Steam ejection system

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of catapults, in particular to a steam catapult system. The steam ejection system comprises an ejection air cylinder which is provided with a power end and a blocking end and comprises a seamless cylinder section and a seamed cylinder section, a piston capable of sliding in the seamed cylinder section in a guiding mode is arranged in the ejection air cylinder, the seamed cylinder section is provided with a sliding gap, and the piston is provided with a boosting cavity; the traction sliding shuttle extends to the outer side of the seamed cylinder section and penetrates through the sliding gap to be fixedly connected with the piston so as to be driven by the piston; the steam energy storage module communicates with the ejection air cylinder and is used for providing steam power for the ejection air cylinder; and the boosting module is fixedly arranged on the seamless cylinder section and adjacent to the power end, and the boosting cavity assists in pushing the piston to be close to the plugging end. According to the steam ejection system, the initial acceleration and thrust output of the piston can be remarkably improved, and the problem of starting weakness in the starting stage of pure steam ejection is effectively solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of catapults, and in particular to a steam catapult system. Background Technology

[0002] Steam catapults, as devices that utilize high-pressure steam to generate enormous linear thrust, are valuable for accelerating loads to high speeds over extremely short distances. This characteristic makes them not only key equipment for launching carrier-based aircraft on aircraft carriers, but also demonstrates application potential in many other important fields, such as ground-assisted launch of spacecraft, high-speed wind tunnel testing, missile or UAV booster launches, and dynamic impact testing of materials.

[0003] However, whether in carrier-based aircraft catapult launches or other high-acceleration applications, steam power faces a bottleneck in the initial stage of catapult launch: the steam released from the steam accumulator enters the cylinder through a valve to push the piston, and there is a slight lag in the pressure build-up and transmission, making it difficult to provide extremely high peak thrust instantaneously to overcome the aircraft's enormous static friction and inertia. This results in a relatively gentle acceleration climb in the initial stage of the catapult launch, creating a technical shortcoming of weak initial acceleration for applications requiring shorter takeoff distances or heavier payloads. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a steam catapult system to solve the problem of weak start-up of existing steam catapults.

[0005] To address the aforementioned technical problems, the present invention provides a steam catapult system.

[0006] The steam catapult system of the present invention includes: The ejection cylinder has a power end and a sealing end, including a seamless cylinder section and a slotted cylinder section, and is provided with a piston that can slide within the slotted cylinder section. The slotted cylinder section has a sliding gap, and the piston has a booster chamber. The traction shuttle extends to the outside of the slotted cylinder section and passes through the sliding gap to be fixedly connected to the piston so as to be driven by the piston; A steam energy storage module, connected to the ejection cylinder, is used to provide steam power to the ejection cylinder; The booster module is fixedly installed in the seamless cylinder section, adjacent to the power end, and assists in pushing the piston closer to the sealing end through the booster chamber.

[0007] Furthermore, both sidewalls of the sliding gap are provided with elastic sealing structures, and the two elastic sealing structures are fitted together and can be squeezed apart by the traction shuttle.

[0008] Furthermore, the booster module includes a booster cylinder, a loading mechanism, and a firing mechanism; the booster cylinder is slidably connected to the booster chamber, and the booster cylinder is used to load propellant to assist in pushing the piston; The loading mechanism is used to load propellant into the booster cylinder; The firing mechanism is used to ignite the propellant.

[0009] Furthermore, the booster has a combustion chamber, and the combustion chamber has a first opening and a second opening, the first opening facing the booster chamber, and the second opening for the propellant to enter.

[0010] Furthermore, a mounting base is provided at the power end, and the loading mechanism and the firing mechanism are mounted on the mounting base.

[0011] Furthermore, the mounting base has a through hole and a receiving groove communicating with the through hole. The through hole is connected to the ejection cylinder to allow propellant to enter the booster module. The filling mechanism includes a blocking block and a driving mechanism. The blocking block is guided and slidably disposed in the receiving groove. The driving mechanism is used to drive the blocking block to block or open the through hole.

[0012] Furthermore, the driving mechanism is a crank-slider mechanism.

[0013] Furthermore, an annular cavity is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the booster cylinder and the inner wall surface of the seamless cylinder section, and the outlet of the steam energy storage module is connected to the annular cavity.

[0014] Furthermore, the steam energy storage module includes a steam pipeline and an exhaust valve and a pressure accumulator arranged on the steam pipeline. The exhaust valve is located between the ejection cylinder and the pressure accumulator, and the pressure accumulator is used to store high-pressure steam.

[0015] Furthermore, the sealing end is provided with an elastic reset member located inside the ejection cylinder, the elastic reset member being used to reset the piston.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects: The steam catapult system of this invention provides additional chemical energy thrust in addition to steam power by setting a booster module in the seamless cylinder section of the catapult cylinder and setting a booster chamber on the piston. This auxiliary thrust can significantly improve the initial acceleration and thrust output of the piston, effectively solving the problem of weak start-up force in pure steam catapults during the start-up phase. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a structure of an embodiment of the steam catapult system of the present invention; Figure 2 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a hidden portion of the structure of an embodiment of a steam catapult system; Figure 3 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a slotted cylinder section of an embodiment of a steam catapult system; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the steam catapult system of the present invention.

[0018] Figure label: 10. Ejection cylinder; 11. Power end; 12. Sealing end; 13. Seamless cylinder section; 14. Slotted cylinder section; 15. Elastic sealing structure; 16. Wave spring plate; 17. Rubber sealing strip; 18. Annular cavity; 20. Traction shuttle; 30. Piston; 31. Booster chamber; 40. Traction shuttle; 50. Booster; 51. Combustion chamber; 52. Propellant; 61. Blocking block; 62. Drive mechanism; 70. Mounting base; 71. Through hole; 72. Receiving groove; 81. Steam pipeline; 82. Exhaust valve; 83. Accumulator tank; 84. Inlet valve. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The steam catapult system of the present invention will now be described with reference to schematic diagrams, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention. It should be understood that those skilled in the art can modify the invention described herein while still achieving its advantageous effects. Therefore, the following description should be understood as being of general knowledge to those skilled in the art and is not intended to limit the invention. Based on the teachings of this specification, those skilled in the art can form new technical solutions through cross-combinations of different implementation methods without creating technical contradictions; such modifications should all be considered to fall within the protection scope of this patent.

[0020] The serial numbers assigned to components in this document, such as "first," "second," etc., are merely used to distinguish the described objects and have no sequential or technical meaning. The terms "connection" and "linkage" used in this application, unless otherwise specified, include both direct and indirect connections (linkages). In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," and "counterclockwise," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the invention.

[0021] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0022] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the term "connection" shall be interpreted broadly. For example, "connection" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. In addition, the term "electrical connection" can be a direct electrical connection or an indirect electrical connection through an intermediate medium.

[0023] The invention is described more specifically by way of example in the following paragraphs with reference to the accompanying drawings. The advantages and features of the invention will become clearer from the following description and claims. It should be noted that the drawings are in a very simplified form and use non-precise proportions, and are only used to facilitate and clarify the illustration of the embodiments of the invention.

[0024] The following is in conjunction with the instruction manual appendix. Figure 1 To be continued Figure 4 The steam catapult system of the present invention will be described.

[0025] In some of these embodiments, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the steam catapult system includes a catapult cylinder 10, a traction shuttle 40, a steam energy storage module, and a booster module.

[0026] The ejection cylinder 10 has a power end 11 and a sealing end 12, including a seamless cylinder section 13 and a slotted cylinder section 14, and is provided with a piston 30 that can slide within the slotted cylinder section 14. The slotted cylinder section 14 has a sliding gap, and the piston 30 has a booster chamber 31.

[0027] The traction shuttle 40 extends to the outside of the slotted cylinder section 14 and passes through the sliding gap to be fixedly connected to the piston 30 so as to be driven by the piston 30.

[0028] The steam energy storage module is connected to the ejection cylinder 10 and is used to provide steam power to the ejection cylinder 10.

[0029] The booster module is fixedly installed in the seamless cylinder section 13, adjacent to the power end 11, and assists in pushing the piston 30 closer to the sealing end 12 through the booster chamber 31.

[0030] The ejection cylinder 10 is the main working component of the steam ejection system. Its internal space is used to accommodate and guide the piston 30, while also withstanding the pressure of the steam. The internal space of the ejection cylinder 10 is designed to have a power end 11 and a sealing end 12. The ejection cylinder 10 can be composed of a single-piece cylindrical body or multiple segments connected together.

[0031] The ejection cylinder 10 includes a seamless cylinder section 13 and a slotted cylinder section 14. The seamless cylinder section 13 is a continuous cylindrical part of the ejection cylinder 10 without slots, mainly used to withstand high pressure and guide the movement of the piston 30 in the initial stage. The seamless cylinder section 13 can be located in the initial part of the ejection cylinder 10 for the initial acceleration of the piston 30.

[0032] The slotted cylinder section 14 is the part of the ejection cylinder 10 that has a sliding slot opened along the movement direction of the piston 30, used to connect the piston 30 with the external traction shuttle 40.

[0033] The slotted cylinder section 14 can be located downstream of the ejection cylinder 10, and a sliding slot therein allows external components to connect to the piston 30. The piston 30 is disposed inside the ejection cylinder 10 and can slide within the slotted cylinder section 14. The piston 30 can be a solid cylinder or a hollow structure. A booster chamber 31 can be formed inside or on one side of the piston 30 to receive additional thrust. The sliding slot is a narrow opening in the slotted cylinder section 14 that allows the traction shuttle 40 to pass through and connect to the piston 30, while also ensuring a seal to prevent steam leakage.

[0034] The power end 11 refers to the starting end of the ejection cylinder 10 where steam or thrust is the primary force, typically the end near the initial position of the piston 30. The blocking end 12 refers to the other end of the ejection cylinder 10 opposite to the power end 11, typically used to limit the stroke of the piston 30 or provide a reset function.

[0035] The piston 30 is a component located inside the ejection cylinder 10, which can be guided and slid within it. It generates thrust by bearing the pressure difference and transmits the thrust to the traction shuttle 40.

[0036] The booster chamber 31 is a chamber inside the piston 30, used to contain the gas or thrust generated by the booster module to assist in pushing the piston 30.

[0037] The traction shuttle 40 is a component located outside the ejection cylinder 10 and connected to the piston 30 via a sliding gap. It is used to transfer the thrust of the piston 30 to the ejected load. The traction shuttle 40 is configured to extend to the outside of the slotted cylinder section 14 and is fixedly connected to the piston 30 through the sliding gap. The traction shuttle 40 can be connected to the piston 30 by bolting, welding, or integral casting to ensure that the movement of the piston 30 directly drives the traction shuttle 40. The traction shuttle 40 can be a connecting rod or a slider with a guiding function.

[0038] The steam storage module is a device used to store high-pressure steam and deliver it to the catapult cylinder 10, providing the main steam power for the catapult system. The steam storage module can be a large steam generator that directly generates and delivers steam; or it can be a high-pressure steam tank that pre-stores high-pressure steam and releases it when needed. Steam can be directly introduced into the power end 11 of the catapult cylinder 10 through a pipeline, driving the piston 30 to move.

[0039] A booster module is fixedly installed within the seamless cylinder section 13 of the ejection cylinder 10, near the power end 11, as an auxiliary power unit. It provides additional thrust to the piston 30 via a booster chamber 31. The booster module is located within the seamless cylinder section 13, adjacent to the power end 11. The booster module assists in pushing the piston 30 closer to the sealing end 12 via the booster chamber 31. The booster module can be a gas generator that produces high-pressure gas through combustion and directly introduces it into the booster chamber 31 of the piston 30. For example, the booster module can include a fuel tank and an ignition device. The gas produced after the propellant 52 (such as nitrocellulose) in the fuel tank burns directly acts on the booster chamber 31, providing additional thrust to the piston 30. This auxiliary thrust can supplement the piston 30's continuous acceleration when the steam power decays.

[0040] The steam catapult system of this embodiment provides additional chemical energy thrust beyond steam power by incorporating a booster module in the seamless cylinder section 13 of the catapult cylinder 10 and a booster chamber 31 on the piston 30. This auxiliary thrust significantly increases the initial acceleration and thrust output of the piston 30 during the initial stage of catapult launch, effectively solving the problem of weak start-up power in pure steam catapult launches.

[0041] Furthermore, in some of these embodiments, such as Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, both sidewalls of the sliding gap are provided with elastic sealing structures 15, and the two elastic sealing structures 15 are in contact with each other and can be squeezed and separated by the traction shuttle 40.

[0042] Specifically, the resilient sealing structure 15 is designed to effectively prevent high-pressure steam from leaking from the sliding gap, while allowing the traction shuttle 40 to pass smoothly. The resilient sealing structure 15 is typically made of a material with a certain degree of elasticity, which can deform under external force and return to its original shape after the external force is removed.

[0043] In this embodiment, the elastic sealing structure 15 preferably includes a wave spring sheet 16 and a rubber sealing strip 17. The wave spring sheet 16 primarily provides elastic support and restoring force, ensuring that the sealing structure can quickly rebound and tightly adhere after being squeezed apart. Its wave design helps to provide a large amount of deformation and uniform contact pressure. The rubber sealing strip 17 serves as the main sealing medium; its good elasticity and high-temperature and pressure resistance allow it to tightly adhere to the surface of the sliding gap, effectively preventing steam leakage.

[0044] By arranging the elastic sealing structures 15 on the two sidewalls of the sliding gap, a complete seal can be formed on the sliding gap. When the traction shuttle 40 is not passing, the two elastic sealing structures 15 are pressed together, forming an effective barrier to prevent steam leakage. When the traction shuttle 40 passes, it squeezes and separates the elastic sealing structures 15 to provide passage space, and after the shuttle passes, the elastic sealing structures 15 quickly return to their pressed state due to their elasticity, reforming the seal.

[0045] The above technical solutions significantly reduce energy loss, thereby greatly improving the energy utilization efficiency, launch stability and overall performance of the steam catapult system.

[0046] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the booster module includes a booster cylinder 50, a loading mechanism, and a firing mechanism; the booster cylinder 50 is slidably connected to the booster chamber 31, and the booster cylinder 50 is used to load propellant 52 to assist in pushing the piston 30; the loading mechanism is used to load propellant 52 into the booster cylinder 50; and the firing mechanism is used to ignite the propellant 52.

[0047] Specifically, the booster cylinder 50 is one of the core components of the booster module, used to contain and burn the propellant 52. It is guided and slidably connected to the booster chamber 31 of the piston 30 to ensure that the thrust generated by combustion can effectively act on the piston 30. The booster cylinder 50 can be designed as a cylindrical structure, with one end forming a sealed fit with the booster chamber 31, and the other end used for loading and firing the propellant 52. Its material must have the characteristics of being resistant to high temperature and high pressure.

[0048] The loading mechanism is used to safely and accurately load the propellant 52 into the booster tube 50, ensuring that the propellant 52 can reliably enter the booster tube 50 before ejection and preparing for subsequent firing. The loading mechanism may include a channel for conveying the propellant 52, a structure for positioning and securing the propellant 52, and a device for sealing the booster tube 50 after loading is completed. It may be manually operated or automatically controlled.

[0049] The firing mechanism is used to ignite the propellant 52 inside the booster tube 50. Its main function is to precisely trigger the combustion of the propellant 52 when additional thrust is required, thereby generating the necessary auxiliary thrust. The firing mechanism can be electric, mechanical, or chemical, and typically includes an igniter or detonation device. Upon receiving a control signal, this device generates sufficient energy to ignite the propellant 52 and is usually designed with safety measures to prevent accidental firing.

[0050] By introducing a booster module comprising a booster cylinder 50, a loading mechanism, and a firing mechanism, and by guiding and sliding the booster cylinder 50 to the booster chamber 31 of the piston 30, propellant 52 is loaded and assisted in pushing the piston 30. Simultaneously, the loading mechanism facilitates the loading of the propellant 52, and the firing mechanism ignites the propellant 52, providing additional chemical energy thrust. This auxiliary thrust significantly improves the initial acceleration and thrust output of the piston 30, effectively solving the problem of insufficient thrust that may exist in the initial stage of pure steam catapults. Through precise control of the firing mechanism, the timing and intensity of the auxiliary thrust can be flexibly adjusted according to the catapult requirements, thereby optimizing the catapult curve, ensuring that the projectile obtains a more ideal initial velocity and acceleration performance, and improving the efficiency and reliability of the entire catapult process.

[0051] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the booster 50 has a combustion chamber 51, and the combustion chamber has a first opening and a second opening, the first opening facing the booster chamber 31, and the second opening for the propellant 52 to enter.

[0052] Specifically, the combustion chamber 51 is a space inside the booster 50 specifically designed to contain the propellant 52 and carry out its combustion reaction. This chamber is designed to ensure efficient and stable combustion of the propellant 52 under controlled conditions, thereby generating high-pressure combustion gas. This chamber is typically formed by the inner wall of the booster 50, and its shape and dimensions can be optimized according to the required thrust, the type of propellant 52, and combustion characteristics. For example, it can be designed as a cylinder, cone, or other irregular shape to accommodate different combustion modes and gas flow requirements.

[0053] The first opening is a channel between the combustion chamber 51 and the booster chamber 31, used to guide the high-pressure gas generated by the combustion of the propellant 52 into the booster chamber 31, thereby applying thrust to the piston 30. This opening is typically located at one end of the combustion chamber 51 and is directly connected to the booster chamber 31. Its size and shape need to be precisely calculated to ensure that the gas can be quickly and efficiently delivered to the booster chamber 31, while avoiding gas backflow or energy loss.

[0054] The second opening is a channel for loading the propellant 52 into the combustion chamber 51. This opening is typically located at the other end of the combustion chamber 51 and works in conjunction with the loading mechanism. Its design should facilitate rapid and safe loading of the propellant 52 and ensure a reliable seal after loading to prevent gas leakage. For example, it can be designed as a snap-fit ​​interface or a valve structure to accommodate different loading methods and sealing requirements.

[0055] The combustion chamber 51 provides a controlled combustion environment for the propellant 52, ensuring its complete and stable combustion to generate the expected thrust. The first opening allows the high-pressure combustion gases to be precisely guided to the booster chamber 31, directly acting on the piston 30, thereby maximizing the utilization of the propellant 52's energy and improving the booster module's thrust efficiency and response speed. Simultaneously, the second opening, in conjunction with the loading mechanism, ensures the convenience and safety of the propellant 52 loading process, avoiding potential risks during loading. This structural design enables the booster module to more reliably and efficiently assist in pushing the piston 30, significantly improving the overall performance and launch efficiency of the steam catapult system.

[0056] Furthermore, in some embodiments, a mounting base 70 is provided at the power end 11, and the loading mechanism and the firing mechanism are disposed on the mounting base 70.

[0057] Specifically, the mounting base 70 can be a robust base or bracket, typically made of high-strength metal materials (e.g., alloy steel or aluminum alloy), whose main function is to provide a stable and precise mounting interface for other components.

[0058] Mounting base 70 is securely fixed to the power end 11 of the ejection cylinder 10 by bolts, welding, or other reliable connection methods, ensuring that there is no relative displacement during system operation. The loading mechanism is used to load propellant 52 into the booster cylinder 50. By mounting the loading mechanism on the aforementioned mounting base 70, a precise alignment between the loading mechanism and the second opening of the booster cylinder 50 can be ensured. This fixed installation method avoids possible shaking or deviation of the loading mechanism during operation, thereby ensuring that the propellant 52 can accurately and smoothly enter the combustion chamber 51 of the booster cylinder 50, preventing problems such as incomplete loading or propellant 52 leakage.

[0059] The firing mechanism is used to ignite the propellant 52. Similarly, mounting the firing mechanism on the aforementioned mounting base 70 ensures that it maintains a precise and stable relative position with the ignition point inside the booster cylinder 50. This fixed mounting is crucial to ensuring that the firing mechanism can reliably and promptly ignite the propellant 52, avoiding firing failures or delays due to positional deviations, thereby guaranteeing the normal startup and operation of the booster module.

[0060] By setting a mounting base 70 at the power end 11 and mounting both the loading mechanism and the firing mechanism on this mounting base 70, a unified and stable support platform is provided for these two key mechanisms. This effectively solves the problems of displacement, vibration, or alignment deviation that may occur in the loading mechanism and the firing mechanism during system operation. Specifically, the mounting base 70 ensures that the loading mechanism can accurately load the propellant 52 into the combustion chamber 51 of the booster tube 50, avoiding inaccuracies during the loading process; at the same time, the firing mechanism can stably align with the ignition point, ensuring reliable ignition of the propellant 52. This structural layout significantly improves the accuracy, stability, and reliability of the booster module during the loading and ignition of the propellant 52, thereby improving the operating efficiency and safety of the entire steam catapult system.

[0061] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the mounting base 70 has a through hole 71 and a receiving groove 72 communicating with the through hole 71. The through hole 71 communicates with the ejection cylinder 10 to allow the propellant 52 to enter the booster module. The filling mechanism includes a blocking block 61 and a driving mechanism 62. The blocking block 61 is guided and slidably disposed in the receiving groove 72. The driving mechanism 62 is used to drive the blocking block 61 to block or open the through hole 71.

[0062] Specifically, the mounting base 70 serves as a structure that supports the loading mechanism and the firing mechanism. The through hole 71 on it is a channel for the propellant 52 to enter the booster module, ensuring that the propellant 52 can be accurately delivered from the outside to the inside of the booster module.

[0063] The receiving groove 72, which communicates with the through hole 71, provides movement space and guidance for the subsequent sealing block 61, allowing the sealing block 61 to slide along a preset path to effectively block or open the through hole 71. The connection between the through hole 71 and the ejection cylinder 10 establishes a physical path for the propellant 52 from the external supply source to the interior of the booster module. This connection ensures that the propellant 52 can directly and smoothly enter the booster module, providing an energy source for the auxiliary thrust of the piston 30.

[0064] The filling mechanism is the core component responsible for the filling and channel control of the propellant 52. The sealing block 61 acts directly on the through-hole 71, physically blocking or opening the channel of the propellant 52. The drive mechanism 62 provides power and control, enabling the sealing block 61 to move precisely according to preset instructions. Preferably, the drive mechanism 62 is a crank-slider mechanism. Specifically, the crank can be a rotating rod, one end fixed to a rotating shaft, and the other end connected to a connecting rod via a pin. This rotating shaft can be driven by a motor or other suitable power source. The connecting rod connects the crank and the sealing block 61, which acts as a slider, typically with pins at both ends. The sealing block 61, acting as a slider, slides along a linear guide in the receiving groove 72 of the mounting base 70. The inner wall of the receiving groove 72 also serves as the guide for the slider. When the crank rotates, the sealing block 61 moves along a linear path within the receiving groove 72 through the transmission of the connecting rod, thereby opening or blocking the through-hole 71. For example, when the crank is rotated to a certain angle, the blocking block 61 can completely block the through hole 71; when it is rotated to another angle, the blocking block 61 will completely open the through hole 71.

[0065] The guide sliding arrangement of the sealing block 61 in the receiving groove 72 ensures the stability and accuracy of its movement. The receiving groove 72 not only provides support for the sealing block 61, but also restricts its direction of movement, preventing jamming or deviation during operation, thereby ensuring that the sealing block 61 can accurately block or open the through hole 71.

[0066] The drive mechanism 62, through its mechanical or electrical connection, converts external control signals into actual movement of the sealing block 61. When propellant 52 needs to be loaded, the drive mechanism 62 drives the sealing block 61 to open the passage 71; when loading is complete or isolation is required, the drive mechanism 62 drives the sealing block 61 to seal the passage 71. This driving method achieves automated and precise control of the propellant 52 channel.

[0067] By using the above technical solution, a through hole 71 and a receiving groove 72 are provided on the mounting base 70, and the filling mechanism includes a sealing block 61 and a driving mechanism 62 that are guided and slidably disposed in the receiving groove 72. This achieves precise control over the entry of the propellant 52 into the booster module channel, effectively preventing the propellant 52 from leaking or external impurities from entering, thereby ensuring the safety, reliability, and sealing of the filling process.

[0068] Furthermore, in some embodiments, an annular cavity 18 is provided between the outer peripheral surface of the booster cylinder 50 and the inner wall surface of the seamless cylinder section 13, and the outlet of the steam energy storage module is connected to the annular cavity 18.

[0069] Specifically, the booster cylinder 50 can be configured with a large-diameter section and a small-diameter section. The outer wall of the large-diameter section fits the inner wall of the seamless cylinder section 13, and the diameter of the small-diameter section is smaller than the inner diameter of the seamless cylinder section 13, thereby forming the annular cavity 18. The annular cavity 18 can serve as a dedicated channel for steam flow, ensuring that steam can be evenly distributed around the piston 30. The size and shape of the annular cavity 18 can be optimized according to the required steam flow rate and pressure distribution to ensure that the steam can quickly and evenly transmit thrust.

[0070] Furthermore, the outlet of the steam storage module is connected to the aforementioned annular cavity 18, allowing high-pressure steam from the steam storage module to be directly guided into the annular cavity 18 through its outlet. This connection can be achieved by providing one or more steam conduits that connect the steam storage module to the inlet of the annular cavity 18. The outlet can be designed as a single-hole or multi-hole structure to further optimize the uniformity of steam distribution within the annular cavity 18. The sealing of the connection is crucial to prevent high-pressure steam leakage; high-temperature and high-pressure resistant seals are typically used. Through this connection, steam can enter the annular cavity 18 in a concentrated and controlled manner, providing initial thrust to the piston 30.

[0071] Through the above technical solution, an annular cavity 18 is provided between the outer peripheral surface of the booster cylinder 50 and the inner wall surface of the seamless cylinder section 13, and the outlet of the steam energy storage module is connected to the annular cavity 18, so that steam power can be efficiently and uniformly introduced to the area around the piston 30.

[0072] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the steam energy storage module includes a steam pipeline 81 and an exhaust valve 82 and a pressure accumulator 83 arranged on the steam pipeline 81. The exhaust valve 82 is located between the ejection cylinder 10 and the pressure accumulator 83, and the pressure accumulator 83 is used to store high-pressure steam.

[0073] Specifically, steam line 81 is a channel for transmitting high-pressure steam. It can be made of high-pressure and high-temperature resistant metal materials, such as stainless steel or special alloy steel, to ensure structural integrity and sealing under extreme operating conditions. The design of the line needs to consider factors such as steam flow rate, pressure loss, and thermal expansion to optimize steam transmission efficiency and reduce energy loss.

[0074] The exhaust valve 82 is arranged on the steam pipeline 81 and located between the ejection cylinder 10 and the accumulator 83. The main function of the exhaust valve 82 is to precisely control the timing and flow rate of high-pressure steam entering the ejection cylinder 10 from the accumulator 83, and to discharge residual steam in the ejection cylinder 10 after ejection or when needed. The exhaust valve 82 can take various forms; for example, it can be a fast-response solenoid valve or pneumatic valve to achieve rapid and accurate control of steam flow; it can also be a shut-off valve or ball valve with good sealing performance to ensure zero steam leakage in the non-operating state.

[0075] The accumulator tank 83 is used to store high-pressure steam. Specifically, the accumulator tank 83 is typically a high-strength, corrosion-resistant pressure vessel, designed to withstand extremely high steam pressure and temperature. The volume of the accumulator tank 83 determines the amount of steam energy the system can store, thus affecting the continuous operation capability of the catapult system and the energy output of a single launch. To improve energy utilization efficiency, an insulation layer can be installed inside the accumulator tank 83 to reduce heat loss during steam storage. Furthermore, the accumulator tank 83 is typically equipped with pressure sensors, temperature sensors, and safety relief devices to monitor the internal status in real time and ensure operational safety.

[0076] In one embodiment, such as Figure 1 As shown, only one accumulator tank 83 can be installed. In another embodiment, as... Figure 4 As shown, two accumulators 83 can also be installed, each connected to a separate steam pipeline 81. The two steam pipelines 81 share an inlet end via an inlet valve 84 and an outlet end via an outlet valve 82. During operation, one accumulator 83 directly supplies high-pressure steam, while the other accumulator 83 stores the high-pressure steam required for the next launch as a backup. This alternating use improves steam launch efficiency. Furthermore, the safety redundancy of the accumulators 83 can be increased, ensuring that a failure in one accumulator 83 does not affect the use of the other accumulator for launch operations.

[0077] The above technical solutions enable the effective management and utilization of steam power, improving the response speed and energy conversion efficiency of the catapult system, thereby ensuring the reliability and safety of catapult operations.

[0078] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the blocking end 12 is provided with an elastic reset member 20 located within the ejection cylinder 10, the elastic reset member 20 being used to reset the piston 30.

[0079] Specifically, the elastic reset member 20 is a device capable of storing and releasing mechanical energy. It is compressed as the piston 30 moves toward the sealing end 12, thereby storing potential energy. After the piston 30 completes its ejection stroke, the elastic reset member 20 releases the stored energy, generating a thrust that pushes the piston 30 back to its initial position near the power end 11 along the axial direction of the ejection cylinder 10. The elastic reset member 20 can be implemented in various forms; for example, it can be one or more helical compression springs that are compressed when the piston 30 moves to the sealing end 12 and provide thrust when the piston 30 resets; it can also be a gas spring that utilizes internal compressed gas to provide the elastic reset force. The elastic reset member 20 is arranged inside the sealing end 12 of the ejection cylinder 10, allowing it to directly contact the end of the piston 30 or a specific structure on the piston 30, thereby effectively transmitting the reset force.

[0080] Through the above technical solution, after the piston 30 completes ejection and reaches the sealing end 12, the pre-stored energy elastic reset component 20 can automatically or semi-automatically push the piston 30 back to the power end 11, preparing for the next ejection. This significantly reduces the external energy input required for piston 30 reset, lowers the system's operating energy consumption, shortens the preparation time of the ejection system, improves overall operating efficiency and response speed, and ensures the stability and reliability of the system during continuous operation.

[0081] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this invention without departing from its spirit and scope. Therefore, if these modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this invention and their equivalents, this invention also intends to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A steam catapult system, characterized in that, include: The ejection cylinder has a power end and a sealing end, including a seamless cylinder section and a slotted cylinder section, and is provided with a piston that can slide within the slotted cylinder section. The slotted cylinder section has a sliding gap, and the piston has a booster chamber. The traction shuttle extends to the outside of the slotted cylinder section and passes through the sliding gap to be fixedly connected to the piston so as to be driven by the piston; A steam energy storage module, connected to the ejection cylinder, is used to provide steam power to the ejection cylinder; The booster module is fixedly installed in the seamless cylinder section, adjacent to the power end, and assists in pushing the piston closer to the sealing end through the booster chamber.

2. The steam catapult system according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both sidewalls of the sliding gap are provided with elastic sealing structures, and the two elastic sealing structures are fitted together and can be squeezed and separated by the traction shuttle.

3. The steam catapult system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The booster module includes a booster cylinder, a loading mechanism, and a firing mechanism; the booster cylinder is slidably connected to the booster chamber, and the booster cylinder is used to load propellant to assist in pushing the piston. The loading mechanism is used to load propellant into the booster cylinder; The firing mechanism is used to ignite the propellant.

4. The steam catapult system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The booster has a combustion chamber, and the combustion chamber has a first opening and a second opening, the first opening facing the booster chamber and the second opening for the propellant to enter.

5. The steam catapult system according to claim 4, characterized in that, A mounting base is provided at the power end, and the loading mechanism and the firing mechanism are mounted on the mounting base.

6. The steam catapult system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The mounting base has a through hole and a receiving groove communicating with the through hole. The through hole is connected to the ejection cylinder to allow propellant to enter the booster module. The filling mechanism includes a blocking block and a driving mechanism. The blocking block is guided and slidably disposed in the receiving groove. The driving mechanism is used to drive the blocking block to block or open the through hole.

7. The steam catapult system according to claim 6, characterized in that, The driving mechanism is a crank-slider mechanism.

8. The steam catapult system according to claim 3, characterized in that, There is an annular cavity between the outer peripheral surface of the booster cylinder and the inner wall surface of the seamless cylinder section, and the outlet of the steam energy storage module is connected to the annular cavity.

9. The steam catapult system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The steam energy storage module includes a steam pipeline and an exhaust valve and a pressure accumulator arranged on the steam pipeline. The exhaust valve is located between the ejection cylinder and the pressure accumulator, and the pressure accumulator is used to store high-pressure steam.

10. The steam catapult system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sealing end is provided with an elastic reset member located inside the ejection cylinder, which is used to reset the piston.

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