-facing grooved tray facilitates a sealing and sliding fit with the cylinder body and also facilitates the placement of the pressure relief port. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the tray in the initial position of the tray in Embodiment 1 of the ejection device of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the ejection device of the present invention when the tray is in the middle position of the cylinder in Embodiment 1;

[0017] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the tray in the tray limit position of Embodiment 1 of the ejection device of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the tray retracting into the cylinder in Embodiment 1 of the ejection device of the present invention.

[0019] In the diagram: 1. Power unit; 2. Expansion space; 3. Tray; 4. Flexible belt; 5. Cylinder; 6. Launching equipment; 7. Pressure relief port; 8. Groove. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The features and performance of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to embodiments.

[0021] Specific embodiment one of the ejection device of the present invention:

[0022] The ejection device of the present invention, such as Figure 1-4 As shown, a catapult device includes a cylinder 5, a power unit 1, a tray 3, and a flexible belt 4. The cylinder 5 is a hollow cylindrical structure. The power unit 1 is arranged at the bottom of the cylinder 5. The tray 3 is located inside the cylinder 5 and is guided and slidably arranged along the inner wall of the cylinder 5. The tray 3 is used to support the launching equipment 6 so that the launching equipment 6 can be pushed out of the cylinder axially along the cylinder 5 under the action of the power unit 1.

[0023] A flexible belt 4 connects the cylinder 5 and the tray 3. When the tray 3 reaches the cylinder opening, the flexible belt 4 pulls the tray 3 to prevent it from detaching from the cylinder 5. After the launch equipment 6 separates from the tray 3, the tray 3 retracts under the action of gravity, and the flexible belt 4 keeps the tray 3 in the initial position of the tray.

[0024] In this example, there are four flexible belts 4, evenly distributed circumferentially on the inner wall of the cylinder 5. The first end of the flexible belt 4 is fixed at the middle position along the axial direction of the inner wall of the cylinder 5. The length of the flexible belt 4 is such that the pallet 3 is in a straight state when it is in the extreme position and the initial position of the pallet. The end of the flexible belt 4 is fixed to the bottom surface of the pallet 3. A pressure ring is provided on the bottom surface of the pallet 3. The end of the flexible belt 4 is pressed between the pressure ring and the bottom surface of the pallet 3, and passes around from the inside of the pressure ring and connects to the cylinder 5, so that the flexible belt 4 does not affect the upward movement of the pallet 3.

[0025] A vertical groove 8 is provided on the inner wall of the cylinder 5 between the middle position and the initial position of the pallet. This ensures that the flexible belt 4 is laid in the groove 8 and does not protrude from the inner wall of the cylinder 5 when it moves with the pallet 3. This ensures the seal between the pallet 3 and the inner wall of the cylinder during the movement. When the pallet 3 is in the initial position, it ensures the relative seal between the pallet 3 and the cylinder wall, and the bottom of the pallet 3 is relatively closed.

[0026] Specifically, the power unit 1 uses a high-pressure gas source as the working medium, and releases high-pressure gas during ejection. The tray 3 is located above the power unit 1, with a certain space reserved between them as an expansion space 2 for the high-pressure gas to expand and do work. The high-pressure gas can expand and do work in the expansion space 2 below the tray 3 inside the cylinder 5, pushing the tray 3 to move smoothly upward.

[0027] The tray 3 is sealed and fitted to the inner wall of the cylinder 5, and slides along the inner wall of the cylinder 5. When the tray 3 moves inside the cylinder 5, the flexible belt 4 fixed below the tray 3 moves with the tray 3. The length of the flexible belt 4 matches its installation position, the initial position of the tray 3 inside the cylinder 5, and the limit position of the tray 3 when it moves to the cylinder opening. The tray 3 is a trough-shaped tray with its opening facing downwards. The tray 3 has a pressure relief port 7 that radially penetrates the trough wall on the annular trough wall. When the tray 3 moves to the cylinder opening, the pressure relief port 7 is higher than the cylinder 5 when the tray 3 is at its limit position. The pressure relief port 7 connects the expansion space 2 below the tray 3 with the atmosphere above the tray 3. The high-pressure gas in the expansion space 2 can be discharged through the pressure relief port 7. The tray 3 stops under the action of the flexible belt 4, and the launching equipment 6 continues to move due to inertia and separates from the tray 3.

[0028] When in use, the ejection device of the present invention is initially in the following state: Figure 1 As shown, the launching device 6 is located on the tray 3 inside the cylinder 5. The launching device 6 and the tray 3 are held in place by the flexible belt 4 and cannot move downwards. The tray 3 and the power unit 1 form a closed expansion space 2. The launching state is as follows. Figure 2 As shown, upon receiving the ejection command, the power unit 1 activates, releasing a large amount of high-pressure gas into the expansion space 2 below the tray 3. The high-pressure gas expands and does work, pushing the tray 3 upwards, which in turn pushes the launching device 6 upwards. The end of the flexible belt 4 moves upwards with the tray 3. When the tray 3 reaches the nozzle, as... Figure 3 As shown, the high-pressure gas in the expansion space 2 is rapidly discharged through the pressure relief port 7 of the tray 3. As the tray 3 continues to move upward, it is held in place by the flexible belt 4. The launching device 6 continues to move upward under inertia, flying away from the catapult. As the gas pressure in the expansion space 2 decreases, as... Figure 4 As shown, the tray 3 slides into the cylinder 5 under the action of external forces such as the tension of the flexible belt 4 and its own weight.

[0029] As can be seen from the above description of a specific embodiment of the ejection device of the present invention, the ejection device of the present invention, by employing a flexible belt, can restrict the continuous downward movement of the pallet as well as the continuous upward movement of the pallet, replacing the initial pallet limiting device and the pallet blocking device, simplifying the structure of the ejection device, increasing the effective space inside the cylinder, and improving the assembly density of the ejection device. The flexible belt is laid in the groove on the inner wall of the cylinder, minimizing the occupation of the pallet movement channel, while also not occupying other space inside the cylinder.

[0030] Of course, the ejection device of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Several other embodiments of ejection devices based on the design concept of the present invention are also listed below.

[0031] For example, in other embodiments, unlike the first embodiment described above, different ropes are used to restrict the two moving mechanical positions of the tray. One rope is connected to the opening of the inner wall of the cylinder, and the other rope is connected to the bottom of the inner wall of the cylinder. The rope at the opening of the cylinder keeps the tray in its initial position, and the rope at the bottom of the cylinder prevents the tray from falling out of the cylinder. Grooves are provided at the moving positions of the two ropes on the cylinder wall.

[0032] For example, in other embodiments, unlike the first embodiment described above, the ropes may be two, three, or more evenly distributed along the circumference of the cylinder.

[0033] In another embodiment, unlike the first embodiment described above, a groove is opened on the side of the tray, and a flexible strip is connected to the groove on the side of the tray.

[0034] Alternatively, in other embodiments, unlike the first embodiment described above, a hanging ring is provided on the bottom surface of the tray, and a rope at a symmetrical position passes through the hanging ring and the bottom surface of the tray to form a single rope.

[0035] Alternatively, in other embodiments, unlike the first embodiment described above, the flexible strip is directly attached to the inner wall of the cylinder from the middle position to the initial position of the tray, without the groove being provided.

[0036] Alternatively, in other embodiments, unlike the first embodiment described above, a notch or groove is provided at the bottom of the tray, which constitutes a pressure relief port.

[0037] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. The scope of patent protection of the present invention shall be determined by the claims. Similarly, any equivalent structural changes made based on the description and drawings of the present invention shall also be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A catapult device, comprising a cylinder (5), wherein a tray (3) for a catapult launching device (6) is disposed inside the cylinder (5), the tray (3) is slidably disposed inside the cylinder (5), the tray (3) is sealed and fitted against the inner wall of the cylinder (5), and a power unit (1) for pushing the tray (3) to the cylinder opening is also disposed inside the cylinder (5), the power unit (1) using a high-pressure air source as the working medium, characterized in that, A rope extending along the cylinder wall connects the cylinder (5) and the tray (3) so that when the power unit (1) pushes the tray (3) to the cylinder opening, the tray (3) stops after reaching the tray limit position. When the tray (3) falls back into the cylinder (5) under the action of gravity, the tray (3) is kept in the tray initial position. The inner wall of the cylinder (5) is provided with a groove (8) extending from the connection position of the rope and the cylinder (5) to the tray initial position. The groove (8) is used to allow the rope to be laid in the groove (8) without being exposed on the inner wall of the cylinder (5) when it moves with the tray (3), so as to ensure the seal between the tray (3) and the inner wall of the cylinder (5) during the movement. A radially penetrating pressure relief port (7) is provided on the circumferential side of the tray (3). When the tray (3) is in the tray limit position, the pressure relief port (7) is higher than the cylinder edge of the cylinder (5) and communicates with the outside to relieve pressure.

2. The ejection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connection position of the rope on the cylinder (5) is located at the middle position along the axial direction of the inner wall of the cylinder (5), and the length of the rope is such that the tray (3) is in a straight state when it is in the tray limit position and the tray initial position, so as to limit the two movement limit positions of the tray (3) through the same rope.

3. The ejection device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The ropes are multiple ropes that are evenly distributed around the circumference of the cylinder (5).

4. The ejection device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The rope is located at the connection point of the tray (3) on the bottom surface of the tray (3).

5. The ejection device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The bottom surface of the tray (3) is provided with a pressure ring, the end of the rope is pressed between the pressure ring and the bottom surface of the tray (3), and the rope passes around the inside of the pressure ring and is connected to the cylinder (5).

6. The ejection device according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The rope is a flexible belt (4).

7. The ejection device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The number of flexible strips (4) is four, which are evenly distributed circumferentially on the inner wall of the cylinder (5).

8. The ejection device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The tray (3) is a trough-shaped tray with the opening facing downwards, and the pressure relief port (7) is set on the annular groove wall of the trough-shaped tray.

Images